my life and lays. by andrew kinross. - digital.nls.uk · life of andrew kinross. father was a...

MY LIFE

AND LAYS.

ANDREW KINROSS.

RBS. |. 77.

MY LIFE AND LAYS

ANDREW KINROSS.

Invercargill: Printed by John Ward Co., Esk Street.

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CONTENTS.

My Life - - - - - . 1 Lays of the South— Patriotism - - - - - The Shipwreck ..... On Sailing for India .... Ode to my Brothers on my Going to Sea Composed when on the Lookout Composed when Leaving for Australia, 1848 Ode to my Brother - - - - Australian Squatter’s Song - - - - Ode to My Sweetheart - - - - - Ode to My Bride - Prayer ------ Ode to Southland . . . . . Ode to My Wife ----- Ode to New Zealand ----- A Southland Member’s Farewell A Southland Farmer’s Lay - - - - Ode to an absent Wife - - - A Freeman’s Lay . . - . . Man’s Origin and Destination Ode to Woman - - - - - New Zealand War Song - - - - The Old Land and the New . . . . On General Gordon On the Return of the Troops from the Soudan A New Year’s Lay, 1886 - A True Colonist ----- Rich and Poor ----- The Dying Soldier - /\ - The Noblest Ajfai 14/iiya_, . A Love Song - - - - . Man was not made to Mourn On the Unveiling of Burns’ Statue in Dunedin Porridge for Ever - - - . A Poet’s Proposal to a Prosaic Girl Castles in the Air Patriotism - - . . . The Farmer’s Lament Ode to My Wife - - - - Sweet Home - - - . - The Water of Life ^ - - - The Coming Line- - Unsectarian Religion - - . . Ode to Bracken - - . .

1-62 63 63 64 65 66 66 67 68 69 69 70 71 72 72 73 74 75 75 76 77 78 79 79 80 80 81 82 82 83 84 85 85 86 86 87 88 89 90 90 91 91 92 93

CONTENTS. Lays of the South (continued)— To Bracken - - - - - Coming Home - Death of Love Ode to a Lady Friend - - - - New Zealand Anthem - - The Wisest Plan

Philosophic Love - - - - Canny Love - - - - - True Love - - - - - My Own True Love Ode to Annie - - - - - A Farmer’s Offer ... - - Farewell to the Lindhurst Road Board A Democrat’s Lay ----- Success to New Australians A Poet to His Love A Dying Poet to His Love Poem for Annual Gathering of Southland Celtic Society - Welcome to a Spinster’s Ball To Jessie ----- - Past, Present, and Future The Best Federation Southland Pioneers’ Song Farewell - - - - My Lost Love God Save the People Poem for Highland Society of Southland The American Carriage Factory' Business The Bride’s Request - - - - The Rose of THllburn Yale Poem read before Gaelic Society of New Zealand, August 26, 1898 - - . - Poem for Second Annual Gathering of the Highland Society of Southland - - - - Looking Back - Short Poems, Sentiments, Jottings, &e.— To My Brother on His Going to Sea, 1845 - Before Proceeding on an Excursion To My Wife, 1853 Toasts To My Wife on Her Return from Dunedin A Country Lass ----- Written on a New Year’s Card sent to a Lady Composed at Lake Wakatipu Composed at Greenvale Station To a Young Lady Friend Composed for a Friend on the Death of a Relative - To a Poetess - - - - Farewell

94 95 95 96 97 97 98 99 99 100 100 101 102 ,02 103 103 104 104 105 106 106 107 108 109 no in in 112 112 113 114 115 115 116 117 117 117 117 119 119 120 120 120 120 121 121 122

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS.

We may wish, we may strive, what our future shall be, But our hopes and our fortunes may never agree. When I read the works of an author with whose sentiments I agree, or whose talents I admire, I feel that I would like to make his, or her, further acquaintance. It is likely that readers of my “Lays” may have the same feeling, and I commenced writing an autobiography. However, my experience has been so varied, and I have seen so many changes, that, although I kept condensing, to relate all in full I thought would require too much space ; so I decided that in connection with my “ Lays ” for the present I would publish a mere outline. Those who are fortunate generally attribute their success to merit. I have been unfortunate, and it seems to me that, although to some extent we are free agents, there is Divinity, Fate, Luck, Chance, or whatever term we use, that influences our lives. I have never been able to follow an occupation that I liked ; I have seldom enjoyed the society I longed for; I have not met with the sympathy and appreciation that I hoped for; and I have not had a regular income sufficient to enable me to gratify my tastes. 1 write rather to increase the number of my friends amongst those who have poetic tastes and generous natures than with a hope of profit.

We may often come together, we may often meet and part, Yet may never know what passes within each other’s heart. Only those who have similar tastes can understand each other, and I hope that as my narrative progresses my feelings will be understood by most of my readers. I was born in Glasgow on 19th August, 1829. My father came from beyond Dumblane, and my mother—a M'Donald— from Inverness-shire. I flatter myself that I have inherited the best characteristics of the Lowlander and the Highlander. My

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. father was a grocer, and must have had a good income, as I still remember living in a large stone house, where my two younger brothers and I had every comfort and attention. No doubt this was the happiest period of my life. But my happiness did not last long, for my father died on 10th April,. 1834, at the age of twenty-eight years. My mother was not accustomed to business, but she managed to conduct it on a smaller scale. I was sent to different schools, and always made good progress. Prizes were not given then so freely as now, but at an early age I got a prize for reciting Byron’s “ Isles of Greece.” My mother must have been pleased with my elocution, or seen signs of poetic talent, as I still possess a volume of Shakespeare’s Plays which she presented to me. On 14th January, 1841, my mother died, and our home was broken up. My brother Daniel went to reside with Uncle Angus, who was a grocer and had no family. John stayed with Uncle John, who also was a grocer and had a daughter. As Uncle Alexander had a family of five, I was allotted to him, as, being the oldest, I would soonest be self-supporting. Uncle Alexander had a private school, and, in some respects, I was most fortunate in being taken charge of by him. Unfortunately, our uncles did not interchange visits, though they all resided in Glasgow. On this account my brothers and I did not meet so often as we desired. Our uncles received a fair sum from our mother’s estate, and they need not have been hard on us, but the Scotch system of dealing with young people was cold and stern. My uncle’s school was more of a finishing than a preparatory one, and at first some of the scholars were more advanced than I. However, no one learned so quickly as I did, and I soon took the lead in all branches but arithmetic. I soon saw that my uncle was the best teacher I ever had, and he tried to make his pupils understand the rules and study thoroughness. In company with my cousin Jeanie, who was some months younger than I, and Donald, who was two years younger than Jeanie, I was sent to a first-class dancing school. I would not have gone of my own accord, but I soon became an accomplished dancer, and liked dancing. I was fond of young ladies, but I was bashful, and found it difficult to converse freely. This feeling gradually wore off, and I am not bashful now, and find no trouble in conversing with a young lady with poetic tastes when I am so fortunate as to meet one alone. I still remember with pleasure our final dancing school ball, held in the largest hall in Scotland. There was a numerous orchestra, and numbers of the relatives and friends

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. were present. I danced a single dance ; but I have forgotten all the steps. I took part in dancing hornpipes and other step dances, and I still like dancing a hornpipe.

When l was fourteen years of age my uncle told me to apply for a situation as junior clerk in a lawyer’s office. I applied in writing, and obtained the appointment in the office of Messrs. Moody and M'Clure, at a salary of eight pounds a year. I have never had an occupation since that I liked so well; but when I had been a year in the office a printer offered my uncle fifteen pounds a year for my services as bookkeeper, etc. I did not like this employment, and applied for a situation in a manufacturer’s office, and obtained it. The salary was also fifteen pounds a year, and I was employed chiefly in bookkeeping and making out invoices; The residence of Mrs. Davies, my aunt, was more convenient to the office than my uncle’s house, so I went to reside with her. Fortunately, it took a long time to wind up my mother’s estate, and I got my share of the final payment after I left my uncle’s charge. If 1 had obtained an appointment in an office where there was a likelihood of promotion to a fairly-paid position I would have been satisfied, but it seemed that there was a superabundance of clerks. I thought there might be a better chance of saving money in America; so I resigned my situation with the intention of going there. Probably through having lost my parents I was more thoughtful, self-reliant, and patriotic than most lads. I took a pleasure in reading of those who were chivalrous, and who made sacrifices for their principles. My favourite heroes were Wallace and Hampden, and I resolved to profit by their example so far as circumstances permitted. At an early age I acquired a taste for poetry, and composed short pieces. Although Burns is the favourite poet of Scotland, as his poems relate to country life chiefly, and my experience and tastes were for city life, I was not an ardent admirer of his. As Scott’s prose and poetical writings related mostly to chivalry, heroism, romance, and patriotism, I read his works with pleasure. I was also an admirer of Campbell, and his “ Lochiel and the Wizard ” was my favourite recitation, and I generally took the part of the Wizard. When I thought of going to America I composed: Oh, Canada ! fertile though cold, Fit land for spirits brave and bold ; Land of dark woods and mighty lakes, Where all of majesty partakes.

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. The course of my life has often b^en altered by slight occurrences, and so I did not carry out my intention of going to America. I was walking along the Broomielaw Quay with an old schoolmate who intended going to sea. We met the first mate of the barque “ Orissa,” which was bound for Calcutta, and he asked my friend if he would go as an apprentice. He replied that he had already engaged to go with another vessel. The mate then asked if I would go, and I said I would. I was introduced to the captain, accompanied him to the Custom House, and signed indentures binding for four years. I bought an outfit, bade my friends good-bye, and went aboard the “Orissa” in the evening. On 16th June, 1847, we were towed down the Clyde, and anchored in Gourock Bay. In my “ Lays” there is a poem I composed—“ On Sailing for India.” The “ Orissa” was only 328 tons, and, usually, the smaller the vessel the harder the life, especially for the lads. I kept a log regu- larly, and have all the details of a sailor’s life, but must omit them. Every night I kept a watch on top of the topgallant fore- castle, and I occupied my time in thinking of friends left behind. In my “ Lays ” there is an “ Ode to My Brothers ” and verses “ Composed When on the Look Out.” Our provisions were very bad, and when we were out two months scurvy broke out. Although I suffered great pain and grew weaker, 1 kept on working till 2nd October. On that date 1 was assisting to furl the mainsail, and I was at the port yardarm. As I was passing the gasket round the sail the vessel plunged, and I fell. For a short time I swung at the end of the gasket—till it broke. If it had broken as 1 swung outwards I would have closed my career in the Southern Ocean ; but it broke as I fell inwards, and as I fell I caught the ratlines above the bulwarks, and the captain helped me on deck. Next day our course was altered to the Mauritius, as the captain saw the crew were too weak to work the barque. Before our arrival there the cook died, and on the 14th seven of my shipmates and I were taken to the hospital near Port Louis. I was in more danger than any of my shipmates, and as my heart was affected 1 had a powerful fly blister placed over it. On the 21st November I sailed for London, in the brig “Isle of Wight,” and three other vessels, all belonging to Messrs. Blyth, sailed on the same day. Although two of our consorts were faster sailers, we reached London first—on the 14th Feb- ruary, 1848. Our captain carried so much sail that our decks were generally under water, and I suffered so much from sea

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. boils that I could not wear shoes. I got back to Glasgow on the 23rd, and one pound was all I got for my eight months at sea. As my brothers did not feel at home with their uncles, they both went to sea. The owner of the “ Orissa ” said he would cancel my indentures if I wished, or I could wait for the return of the “ Orissa.” I was pleased to meet old friends and companions, and as most of my after life has been spent amongst persons with less culture, I often think of the past, and could always say—

Give me a life in the city, Where ladies are charming and gay ; Where we meet with the wise and the witty, And life passes brightly away. .Girls are often partial to sailors, and before visiting I got a good cloth suit made with silk facings, buttons, &c. I met several young ladies who were kind and agreeable, and they still retain a place in my heart. Sometimes we meet—we almost love, then we aro forced to part, But still remembrance of the past will linger in the heart. I read a favourable account of Australia, and it seemed to me there was a better opening there than in Scotland. I mentioned my impressions to a friend who was a clerk in the North British Insurance Company’s office. He told me that Mr Hamilton, the manager, had a son in Victoria, who was a partner in a sheep station, and that Mr. Hamilton, senior, sometimes made engagements of persons for the station. 1 accepted George’s offer to introduce me to Mr. Hamilton, and I agreed to serve Messrs. Donald and Hamilton, of Langi Kal-Kal station, for three years at a salary of £18, £20, and £22. When parting with my friends in Scotland I got some presents which I have preserved, and will always value. 1 got several book marks with mottoes sown with beads or in silk, and they were more valued when the young ladies did the work themselves than if they were bought. Lizzie gave me one with the motto “For Auld Lang Syne, and Jeanie one with “Dinna Forget,” and I have not forgotten them, and never shall. The last night I spent in Scotland I visited my uncle Alexander, my aunt, and cousins. Amongst other friends present was a Miss McAlpine, who gave me a mark with the motto “ The best of friends must part,” which she said she had sat -up late the night before to finish. On leaving my uncle’s I accompanied this young lady to her residence, and as she had been so kind, I could not part with her

LIB'E OF ANDREW KINROSS. without showing her I appreciated her kindness, and as we were alone I embraced her, and gave her my last kiss in Scot- land. On May 24, 1848, with a sad heart I left Glasgow for London, via Granton, and I expressed my feelings in a poem— “ Composed when Leaving for Australia.” On the 30th I sailed from London in the barque Berkshire, 582 tons, and landed in Geelong on October 7. Messrs Strachan and Co., who were agents for Messrs Donald and Hamilton, told me that the drays from the station with wool were expected shortly, and I had best go with them. A clerk took me to a comfortable boarding house, and each afternoon I met Susannah, my pretty little English girl, and I composed—

Australia Felix ! fair and free, I hope to find a home in thee ; Land of the bright and golden fleece, Thy flocks and herds shall still increase. Owing to the wet weather the shearing was late, and as 1 was anxious to get to work I proposed walking up to the station, about eighty miles distant. On the 15th I parted from Susannah, got one of her auburn ringlets, and we never met again. Next morning 1 started for the station, and got on all right to Buninyong, fifty miles from Geelong. After that 1 walked on without seeing a man, a hut, or a sheep ; and I passed a night crouched under a log—cold, wet, hungry, weary, and footsore. After my arrival on the station I was employed hut-keeping, shepherding, &c. It was a very fine station, comprising open plains, lightly timbered slopes, and sheltered ranges. There were about 20,000 sheep, which Mr. Donald took charge of, and about 800 head of cattle, which Mr. Hamilton looked after. Most of the men employed on the station were expirees from Van Dieman’s Land, and it was their custom to knock down their cheques periodically, and then return to work contentedly. They suited the squatters, as they were always on the labour market and never wanted land of their own or votes. Wages were for hut-keeping .£20 to £22, shepherding £22 to .£24, bullock-driving, &c., about <£26, with rations. Bations were 101b. flour, 121b. meat, |lb. tea, and 21b sugar; and I have never before or since seen such dirty, wet, black sugar. The only females on the station were Mrs. Boss, the ploughman’s wife, and Mrs. Clark, the overseer’s wife, and as there was not an unmarried girl within miles I was out of tempta- tion. Messrs. Donald and Hamilton were middle-aged bachelors and no doubt they had to rough it when they first took up the

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. station. Before my arrival they had a comfortable home station, good outbuildings, woolshed, sheepwash, &c. Out-station huts contained one apartment, and were built of undressed split slabs, with bark roofs and the earth for a floor. For nearly two years I was employed chiefly shepherding at various outstations. My mates were nearly all smokers, but I never felt the least inclina- tion to use tobacco. Reading matter was scarce, but I occupied my mind building castles, making poetry, &c., and an “ Ode to my Brother ” is in my “ Lays.” I carried a tomahawk and I cut out of hollow trees and logs opossums, native cats, -bandicoots, kangaroo rats, &c. I pegged out the skins, and made rugs, caps, &c., with them. I frequently killed snakes. All those I saw tried to escape. The chief danger was in tramping on them un- awares. I did my own washing, mending, &e., and when my socks wore out I went without socks. In July, 1850, after falling a small tree I let the axe come down on my foot, and I lost more blood than I thought possible. However, after the bleeding ceased I soon got well again. Towards the end of 1850 I removed to the home station, and became overseer, storekeeper, bookkeeper, &c., as Messrs. Donald and Hamilton intended visiting Britain to see friends, the Exhibition, &c. The greatest part of my work was done in the saddle. Amongst other duties I rode to Burnbank, nine miles distant, for mails on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, after supper. On February 5, 1851, the mail did not arrive till after midnight, and as I rode back the forest was on fire. On the 6th I was riding all day through fire, smoke, and hot blast, seeing the flocks driven to places of safety; and during the night I assisted in watching flocks, where the yards had been burnt. Our losses were trifling compared to those sustained by some others; but I expect I have not many readers who passed “ Black Thursday ” in the saddle. On the 13th Messrs. Donald and Hamilton started for Britain. They could afford a holiday, and had earned it. Before leaving, Mr. Donald said, “ You are young to have charge of men. Be civil to them, but do not be familiar; and if you study our interests while we are away we will study yours when we come back.” Mr. Clark, the superintendent, had been on the station for many years, and as he took most of the salary for his services, and also his wife’s, in sheep he was prospering. A Mr. Colin Campbell had Buangor Station, about 20 miles from Langi-Kal-Kal, and as he was not up in station management Mr. Clark had a share in Buangor and managed it. A son and daughter of Mr. Clark’s had been at

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. school, but soon after the departure of Messrs. Donald and Hamilton they returned from school. Helen, who was the older of the two, was 16 years of age. She seemed a kind-hearted girl, but was not attractive, and 1 was very careful in my behaviour towards her. Probably she would have got a flock of sheep for a tocher, but I scorned the idea of marrying for money. Experience has shown me that money generally lasts longer than love, and whilst sheep increase love decreases. I had a sitting- room and a bedroom, and had my meals alone, so life was very quiet. One evening a hutkeeper reported that as the shepherd did not return with his flocks, on searching he found him lying dead. The body was brought into the home station and buried on the hillside.

He was only a shepherd died watching the sheep, No human eye sasr him when he went to sleep ; There was no one who knew him, no one to fret, Put the corpse in the cold ground, then let us forget. In the end of the autumn Miss Haynes came from Euahgor with the intention of proceeding to Geelong by the mail coach. She had her meals with me, and I thought, she might help to make a few evenings pass agreeably. She was a native of Tasmania, was sixteen years of age, and rather over middle height, and also had beautiful wavy brown hair. Fate decided that our acquaintanceship should last longer than I anticipated. Winter set in early, the coach was abandoned, and the mails taken by pack horse. As no opportunity of reaching Geelong occurred she remained at Langi Kal-Kal. I had a great deal of riding during the winter, and when 1 came in cold and weary it was pleasant to be met by a pretty girl who seemed always kind and glad to see me. I thought that marriage would prevent success in life, and had resolved to save something considerable before taking that step. I would have kept my resolve under ordinary circumstances, but meeting my pretty girl every night I may be excused if my heart proved stronger than my head, and I fell in love properly. The rush to Ballarat occurred about the time my engagement expired, in October, 1851. As it was the beginning of shearing, and I had charge of the sheepwash, I waited till the shearing was over before trying my luck at gold digging. Whilst sheepwashing the sheep were first soaked in hot water and were finished by being held under the spouts till thoroughly clean. I have never seen sheep so white before or since that washing. After the shearing was completed, the sheep

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. drafted, and the books made up, on January 5, 1852, 1 left for Fryer’s Creek. Messrs. Donald and Hamilton are the only employers I have worked for in the colonies, and I can con- scientiously say that I served them as faithfully as I have worked for myself.

When I arrived on Fryer’s Creek water was scarce and digging rather slack. I joined a Mr Miller’s party, and as he had a team of bullocks he got a share for carting the washdirt to the Loddon. Looking back on the past, I feel sure that if 1 had remained on the station I would have been more comfortable, and would have saved more money than by the coarse I adopted. However, I regret that 1 did not make for Melbourne, where at that time there was a choice of situations. If I had qualified as a lawyer, entered the Civil service, or entered into business, what an infinitely more congenial life I might have led ! Before Mr Miller started storekeeping on Fryer's Creek he was engaged in hawking, and he had some of his bullocks turned out. As the season advanced cartage from Melbourne to the goldfields steadily rose, and Mr Miller proposed to Billy, his driver, and to me that we should drive the teams on shares, and we agreed to his proposal. Billy rode over to the station for the spare bullocks, and I looked after those at Fryer’s Creek. As the feed was scarce near the diggings, 1 generally took a rug and camped out with the bullocks. Before Billy got back with the team he was stuck up by a bushranger, and his money, horse, saddle and bridle, etc., were taken from him. Whilst we were digging 1 cleared about five pounds a week, and before starting for Melbourne I bought gold at two pounds fourteen shillings an ounce with my spare cash. My brother John arrived at Fryer’s Creek at this time, and took a situation for a time in Mr. Miller’s store. On I2th April Billy and I started for Melbourne, with six bullocks in each team, it being my first experience at driving bullocks. Billy was acquainted with Mr Simmonds, who had a small farm at the Springs, about nine miles from Melbourne, and we arrived there on the 17th. I was glad to get properly to bed, as I had not undressed for nearly three weeks, on account of watching bullocks. On Monday, the 19th, I visited Melbourne for the first time, and found it a busy, rapidly-extending city. I sold my gold for three pounds an ounce, bought a swell suit of clothes, and lodged my spare cash in the bank. Next day I went to Geelong by steamer, and found my best girl all right. I told her

10 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. mother that Mary Aim and I intended marrying, but I thought it best to wait till I saved more money. Mr Harrold, her step- father, who was a carpenter, was at work, but I met him in the evening. In gold digging days we were generous to our girls, so I bought the prettiest figured silk dress piece I could see for my one, and gave her a nugget of over an ounce. On the 24th we loaded the drays in Melbourne, and got back to Mr Simmonds’s. The rate of cartage to Fryer’s Creek, about eighty miles distant, was twenty-five pounds a ton, and we put two tons on each dray. Wet weather set in, and the roads, which were in a state of nature, were soon cut up. Although we did not have a break- down, we did not deliver the last of our loads till the-31st May, thus taking five weeks to travel eighty miles. Billy refused to go again, so on 4th June I started for Melbourne with ten bullocks in the dray, On the 10th I put the bullocks in a paddock, and foolishly went off to Geelong again. On the 16th I loaded for Fryer’s Creek, at £110 a ton, and put on 25cwt. On the 22nd a man and his old woman, who had just come from Tasmania, camped with me. Sam proposed to assist me if I gave the old woman and the kid a lift and found them in tucker, and I agreed to Sam’s proposal. I had been in the habit of sleeping on the ground, under the dray, but we managed to provide better accom- modation for a female by rigging a tilt with whipsticks, etc. I got on better than most teams for awhile, but I lost the bullocks for ten days. Looking for lost bullocks is even more miserable than wading through mud all day whilst driving. No doubt the bullocks had been worked, but I was glad to get them again. On 17th July I camped beyond Kynecon, as it was too wet to travel. Two young men came to the camp, and asked if I knew anyone likely to buy a team of bullocks. They said that in summer they drove overland from South Australia to Bendigo, but they had got a letter from their mother requesting them to come home, as their father had died. They left Bendigo with their team, with the intention of selling the turn-out in Melbourne and taking the steamer to Adelaide. However, the dray got bogged a short distance from my camp, and they wished to sell the dray in the bog and the six bullocks on the grass. They asked sixty pounds for the lot, so I went and examined them. Although the bullocks were thin they were young and sound, and the dray was good, though rather heavy ; so 1 gave them what they asked for them. Next morning I pulled out the dray with Mr. Miller’s team, and put a part of the loading on it. I put eight bullocks in each

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 11 dray, and Sam followed, driving the weaker team. Although there were a great many teams on the roads, the drivers had all mates, and I did not get acquainted with many carriers; but I suppose it might be said of some—

He was only a driver wading through mire, Strong in his language, coarse in attire ; Yet under the surface is beating a heart, Tender and true to its innermost part. When we were about ten miles from the store the pole of the dray in Sam’s charge got broken. I went on, delivered my load, and on my return I put in a new pole. Next morning I found my six bullocks, but Mr. Miller’s ten were gone, no doubt stolen. John came and took charge whilst I went bullock-hunting, and I gave Sam a few pounds before he went on to the diggings. After searching for the bullocks until I gave up all hope of finding them, I yoked up my six bullocks, and delivered the last of my load on August 25, the journey occupying nearly ten weeks. After Mr. Miller deducted £50 for the share of lost bullocks, there was not much left for my winter’s work. John agreed to go on the roads with me, and I agreed to assist him in buying a team. I bought two bullocks, and before starting again 1 spelled for a time on good feed on the Upper Loddon. During the previous summer the flat where we camped was used largely for washing gold, and whilst we spelled the bullocks we picked up about five ounces of gold in the Loddon and on its banks. John bought a team of bullocks in Melbourne, and during the summer of 1853 we made regular trips, and had no bad luck. After paying expenses I saved upwards of £150. I was careful and did not spend mnch in amusements, though I paid a few visits to Row’s Circus, and heard Barlow sing “ Ben Bolt,” “ Blue-tailed Fly,” &c. On May 18th I was married to Mary Ann Catherine Haynes by Mr. Stretch, Episcopalian clergyman in Geelong. Like other classes he liked gold-digging prices, and charged £6 5s. for the job. The weather was very fine, and during the afternoon we drove round the town and suburbs. Mr. Harrold went to the stables with the coaches, and when he returned he told us he had paid £10 for the two coaches for that day, and had agreed to pay £20 to have them for three days more. It may seem a foolish expenditure, yet I think it is likely that he never enjoyed himself more than he did on that occasion, and the recollection of a good time lasts for life. As Mary had no friends in Melbourne she felt dull, and in the summer of 1854 she went a few trips with us. Perhaps she was

12 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. shaken too much in the draj, and, as she felt unwell, she remained at Mr. Simmonds when we started for Fryer’s Creek on March 1. After we delivered our loads we came out the hack road by the Loddon, and spelled for a time on good feed about ten miles from Kyneton. Although 1 knew little of farming it was carried on in a very simple style, and prices of produce were high. Farming seemed to me to be the surest mode of providing for the future, and I had attended sales, but did not succeed in buying a farm. After being surveyed into sections land was sold by auction at an upset of ^61 an acre without conditions. Sheep and cattle had risen greatly in value, and frequently the squatters bought up nearly all the land placed on the market.

For many years Liberal politicians tried to have conditions imposed that would stop speculation and monopoly, but they did not succeed, as the Upper House was composed chiefly of land monopolists. I have always thought it unfortunate that the Australasian Colonies were burdened with Upper Houses, but Victoria’s constitution was worst of all. No one was eligible for election unless he possessed land to the value of some thousands of pounds, and the franchise was given only to those who owned or leased land of considerable value. A block of land near Kyneton was to be put up to auction, and I intended attending the sale, trying to buy a section. On March 15 I left John at the drays, and examined the various sections to be sold. After having done so, I visited the post office at Kyneton and received a letter from Mr. Simmonds. He stated that after my departure Mary had been so ill that it was doubtful if she would recover. It was more than 40 miles to the Springs, but on receiving the letter I at once W’alked there. On arrival I was glad to find that Mary wras in a fair way towards recovery. That illness cost me over .£50, and I lost the chance of the land sale. As many of the worst places on the road had been metalled, and feed for bullocks was always getting scarcer, I decided to sell the bullocks and buy horses. After I returned to the drays I sold my team in Kyneton for £120, and John sold his for £100, and we then walked down to the Springs, a good walk for a showery autumn day, over a rough road. On April 6 John bought two horses, dray, harness, &c., for £160, and I bought two horses, dray, harness, &c., for £150. I rented a two-roomed cottage in North Melbourne at £1 5s. a week, and shifted Mary and our furniture, &c., into it. On the 15th we loaded for Castlemaine at £42 a ton, and put 14owt. on

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 13 each dray, besides the horses’ feed, &c. Buying horses was very risky, but we were rather fortunate ; so, after delivering our loads, we got back to North Melbourne on the 30th. We loaded again for Castlemaine at .£77 a ton, left on June 5, and made a stage of 15 miles. Next morning John’s leader—a handsome, active horse—was gone; no doubt having been stolen. With some trouble we delivered our loads with the three horses, and on our return to Melbourne I sold my little leader, and we bought two strong horses. When we got off the metal after loading again, our new horses stuck us up in the mud, and we lost a lot of money and time before we got suited. Our brother, Daniel, came out from Glasgow, and John and I paid him to assist us in watching the horses. Afterwards he went digging in Barker’s Creek, but he was not very fortunate. On the night of April 15. 1855, John’s leader—a smart little cob—was stolen out of the yard in North Melbourne. He was so discouraged with his continued bad luck that he sold his shaft horse and dray for £85, and left the roads. To save rent, in 1856, I bought a section in the outside street in North Melbourne, where it was convenient to let the horses out sometimes. Mr. Harrold, who was a first-class tradesman, put up for me a stable and a three-roomed cottage, which was more comfortable than the rented cottages.

Though we dwell in any nation, And any part may fill, What we learned in childhood’s station Will cling around us still. Before marriage I think the male should be most active in courting, but after marriage I would have liked if my girl had returned my loving words and caresses. However, I think she must have been accustomed to see those laughed at who spoke in affectionate terms. She seemed to have been taught that a wife’s highest mission in life was to be a good housekeeper; she was careful, industrious, neat, and handsome, and would have suited a prosaic man with means. As I did not marry to get a home, but rather to obtain a loving, sympathetic companion, I would have preferred if my girl had possessed a more poetic, affectionate nature. In my “ Lays ” 1 have inserted an “ Ode to my Sweet- heart ” and an “ Ode to my Wife,” but finding my girl did not care for poetry, and nothing occurred to inspire me, I abandoned composing. During 14 years of what ought to have been the brightest period of my life, my poetic talent lay almost dormant from my 23rd to my 37th year. I am afraid most wives soon for-

14 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. get that they promised to love, honour, and obey. However, I did not wish obedience, but that love should be spontaneous, and I hoped to be honoured my proving worthy of being honoured. As the roads continued to be improved many carriers replaced their drays by waggons, which paid better and were much more comfortable. As I was always in hopes that I would get a farm I refrained from getting a waggon. It added greatly to our comfort when the Americans sent us tilt frames, and we had no longer to sleep on the ground. In 1857 I bought a strong, compact, hardy, Suffolk Punch horse, and I got a new dray and a good set of harness made for him. He turned out most suitable for following, and I drove two horses in one dray and one horse in the other till I left Victoria. A better price was given for carrying awkward loading and for going to out-of-the-way places, and I went anywhere for the best price. I question if any carrier on the roads travelled and camped so much alone as I did, and I was sometimes in an awkward lix, but always got out of it some- how. When the road to Castlemaine was completed there were eleven tolls on it, and as I paid 2s 6d at each toll in summer I used back roads chiefly when returning. If wading through mud in winter was rough, the clouds of dust and the dirty water we had to drink in summer were almost as bad, and it is surprising how our eyes and lungs were not more affected. About 1860 my uncle Angus died, and his trustees sent drafts of ^£20 each to Dan, John, and me. John and I got ours cashed, but Dan disappeared, and 1 cannot say whether he is alive or not; so the shareholders in the Union Bank of Austi’alia got the benefit of his .£20. I was so little at home that it was a dull life for my wife, especially as she held the opinion that when neighbours get very friendly rows are apt to follow. However, as she had a son in 1855, a daughter in 1857, and a son in 1860 they would help to amuse her. At a sale at a neighbour’s house .£26 was stolen from her pocket. The thief was lucky, as it was seldom I left so much at home.

The Victorian goldfields were discovered and developed by working men, and a wonderful impetus was given to the progress of the colony. 1 question if anything has contributed so much to elevate the status of producers and to raise wages throughout most parts of the Empire as gold discoveries. In accordance with Tory custom the autocratic Government considered how the diggers could be most easily fleeced. The squatters had been

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 15 allowed to occupy large areas of first-class country at merely nominal rents. The gold was found mostly in barren country of little value for agriculture or pasturage. However, the Govern- ment decided that a license fee of thirty shillings a month must be paid for the right to dig. Even on the best goldfields some were unfortunate, and those without licenses were mercilessly hunted down. A proposal was even mooted to raise the license fee to £3, and amongst other causes this drove some of the digger’s into rebellion. They acted most unwisely by not offering a passive resistance, for if ten thousand men had refused to pay the Government could not have enforced payment. At that time British troops were quartered in the colony, and a Governor had greater power than under a system of constitutional Government. No doubt if Sir Charles Hotham or some of his advisers had met the diggers and discussed the matter in a temperate manner, it could have been easily settled, and the Eureka stockade abandoned. However, it was thought more dignified to order rhe soldiers to attack the diggers, and thus a number of good men wegje murdered in an attempt to preserve Tory customs. To the honour of the people of Victoria no jury could be found to find guilty of treason the prisoners who were tried. When the diggers got the franchise they valued the privilege more on account of having fought against oppression. They wisely adopted the course of electing members of Parliament from their own class, and Mr. Lalor, who led those whom the Government called rebels, rose to be Speaker of the House. Many diggers and others possessed of moderate means desired to buy land for farming, and the Lower House often tried to assist settlement by making the land laws more liberal, but the Upper House frustrated the efforts of the Lower. When the Nicholson Land Act was passed it was provided that applications for sections must be lodged, with deposits, by a certain time, and at the subsequent auction only those who had applied could bid. No one was allowed to buy more than 640 acres; but there were no residence or improvement conditions. Under this act, in April, 1861, I applied for a * section of 112 acres on one of Mr. Hugh Glass’s stations on the Avoca River. The sale took place at Maryborough, about 100 miles from Melbourne. Before the sale I said to Mr Gardiner, manager of the station, that if 1 got the section I would not interfere with his arrangements, and I would be a good neighbour. When I showed him the section he said he was sorry he must oppose me, as his instructions were to buy all the sections with a

16 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. river frontage at any price. Mr Glass had a business in Melbourne, and every acre of agricultural land on the station was applied for by him and his employees. If he had to depend on his own capital as I did probably I could have outbid him, but as he had the bank to back him I had to give him best. I related the circumstances of the sale to the late Mr. Rolfe, who was one of the few Liberal members of the Upper House. The Liberal Heales Government was then in office, and when Mr. Rolfe spoke to Mr. Brooke, Minister of Lands, he requested me to send in a written statement, and I did so. Mr. Brooke said he knew the squatters were evading the law, but not to such an extent; but he would not open any more land till he got some amendment of the law.

On the evening of July 25 I camped in the Black Fcfrest, a mile beyond Woodend. As the night was cold I had drawn the drays into a sheltered spot and had turned in with my trousers and socks on. I was awakened by a noise, and on looking out I saw three men leaning against the shaft. The man next me asked me if I had any drink, and 1 said I had not. He then said, “ Can you lend us some money ? ” I said it was not usual to lend money to strangers. I thought something migK§ turn up in my favour, if they were bushrangers, and 1 would scheme as long as possible to save my money. I had a purse with about 10s. in silver, and a pocket-book containing ,£24. 1 slipped the pocket-book under some horsefeed, and when the bushranger presented a pistol at me, and said, “ Give me your money! ” I handed him the purse with the silver. After he looked in it he said, “ Where is the rest of your money ?” and I said, “ In my trousers.” He said, “Give them to me;”-and I handed him a pair. After searching, he said, “ There is no, money here ? ” and I said, “ It must have fallen out.” He then said, “ Get me a candle ; and I said it was in the pocket of the dray. He then ordered me to jump down and get it. I thought if I save him the candle he would soon find the money, but without a light he might not. 1 thought I would chance a shot, so when I got the candle, instead of giving it to him I turned round the drays, and soon ran down to the police station. Two constables accompanied me back to the drays, and 1 found my pocket-book all right. Just as I had changed my socks and put on my boots, we heard the report of a pistol. We went in the direction of the sound, and soon met the three men coming towards the dray. Two were

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 17 covered by the constable’s revolvers before they saw us, and when told to stand they obeyed. The leader bolted through the scrub and escaped; but he dropped the pistol, which was picked up by one of the constables. Next morning the two bushrangers were tried at Kyneton and committed to the Supreme Court. When tried in Melbourne they got four years each, and the constables were rewarded. When I was in New Zealand, a detective told my wife that a man was in custody who was suspected of being the third bushranger ; but I did not; return to Melbourne. When the rush to Tuapeka from Melbourne took place, cartage got very low, and I agreed to accompany a brother-in-law to New Zealand with our horses. I liked Victoria, and would not have left it if I could have got a settled home there.

After marriage we lived very quietly and made few acquaintances. I am fond of society; have been a first class dancer, and liked dancing very much; but I was never at a ball whilst in Victoria. With the horses 1 made 198 trips to different diggings, &c., and the gross earnings, with the horses and their cost, amounted to £3,362 15s. 6d. On September 21 I shipped my three horses, two drays, &c., in the brig “ Dunedin,” and sailed for Port Chalmers and Dunedin next morning. We landed our horses at Port Chalmers on October 5, 1861, and our drays afterwards at Dunedin. As my mate, John Hind, decided to remain in Dunedin, I sold my turn-out for £230, and returned by s.s. “ Oscar,” getting home to North Melbourne on October 24. I bought two first-class heavy draught horses for £127 10s., and got good harness and a first- class dray made, as I intended using the team on the roads in Otago. I also bought two cheaper horses to sell, and on November 6 I again set sail for Port Chalmers in the brig

“ Eliza Goddard. My horses were landed on the 22nd, and I sold two' at a fair profit. I was offered £250 for my two horses, dray, &c., but preferred trying my luck on the roads. On the 29th I loaded 15cwt. for Waitahuna at £28 a ton, and got ‘back to Dunedin on December 2. As no other large goldfields * were discovered, and fresh teams came on the road, cartage began to fall. I never met in with a regular mate, and travelled chiefly by myself; and I was always amongst the first to start in the morning. In January, 1862,1 took a load of flour to a storekeeper and baker at the upper end of Gabriel’s Gully. When the storekeeper paid my cartage he asked me to purchase a load of flour

18 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. for him, and I agreed to do so. When I delivered the flour he paid part and left a balance of £26 16s. Before I returned to Gabriel’s he had cleared out. Fortunately this was the only loss I ever had by a dishonest storekeeper. I bought a third heavy horse before winter set in, which proved to he a very severe one. The frozen mud on the low country was dreadful, and the slippery hills were very dangerous. I had always to break the ice with the axe before I could fill the “ billy ” in the mornings, and firewood was very scarce; so that in some respects it was worse than being on the roads in Victoria. I was undecided whether to stay in Otago or return, but in September, when Hartley and Riley discovered the Dunstan, I sent Mary £50 and desired her to bring the family to Dunedin.

During the time I had my freedom I spent very little. Sometimes I went to the theatre; but that cost only a shilling. I never had a dance, or any fun with the girls, and was very true to my own girl, although she had not been so sympathetic as I expected. Although some men are not so good to their wives as they ought to be, I believe there are many willing to face danger and hardships of every sort to keep their best girls comfortable and dainty. On September 24, in company with a mate, I loaded for the Dunstan at £100 a ton, and we took the high road over the Lammerlaws. On October 6 1 delivered my load of 19cwt., and got back to Dunedin on the 12th. I bought a fourth horse, and on the 14th I loaded again for the Dunstan at £110, and got back to Dunedin on the 28th. The trip would have paid me well, if my new horse had not broken down, and another had not got lame. On my arrival in Dunedin I found Mary and the children had arrived safely. I was very glad to meet my girl again, and I suppose she was glad to see me, although my prosaic girl never seemed to know what warm poetic love is. In December I sold four horses, waggon, &c., for £400 (being £200 cash and £200 by bill at three months) to Mr. Cassius, a storekeeper. This was the' first time I had anything to do with a bill, and I was pleased when it was met. By degrees I bought four horses and a waggon and three horses and a dray, and started on the roads. The late Mr. C, J. Brown, so long M.H.R., was a shipmate of mine from Melbourne in the “ Dunedin.” He started storekeeping on Wether stone’s,

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. and did well. I often carted for him, and sometimes bought goods for him. In January, 1863, he asked me to join him in opening a store at Queenstown, and I agreed to do so. It was arranged that Mr. Pritchard, who was assistant to Mr. Brown, should be our selling partner at Queenstown. As Invercargill was so much nearer to Queenstown than Dunedin is, after I delivered my load at Kingston, I went to Invercargill to purchase goods. Business in the store increased, so in March I requested Mary to bring the children with her to Invercargill. When they arrived by the s.s. “ Titania ” it was difficult to rent a cottage, and for an inferior one of two rooms with a garret I paid thirty shillings a week. As there was no likelihood of returning to Melbourne, I sold our cottage, which cost about .£300, for £90, less commission. I found that my teams did not get on so well with hired drivers, so I sold seven horses, waggon, dray, etc., for £580. I bought a hack for £35, and sometimes rode up to Kingston. I paid £100 for a share in two boats trading between Kingston and Queenstown, and employed my brother John at £4 a week to receive goods and forward them. I bought two sections in Eye street and one in Tyne street. Mr. Harrold built four cottages for me. We occupied a four-roomed cottage. For a three-roomed cottage I got at first £1 2s. 6d. a week; for each two-roomed cottage I got sixteen shillings a week. But these rents did not last long. For the frames of the cottages Tasmanian hardwood was used ; weather-boards, flooring, lining- boards, etc., were from Baltic pine. As they were lined throughout with fin. lining-boards at £1 18s. per hundred feet, and flooring boards cost £2 2s., the cottages cost about £600. In the end of the summer 1 met Mr. Brown at Queenstown, and at that time we were taking over £1,000 a week in the store. I lent my hoise to Mr. Brown to return by way of Invercargill, and before his departure I said that, as the miners in the back gullies were laying in stocks for the winter, it would be best to give our orders on a reduced scale. He said he agreed with my views. How- ever, from Invercargill and Dunedin he sent larger quantities than we agreed upon. On the goods sent up by Air. Brown I paid cartage at from £55 to £75 a ton. As cartage afterwards fell to £30 a ton, we suffered a serious loss through Mr. Brown’s action. In May I started for Invercargill with some carriers. One night they camped a few miles from Dipton, and intended taking two days to reach Invercargill. Next morning, as soon as 1 crossed the Oreti, I pushed on, and walked home that night. That is the

20 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. last long walk I took to see my best girl, and I think there are not many men who would walk so far over heavy roads nowadays, especially after having been ten years married. Although I desired to buy most of our goods in Invercargill, prices were so much over those charged in Dunedin that frequently we had goods sent round by the steamers. Sometimes Mr. Brown sent up unsaleable goods, or articles not required, without consulting Mr. Pritchard or me. In December, 1863, I met him at Queenstown, and I proposed that he would leave all the buying to me, or I would give him £1,000 for his share in the business, or I would take £1,000 for my share. After consideration, I received £1,000—by £250 cash, and bills at two, three, and four months for £250 each. We had no trouble taking stock, and everything was arranged amicably. Before returning to Invercargill I arranged to buy goods on commission, and forward them, for Messrs J. C. Brown and Co. and some other storekeepers at Queenstown. As Mr. Kerr, the working partner in the boats “ Koyal Albert ” and “ Royal Bride,” was not pushing, they did not pay as well as they ought to have paid. I only got £5 10s. in dividends, and as steamers were coming into competition I got only £5 for my share when I sold it. Like myself, my brother John was frugal, and, as he had only himself to keep, he saved about £150 whilst he was at Wakatipu. I offered to. assist him in the purchase of a farm, but he preferred going back to Victoria. On returning to Victoria he bought a bullock team, and carted from the railway terminus to the interior. After a time he ceased writing to me; so that, as in Dan’s case, I do not know whether he is alive or dead. At first some of the boats on Lake Wakatipu were only small open boats. Sometimes the wind got up suddenly, and we were very glad to get into shelter in Halfway Bay, as the lake was quite dangerous. On one occasion, when the head wind was too strong, and the boat was about to run back to Kingston, I was landed at the foot of the Devil’s Staircase, and walked up to Queenstown.

The province of Southland had been separated from Otago a few years before my arrival in Invercargill. The discovery of the goldfields in the Lake district ought to have conferred great benefits on Southland, but through gross mismanagement the opportunity was lost. A railway was begun to Campbelltown on a scale adapted for ten times the population, the probable traffic, and revenue. The guage was 4ft. 8in., the rails were 721b., and

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 21 the rolling stock was so heavy as to require expensive formation, bridges, culverts, &c. A large sum was spent in making a branch railway to Mokomoko and a jetty there which were never used. A railway was started to Winton and completed to Makarewa with heavy wooden rails. A free trip was given, and we got out all right, but when we were about to start for Invercargill we had a shower. The engine could not take the carriages up the incline on the wet rails, and I and many others walked into Inver- cargill. Not only was the cost of the rails lost, but the formation cost a great deal more than it ought to have done. The same extravagance and stupidity were shown in road-making, till the funds and the credit of the province were exhausted. I cannot say how the responsibility for the shocking mismanagement should be divided between the Superintendent, the Executive, or the Provincial Council. It was most unfortunate that the engineers were quite unsuited for dealing with local requirements. Besides, there was collusion between engineers and contractors. Although I took no active part in public matters at that time I felt sorry to see so much revenue wasted. The land fund was provincial revenue, and in order to replenish the Treasury a Land Act that sacrificed further settlement was passed. Under the “ Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865,” any person might select rural land in blocks of not less than twenty acres, but without a maximum, at £1 an acre, without conditions. Large sales of laud took place, chiefly in extensive blocks, and to runholders. In 1865 a rush took place to new goldfields on the West Coast, and many miners and storekeepers left the Wakatipu district, chiefly for Hokitika, and I nearly decided to go also. This rush affected Invercargill injuriously—business declined, value of property and rents fell rapidly, and many buildings were unoccupied. The Town Board also spent money unwisely, especially in expensive gratings on footpaths, so that it became defunct. As we had been accustomed to living in a simple, inexpensive style, I had sufficient means to keep my wife and myself. But looking to future provision for the family, it seemed to me that there was a greater certainty of providing for them on a farm than in Inver- cargill. In May 1865 I bought from Mr. Alexander Clarke a farm of 187 acres 3 roods 8 perches at Myross Bush, about five miles from Invercargill, at £3 an acre cash. A section of 105 acres was partly improved, and a section of 83 acres was un- improved. The smaller section was situated west of the Mill road, and as it lay more conveniently to my neighbour than to

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. myself I sold it for £1 15s. an acre; so that the section I retained cost about £4 an acre, and was supposed to be a bargain. Most of the land in the Eastern District is rather poor, but my section was amongst the best, and had the advantage of being bounded on the south by the Waihopai Kiver. There were about 30 acres of superior bush on the north side, which was highest, and there was a good fall. About 60 acres were fenced, and about 30 acres had been in oats. Mr John Clarke, who was lessee for a time, had erected a four-roomed cottage, with detached kitchen and bedroom. The timber used was chiefly from Tasmania and the Baltic; but cupboards and mantelpieces were of cedar. Every- thing was well finished, and the cottage had been occupied only a very short time. I bought two heavy draught mares, a road dray, a tip cart, and various farm implements. I engaged a ploughman, and a bushman for fencing, clearing, <kc., both at 25s. a week with board. As the roads were very bad and we had a comfortable house in Invercargill I did not shift Mary and the family to the farm till December. For oats for horse feed I paid 3s. 6d. a bushel, for chaff 6s. cwt., and potatoes 12s. cwt., and for 113 bushels Tartarian seed oats 4s. 6d. a bushel and four bushels seed wheat at 12s. a bushel. During the summer I had a barn, stable, &c., erected, and some bush cleared and surface sown. I had a fair crop of oats, and paid ,£1 an acre for cutting, binding, and stocking most of it. Having walked so much, I was active, but as I had done little work to strengthen my arms I found bush- work, mowing, &c., very heavy, especially as I weighed only nine stone and a-half. I knew nothing of ploughing, and my ploughman was not inclined to show me. However, after I discharged him a neighbour showed me how to start, and I soon got into it. I was anxious to make good work, and for a while my arms ached holding on. After I bought a cow. Mary and I both learned to milk in a sort of fashion. Once a man gets a farm he is settled properly, and I had no occasion to leave my wife.

In September, 1866, I saw an advertisement calling a meeting to consider the state of the East road, Mr. Dalrymple being the convenor. I attended the meeting without any intention of taking a prominent part in the proceedings. Some tentative proposals had been made by the agents of the Agricultural Company as to making a railway to Mataura, payment to be made in land. Some gentlemen from Invercargill moved and spoke in favour of a railway being made. Others moved and

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. spoke in favour of an iron tramway. I saw that these proposals did not suit the farmers, but no one got up to oppose them. At last I got up and moved an amendment to the effect that the Government and Council he urged to get the East road improved and a portion of it metalled. I said there was no prospect of sufficient traffic to make a railway pay ; that I disapproved of the principle of preventing future settlement by disposing of large blocks of land to companies; that even if a railway were con- structed we still required a road ; that stone could be brought from Mokomoka by lighter, and, as I had carted metal over five miles in Victoria, a portion of the East road could be metalled at a reasonable cost. The report of the meeting reads: “ Mr. Kinross’s amendment was then put, and carried by acclamation.” Some time after the meeting at the Bridge Inn, Mr. Dalrymple waited on me, and requested me to attend a meeting in Invercargill in reference to the East road, and I agreed to attend. I attended a meeting in the Mechanics’ Institute on 26th September. The promoters and speakers were railway supporters, but I replied to their remarks in a speech of some length. I then moved: “ That this meeting is of opinion that good roads are more suited to the present requirements and resources of Southland than either railways or tramways,” etc. The report reads: “ The chairman read Mr. Kinross’s motion, put it to the meeting, and declared it carried.” At that time Mr. Taylor was Superintendent, and deputations waited on him and the Executive with reference to the East road, but the answer always was that the Government had no money. Very few of the settlers in the Eastern District were possessed of political knowledge, so that most of the work in connection with meetings, etc., fell upon me. A fair revenue was being received from land sales, etc., but it seeemed to be useless maintaining a system by which the whole revenue was swallowed in official expenses. At a meeting held in the Theatre Royal on 3rd November, 1866, 1 moved: “ That this meeting emphatically condemns the extravagant and injudicious way in which the government of the province has been conducted, and protests against the manner in which the wishes of the people have been disregarded by the present Executive. It therefore ex- presses the opinion that the people of Southland should be afforded the opportunity of being fairly represented by a fresh election of members to serve in the Provincial Council.” The report of my speech occupied four columns of the “ Southland News,” and it stated that “ Mr. Kinross resumed his seat amid continued

24 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. applause,” and the motion was “carried by acclamation.” I knew nothing personally of the members of the Executive, or the Council, or the state of parties, but I judged them solely by their actions in their public capacities. 1 also addressed a meeting at Wallacetown, and the report states that “ Mr. Kinross was received with loud applause.” When speaking on retrenchment I stated that “ £200 was voted for printing, but over £600 was spent.” This statement caused the “ Southland Times ” to attack me in a most abusive leading article. When 1 replied the editor found I was quite able to take my own part. He had called me “ this young Brutus,” and I returned the compliment by referi’ing to “ this modern Falstaff.” Almost by accident I discovered that, instinctively, I could argue with tongue and pen against those who had greater advantages. When I got work to do of an inspiring nature, I found my talent for composing poetry revived. 1 composed a piece entitled “ The Official Lament,” and Mr. Dalrymple was so pleased with it that he got a number of copies printed; so this was the first of my poems that appeared in print. I sometimes had a tilt in the Press with “ Timothy Snooks,” and a poem of mine, entitled “ Soliloquy of Timothy Snooks,” was published in the “ News.” There was also published in the “ News” a poem entitled “The Nice Old Southern Gentleman.” I consider this poem contained a better mixture of humour and sarcasm than any piece I ever composed. After- wards, in reply to attacks made on me, I composed other sarcastic poems; but I have excluded them from my “ Lays,” as 1 desire that they shall breathe only peace and goodwill.

I got a portion of my first crop of oats thrashed with the flail, and sold them at from 4s. 3d. to 6s. a bushel. As I had no stock to eat the straw I sold several loads of it, and for hay I got from 5s. to 7s. a cwt. There is generally a lot of work on farms for farmers’ wives, and at first Mary had a good deal to do whilst I employed men by the week; but when I ploughed, and let most of the work, she had not so much to do. Unfortunately she was subject to severe periodical attacks of sick headache, which did not leave her till late in life. As the children grew, and we got more land sown in grass, 1 bought more cows, and went more into dairying. I bought a riding filly, so that Mary and 1 could ride at suitable times. In August, 1867, a general election for the Provincial Council took place. Messrs. Johnstone and Swale (the former members)

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. and I were nominated for Roslin. At the polling on the 17th, the votes recorded were :—Johnstone, 26; Swale, 25; Kinross, 25 ; and the Returning Officer gave his casting vote for Mr. Swale. I found no organisation to look after electoral matters, so I inquired into them for myself. As it was open voting at that time, I found that a number of those who voted for Messrs. Johnstone and Swale came from Invercargill, and some of them had either parted with their qualifications, or had never possessed any. All colonial institutions were originally on Tory lines, so that votes went with land. The possession of land of a nominal value of £50 entitled an elector of New Z3aland to a vote in each district where he owned land to that value. There were 20 members in the Southland Provincial Council, as Inver- cargill returned four members, and some districts two. If a specu- lator spent about j£700 in buying land in each district he would be entitled to 20 votes, but a farmer who spent that amount in buying and improving a farm was entitled to one or two votes. At the proper time I lodged objections to four of those who voted at the Roslin election, and their names were struck off the roll. In 1868 some metalling and other work was done to the East road, and also to the Mill road, so that our agitation bore good fruit. The Myross school was opened (Mr Bethune having been appointed teacher); but we had to pay fees. I was appointed chairman of the school commitee. In April, 1869, I had a visit from the late Mr. J. H. Smith. He informed me that there was to be a bye-election for Invercargill, and that he had been deputed by a number of electors to request me to become a candidate. He also stated that if I consented a committee would take all the trouble and bear all the expense of the election. I thanked him for so generous an offer, and consented to become a candidate. Besides speaking at meetings, I had expressed my views in a number of letters published in the “ News,” and I was pleased to learn that I was appreciated so much.

Although only a cockatoo tilling the soil, Yet his spirit may soar above trouble and toil; And his brain may be fertile, his heart may be true Though the humblest of work he may faithfully do. The polling took place on the 21st, and the votes recorded were—Kinross 80, Wright 50, Mitchell 17. I had to address the electors only at the nomination, so that I received more generous treatment from my committee than I ever afterwards met with. During the recess the Superintendent had dismissed the Execu-

LIFE ANDREW KINROSS. tive, consisting of Messrs. Calder, Pratt, Ross, and Pearson, which was an unusual proceeding. Messrs Blacklock and Monckton were appointed members of Executive in place of those dismissed. At that time some anomalies existed of which l did not approve. Mr Pearson, who was a salaried officer as Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, was also a member of Provincial Council and Treasurer. Mr Taylor, the Superintendent, was also member of Provincial Council for Campbelltown. On the Council meeting in August, the new Executive were defeated, the voting being—Ayes 15, Noes 2. In consequence of this vote Messrs. Blacklock and Monckton resigned office. Mr Taylor sent in his resignation as Superintendent to the Governor, but he afterwards withdrew it and prorogued the Council. Some proposals were made as to re-union with Otago; and as Southland was practically insolvent I made some speeches and wrote several letters on the question. After a basis of re-union had been arranged by commissioners appointed for the purpose, the question was submitted to the electors at a general election. At the election for Roslin, held on October 15, the voting was—Kinross 62, Dalrymple 44, Webster 37, Mr Webster being the Anti-Unionist candidate. Most members in country districts were in favour of re-union, although runholders were against it. In Invercargill Mr Calder was the only Unionist elected, Messrs Menzies, Lumsden, and Webster, the other members elected, being Anti-Unionists. Mr Calder was the most influential of the Unionist members, as he had ability and local experience as a merchant and a politician. He would have been elected Superintendent if he had so desired, but as he did not desire the office he used his influence in favour of Mr. William Wood. When the Council met on November 10, Mr Johnstone was elected Speaker without opposition. Messrs. Cowan and Wood were proposed as Superintendent, and the voting was—Wood 12 Cowan 7. Mr James Wilson was afterwards appointed Treasurer and Mr Johnstone member of Executive. On the 25th Mr Calder moved the adoption of the Commissioner’s report, and I seconded the motion. After a debate extending over several days the motion was carried by eleven to six. As this was an important, matter in the history of Southland, I give the division list:— Ayes—Messrs Calder, Kinross, Dalrymple, Toshack, Macdonald, Petchell, Wilson, Johnstone, McGillivray, Daniel, Lyons. Noes— Messrs Webster, Rasstian, Menzies, McNeil. Lumsden, Bell. When the estimates were under consideration I moved that the

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 27 Superintendent's salary be reduced from .£500 to £400 and the Treasurer’s from £350 to £300, and these reductions were agreed to. As the salaries of the officials were in arrears there was no opportunity of effecting reductions in their salaries. As Mr Johnstone lived at Wrey’s Bush he attended meetings of Execu- tive only when the Council was in session. Early in December I was asked to join the Executive, and agreed to accept the appointment. Nothing out of the usual routine occurred till July, when Mr Wood and I differed in opinion on a matter of principle. When Dr. Menzies was Superintendent he was a member of the Legislative Council, but I do not know how the Deputy-Superin- tendent was paid when Dr. Menzies attended the Council. Mr Taylor also was a member of Legislative Council. When he attended the Council Mr. Armstrong, the Deputy-Superintendent, was paid out of the vote for members of Provincial Executive ; so that Mr Taylor drew his full salary as Superintendent and his honorarium as Councillor, and Southland paid two for one service. Mr. Wood was a member of the House of Representatives, and shortly before the commencement of the session he brought up the question of the appointment of a Deputy. He proposed that the Deputy should be appointed and paid in the same manner as in Mr. Taylor’s time. I said I could not agree to that, as I thought it unfair to charge the Province twice for one service, and that the Deputy should be paid out of the Superintendent’s salary. The Executive Ordinance did not permit the Treasurer to act as Deputy, and I said I would rather resign than agree to a double payment. At that time Mr. Calder was absent from Southland, but on his return the matter was arranged by Mr. Wilson resign- ing the office of Treasurer, and Mr. Rogers, the accountant, being appointed Treasurer. Mr. Wilson was then appointed Deputy- Superintendent. but no increase of salary took place. Although Mr. Wood drew the salary of Superintendent, Mr. Calder did most of the brain work, and I consider that Mr. Wood would have been well paid with £100 a year, as he was wealthy and the work was only pastime for him. The Re-union Act came into force in October, but shortly before that time the General Government advanced £3000 to the Southland Government to pay some of the liabilities. Members of the Provincial Council were supposed to get £1 a day for attendance, but ever since I had become a member there were no funds to pay us, neither did we get vouchers as officials did. Out of the advance my colleaguess agreed that I should receive £30 due to me for attending

28 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. Executive meetings. I always approved of the principle of payment of members, but as I had advocated self-sacrifice in extricat- ing Southland from its difficulties I gave £10 of the first public money I received to the hospital. On October 21 the Provincial Council met to elect seven members to attend a meeting of the United Council of Otago, and Messrs. Basstian, Calder, Johnstone, McGillivray, Toshack, Wilson, and Kinross were elected. The session of United Council opened on November 15 and closed on December 7. According to the terms of Re-union, a portion of the Otago Land District was to be added to the Southland Dis- trict, but no alteration of the Land Acts was to take place. Mr. Calder wished this territory to be dealt with by the Southland Land Board, but Mr. Reid, the Premier of the Otago Government, moved to the effect that although applications should be lodged in Invercargill they should be dealt with by the Provincial Government I considered the matter of very little importance, but as I considered the Government was more favourable to settlement than the Southland Land Board I voted for Mr. Reid’s amendment, and so did Messrs. Toshack, Wilson, and Wood. For some reason v* hich I cannot understand, Mr. Calder attached great importance to this matter, and sent a telegram to Invercar- gill denouncing us, so that on our arrival at Invercargill to our surprise we met with an unpleasant reception. I was sorry this breach occurred, but I still consider that when we had joined in the hopes of getting public works and other advantages we would not have been wise to turn the members of the Council and the Government against us for the sake of the Southland Land Board, a few land agents, and runholders. During the whole of the time I was a colleague of Mr. Calder's in the Southland Executive he always treated me with courtesy, and we worked in harmony, and it must have been with his concurrence, if not at his request, that I was asked to join the Executive. However, I did not find fault with his voting, and he had no right to dictate to those who dift'ered in opinion from him ; but I find it easier to forgive in- juries than to forget acts of kindness. Of the seven Southland delegates who went up to Dunedin only Mr Calder and I are left. To those of my readers who take an interest in the history of the former Province of Southland, I may say that I have felt gratified on reading my letters and speeches as published. They are clear, concise, logical, and argumentative. I was fearless in attacking what I thought was wrong and hit harder than I would do now, as experience has made me more tolerant of folly, weakness, end

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. selfishness. I spoke quickly, and had a good memory, so that I seldom used notes. When I addressed a meeting in the Theatre, chiefly on road-making and retrenchment of useless expenditure, I wrote out my speech, hut in delivering it I never looked at the manuscript. This is the only occasion on which I ever wrote out a speech. Before I came to New Zealand I had taken an interest in politics, and was thoroughly democratic. I advocated liberal measures before Sir George Grey, Sir Robert Stout, Mr Ballance, and Mr Seddon commenced life as politicians and when Mr Ward was a schoolboy.

When in 1867, in my “ Ode to Southland,” I wrote— I hope to see this infant State, Part of a nation, rich and great, In spite of all the gloom and haze That darken now its early days.

I did my best in helping to remove the depression, and I have lived to see my hopes partly realised. Each province in New Zealand had a separate land law, and it was customary to let the land for pasturage, at a low rental, till it was required for settlement by increase of population. This was a wise provision, but, generally, runs were let in larger areas than desirable. I have sympathy with pioneers who undertake the work of utilising new country, and I have liked to see runholders fairly rewarded. Unfortunately, most of the squatters in Victoria and runholders in New Zealand were grasping, selfish men, who sought to monopolise immense areas, regardless of the rights and wants of others. The Otago land law was well calculated to promote settlement and prevent speculation and monopoly. It provided that hundreds should be proclaimed, and that the land should be sold at 10s. an acre, but no Crown grant should be issued till improvements were placed on the land to the value of £2 an acre. After- wards speculators managed to get the improvement conditions abolished. The Otago land law was of no consequence to me personally, but, as a politician, I consider the possession of the land a most important matter in all countries. Although I place New Zealand first, I like to see democratic opinions spreading over the world. By “ The Otago Waste Lands Act, 1866,” power was given to lease land for pastoral purposes till required for settlement. By clause 82 it provided that if any land was proclaimed a hundred during the currency of a lease the leaseholder

30 LIFS OF ANDREW KINROSS. should have a right to purchase eighty acres. For improvements on land proclaimed a hundred the leaseholder was to be paid a sum not exceeding three years’ rental; this, taken on an average, was less than 3d. an acre. In early days few persons could arrange to attend the House of Repre- sentatives, except runholders, large landholders, and their connections. During the session of 1869, Mr. Bell (afterwards Sir Francis), member for Mataura, and an Otago runholder, was chairman of the Waste Lands Committee. Towards the close of the session Mr. Bell introduced a bill, which was passed, under the title of “ The Otago Hundreds Regulation Act, 1869.” By this act various obstacles were placed in the way of hundreds being proclaimed, but what I considered most objectionable was the manner in which compensation was to be paid. Various improvements were to be paid for in full, and for land on which no improvements had been made a maximum sum of 3s. 6d. an acre was to be paid. If the leaseholder elected to surrender his lease over the remaining portion of his run, he was to receive compensation to a maximum sum of Is. 6d. an acre. Whilst the bill was in committee Mr. Wood, member for Invercargill, moved that the compensation should be reduced from 3s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. an acre, and his amendment was carried. I consider this was the best thing ever done by Mr. Wood, and almost entitled him to the sinecure he afterwards held in the Council. After the act was passed Messrs. Reid, Gillies, and other Liberal members of the Provincial Executive tried hard to get it repealed, but Mr. Bell and other runholders were too strong for them. I cannot say how much compensation was paid under this act, and I am still of opinion that it was unjustly paid, although many think that whatever is lawful is right. The squatters of Victoria did some unscrupulous things, but they never had the assurance to ask that the people should pay for taking their own land. Mr. Bell was a member of the Colonial Executive, he was appointed a commissioner to negotiate with the British Government, and had a lengthened experience in various important positions, so that he was a formidable antagonist to attack. However, I thought he was not a suitable representative of settlers and other working men. I thought there was no other Liberal in Southland who would attempt to oppose him, so 1 ventured to try. Toward the end of 1870 I issued this address to the electors of the Mataura district:—

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 31 “ Gentlemen,

“ To afford you an opportunity of electing a representative whose interest is identical with your own, I offer my services, and briefly state my views on the measures I shall support if elected. “Should the Government he able to negotiate the loans authorised, I shall endeavour to have the money carefully expended. “ If measures are introduced calculated to secure one Govern- ment for each Island, I shall support them. “ I am opposed to increased taxation of the working classes, but think the tariff should be revised, so as to reduce the duties on articles (such as tea and coffee) that we cannot produce, and increase them on things we can manufacture or grow. “ Southland’s chief want is a liberal land law. I shall endeavour to have the law assimilated, so as to secure to bona fide settlers depasturing rights and deferred payments; and am in favour of a repeal of the ‘ Otago Hundreds .Regulation Act.’ “ I hope to meet you and explain more fully. Meantime, I am, &c., Myross Bush, December 24, 1870.” “ Andw. Kinross.

On January 3, 1871, I opened the campaign by addressing the electors at the Bridge Inn in the dual capacity of candidate for Mataura in the House and for Oteramika in the Provincial Council. The Mataura District at that time was a very large one, and involved a considerable loss of time and expense, which was all in Mr. Bell’s favour. He had received thousands of pounds of public money, so could afford to spend more than I; he had a lot of enthusiastic workers, whilst I. had to go alone. Mr. Thomas Denniston received a requisition asking him to become a candidate, and he consented. I am under the impression that this requisition was got up in Mr. Bell’s interests, chiefly to split the votes of those who preferred a local man. A portion of the district was in Otago, and I think many of the electors there were more conversant with Mr. Bell’s actions than those resident in Southland. At Mataura and Wyndham Denniston polled 35; Kinross, 7; Bell, 6. At the close of the polling the numbers were: Bell, 235 ; Kinross, 73; Denniston, 70. Southland had improved since re-union, but still, times were dull. There was little demand for land for settlement; and as it was expected that Mr. Bell would cause borrowed money to be spent in the

32 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. district, of course speculators who wished to unload at a profit, contractors who wanted contracts, storekeepers, and professional men all used their influence for Mr. Bell. If I lost my money, I gained experience, and I sowed the seeds of Liberalism. The election of Superintendent followed the election for the House. Before that took place I met Mr. A. J. Smyth. He said that he was authorised to say that Mr. Bell had no desire to enter the Provincial Council,and if I would support Mr. Macandrew as Super- intendent, I would not be opposed for Oteramika. I said I had no pre- ference for Mr. Beid as a private person, but I thought his policy was better for the country than Mr. Macandrew’s, and therefore 1 could not accept his offer. At the election for Oteramika on March 24, there voted for Bell 39, Kinross 25. I presume a number did not vote, as they could not understand the boundary question, but thought I must have done something wrong. Some of Mr. Bell's supporters acted very unfairly, and threatened settlers if they did not vote for Mr. Bell that they would not buy their produce, and they must pay up what they owed, and used other modes of intimidation. Before the next election came round, I did lots of farm work, and my youngest daughter was born. I don’t mind much about it, but I suppose the ladies who called said the baby was like me. That made the third daughter we had born in Southland, and it came in handy afterwards to have bred our own dairymaids. On June 13, 1873 an election for Oteramika took place. My opponent (Mr. Robert Hamilton) had been one of the managers for the Australian and New Zealand Land Company, and as the company had given a lot of employment and spent a quantity of money in Invercargill, that was in Mr. Hamilton’s favour. At the close of the poll the numbers were: Kinross, 64; Hamilton, 57. On the 18th I voted and worked for Mr. Gillies as Superintendent; at our polling booth the numbers were: Gillies, 25; Macandrew, 5. I question if there was another polling place where Gillies had five to one. The Otago Provincial Council met on July 1, and Mr. Gillies was elected Speaker. The Southland members were: Messrs. John Gumming (Aparima), Theophilus Daniel (Riverton), Andrew Kinross (Oteramika), George Lumsden (Invercargill), Joseph Rogers (Oreti), James Wilson (Makerewa), and William Wood (Waihopai). Only Mr. Lumsden and I now remain. The Government consisted of Messrs. George Turnbull, Provincial Secretary and Treasurer (leader); Horace Bastings, Secretary for Goldfields and Works; George Murray Webster, Secretary for

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. Lands (ornamental) ; Gibson Kirke Tnrton, Provincial Solicitor (ornamental); and Mr. James Shand (non-official). Mr. Cancan McArthur had been a non-official member prior to the last election, when he was defeated bj Mr. Wilson. The Conservatives were generous to their supporters, so the office of Ranger was created for him, being almost a sinecure. Messrs. Lumsden, Wilson, Wood, and Kinross were Liberals of various degrees of Liberalism ; Mr. Rogers took no interest in anything that did not affect the runholders, and he never made a speech in the Council. Mr. Daniel was a local delegate; and Mr. Gumming told the Council that he knew nothing of politics, but wanted roads and railways. Of course Messrs. Rogers, Daniel and Gumming supported the Government. Neither Mr. Gumming, Mr. Daniel nor Mr. Rogers was suited for a member of Executive, so no Southland member was appointed. Whilst some of us were conversing in one of the rooms an Otago member said to Mr. G. F. C. Browne, the Govern- ment whip, “ I think it is a pity there is no Southland member on the Executive.” Mr. Browne replied, “ It is because they will not accept office.” He then said to me, “We knew it was no use asking you, as you are too prejudiced.” It is not generally considered complimentary to be called prejudiced, but I was pleased to find it was thought impossible to induce me to desert my party and my principles. At that time Mr. (afterwards Sir) Julius Vogel’s Public Works and Immigration Policy was in operation. Money was being borrowed, and spent freely; and as land was expected to rise in value, and also that the free selection system would be abolished, large sales of land had taken place in South- land. When the Southland members met to discuss matters, they resolved to ask for expenditure on works in accordance with increased revenue. Ultimately £6,000 was voted for the Main East road, and the amount was spent during the following summer. With an additional vote next session the East road was gravelled to Dacre, and maintenance gravel provided ; so although I opposed the general policy of the Government I was treated well. The Superintendent sent a message to the Southland members, requesting us to meet him. On our waiting upon him he informed us that he had received a Southland Lands Bill, which had been drawn up by the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Provincial Solicitor at Invercargill. He stated that this bill was far too long, and he asked if we would draw up a short one. 1 liked that sort of work better than farming, so I soon drew up a bill of

34 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. seven clauses. After it was agreed to by my fellow members it was given to the Superintendent, then printed and circulated amongst members. Although I wished to make it as liberal as possible, I knew it would not pass if revenue was ignored. It provided that all Crown lands in Southland should be classified into agricultural and pastoral; pastoral land still to be open for application, without conditions, at £1 an acre, and agricultural also at £1, with conditions. Certain blocks of agricultural land were to be opened for sale on deferred payments. Power to raise the price temporarily was given. Clause 4 was the most important, and read thus: “ Before agricultural land shall be open for sale it shall be surveyed into sections, and shall be sold subject to the following conditions :—Before a Crown grant shall be issued to the purchaser of any section there shall be expended on the improvement thereof a sum of not less than 20s. for each acre contained therein, and not less than one acre out of every ten acres shall have been cultivated, and if the purchaser or owner of any section of agricultural land shall not have complied with the above conditions as to improvements within five years from the granting of the application, then a yearly rent of 2s. 6d. per acre shall be charged till such conditions shall have been fulfilled.” The Government objected to Clause 4. Afterwards the bill passed the General Assembly with improvements struck out on agricultural land and price raised to £2 per acre, the price having been raised temporarily by resolution of Council. As I take more interest in the work of the council than in that of the farm, I will relate some of the business in which I took part or moved. I moved, as an amendment on a motion—(1) “That in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that provision should be made to enable every male person who is a subject of Her Majesty the Queen, and who has attained the age of twenty-one years, to vote at the election of members of Provincial Council, memb. rs of the House of Representatives, and for a Superin- tendent ; (2) That Mr. Speaker be requested to forward the fore- going resolution to the Colonial Government.” For my amendment—Messrs. Bastings, Browne (G.F. C ), Clarke, (R.)Daniel, Fish, Stout, Wilson, Ireland, Kinross, 9 ; so the amendment was lost. I also moved—“ That, in the opinion of this Council, the ‘ Otago Roads Ordinance, 1871,’ should be so amended as to allow road boards the option of adopting the acreage system of rating.” Ayes, 11 : noes, 17. On the motion of Mr. Kinross, it was ordered—“ That there be laid upon the table a statement of

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 35 revenue from all sources, and a return of expenditure within the late Province of Southland from date of re-union of provinces up to March 31 ; such return to show separately the sources from which such revenue has been derived, and also how money expended has been laid out.” In committee Mr. Stout moved that the vote for Superintendent be reduced from .£1000 to .£800. I voted for the motion, the votes being—Ayes, 14; noes, 23. Mr. Stout proposed to reduce the vote for two non-official members from £250 to .£125. I also voted for the reduction. Ayes, 9; noes, 17. Mr. Stout moved as an amendment to a motion—“ That in the opinion of this Council the Legislative Council should be abolished.” I supported the amendment, but it was negatived. During a discussion on proposed railways, Mr. Kinross moved— “ That the question be further amended by the addition of the words ‘ Branch line from Bluff Harbour and Invercargill into Seaward Bush.’ ” The amendment was negatived. I am under the impression that this was the first time any action was taken with reference to the Seaward Bush Railway. The session ended on July 30, and I returned home by steamer to Campbell- town, the same way as I went to Dunedin. Although property in Invercargill had risen in value, still tenants sometimes left without paying rent, and I could not look after my property. In August I sold section and four cottages in Eye Street for £200, less commission, although when building materials were dear they cost me over £600. Nothing worth relating occurred on the farm till I left for Dunedin by steamer “ Omeo ” to attend the Council, and I arrived there on April 21, 1874. On the 30th the Provincial Secretary informed the Council that the Executive had tendered their resignation. Although it was not stated, I understand that members of the Executive had disagreed. On May 6 the Council was informed that an Executive had been appointed, consisting of Donald Reid (Provincial Secretary and Secretary for Lands and Works; leader), George Turnbull (Treasurer), Robert Stout (Solicitor), George Webster and George Lumsden (non- official members). Although the Liberal party had been in a minority the members of it faithfllly supported Mr Reid, and it would have been more satisfactory if he had consulted them before he formed a coalition Government. Soon after the session I moved that a return of revenue and expenditure in Southland be continued to March 31 last, and it was agreed to. Mr Kinross asked the Provincial Secretary, “ Whether it is the intention of the Go- vernment to take any steps towards opening up Seaward Bush by

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. constructing a branch railway through it, connecting with the Bluff Harbour and Invercargill railway; and whether any proposals have been made to effect this by private enterprise, and if so, whether they have been agreed to wholly or in part, and on what conditions.” The Provincial Secretary answered : “ I am unable to state at present whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with this railway during the present year. Proposals were made in regard to its construction, but not agreed to. There will be no objection to lay such proposals upon the table.” On the motion of Mr Kinross it was resolved—“ That there be laid upon the table of this Council the opinion of the Provincial Solicitor as to whether the licensee of an allotment under the deferred system of payment must reside personally thereon to comply with the conditions imposed by ‘ The Otago Waste Land Act, 1872,’ or whether the employment by the licensee of another person to reside on his allotment shall be deemed sufficient proof that he personally occupies such allotment.” On the motion of Mr. Kinross it was resolved—“ That there be laid upon the table of this Council, as early as convenient, a statement of the terms and conditions upon which the contracts for the construction of the Orepuki railway, the Otautau railway, the Riverton railway, and the Waiareka railway have been let; and also the Provincial Engineer’s report of the cost of completing these railways.” On May 14 a division took place on a motion of want-of-confidence moved by Mr Bastings. Ayes 17; Noes 24. I voted with the Noes, but when I voted for the coalition Govern- ment it seemed strange to be surrounded by runholders and other Conservatives. Before the close of the session a vote of .£20,000 for Seaward Bush railway was passed, conditional on a loan being sanctioned by General Assembly. A correspondent of the “North Otago Times,” who appears to have been a close observer, described the characteristics of various members of the Council, and wrote ; “ On the other side of Mr. Hazlett there is Mr. Kinross. He is from Oteramika, the district on the southern side of the Mataura. He speaks pretty often, but never for a great length of time. He emphasises his words, and generally has his hands in his pockets, and never wanders from his subject. He seems a thorough Liberal, and will take no compromises. He is also a man of good education, and hence his speech is worth listening to.” The Council was prorogued on June 15, and I returned home, and found all well. In August I sold a section in Eye street, Invercargill for £95, being the last of my town

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 37 property. I also purchased 70 acres on the east side of my land for £3 10s. an acre, although the quality of the land was inferior to that previously held by me. This placed my buildings in the centre of the farm, which was a great advantage.

The Council met on May 3 for the session of 1875, five new members having been elected in place of those resigned. On th 17, on motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Bastings moved as an amendment—“ That in the opinion of this Council the financial proposals brought down by the Government are not satisfactory, and that the present distribution of Executive offices has not been found conducive to the proper administration of the affairs of the Province. The Council therefore requests the Government to reconsider their present position, with the view to better financial and administrative arrangements being arrived at.” After a debate, the division list was—Ayes 22, Noes 20. Amongst the Ayes were Messrs. Daniel, Kinross, Kogers, Wilson, Wood. Mr. Lumsden voted with the Noes, and Mr. Gumming was absent through illness. The new Government consisted of Messrs. Bastings, Moody, Green, Fish, Sumpter, and Wood. On June 1 Mr Reid moved—“ That this Council has no confidence in the present Executive. Ayes 24, Noes 19. Those who jumped over were Messrs Clark, McDermid, Steward ; new vote, Hon. Dr. Menzies. The new Government consisted of Messrs. Reid, Davie, Green, McKellar, Lumsden, and Steward. I considered that railways in progress should be completed before new ones were commenced, and consequently I moved—“That the railway line Otautau to Nightcaps Coalfield, being already surveyed in accordance with a former resolution of this Council, be placed on the first Schedule of Railways to be contracted for during the present year.” Ayes 11, Noes 15. Messrs Stout and McKenzie voted with me. The Provincial Secretary moved—“ That this Council having considered His Honor’s message No. 18, relative to the proposed survey of certain lines of railways, respectfully requests that His Honor will proceed with a survey in detail of the lines hereinafter mentioned with a view to the same being submitted to this Council for consideration at its next session:—Lawrence to Teviot, Teviot to Clyde, Waihemo to Clyde, Main North Line to Shag Point, Winton to Nightcaps, Main Line to Catlins River, Waipahi to Tapanui, Branch to Abbotsford. Mr. Kinross moved —“ That this Council having considered His Honor’s Message No. 18 relative to the proposed survey of certain lines of railway,

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. respectfully requests that His Honor will not proceed at present with the survey in detail of the lines therein mentioned.” The amendment was put—Ayes 14, Hoes 13. During the session £800 was voted for road Invercargill to Mataura, £200 road to Mabel, and provision made for bridges over upper Makarewa and Otapiri. I have given these resolutions so that my readers may see that I tried to effect what I had always advocated. I always did my best to stop monopoly, and to give every man who wished to get a home the chance of getting one. It will be seen that I always voted for reducing high salaries, and nothing has vexed me more, even up to date, than being taxed to enable inferior men to live in luxury because they happen to be in the swim. Sometimes members are awkwardly fixed. Mr Fish moved a motion con- demning the way in which the Western Eailways were being con- structed. I agreed with the motion, and I still think that everything was not fairly done in carrying out the works, so I would not vote against the motion. However, Mr. Eeid made it a Government question, and I thought it would not be beneficial to put Mr. Fish in Mr. fieid’s place, so I did not vote. Similar cases occur in the House, and many propose an elected Execu- tive as a remedy, but I think this could be remedied in a simpler manner by the House passing a resolution to this effect:—“ That a Ministry shall not resign because any of its measures has been rejected by a majority of members of the House ; but it shall resign when a direct vote of no-confidence has been carried by a majority of members.” In debate Mr. Eeid was often sarcastic. In referring to a speech of mine he said, “ Shall we have to go to this new Gamaliel’s feet to learn wisdom ? ” This is referred to in my poem “ A Southland Member’s Farewell.” I think it facilitates business when a Premier cultivates courtesy and patience rather than sarcasm. Although I always defended my opinions firmly, I never used personalities, and I have never had an altercation with a fellow member in any public body. I was gratified by receiving a photograph of my wife, and next morning I composed an “ Ode to My Wife.” I also composed an “ Ode to Otago,” which 1 afterwards altered to an “ Ode to New Zealand.” During the time I was a member of the Provincial Council of Otago I consider that Southland was treated generously. Besides a good road being made in the Eastern District as far as settlement extended, roads were made and railways commenced in other districts. Although I have never been so fortunate as to be a member of a legislative body since the Council was abolished,

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. I believe that 1 gained the esteem of most of mj fellow members in the Council. The Council was finally prorogued on June 19, 1875, and I returned by steamer and found all well at home. Whilst I was attending the Council Mr. Wood asked me if I intended standing again for the House for Mataura District, and 1 replied that probably I would. He said he also thought of standing for Mataura, and asked me if I would agree to some test to see whose chance was best, and I agreed to do so. Mr. Wood had money and leisure; but after I got home I had to wire into work, so I had not so good a chance of watching what was going on. Soon after my return home I composed the poem “ A South- land Farmer’s Lay.” After a time I heard that a person was calling on Mataura electors with a requisition to Mr. Wood. I was told also that it was being stated that I had declined to be a candidate, and that on this understanding the requisition was being signed. To avoid splitting the votes of the party I did not become a candidate, and at the election on January 6, 1876, the votes were—Wood 319, Cuthbertson 168.

As my farm was small I always tried to have stock of good quality, so when Mr. Hamilton, formerly one of the company’s managers, sold out I bought “Lily,” an old cow, for £ 18, and “ Nellie,” a young cow, for £21 10s. Both cows were pure Ayr- shires, and were descended from stock imported from Scotland ; and I also bought a young Ayrshire bull from Mr. Warnock. Some years afterwards I lost both cows from milk fever, as that disease generally takes away the best milkers. “ Rosie Kinross,” from “Nellie,” took first prize at Invercargill, and I sold her to Messrs. A. and J. McFarlane for £35. They went to more trouble and expense in showing “Rosie” than I would have done, and she took a number of champion prizes, and was sold for .£100 to go to Sydney. I think I lost “ Lily ” and “ Nellie ” through their getting turnips. Afterwards we gave the milkers oaten hay before calving, and we left the calves with their mothers for a longer period. Although we lost others of our best milkers, still some of our neighbours who had far more experience lost more than we did. In the Eastern District the land was poorer, the climate was more severe, and the spring later than in the interior, so that small cattle gave more milk on our pasture than large cattle would have given. I never had to take any of our cattle to a saleyards, as buyers always came to the farm and bought our milkers as fast as we could spare them. My wife soon got into

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. the way of making good butter, and afterwards our daughters also, so that our butter was always in demand, at somewhat over market price.

In 1876 my wife learned that her mother was seriously ill in Dunedin, so taking our youngest daughter with her she went by train to Mataura, by coach to Balclutha, and by train to Dunedin. It is strange how silly a poet gets when he is gone on a girl, so instead of taking the chance to have some fun when my wife was away I made poetry about her, and composed an “ Ode to an Absent Wife.” On reading one of her letters I became alarmed for fear of infection or contagion, so off I went to Dunedin and brought her back safe, though we had an awful passage in the Ringarooma. Reform Associations were established at Invercargill and Long Bush, and I became a member of both, and continued to be one as long as they existed. Many a cold, lonesome ride I had attending political meetings, and not without danger, as my mare was very timid and given to shying, especially in the dark. Early in 1878 I bought a buggy of Abbot’s make, also mare and harness. After that I could drive my wife about more comfort- ably, as a buggy is better adapted for courting than the saddle. Some months after I bought the turnout I bought a piano, and with a buggy and a piano a man ought to be happy, but there is generally something wanting, and my wife was too prosaic and not loving enough for a poet’s best girl. Although I did not reside in the Waihopai Riding of the Southland County, I was asked to become a candidate at the general election for that Riding by some of the farmer ratepayers in it. Most of the property of the New Zealand and Australian

Company was in that Riding, and besides their own votes they had great influence. However, if there was any chance of being backed up by the cockatoos I was always willing to fight all land monopolists, so I consented to be a candidate. Mr. McCallum, the manager for the company, was a candidate, and at the election on November 13 the votes polled were—Kinross 70, McCallum 69. On December 13 I received a telegram offering me a seat on the Southland Waste Lands Board in place of Sir John Richardson (deceased.) Mr. Ballance was Minister for Lands in the Grey Government, but it was through the influence of Hon. Mr. Stout that I was offered the appointment, which 1

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 41 accepted. There are various degrees o£ Liberalism, and I was always in the van, and I question if on really advanced principles any three members of the Otago Provincial Council ever voted so consistently together as Stout, McKenzie, and I.

In the end of 1878 Mr. Wood was appointed a member of the Legislative Council. He was eminently adapted for filling a sinecure, and of course according to our glorious Constitution he retained it as long as he lived. So far as public life is concerned Mr. Wood was the luckiest man in Southland. He was elected a member of the Southland Provincial Council, and also Superinten- dent of Southland. He was elected a member of the last Provincial Council of Otago, and afterwards Mayor of Invercargill. To the House of Pepresentatives he was elected for Invercargill, and afterwards for Mataura, and then appointed to the Legislative Council, all without much labour or expense to him. In striking contrast to Mr. Wood, I have been the most unlucky man who ever took part in public matters in Southland. I spent hundreds of pounds in money, years in time, and made many a weary journey, and passed many sleepless hours in the effort to become a member of the House, so that I might fight properly for Liberal principles, and yet I never succeeded. However, my want of success has not altered my opinion as to our relative merits as a politician or as a man. Sir Julius Vogel’s Public Works and Immigration policy had been in operation for several years. It was popular, and for a time I believe he had more power than any of his predecessors in office. I was in favour of a reasonable amount being borrowed for the steady, regular construction of roads, bridges, railways, &c. However, I was opposed to the extravagant expenditure which took place, much of it on un- necessary works and chiefly to benefit large private properties. Many railways were commenced that are still unfinished and unproductive. For instance, if the money which was sunk in formation on the Waikaia Railway had been spent on the Sea- ward Bush line, it might have been opened to Waimahaka many years ago. I was most strongly opposed to his free immigration policy, as being opposed to democratic principles. I always supported the extension of the franchise, and desired to see New Zealand peopled by intelligent, self-reliant freemen, worthy of being electors. Many of the immigrants introduced had never been accustomed to think or act on public matters, but had been brought up under the aristocratic system, with the hereditary

42 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. taint of pauperism and serfdom. If the railways had been let in small sections, plenty of first-class, intelligent working men from Australia would have taken the contracts, without Brogden and his navvies. Some say, if you want good men you must give good pay, hut if we judge by results we might say the. bigger the pay the bigger the fool. A large immigration barracks was built at Stewart Island, but never occupied by immigrants. Who with any common sense would expect employers to go there to engage servants ? An expensive quarantine building was built, and also various cottages for immigrants. A sensible mode of regulating immigration would have been to so arrange that intervals should elapse between the arrival of each ship, so that one lot might be engaged before the next lot arrived. When a borrowing policy is started the first process is to have large pickings out of loans, to raise salaries, and to find billets for friends and supporters. I consider that out of the money borrowed many millions were wasted; and instead of leaps and bounds, steady regular progression would have been better for New Zealand. I know nothing of Sir Julius Vogel personally, although I was strongly opposed to most of his policy and to his administration. I became a candidate for Mataura when Mr Wood was appointed a member of the Legislative Council, and so did Mr Shanks. At that time Sir George Grey’s Government was in office. I was pleased that New Zealand had at last got a partly Liberal Government, and I was a warm supporter of it. I had never heard of Mr. Shanks having ever spoken or written in favour of Liberalism, and I considered that if he had ever taken any interest in politics he would have done so. He professed to be a Liberal, but the Conservative party supported him. Mr. Joyce had full charge of the <l News” when I first began to speak and write in favour of Democratic principles, and he also vigorously attacked Con- servatism, in fact he hit harder than I did, and used to tell me j should fight the devil with his own weapons. He had this advantage over me that he was paid for what he wrote and I was not. I thought that next to myself he was the staunchest Democrat in Southland. I do not mind fighting an opponent, but it is not pleasant to feel as Csesar did when he exclaimed, “ And thou, Brutus.” I knew Mr. Shanks was an old friend of Mr. Joyce’s, but with a staunch Liberal neither friendship nor business relations would count. The Mataura district still extended beyond Gore, and population along the valley of the Mataura had increased rapidly. When I addressed the electors at Gore I had a

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 43 good meeting, and one of my old supporters said that “ he was proud of me.” But the prevalent view was that Mr. Shanks was most likely to get public money spent where he resided. Bound about the suburbs of Invercargill the contest was more of a political nature, and although the “Times,” the “News,” and the “ Mataura Ensign ” all supported Mr. Shanks, those who were Liberals accepted me as the genuine Liberal candidate. Several of the electors formed a committee, and, no doubt, assisted me in getting votes. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Act had not then been passed, so my committee engaged a number of cabs and provided a refreshment room in Invercargill and a refreshment tent at Gladstone. I thought the members of my committee were working from a love of principle, but after the election some of them charged for their services. I paid all accounts presented to me, so this was the most expensive election I ever ran. The election took place on January 15, 1879, and the returns were :—- Shanks: Waihdpai, 124 ; Campbelltown, 14; Gore, 40 ; Mataura Bridge, 43; Woodlands, 15; Boslin, 0; Wyndham,52; Fortrose,21; —total, 309. Kinross : Waihopai, 174 ; Campbelltown, 13 ; Gore, 12; Mataura Bridge, 3; Woodlands, 13; Boslin, 31; Wyndham, 3; Fortrose, 1;—total, 250. Before this election the franchise had been extended and an Act passed that directed clerks of local bodies to furnish to registration officers a list of ratepayers, so that they might be placed on electoral rolls. The lists sent in by the clerks of the boroughs around Invercargill were informal, so that the registration officer did not place the names on the Mataura roll. If they had been placed on the roll I believe I would have won. Mr Shanks was fortunate, as the session lasted only a few weeks, and he received the full honoi*arium. At the next election he had a walk over, and was returned without trouble or expense. When the new House met parties were evenly balanced, and, just as I expected, Mr. Shanks voted with the Conservatives, and the Grey Government lost office. 1 heard Mr. Shanks say that he never was happier than when working in a sawpit, and I think he never studied political economy or took any interest in legislation. When he was attending the House he lost his business, and it would have been better for him if he had not been elected. On the other hand I have been a born reformer, I have studied history and political economy from boyhood, and the height of my ambition has always been to be a legislator. I am writing history in quite a judicial spirit, and have not the slightest ill-feeling against Mr. Shanks. It is not a great while since we had drinks together and a friendly chat.

44 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. Whilst the Public Works policy was being carried out, wages were high and work plentiful. As our farm was small, my sons— like many other farmer’s sons—made a start for themselves. In December, 1880, the two years for which I had been appointed a member of Southland Waste Lands Board expired. Mr Kolleston, who was then Minister for Lands, appointed Mr. Hirst in my place. In November, 1881, the triennial elections for the County took place. Whilst 1 represented the Waihopai Riding I had driven the engineer on more than one occasion over every county road in the riding. More road-making was done and more back country opened up than in the same length of time before or since. By arrangement with the member for Awarua, I had the ratepayers who used the East road transferred to the Waipohai Riding, which was beneficial to the Eastern District. I never heard a complaint from ratepayers, and was often told that no one could have done better, yet at the election the votes polled were—McCallum 134, Fleming 125, Kinross 113. This is not the only occasion on which I have been surprised as to the facility with which electors can be converted by an energetic canvasser. Even in boyhood I had faith in myself, if I had been afforded opportunities of showing what L could have performed. It might have been called a laudible self-respect. As I have not had such chances it may be called conceit. Under the impression that I might be able to achieve something worth recording, I commenced keeping a log book. The first entry recorded was June 16,

1847, and the last November 20, 1881. As I kept always losing money and losing elections I thought my life was of little consequence, and I gave up keeping a log. However, since that time I have composed a number of poems, and as lots of sensible men and nice girls have said they thought I was very clever I have decided that some interest in me might still exist. The old Mataura electorate was divided, and the western and southern portions termed Awarua. In December a general election for the House took place, and I became a candidate for Awarua, having received a numerously-signed requisition from electors residing in Olifton and neighbourhood. Mr. David Smyth came out afterwards as an Independent and Mr. J. W. Bain as a supporter of Sir John Hall’s Conservative Government. At one time, so far as I know, the Catholic clergy did not interfere in elections. How- ever, after Bishop Moran arrived in the colony he directed that supporting the Private Schools Bill should be considered of more importance than political questions. I was a supporter of the

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 45 National system of primary education. Messrs Smyth and Bain were favourable to the reading of the Bible in State schools. After a time I was told by a prominent Catholic that a meeting of Catholics had been held, and that it had been decided that I was to get the Catholic vote. I thanked him for the information, but I had no idea of the importance of the Catholic vote in Awarua. Afterwards Mr. Joyce received a requisition requesting him to become a candidate. The number of new electors was always increasing, and Mr Joyce’s position as editor of the “ News” brought him more into contact with them than mine as a farmer did. When Mr. Joyce was member for Wallace he had supported the Private Schools Bill, or a similar bill, so that when he came into the field the Catholic vote was given to him without his having to state his views publicly on the education question. As Mr. Joyce and I were both Liberals, from a political point of view, electors did not care which was elected, but as the time progressed it became evident that Mr. Joyce was getting most support and most effective assistance, so that most of those who would have voted for me if Mr. Joyce had not come into the field then voted for him. The number of votes recorded were : Joyce, 582; Bain, 237; Smyth, 141; Kinross, 84. I am under the impression that if the elector who was chiefly instrumental in bringing Mr. Joyce into the field had been aware that he was a supporter of denominational education that elector would not have taken the steps he did. Stewart Island formed part of Awarua, I went over by a sailing cutter, and had to stay a week there. I took over a lot of forms and placed electors on the roll, and I got eight votes, which 1 suppose cost me nearly a pound a vote. I think the votes I got at Campbelltown during the four elections cost me more than a pound each. On one occasion I paid a scrutineer a guinea and did not get one vote. At seaport towns there are generally plenty ready to welcome visitors, and in most places there are electors who are not too proud to drink at a candidate’s expense.

I had been in the habit of breeding from my draught mares, and selling the young stock. In 1882, when Mr. Andrew Hannah sold out at Waikiwi, I bought three Ayrshire cows at his sale, and did well out of them. I also bought from him privately for £80 his prize draught mare “ Black Duchess.” She was five years old, and in foal. She had a colt foal the', first year, and the following year a filly foal. When I showed her in Inver-

46 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. cargill, I got first prize one year and second another year. In 1883 Mr. John KusselPs colt “Extinguisher” was awarded champion prize at Invercargill and at Dunedin. He had only a small body, but large, flat bone and lots of hair. “ Duchess ” had a fine large body, but rather light below the knee. I thought I would get something extra good by mating them, and paid £6 for service. “Duchess” only did a little ploughing, and ran idle the rest of the year, and she was a good-tempered, healthy mare. In 1884, about a week before she was due to foal, she took suddenly ill and died, and I paid the vet. £3 after her death ; so I dropped about £100 by that spec. Besides the loss, it is very painful to see a good beast dying. I had put a stack of oaten hay in the barn, and some of the top sheaves were sprung. I think her death was caused by eating sprouted grain, as some of the sheaves had been thrown over the fence. In 1883, at a bye-election, I was elected a member of the South- land County Council for Awarua Biding; but at that time there was only a very small sum to the credit of the Riding. However, at the next general election I was defeated by Mr. Andrew Dunlop. There is a very fair arrangement in the Council—that each member in succession shall be chairman. On both occasions I was defeated before it came to my turn.

In July, 1884, a general election occurred for the House, and I again became a candidate for Awarua. I thought that as electors are generally so changeable, and as I had spent so much on elections. I might as well spend a few pounds more on the off chance of winning. I consider that the system of free, secular, and compulsory primary education by the State is by far the most important matter to parents of limited means that can occupy their attention. I thought that possibly, as in the case of the contest between Mr. Shanks and myself, I might be allowed to fight it out with Mr. Joyce on the question of National Education versus Denominational. However, I was mistaken, as a number of candidates came into the field. At the close of the poll the numbers were: Joyce, 444; McDonald, 339; Kinross, 94; Mitchell, 74; Hodgkinson, 54. As this closed my career as a candidate, I think it desirable to give the report of my closing remarks:—“ Whether he would again have the pleasure of addressing them depended greatly on themselves. It would be admitted that during his public career he had been true to Liberal principles, and thoroughly consistent. There might be a

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 47 time when he would he appreciated, and if such a time came, and they asked his services, and gave him a fair promise of support, he would be happy to place himself at their disposal and fight again. If they did not, and he retired into private life, he would have the satisfaction of knowing that no man could say he had left a blot on his name.” As a candidate, I always expressed my views fully and clearly, and answered questions fairly; but I hated canvassing, and perhaps I was deficient in tact. My friends often told me that I was too honest and independent for a candidate; but I hope the possession of these qualities does not always prevent success. A man’s first duty is to provide for his wife and family, and I provided a home that was always unencumbered before I devoted myself to the service of my country and my class. During the whole of my career I met very few electors that I can class as politicians, and I have regretted the want of political knowledge that exists.

In thee may honour, truth, and worth Be valued more than wealth or birth. It is more than twenty years since 1 composed these lines, and they epitomise the chief characteristics of the aristocratic and democratic systems. Since I began political life many victories have been gained for democracy. We have obtained vote by ballot, triennial Parliaments, more equal electoral districts, free primary education, Liberal land laws, and universal suffrage. So that the people of New Zealand are practically and politically free. I earnestly desire that they will learn to use their privilege in a wise and courageous manner. At present there are many who do not value their privileges as they ought to do, but the taint of generations of ignorance, superstition, servility, and serfdom requires time to be eradicated. The chief aim of Democrats all over the world should be to obtain greater equality of income. At present we find that non-productive labour is paid for in excess of its intrinsic value, whilst productive labour obtains less than it ought to receive. Besides placing power in the hands of the people the Liberals have passed measures that have caused some grasping monopolists to disgorge a portion of that which was acquired whilst the colony was under Conservative rule. Perhaps no more important reforms have been effected than the imposition of the graduated land and income tax and the tax on absentees. I hope these taxes shall yet extend to every country, so that the land shall belong to those

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. who work it and reside upon it. Other taxes that I trust will be altered or imposed are graduated legacy, succession, &c., taxes, so that neither man nor woman shall be born a millionaire in any country, as these taxes to be thoroughly effective must be universal. I believe Henry George proposed the single tax system from philanthropic motives. However, it is better adapted for starting settlement in a new country than for a country where a large part of the land has been sold. The graduated tax is more practical and more easily applied, and if monopolists will not sell at a reasonable price after a reasonable time has been allowed, then the screw can be applied more tightly. In 1885 Sir Robert Stout having regained office, through his influence I was re-appointed a member of the Southland Waste Lands Board by the Hon. Mr. Ballance, Minister of Lands. I was also appointed a member of the Board of Review through Sir Robert’s influence. I never had it in my power to do anything in return for his kindness, and I felt deeply grateful not only for the appointments but for his appreciation of my services to the Liberal party expressed in his letters to me. About this time there was a prospect of war with Russia, so I composed a New Zealand war song and other patriotic poems. In 1887 I was reappointed a member of the Land Board by the Hon. Mr. Ballance. In 1877 the first colonial Land Act was passed, but with schedules applicable to provincial districts. Under this Act rural land was to be submitted to auction in allotments at an upset of .£1 an acre for cash, with one half added for deferred- payment land. The area of an allotment was increased from 200 acres to 320 acres. In 1885 a new Land Act was passed. The principal alterations were that tender was substituted for auction ; that the price of deferred-payment land was reduced from one- half above cash price to one-fourth; that perpetual leases were granted at a rental of five per cent, on cash price ; small grazing runs, special settlements, and village settlements were created. After the Hon. G. F. Richardson became Minister of Lands an amending Land Act was passed in 1887. The chief alterations were: That the minimum price of second-class land was reduced to ten shillings; that the area of allotments was increased to 640 acres of first-class land or 2000 acres of second-class land; that applicants had the option to take land on the cash, deferred payments, or perpetual lease system; and that lot was substituted for tender. The amount paid to members of Land Boards for attending meetings or inspecting land was reduced to ten shillings

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. a day, besides travelling allowance. When rural land was sold by auction it often brought high prices. Crown tenants depended chiefly on growing oats for paying rents and other expenses. Settlers are generally given to over-estimating returns and under- estimating expenses. When oats fell in price, hundreds of tenants fell heavily into arrears. To afford relief, the Selectors’ Lands Revaluation Act was passed. It provided that all land selected prior to January 1, 1888, should be revalued} that the reduction in value should relate back to the date of the license or lease of the allotment; that the Land Board should consider valuations made and decide on them, such decision to be submitted to the Minister. So far as I know, the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Lands, allowed Land Boards to carry out the mode of revaluation as they thought best. Mr. Spence, Chief Commis- sioner, proposed that Mr. Denniston should accompany Mr. Mussen, the ranger, in revaluing allotments on the east side of the Mataura River, and that I should accompany Mr. Mussen when revaluing on the west side, and this was agreed to. After the Tois Tois and Otara blocks had been revalued, Mr. Denniston became unwell, so that I accompanied Mr. Mussen when revaluing the remaining allotments. For visiting land off the railways 1 took my own trap, and carried a saddle for rough country. At first, deferred-payment allotments did not exceed 200 acres, and some of them had a portion of peat, bog, or valueless land. So much of the best land was taken up under the free selection system that there was a difficulty in finding land suitable for settlement in small areas. Fortunately, some wet land where there are good farms now was too damp for sheep. It was also fortunate that free selection never existed in the extended district, I thought I had seen many sorts of crab-holes, but I never saw the genuine article till we visited Taringatura. It is rather a difficult task valuing land in different districts and of varied quality; but I think we succeeded fairly well, although the reductions we made were greater than I expected to make before visiting the land. The lessees seemed to be mostly industrious and frugal, and I consider it was very wise to retain them on the land. The reductions they got enabled them to improve, and the introduction of the drain plough was of great service to them. The Minister did not object to any of the reductions made, and 1 think that those who were relieved should feel grateful for the relief they received. I consider the reduced amount received for the land has been returned in increased railway and customs receipts. Mr.

50 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. Mussen was liberal in his views, and we worked harmoniously together. Mr. Mussen had a pass, and after we finished valuing a district he took the train at the nearest station, and I drove home alone. I continued my old habit of making early starts, and I often drove a stage before breakfast. When we had finished the revaluation, when I was driving home from Gore, I composed “ Coming Home.” T met Bracken in Invercargill, when he was getting subscribers for “Musings in Maoriland.” I always longed for the society of poets and other clever fellows like myself, so I expressed my friendliness in my “ Ode to Bracken.” We never met again, but I was pleased when I learned that the Government had given him a suitable appointment, and regretted that he did not enjoy it long.

In 1889 I was reappointed a member of the Southland Waste Lands Board by the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Lands. As he was well aware that I belonged to the party that was opposed to the Government of which he was a member, I felt very grateful for the appointment. Perhaps I carry my horror of servility or sycophancy to extremes, so as a member of the board I thanked the Minister of Lands in the usual official manner. However, afterwards when he was defeated at the election, and he was no longer Minister of Lands, I wrote and thanked him in a more cordial manner, as a manly opponent can thank another for an act of kindness. I have never allowed my business or my feelings as a private person to affect my actions as a politician; and I never allowed my views as a politician to influence my decisions as an administrator. In 1891 I was reappointed a member of the Board by the Hon. John M‘Kenzie. He and I were always members of the same party whilst we were in the Provincial Council of Otago, and I was pleased to find that he was always true to his political principles, and that when he had power he rememberod an old fellow-worker. I think I need not make special reference to any of the poems I made about the time, as they refer chiefly to passing events. I was a member of the Lindhurst Road Board for many years, and for most of the time I was chairman. There were three subdivisions, and I was a member of the Myross subdivision. The three members of each subdivision practically managed it, and its revenue and expenditure were kept separately. At a time when I was not a member each subdivision borrowed £1000 at 8 per cent, interest and 2 per cent, sinking fund. When the County Council was established

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 51 the doable rates were oppressive. To save expense the Board dispensed with the services of an engineer, and members prepared specifications and looked after contracts themselves. I did not pay myself indirectly for the services I gave to the ratepayers, but allowed part of the rates I paid to go to roads that were worse than mine. By practising economy we paid off our debt, and were merged in the Southland County in 1893. When merging took place the members of the board had a farewell gathering in Invercargill, and spent a pleasant evening together, and I composed a song specially for the occasion. In 1892 a new Land Act was passed. By it the deferred payments and perpetual lease systems were abolished and lease in perpetuity, and occupation with right of purchase established. If land is taken up on lease in perpetuity, the rent charged is 4 per cent, on the value; on occupation with right of purchase it is 5 per cent. Cash purchase is conditional on improvements being effected on first-class rural land to the value of 20s. an acre, and on second- class to the value of 10s. an acre before a Crown grant shall issue to the purchaser. Thus to some extent the principle is established that I tried to get passed in a Southland Land Act 19 years before. The minimum price of land was reduced to 5s. an acre. If every man was contented with a reasonable area of land on which he intended to reside, and had capital to improve, I would be in favour of the freehold system. It is the monopolists and speculators that have compelled Liberals to impose conditions. Owing to the reckless manner in which immigrants were introduced into the colony by continuous Conservative Ministries, when the expenditure of borrowed money was reduced, thousands of men had to leave for other lands in search of work. There was still a large number of men unemployed, and the continuous Liberal Ministry has settled many on the land under regulations bv which money is advanced for houses and other improvements. These settlements are more directly under the control of Chief Commissioners than of Land Boards. When I was first appointed a member of the Southland Waste Lands Board Mr. Pearson was Chief Commissioner. He was a pleasant courteous chairman, and never sought to dictate to applicants or the non-official members. However, his office was almost a sinecure, and has been abolished. I am under the impression that his salary was £500 a year, and since he retired I believe he has got a pension of £340 a year for many years, so that he has received many thousands of pounds in excess of the value of the services he rendered to the colony.

52 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. There were lots of sinecures and pensions under Conservative rule, and as I have always sought to render value for all I ever received, I have been annoyed to be taxed to enable others to live in ease and luxury. As all taxation comes out of the labour and capital of those who are developing the resources of the colony, and providing our exports, I have been surprised at the apathy with which the men of my class have submitted to be fleeced by those who have preyed upon them. When Mr. Pearson retired the offices of Chief Surveyor and Chief Commissioner were combined.

Surveyors may be very good at their profession, and yet not be so capable of judging the value of land as some who have had a lengthened experience in working it, or in local characteristics. I have seen land lately in back country that I now think was most injudiciously valued by surveyors. Those in opposition to the Government often blame the Minister of Lands for matters over which he has no control, but must trust to reports. I have sometimes been amused at Opposition papers writing of members of Land Boards as if they were influenced by the Minister of Lands, for no Minister of Lands has ever interfered with me in the slightest degree. In 1893, 1895, and 1897 I was reappointed a member of the Southland Land Board by the Hon. Mr. McKenzie. Of course, the quantity of waste lands of the Crown available for settlement is constantly decreasing, and it is absurd to think that any Land Acts or any Minister of Lands can place as many settlers on the land as when there was a large extent of first-class Crown lands available. I consider it was, therefore, wise to pass the Land for Settlements Act, which authorised the Government to purchase private properties. Under that Act a Land Purchase Board was created, whose duty is to examine the properties which are offered, and after investigation to report as to whether it would be desirable to purchase a property or not at a price. In 1895 the Hon. Mr. McKenzie appointed me a member of the Land Purchase Board for dealing with properties in Southland Land District. Perhaps I need scarcely state that every appointment I have received has been made wholly without solicitation by me. The Act. requires to be carefully administered and properties purchased cheaply, as a considerable expense has to be incurred sometimes in surveying and reading a property to prepare it for settlement. Land Purchase Boards may make mistakes in recommending the purchase of a property, and even after it is

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 53 purchased the Survey Department may not survey it in the best manner. Even when members of the Opposition are well aware that the Minister of Lands has not seen a property, and that he has only carried out the recommendation of a Land Purchase Board, they have attempted to blame him for matters with which he had no connection.

Many selectors take up larger areas of Crown lands than they have capital to work, and when they get too far in arrears with their rents Land Boards have to declare forfeiture of the whole allotments. 1 think in some cases it might be beneficial if boards had power to divide allotments, and allow tenants to retain part of their allotments. The graduated land tax has caused many properties in Southland to be subdivided and sold, so that few large properties suitable for settlement remain. Apparently in some other land districts another turn of the screw is required. I believe that I have sketched my life as a politician and administrator, so I will now go back for some years and relate something of my life as a poet and as a private individual. I do not intend to open my heart so fully in prose as I have done in poetry, so it is only those of my readers who have poetic tastes who may understand me, as sympathetic natures can. Shortly after Mr. Mussen and I completed our revaluations and I composed my poem “ Coming Home,” my wife had an illness of a serious nature. I had to add sick nursing to my other accom- plishments, and I passed some sleepless nights. I consulted Drs. Galbraith and Hanan, and although both have passed away my wife enjoys good health, although not nearly so active as I am. Fortunately before my wife’s illness our daughters were able to manage all the rairy and housework, so that my wife has not required to work harder than suited her for exercise or relaxation. Sometimes females have to ask for money for household expenses, dresses, &c., but I do not like such a system, and 1 considered that our daughters were as competent to regulate expenditure as their mother had been. If any one came to buy a cow I always had to inquire at them for breeding and other particulars, as my work consisted chiefly in providing food for the stock.

It is better to laugh than to cry ; It is better to sing than to sigh. Perhaps trouble will cease by-and-bye ; So cheer up, then, and never say die !

54 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. A change came over my feelings, and I thought that, as I had

spent the greatest part of my life in trying to benefit and provide for others, it was time that I began to amuse myself. I am naturally enthusiastic, and whether it is duty or amusement, I like to go into it thoroughly. Usually accompanied by some of my daughters, I went to concerts, quadrille assemblies, balls, and parties, and we gave parties ourselves. Although I had danced very little since I left the dancing school, and had forgotten many of the steps and dances that 1 had learned, on resuming dancing I found that I could still dance lightly. My favourite dance with a partner was the Highland schottische ; as a step-dance, I preferred a sailor’s hornpipe. I mixed more with young than with elderly people, and generally got good partners. At balls in schoolhouses the floor was generally too crowded at starting a dance, but before the music stopped there was often sufficient room for my partner and I to dance properly. The last time I danced a plain schottische in Invercargill every couple had left the floor before my daughter and I stopped dancing. I learned very few songs since I left Scotland, but having a good memory for words and tunes, I could sing many old songs well enough to please plain folk, without music, accompaniment, or preparation. I liked something with a chorus, and I found that “ When the kye come hame” suited the “cockatoos” first rate. At private parties I sung, recited, or danced when asked without pressing, and I was sometimes told that 1 had been the life of the party. I met with young ladies who were pleasant and agreeable, and ignored the difference of age; in fact, so far as manners and conduct go, I seemed younger than during any former period of my life. Some young ladies with poetic tastes said they thought I was very clever and composed beautiful poetry. Some asked me to compose poems specially for them, and as I will always do anything I can to please girls who speak kindly and can appreciate poetry, I made lots of poetry of a loving nature, though I have not thought it expedient to include it all in my “ Lays.” My wife sometimes told me that a married man has no right to love young ladies. However, as I always study her comfort as far as my means permit, she wisely came to the conclusion that it did not matter if I amused myself writing “trash” that pleased silly girls.

All that I have written concerning love has been inspired by imagination and intuition, and not from observation. During all

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 55 my life I have never met a couple that I considered to be in love. However, most married persons seem to get through life in a quiet, matter of fact way without love. Although I was born with an infinite capacity for loving, circumstances have not allowed it to be fully developed. In some of my poems I have expressed the earnest desire of my heart, and yet I have treated them merely as amusing compositions. I have recited my poem of “ A Poet to His Love ” to various ladies at different times— more frequently than any poem that I have composed. In 1892 some gentlemen in Invercargill arranged “A Novel Entertain- ment” to raise funds to complete the Band Rotunda. The per- formers consisted of persons whose talents were undiscovered, as they had never appeared in public before. I agreed to assist by dancing a sailor’s hornpipe. The gentleman who agreed to play the fiddle for me did not turn up, so I had to dance to the music of a tin whistle, played by Mr. Siddall, leader of the Garrison Band. The report states: “ To refer simply to two or three of the more noteworthy items in a very noteworthy programme. Of these, a sailor's hornpipe by the bard of Myross Bush undoubtedly takes first place. Accustomed to wrestle with the plough and the Land question, no one would have suspected Mr. Kinross of shining as a step dancer, but he tripped it with all the dash and abandon of a past master in the art, to the strains of a tin whistle. This was in the opinion of competent judges the gem of the evening, and the audience was only restrained from insisting on an encore by the condition laid down.” Forty-five pounds were taken, and the rotunds was shortly afterwards completed. I would like if the band played more national music and less foreign stuff. After leaving the Theatre, I accompanied some of my friends to a hotel, where a gentleman who was leaving Inver- cargill was being entertained. As we were in good humour, three gents and I danced a Scotch reel. I have no doubt if we had danced it on the stage it would have taken even better than my hornpipe. I expect if our wives had known that we were enjoying ourselves so much they would have been quite delighted. A night like that now and again makes old boys think that life is worth living yet. It did not take “Jessie” long to go home. When she was going home she wanted hard holding. I have sometimes seen expressed in the Press a desire that a poet would arise who could in poetic language describe New Zealand scenery. I do not feel inspired by the inanimate works of nature, but chiefly by the same themes that have inspired poets for

56 LIFE ANDREW KINROSS. thousands of years—viz., love and patriotism. In 1895 the Southland Celtic Society held the first annual gathering at Forest Hill. As I sympathise with enthusiasm, I composed a poem suitable for the occasion and sent it to the Secretary, and I was invited to recite it. It is best when suitable intervals occur between amusements, but sometimes they come too closely. On Wednesday, October 30, I went to a concert and ball at Roslin, and got to bed at 3 a.m. On Thursday I drove in to Invercargill to a concert and ball of Burns Club, and got to bed at 2 a.m. On Friday, accompanied by another daughter, I drove up to Forest Hill. The concert and ball were first rate, so I did not go to bed at all. After daylight I walked home with young ladies, had breakfast with them, then recited some of my poetry to them, yoked up and drove home. I find that when I have good company I require very little food and very little sleep. For the first gathering of'the Highland Society in Southland in 1897 1 composed a poem and recited it at the gathering. In August, 1898, I read that the Hon. John McKenzie, chief of the Gaelic Society of New Zealand, was expected to preside at the annual gathering to be held in Dunedin. As he had always consistently fought against New Zealand being ruled by aristocrats, and had been kind to me, I composed a poem in honour of the occasion. Unfortunately he could not attend the gathering, but my poem was read at a meeting of the Society, and I was thanked for it. By request of the Highland Society of Southland I composed a poem for the second annual gathering held on September 30, 1898, and I also recited it. The report states “ the sentiments and feeling met with pronounced approval.” After the concert came the ball, and the report continued : “ During an interval Mr. Andrew Kinross treated the company to a sailor’s hornpipe, and the airy manner in which he tripped it fairly astounded some of the young people. All were agreed that Mr. Kinross’s step dancing reaches the same level of excellence as his poetry, a specimen of which had been given with much force earlier in the evening.” As my daughter and I were passing the Post Office the clock was striking 4 a.m., so my readers will perceive that I am still young in heart and limb, and men may sometimes retain attractiveness as well as ladies. Having referred to my “ Lays,” I will describe how they have generally been composed. I have not devoted time specially to composing, but have usually composed rapidly when something occurred to inspire me. I liked to finish a poem at

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 57 once, so most of my poems are short ones. Many of those composed of late years have been commenced and sometimes finished whilst lying awake waiting for daylight. It has been greatly a matter of chance what metre I adopted, but I disliked adopting anything rough. When I have been reciting to friends they have often remarked how smoothly and rythmically my poetry flowed. In scanning and revising I generally found that few alterations were required. Many celebrated poets have frequently used imperfect rhymes, but I have tried to avoid them, even at a sacrifice of poetic expression. In many poems only alternate lines rhyme, but I am not satisfied unless all my lines rhyme. I have no sympathy with those poets who use an obscure style, where labour is required to detect the meaning. In poetry as in prose I try to be always clear and concise, so that any intelligent person may observe at once what is meant. I have not taken any poet as a model, but what I have composed has been original and spontaneous. I wished I had a friend accustomed to literary work whom I could sometimes have consulted, but I have not had that advantage. I have no work on composition or rhyming to refer to, I have not consulted a grammar for many years, and the dictionary I possess is of the most paltry description. It will thus be seen that I have relied chiefly on intuition and the memory of schoolboy days. If I had been favourably situated I would have tried to compose longer poems in narrative or dramatic form. Like many authors I would have liked to have tried my luck in London rather than being stuck down on the last joint of New Zealand’s tail. Most of my poetry has been composed under most discouraging circumstances, with few sources of inspiration and little encouragement. I have often been told that I would be more appreciated after death than whilst in life, but I would rather be admired at once. Whilst my poems were published in detached pieces I could not expect them to receive as much consideration as when published in a volume. However, when my “ Lays ” are published I would prefer if my admirers would invest their spare cash in something that would be useful to me while I am here, rather than in a monument when I am gone. A few years ago it was expected that the Govern- ment would recommend that some members would be appointed to the Legislative Council. An old friend and supporter of mine, who seconded my nomination when I opposed Mr. Bell in 1871, had a letter prepared which was addressed to Mr. Ward. It

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. stated that when the population, the exports, and the contribution to the revenue of Southland were very much less .than now it was represented in the Council by Messrs. Taylor, Nurse, Wood, and Menzies. That since the death of those members only Mr. Feldwick had been appointed, and that although the country residents of Southland were taxed to support the Council they had no representation therein. That as I had made greater sacrifices for Liberal principles than any man in Southland I deserved to be appointed. The letter was signed by a considerable number of the oldest, most influential, and most intelligent settlers in Awarua. As my friend was a most successful farmer and had succeeded in most undertakings, he was very sanguine that the request would be granted. It is fortunate that I am not sanguine, or I would not have been able to take disappoint- ments so philosophically as I have done. As I had retired from political life before Mr Ward entered it, I did not expect him to recognise my services. I certainly would have liked an opportunity of again serving the Liberal cause, but perhaps I may still help the growth of Liberalism in another way. I understand the Forest Hill Farmers’ Club made a similar request, and I was greatly pleased to find that I still retained the esteem of so many old friends. Although I still think the Council is not necessary, whilst appointments to it are made they should be made from small farmers in a fair proportion. As I had only two unmarried daughters left at home, I thought I might take a rest, and in May, 1897, I sold my farm at £6 an acre. When I bought the farm, none of my family were able to assist me, and as I brought them all up respectably on 175 acres of medium land in the worst climate in New Zealand, I have no sympathy with those who seek to grasp areas beyond their means. In July I bought a corner section in Invercargill for £60. It adjoins the town belt, is slightly above street level, is good, firm, loamy soil, and has eastern and northern aspects, so that I am well pleased with my purchase. My son-in-law, who is a carpenter, built a cottage for me, and I gave some assistance, especially in painting. Having it built according to my own design, I take more interest in it than I would have done if I had bought a cottage on some other design. Each shift we have made has been to a better cottage; but houses are of more consequence to females than to us.

LIFE ANDREW KINROSS. 59 It is not the stately mansion that makes a happy home, To which we always turn with joy and never seek to roam ; But kindness, love, and sympathy can make each home divine, They cheer us in our latest days, as they did in auld lang syne. 1897 and 1898 have been the wettest and stormiest seasons I have seen in Southland, and our building operations were re- tarded. When it was raining and blowing I was glad I had no stock to feed, but I felt sorry that my successor was getting such a bad start. When feed is running short, late springs are a great drawback. Whilst I was in Victo ia, I ended each year richer than I began it, and in Otago I did still better. Southland has not been so kind to me, as I am worth less now than when I parted with my interest in Otago. As the Government and

Legislature assisted in lowering interest, I hoped they would have passed such an Old Age Pension Act as would have made an addition to the small incomes of those who had been careful and had contributed largely to the revenue. This was provided for in “The Registration of People’s Claims Act, 1896,” but the Tory element has struck it out of the Pension Act as passed. Although Southland has not been kind to me, Nature has been much kinder in blessing me with a good constitution. I have seen many pass away, and many afflicted or incapacitated by various diseases, who never underwent anything like the hard ships I went through, and who took much better care of themselves than I did; yet I still feel well, active, and free from aches and pains. Old acquaintances have frequently told me that 1 get younger in appearance instead of older, and strangers take me to be much younger than I am. I have sometimes felt unwell, and I had many blows, bruises, and sprains ; but they soon got better, and I never have been confined to bed for a day since I left the hospital in the Mauritius. As my parents both died young, it seems strange that I should have been so favoured] and, fortunately, all the members of my family are so healthy that no doctor was ever required to visit them. My readers can judge for themselves whether my intellectual power shows any signs of decay, and the photo., taken recently, will enable them to see me as I am. I know that many a man as good as ever sat on throne Has gone down to the silent grave uncared for and unknown; And men with the most noble gifts, hy Nature given to few, Have passed through life without a chance to show what they could do

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS I am not aware that any of my ancestors possessed a talent for composing poetry, neither do any of my descendants possess such a gift, as far as I know. Apparently I have not acquired it from heredity, neither has my environment been favourable to

its development. My views as a politician have been affected by environment. If I had been a member of a profession, a highly paid official, bank manager, or something similar, probably I would have been a Conservative ; but through joining the ranks of labour I have always politically stood by my class, and became a radical reformer. 1 feel sure that Nature endowed me with constructive and administrative talents, although I was never afforded opportunities of using them. It is a good thing when a man has some conceit and can hold up his head like a man, and feel that he has not a drop of mean, servile blood in his veins. In political life, as in the army, I like to see men stand by their corps or their class ; and I have always stood by the cockatoos, and I regret that they do not hang together better than they do, and are so deficient in self-respect and self-reliance. Some consider that in the decline of life we should make special preparation for a future life; but I do not agree with that opinion. Men are called away at all ages, and I followed occupations where death might have taken me without warning, so that I think it is best to live at all times so that we need not dread being called on to answer for our actions. Even in boyhood I devoted much earnest thought to religious and other questions, and I lived in accordance with the convictions I then arrived at, being always self-reliant. As a poet, a prose writer, a.politician, and an individual, I would have been greatly pleased if I had known some companion, male or female, to whom I could have opened my heart, and whom I could have consulted ; but as I have not been so favoured, I have always faced the situation alone, and I can take a philosophical view of life.

Is life worth living ? I might sometimes ask. And yet to answer still might he a task ; For care and trouble I have known throught life : It might be best to rest from toil and strife. Yet still on earth I can find work to do. To calls of duty I can still be true; Amongst the cheerful I can still unbend. And make the best of life till it shall end.

I consider that legislation is one of the most important matters to whi h thought can be devoted, and I have often

LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. 61 regretted that farmers have not taken more interest in it. Large questions affecting New Zealand as a whole, or producers as a class, are often neglected for paltry side issues or small local matters. In some countries the manufacturing or the commercial interest might be most important, but here the agricultural and pastoral interest is first, and next to that the mining, as furnishing our exports and providing revenue. Consequently Parliament ought to study the welfare of these interests before any others; however, farmers will find that if they do not look after their interests, others will not do it for them. When money is asked for public works or old age pensions Conservatives say the colony cannot afford it, but revenue can always be found for what suits.

I have been pleased to find that the Hon. Mr. Seddon and the Hon. Mr. McKenzie have shown that men with natural ability and the education received in fighting the battle of life are often more fit to govern than those born to a high position and who have had every advantage conferred by higher education.

By our glorious constitution we have an Upper House, but so far as I know no “ cockatoo ” or miner has ever been appointed to it, although taxed for its support. I am glad to see that in our towns mechanics and others are awakening to the value of being represented by men of their own class, although, perhaps, the choice is not always the best that could be made. Still by union, although they are not so necessary as farmers and do not contribute so much to the revenue, they have received great consideration from the House, and appointments from their ranks have been made to the Council. I regretted to see Conservatives and untried men appointed by a Liberal Government, and I was not surprised when I heard the Minister of Lands say publicly that some of those appointed had already “ fallen from grace,” Political science is too vast a subject to enter on now, but I hope my readers will seriously consider the subjects I have touched on. It has given me pleasure to see so many signs of progress and prosperity in Invercargill, and as other New Zealand towns appear also to be prospering, this may be ascribed in part to Liberal legislation. The rising generation have many advantages, and I hope they may cultivate a taste for poetry, politics, and other intellectural pursuits. I think my “ Ode to New Zealand ” should stimulate patriotism amongst natives of it. I have com-

62 LIFE OF ANDREW KINROSS. posed many poems that may please ladies with warm hearts and poetic tastes. I think that on “ True Love ” best of all. Some may think that what I have described cannot be accomplished, but I do not agree with that. If fate had given me “ My own true love ” I would have fulfilled my share of the compact. It is said that the surest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but that does not apply to me, as I still prefer affection and sympathy to. comfort or the pleasures of the table. As an amusement I still prefer dancnig, and I hope many opportunities may yet occur for enjoyment in congenial society. The memory of past pleasures, of loving sympathetic words, and other marks of affection I have received will brighten life as long as it may last. I have always been independent, and have given little trouble to anyone, and I hope this may continue to the end. I think one need not wish for a more pleasant or poetic death than to be transferred from the arms of a terrestial angel to those of a celestial one. The same trouble continues that has existed through life—the want of a sufficient income to enable me to gratify my tastes. I thought at first of calling my poems “ Lays for the People,” but I hope there are many poets striving to make people wiser, better, and happier. I think that no volume of poetry has been composed and published so far south, so I have called the work “ Lays of the South.”

Farewell, my readers ! Though we now must part, I trust my poems oft may reach the heart. Though there are some may never see my face, Amongst their friends I hope to find a place.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH, By ANDREW KINROSS.

PATRIOTISM. Composed in 1845.

There is no love is so sublime on earth As of the land to which we owe our birth ; A love which shall endure through endless time, Through every change of country and of clime, A love which absence makes more fiercely burn, And causes man all obstacles to spurn. The patriot true will freely give his all To free his country or to save its fall; If he is banished from his dear native land, Although he dwells upon a distant strand— Shall think upon each well remembered scene: The river bank, the pleasant village green. If Caledonia gave to him his birth, What land to it would he compare on earth? Though other lands may oft have cloudless skies, Though fair Australia’s verdure never dies, Their skies and verdure all their beauty lose. When on his distant mountains he shall muse; Full oft he longs to see his native shore, There hopes to rest when all his toil is o’er. Oh! Wallace, chief of all the patriot band That ever for their country made a stand Against the tyranny of foreign foes, Whilst blood within one Scottish patriot flows, So long thy noble name shall be adored. And with thy actions shall the mind be stored.

THE SmPWRECK. Thick clouds are dicing o’er the sky, The night draws on apace, The raging wav-s are heaving high, —w Across the ocean’s face; Tmd oft the lightning’s vivid flash Lights up the awful scene; While on the rocks the wild waves dash As if for sport or spleen.

64 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Above the roaring of the gale Loud booms the signal gun, But human help cannot avail, The trip will soon be done; Each raging billow sweeps the deck Bearing the crew away: Some cling to masts upon the wreck, And many others pray. Naught can be done to save the barque, As billows drive her on Where rocky coast is looming dark— Where many wrecks have gone ; There’s one great crash, and one loud shriek, And many souls so brave Shall never see the homes they seek— They lie beneath the wave.

ON SAILING FOR INDIA. Composed in 1847.

So now, my boys, we leave the shore, Though we may never see it more— We’ll work like men when tempests roar, Around the old Orissa. We’ll man each yard and set each sail, Then give our friends a parting hail, And leave dear Scotland with the gale— On board the old Orissa. For India’s shore oUr course we steer, Where brightest eyes our hearts shall cheer, And sunny skies are ever clear— Above the old Orissa. No doubt our hours of rest are few, But sailors have their pleasures too When sky and sea are calm and blue Around the old Orissa. Though tempests lash our little barque, Though all around is drear and dark, To duty’s call we’U ever hark On board the old Orissa.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 65 And should our voyage turn out fair To India’s shore where all is rare, We’ll give a cheer when we get there— On board the old Orissa. And then my boys we’ll step ashore. Right glad to feel the land once more, To have some sport when duty’s o'er As British sailors should, boys.

ODE TO MY BROTHERS ON MY GOING TO SEA. Although far from each other our bodies may be, Although ’twist us may flow on the wide restless sea, Still let that our fond hearts but more firmly unite— Let us think of the hour when we’ll meet with delight. Although sailors are foolish still sailors are kind, Then like them let us help with our purse and our mind ; And like them let us love, though their follies we shun Upon land or at sea till life’s course shall have run. We have few but each other to love on the earth Since those parents were taken who gave us our birth ; Then let all that pure love which for them would have burned. In a strong running stream on each other be turned. We were helpless and young when our parents we lost, And the ruling of others we felt to our cost; Yet, since then stem misfortune in teaching our mind May have taught us, I hope, to be manly and kind. And now, dearest brothers, I will bid you farewell— If I’ll see you again there’s no mortal can tell, For perhaps far away I may rest in my grave Or may sleep, like a sailor, beneath the salt wave. When that hour shall arrive, when I’m summoned by death, Still of you and my country I’ll think while I’ve breath ; And if duty shall call me will manfully die. But I hope yet to meet when the voyage is by.

66 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. COMPOSED WHEN ON THE LOOK-OUT.

When night is calm, and our good ship glides smoothly through the sea To other scenes and other times my memory will flee, And on those loved companions that I left behind will dwell, And cheers me on my weary watch to think that they are well. That a sailor’s toil and hardships these friends will never feel, They will never reef a topsail, will never hold a wheel; But that they still will sympathise when troubles I tell o’er, And think of me away at sea when loud the tempests roar. It will be sweet when toil and care are for a short time past, And by the cheerful fire I sit with kindly friends at last; Or I tell to old companions the sights that I have seen Away in a far distant land where they have never been. Or tell them of the wonders sailors see upon the deep, And tales I sometimes hear at night when lonesome watch we keep ; And I give all the presents I for them have gladly brought Across the sea for many miles from lands where they were bought. Then with the thought of pleasant times my drooping heart I’ll cheer When toil and hardship may oppress, and all seems black and drear; The greatest pleasure then I feel is to let memory stray To Scotland and those loving friends from whom I’m far away.

COMPOSED WHEN LEAVING FOR AUSTRALIA, 1848. Farewell to Scotland, land so dear. From thee I now must part. The thought will force a rising tear, And grieves me to the heart. Farewell to Glasgow, city great, When I am far away Through all the ups and downs of fate My thoughts to thee will stray. Within thee first I drew my breath And spent life’s early morn ; In thee my parents rest in death, In thee were my brothers bom. Farewell to all those friends who grieve That I must leave my home, May they be never forced to leave In distant lands to roam.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 67 Farewell to old playmates at sea Who brave the tempest’s strife, I love the spirit bold and free That marks a sailor’s life. Farewell to you, my brothers dear, Though now we have to part; Yet hope in accents sweet will cheer And whisper to the heart. That far across the ocean’s foam We yet again shall meet, When I’ll possess a pleasant home And independence sweet.

ODE TO MY BROTHER. Composed in 1849.

When o’er Australia’s plains I stray, And through its forests deep, When calm and cloudless is the day, And Nature seems asleep; And when my flock with heat opprest Seek shade beneath each tree, Then as alone I quietly rest, I often think of thee. And when the tempest rages round, And loud the thunder roars, When trees come crashing to the ground. And rain in torrent pours ; And when my flock with drooping heads Seek for some sheltering lee, Then as around the tempest spreads, I often think of thee. For thou must brave the tempest’s wrath Upon the raging sea, And guide the vessel on its path From danger never free ; But whether angry storms shall blow Or sleeping lies the sea, When thou art on the watch, I know That thou wilt think of me. Then in whatever land I stray, Whatever be the part That on the stage of life T play Thou still shalt share my heart; And if I should be called by death Though distant I may be, Even with my latest fleeting breath My thoughts shall be of thee.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. AUSTRALIAN SQUATTER’S SONG.

Tune: “Rose of Allendale.” When fair Australia’s plains are clad In robes of brightest green, And Nature’s kindness makes me glad, As thriving flocks are seen ; And when each bird with plumage gay Sings notes of love and glee— Then through the pleasant vernal day I fondly think of thee. And when the -sun with ardent rays Shines brightly on the land, When emus stand in summer days Beneath old gum-trees grand; And when my sheep oppressed with heat Seek shade beneath each tree, Then as I rest in cool retreat, I fondly think of thee. And when fierce tempests rage around And winter rains descend, And homeward on the flooded ground My steps I gladly bend; When I have seen my flocks are right, From every danger free— Then through the long and lonesome night I fondly think of thee. v

For thee each toil I gladly bear And risk the native’s spear, Thy image in my heart I wear Throughout the changing year. And when my early struggle’s o’er And fortune smiles on me, And cunning savage fights no more, Then I will come for thee. And I will lead thee to a home Where peace and comfort reign. Where oft together we will roam Across each hill and plain ; With thee I’ll share my hopes and fears, To thee devote my life, And swiftly thus shall pass the years When thou shalt be my wife.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. ODE TO MY SWEETHEART.

Composed in 1852. Dear Mary, time has quickly flown Since first I hoped thy love to own, And fortune oft hath changed with me, But still my heart hath turned to thee ; And I forgot all cares awhile When I beheld thy pleasant smile. Then, Mary, love, wilt thou be mine, And doth thy heart to me incline, Say wilt thou bo my loving wife And fondly cling to me through life? Say, wilt thou aye be true and kind, United still in heart and mind? I cannot offer wealth to thee. Nor high ancestral pedigree; But I can give an honest heart That scorns each mean and paltry art. If such a heart is prized by thee Then Mary, darling, smile on me. If thou wilt be my loving bride, ’Twill be my pleasure and my pride To love, protect, and cherish thee, And death alone shall alter me. Then, if such love is dear to thee, Bestow thy fondest love on me. Sweet Mary, if my love you prize, And I am favoured in thine eyes, Then turn thy gentle face above, And smile on me with looks of love: And lowly, sweetly, whisper Yes— I ask no greater happiness.

ODE TO MY BRIDE. Composed in 1853.

Now every thought shall be of thee, For thee alone my heart shall beat; And since thy faith is pledged to me My happiness is now complete. When I before the altar stood I swore to love and cherish thee, And then I fondly understood That thou would’st give thy love to me.

70 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. ’Tis not because thy face is fair Thou art so very dear to me, ’Twas not thy beauty was so rare That made me always true to thee. But I have looked within thy heart, And thought I saw its love for me; I tried to search its inmost part Where sordid thoughts might never be. If troubled by the cares of life And all seemed gloomy for awhile, It quickly stilled the anxious strife To see thy winning gentle smile. But I have never met with one That I could love through all my life, Till thou my heart and reason won, And then I sought thee for my wife.

PRAYER. Composed in 1860.

Almighty God, the kind and just, In Whom I humbly place my trust; Who hath filled space with busy strife, Each element with active life. Who gave dominion here to man, With reason bright, the power to plan, To curb the elements with skill, And bring them subject to his will. Who decked earth’s surface for his use With corn and wine and gifts profuse; Who hath provided food for all Who can obey fair labour’s call. These blessings show each thoughtful mind Thou art to man a Father kind, Who loves to hear the voice of those That on Thy grace their hopes repose. Then listen to the hopeful prayer Of one who bends with humble air. Who, freely trusting in Thy grace, Now comes direct before Thy face.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 71 Still guide me through the paths of life, Preserve me from all angry strife, So that at last I may appear Before Thy throne with conscience clear. Watch over and protect the wife Thou gav’st to cheer this weary life; My children keep when I’m away So that their footsteps may not stray. And grant, O Lord, that I may find Labour more suited to my mind, Which may not force me aye to roam And leave the comforts of my home.

ODE TO SOUTHLAND. Composed in 1867.

Oh! Southland, land of virgin soil, Fit land for hardy sons of toil, Where herds may graze upon each slope, And willing man may fondly hope By industry and frugal care To found a home both firm and fair. I do not crave a soldier’s fame, Nor yet in blood to write my name; But would the paths of peace pursue, And patiently the earth subdue, And clothe each field with verdure green Where only tussocks coarse had been. I like to watch the yellow corn Sparkling with dew at early mom. And know each waving crop was grown By labour that was all my own ; And with the aid of Him above, Who set us here to hope and love. I still will strive to act my part By Fate assigned with manly heart; And hope to see this infant State Part of a nation rich and great In spite of all the gloom and haze That darken now its early days.

72 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. ODE TO MY WIFE.

This poem was composed in 1875 whilst I was attending the Provincial Council of Otago in Dunedin alter receipt by post of a photograph. It was first published in Dunedin in the Southern Mercury, edited by the late Vincent Pyke. It was afterwards published in other news- papers, and has been warmly praised. Dear Mary, many changing years have swiftly glided by, Since first I saw thy maiden face, thy kindly loving eye That beamed on me with looks of joy, that won my youthful heart, And made me at the altar swear from thee I would not part. Amid the cares of manhood’s days I left thee for a while, And joined the eager hopeful search for Nature’s golden pile; For thee I lived a life of care, of hardship, and of toil. For thee I fondly hoped to gain the treasures of the soil. I passed through many a changeful phase since thou wast made my wife And fortune oft has been unkind whilst journeying through life; Yet more than pleasure, more than wealth I value far above The treasures that the world can give,—thy sympathy and love. Oft at the earliest break of day my thoughts revert to thee, Throughout the business of the day thy presence is with me, Though for a time by duty’s claims from thee I’m forced to part, Where’er I go, whate’er I do thou still shalt share my heart. I weary for that pleasant hour when I’ll return to thee. And hope thy fondest, kindest smiles may be bestowed on me; May no cloud ever fleet across the sunshine of our life, May foul suspicion never rise between me and my wife.

O^E TO NEW ZEALAND. This poem was composed in Dunedin as an “ Ode to Otago,” and altered to suit. I think it is one of my best poems.

New Zealand ’midst the Southern sea, Home of a race both strong and free, Where the salubrious winds that blow Paint youthful cheeks with ruddy glow ; Where rivers, lakes, woods, mountains grand, And fertile plains adorn the land ; Mayst thou be blest with lasting peace Whilst still thy flocks and herds increase, And may the tillers of thy soil Receive reward for all their toil; And when their daily labours end May willing hands on them attend.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Still may thy sons be brave and true, Scorning unmanly acts to do ; Worthy the land from which they sprung, Where patriots fought and poets sung: Where Gael and Saxon now unite To lead the van in freedom’s fight. And may thy daughters aye be kind, Beauteous of form, and pure in mind ; May joy and comfort bless their lives, As maidens sweet, as faithful wives. In thee may honour, truth, and worth Be valued more than wealth or birth. Thy laws be just, thy rulers wise. Seeking such measures to devise As make thee happy, rich, and great, A country blest, a model State. New Zealand! now thou art my home. From thee I do not seek to roam. I hope and strive that thou shalt be A rising nation wise and free: Fairest land in the Southern sea, Worthy Britannia’s child to be.

A SOUTHLAND MEMBER’S FAREWELL. Farewell to Dunedin, proud city, Goodbye to this fair Council Hall; With a mixture of pleasure and pity I am going away from you all. No longer I’ll join in the fighting For honour, power, country, or place, When Bastings all things would be righting, With Justice to Southland, his case. No longer proud Donald will gammon To sit at Gamaliel’s feet, Not worshipping pleasure or Mammon, But drinking in wisdom so sweet. No more shall he treat with derision Those members by whom he was beat. Nor make such sarcastic incision. As shall bring Mr Fish to his feet. Farewell to Stout Robert, whose teaching Is still in advance of the age. I hope that his practice and preaching May be stamped upon history’s page.

74 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. No longer I’ll listen to speeches, So eloquent, witty, and grand ; When each member so knowingly teaches The mode we should settle the land. I hope that no word I have spoken Has caused either anger or pain ; And trust that your looks will betoken Your friendship I’ll always retain.

A SOUTHLAND FARMER’S LAY. I have left Dunedin City, Its comforts and its ease, And the members, wise or witty, Whose speeches used to please. And now a farmer’s part I play Upon the stage of life ; The Council Hall is far away, Its duties and its strife. No morning papers here I see, No “Evening Star” I read— My country home now seems to be So very quiet indeed. And although it is not pleasant To wade in wet and mire, Often working as a peasant In ploughman’s coarse attire. Yet as my plough I firmly guide Straight through the yielding soil, My meditations often glide Far from my daily toil. And when the shades of evening fall And homeward I repair, At my fireside I’m chief of all And always welcome there. Then like a colonist I’ll bear Whatever lot is sent; And try to drive away dull care By being aye content.

LAYS OF E SOUTH. 75 ODE TO AN ABSENT WIFE.

Composed in 1876. Dear Mary, I’m sadly reclining Alone, thinking fondly of thee. I gaze with a look of repining At places where thou used to be. Beside me unopened are lying The “Witness,” last “Hansard,” and “News”; And yet I am listlessly sighing— The papers no longer amuse. So gladly I welcomed thy letter, And fervently gazed on each page. To me it is dearer and better Than all ever written by sage. And I have been ploughing and thinking, The weather is fine every day, I’ve even been eating and drinking— The same since my wife went away. Though lonesome our dwelling without thee, Our daughters are managing well, And each one is busy about me, I’ve nothing unpleasant to tell. May He who made all things protect thee, And send thee back safely to me. Be sure I will never neglect thee, Whatever my fortune may be.

A FREEMAN’S LAY. I’m far from all my youthful friends, far from my native shore. I’ll never see old Glasgow’s streets, I’ll sail on Clyde no more; I’ll never view the sacred spots where patriots fought and bled ; Nor yet the monuments that rise in honour of the dead. But in my heart I cherish still the noble patriot band, Whose actions shed a halo round the history of our land ; Like them I’ll strive for freedom’s cause, to hold what they have won, And still maintain a freeman’s rights as long as life shall run. For freedom Bruce and Wallace fought, brave Pym and Hampden, too, Have shown how nobly patriots strive for all our race to view, And we who profit by their deeds like them should strive to leave To future ages unimpaired the freedom we receive.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Then let us in this fair new land preserve with sacred care The freedom bought with patriots’ blood, a price beyond compare ; And let us view with manly scorn the coward and the slave, Who meanly sell for power or wealth the birthright of the brave. Let English, Scotch, and Irish join upon New Zealand’s strand. And show that over all the earth there is no freer land. So we may leave a heritage of just and equal laws, And then our sons may proudly say we strove for freedom’s cause.

MAN’S ORIGIN AND DESTINATION. Composed after reading a controversy for and against “ Evolution.”

With pleasure I find a contest of mind Concerning man’s first derivation : Whereby he arose and whither he goes— Themes worthy of examination. We still may inquire if out the mire He rose from the lowest creation. Or whether by plan created was man At once fully formed for his station. I was taught to believe, no wish to deceive, Before that I came to New Zealand, The Father of all—short, middling, and tall— Once dwelt in a beautiful free land. And yet it seems strange there should be such change Of feature, form, intellect, colour, And of languages, too (both ancient and new), Enough to beat even Max Muller. How man to each clime, in short space of time Since Adam became a transgressor, Came over the main, now can you explain Theology’s learned professor. Each sect in its pride may boldly decide No other can hope for salvation ; But I’ll be content to leave that event For judgment at life’s termination. Shall we search in vain or yet ascertain What shall be our next destination? When grim Death has won, when man’s race is run, Shall he rise to high elevation.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. In some beautous star, now shining afar, Shall he dwell midst haloes of glory ; And shall he come back, on tables to crack. Through mediums to tell us his story. Again on this earth, shall spirit have birth As flowers reappear in their beauty? And shall he ascend and rise to the end If faithfully doing his duty? I can’t think it true as said by Hindoo: He shall sink to great degradation ; Be bullock or cow or horse fit to plough, Or a creature of lower creation. Better Mahomet’s creed: While smoking his weed Sweet houris around him will cluster With incense and flowers, in fairest of bowers, Where pleasures of Orient muster. We still may aspire, into problems inquire, Far beyond what we now can conceive. That yet are unsolved through cycles revolved ; Who say otherwise only deceive. Then why should we fight, whilst searching for light, To pierce the dark veil is above us? When called on to die let us bravely try To think upon those who may love us. Then hopefully pray there may come a day When despots and bigots have perished ; When all of our race, of each creed and place, As brothers and sisters are cherished.

ODE TO WOMAN. Though some admire the lovely flowers With fragrance sweet and rare ; And some may long for shady bowers Where Nature’s face is fair. And precious gems may some delight; And some may dote on gold ; And pictures fair may please the sight, Or statues, grand but cold.

78 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. But more I love dear woman’s face Than all the flowers so sweet. Her image in my heart I place, When hearts responsive beat. No diamond’s flash is half so bright As loving woman’s eye. No work of art gives such delight As true love’s sweet reply. Dear woman ! Fairest, sweetest prize, By Nature given to man ; No angry tears should dim thy eyes And mar creation’s plan. Then man, however great his mind, Though bravest of the brave, If thou are loving, true, and kind, Will be thy willing slave.

NEW ZEALAND WAR SONG. For some years nothing occurred to inspire me. In 1885 there was a probability of war with Russia; Pyke composed the “ Old Flag,” and Bracken “ The Islands of the Free.” I was thus stimulated to recommence composing.

Men of New Zealand arise from your slumber, Honour and freedom now call to the field. What though the foemen our forces outnumber, Show that true British hearts never will yield. Chorus.

Fight then with heart and hand For our adopted land ; Fight for the land whence our brave race has sprung. Rise each New Zealand son, Grasp sabre, lance, or gun, Follow those heroes that poets have sung. Up then England’s sons ! Rise Scotland’s hardy race! Gather each son of the Emerald Isle! Strive on the battlefield, who’ll gain foremost place, Beauty will welcome you back with her smile. Strike for the flag that is floating above us, Often triumphant by land and by sea; Fight for our homes and the dear ones who love us. Fight for New Zealand, the land of the free.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. THE OLD LAND AND THE NEW. From great Britannia’s distant isle We crossed the mighty sea, In hopes with kindly Fortune’s smile To found a nation free.

Chorus. Then here’s to Britain’s glorious land, Here’s to New Zealand dear ; United still we firmly stand, No foeman ever fear. We seek not with ambitious pride To conquer or enslave ; For others’ wants we food provide, And send across the wave. We cultivate the arts of peace, And live by honest toil. We gladly see our wealth increase, And till the virgin soil. We welcome here with friendly hand The weary and opprest; We bid them come from every land, From tyrants’ rule to rest. But should a foeman touch our shore To arms we’ll quickly fly. We’ll do as Britons did before— We’ll conquer or we’ll die. Then for New Zealand’s pleasant land We’ll hasten to the fight, And side by side a warlike band We’ll show New Zealand’s might.

ON GENERAL GORDON. Where the mighty Nile is flowing. Where the stately palms are growing, Sleeping in a warrior’s tomb Lies Gordon, hero of Khartoum. When false traitors were betraying, When the Moslem hosts were slaying, Then the brave soldier met his doom— Fell Gordon, hero of Khartoum.

80 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Where Great Britain’s flag is waving, Where her sons are dangers braving, There is universal gloom For Gordon, hero of Khartoum. Where Britain’s mighty dead are praised, Where monumental urns are raised, In the old Abbey there is room For Gordon, hero of Khartoum.

ON THE RETURN OF THE TROOPS FROM THE SOUDAN. Now war’s alarms are over we are bound for Britain’s shore, To see our homes, our wives, our friends, and all we love once more. No more we’ll suffer heat and thirst in deserts of Soudan, Where oft we met the fiery charge of fierce Mahommedan.

Chorus. Our coats are torn. Our boots are worn, We’re only clad in rags ; But powder stained And blood-engrained We’re bringing back our flags. We know that soon our British friends will welcome us with cheers, But still it makes us sad to think we’ll see the widow’s tears ; For Stewart, Earle, and Burnaby who fill a soldier’s grave. We mourn for those cut from our ranks, the gallant and the brave, We marched for Queen and officers wherever told to go, And hand to hand in many fights we met our gallant foe ; The laurels of each regiment by our forefathers gained We still upheld on battlefield, and leave them still unstained. But statesmen in our native land, the wealthy, and the great, Will care for those who shed their blood in fighting for the State ; And ne’er forget the gallant men who watch on land and sea, Britannia’s shores to safely guard and keep her great and free.

A NEW YEAR’S LAY—1886. Caledonia’s flag is waving Above this southern land of ours. See her sons for honour craving, Eager to display their powers. Hear the martial pibroch sounding, Behold the tartans waving fair, Watch the graceful dancers bounding To reel or strathspey’s lively air.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH, 81 See fair Southland’s sons competing, Young athletes of many a size. While their youthful hearts are beating • With hope to gain a valued prize. Gather Britons of all classes, Of every age and each degree, Kindly wives and cheerful lasses, Come all the Highland games to see. In Invercargill when you meet, Greet every friend with friendly hand ; And let no malice or deceit Be found this day in all Southland. Then bring the bottle, let it pass, When filled with Highland mountain dew. With willing hand pour out each glass, And treat each friend sincere and true. And sing that good old Scottish song, Heard over all the world this night: Raise “ Auld Lang Syne ” with voices strong, And chorus, lads, with hearty might.

A TRUE COLONIST. Be not afraid to soil your hand, And do not fear the mud ; Far better he who tills the land Than drone of bluest blood. And do not judge by outward show, Nor worship rich attire ; The very humblest hearts may glow With patriotic fire. And do not set your heart on wealth. Nor sell your soul for gold ; Toil bravely on whilst blest with health, Be honest, just, and bold. To you if fortune should be kind And greatly bless your store, Help struggling friends you left behind, Nor turn them from your door. Then when the close of life draws near, And Nature seeks to rest, It will cheer each declining year To know you lived your best.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. RICH AND POOR.

You who labour, weak and weary, From early dawn till fall of night, With a prospect always dreary, With nought to make your future bright. See the idle sons of pleasure How oft they profit by your toil; Living without stint or measure, Although they never till the soil. See their hounds and horses revel In luxuries you may not share ; You are on a lower level, Unworthy of the rich man’s care. What to them that loathsome alleys Are thronged with poor in many towns? What care they that fertile valleys Hold many starving country clowns? They have always ruled the masses, They say their blood is purest blue. Luxuries are for the classes— Work is' for a low-born crew. Rise, then, patient sons of labour, Unite and form a steadfast band ; Each one help a weaker neighbour, Combine your forces heart and hand. You will rise by self-reliance Still higher as each year shall run ; Thus you can always bid defiance, Till labour’s rights are fairly won.

THE DYING SOLDIER. Suggested by Poe’s “Raven.”

On the field of battle sighing lay a youthful warrior dying, Slowly ebbed his blood away, ebbed away for evermore. Near him rose the din of battle, cannons’ roar and rifles’ rattle, Loud artillery kept crashing, on the cavalry rode dashing, In the air the swords shone flashing, down they came and skulls smashing, Men were into fury lashing, everywhere the blood was splashing— Till the land was drenched with gore.

LAYS THE SOUTH. 83 But the soldier lying bleeding, lay the uproar all unheeding. For his thoughts away were speeding to the far distant British shore ; While his spirit faintly fluttered, these the words he softly uttered, Shall I when the war is ended and each duty been attended Hear again with exultation the glad plaudits of the nation? But the angel near him bending, on the dying man attending,

Sadly answered “ Nevermore.” Shall I see the ancient college where I drank in streams of knowledge? Where I joined in youthful pastimes, and I studied classic lore? And shall I meet the friends of youth who with me sought after truth? Shall I often tell the story how we fought for Queen and glory? And shall I hear the ringing cheer as oft we pledge with hearts sincere Every comrade in our station and each ruler of the nation.

Still the answer “Nevermore.” Shall I greet my kindest mother, sister dear, and manly brother In the home where 1 was born, upon my well-loved native shore ? Shall I meet my faithful Mary, my gentle, winsome, little fairy? Shall I feel her sweet caresses? shall I smooth her golden tresses? Shall I feel her fond heart beating in the joyous hour of meeting? Shall I know such loving greeting whilst the days seem all too fleeting?

Sad the answer “ Nevermore.” Softly passed the soul away and left the lifeless form of clay, And the brave young spirit fled to meet the warriors gone before. As the angel upward fluttered, slowly, sadly this he uttered— Curses on the foul ambition of each grasping politician, Mars the face of fair creation with blood, rapine, desolation. Let the people of each nation look on war with condemnation, And conquerors of every station still be loathed with execration,

Evermore for evermore.

Do not crave a warrior’s fame, Seek not in blood to write your name ; Better provide mankind with food, And to your fellow-men do good. Man cannot choose the spot of earth On which his soul shall have its birth ; He cannot choose his native place, His creed, his colour, or his race.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH Though tyrants with unbounded greed, And bigots with a bloody creed Force brave men to fight with others, Meant by Nature to be brothers. A nobler aim should fill your mind— To educate and raise mankind. A better task your soul should seek To help the downcast and the weak. Then let your love embrace the world, Till freedom’s flag shall be unfurled Over each sea, on every shore, And war shall cease for evermore.

A LOVE SONG. (1887.)

If there’s a heart that never loved, that heart is not like mine, For even in my boyish days I-thought the girls divine ; My love was pure and innocent, without a thought of guile. My youthful heart with pleasure beat at each fair maiden’s smile. But as I entered man’s estate my spirit grew more bold, And with an arm around her waist my darling I’d enfold. Then with a lover’s ardent words I told my tale of love, And how I loved my own dear girl all other maids above. There are great troubles in the world, and I have had my share, But with a loving wife to cheer they are not hard to bear. Gladly I would have shared my wealth if fate had fortune sent, But though I never may be rich, with love I’ll be content. But happier far I would have been had I with wealth been blessed. In raiment rich and beautiful my wife I would have dressed ; My life would have been freer then from trouble and from care, When love and wealth are both combined this world is very fair. Then may life close as it began, still loving to the end, And to the fate decreed by God contentedly I’ll bend. For neither in the world around, nor in the heaven above Can happiness supreme be found unless when blessed with love.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 85 MAN WAS NOT MADE TO MOURN.

The earth is clad with verdure, and perfume fills the air, The birds are singing gaily, and Nature’s face is fair ; Ji Which shows a kind Creator meant man was not made to mourn. 5 Sweet flowers and many lucious fruits the bounteous earth adorn, There’s food and raiment in the world enough for all to use. The grape provides a cheering juice which man need not abuse. There is no cause why he should toil with age and labour worn, For Nature’s gifts will plainly show man was not made to mourn. But far above all other gifts with which the world is rife, Dear kindly woman has been given to cheer mankind through life ; A blessing to a husband’s home, to every child that’s born. A living proof our Maker meant man was not made to mourn. But tyrant’s with abuse of power have robbed the poor and weak. And bigots with a bloody creed have vengenance sought to wreak On those who nobly tried to raise the downcast and forlorn, And thus by cruelty and greed man has been made to mourn. But well I know the time shall come when labour in its might Shall rise and fight triumphantly for what is wise and right, And freedom and equality shall on its flag be borne, And all oppressors yet shall feel man was not made to mourn.

ON THE UNVEILING OF BURNS’ STATUE IN DUNEDIN. Adam Lindsay Gordon committed suicide in Victoria ; Hay, also a poet, ended his career in Dunedin.

Delay not till a man is dead before you see his worth, Do something that will cheer his heart while he is on the earth, Though stately monuments arise in honour of his name, Perhaps his spirit never feels the tribute to his fame. Poor Hay, with his poetic soul, has perished in his prime, And Gordon weary of his life has gone before his time. The tender and the gentle heart suits not the worldly strife. Alas ! few poets yet have lived a long and happy life. The jockey who can win a race may hope for wealth and fame ; When Beach excelled in rowing boats crowds glorified his name. It seems in Australasian lands that wealth and muscle reign, And very few can sympathise with the poetic brain. I’d rather think with saddened heart than never think at all. I seek not to possess a soul that knows not honour’s call I’d rather often feel the lash of stem misfortune’s rod Than pass through life and end my days a brainless, heartless clod.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. PORRIDGE FOR EVER.

Sir George Grey addressed a public meeting in Invercargill which I attended. The Stout-Vogel Government was in office then, and they proposed to increase the revenue by placing duties on sago, arrowroot, and other articles of diet. Sir George was opposed to the Government proposals, and in the course of his speech he said “ That Sir Robert Stout told the House where he was brought up people lived chiefly on oatmeal ” ; however, he (Sir George) thought the porridge had given Sir Robert high notions. In thinking over the speech I composed this poem. I have not been much accustomed to broad Scotch, but I tried it. Gae ’wa wi’ yer sago an’ sweet arrowroot, Yer saft semolina an’ cornfloor tae boot; Tae raise lads an’ lassies sae sonsie an’ braw, The porridge o’ Scotland can leather them a’. On oatmeal an’ whisky oor faithers were reared, Whause claymores an’ bagpipes by foemen were feared ; If ye search a’ creation ye never can find Food and drink that are better for body an’ mind. An’ look at Sir Robert hoo quickly he rose, Because he was fed upon porridge an’ brose, That must be the reason. Sir George says it’s so ; An’ we ken he’s a gentleman never can blow. Then clap on stiff duties on fooshionless stuffs That would ruin oor laddies an’ make them a’ muffs. Let bannocks an’ porridge for ever prevail As they did in the past in the land of the Gael.

A POETIC PROPOSAL TO A PROSAIC GIRL. When the summer flowers were springing, And the birds were gaily singing; When the sun with ardent beam Warmed Waihopi’s placid stream ; When all was fair around, above, And Nature seemed attuned to love. Upon a bank a fair young maid Was seated in the pleasant shade; And near her sat a gallant youth Who loved with ardour, hope, and truth. For many novels he had read When other men were snug in bed, And thought of love and little Cupid, Until he often times felt stupid. So closer to the maid he pressed, Thus her he lovingly addressed :

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 87 Mary, darling, young and tender, Here to thee I homage render. While I feel love’s sweet emotion I offer thee a life’s devotion. Be the star to guide my life— A beauteous, sweet, and loving wife. Be like the clinging tender vine, And let thy love round me entwine ; Let soul sympathise with soul Like the magnet with the pole. Be my peerless queen of beauty, I’ll guard thee with a manly duty ; And I will worship at thy shrine If thou wilt promise to be mine. So if the words that from me gush Cause thy youthful cheek to blush, Upon this faithful loving breast Now let thy flowing ringlets rest. The maiden gave a merry laugh, Said, I think you do not chaff, But the high-flown words you speak Sound to me something like Greek ; I guess you want me for your wife, If I will stick to you for life. Johnny, there’s my hand upon it, Now buy me a nice silk bonnet.

CASTLES IN THE AIR. This is one of my favourite poems.

The summer sun is shining on the gently flowing stream. The cattle resting on the banks enjoy the ardent beam ; And languidly they chew their cuds with looks of calm content, Regardless of their future lot they take what may be sent. The foals are playing in the fields, enjoying youth and strength ; Their dams, more matronly with age, are lying stretched at length. The pretty lambkins leap and run and happy seems their life; And everywhere the eye can reach there are no signs of strife. The corn waves gently in the breeze, the grass is fresh and green, The trees that crown the sloping banks adorn the pleasant scene. The hawthorn blossoms and the flowers shed perfume on the air— For those who love a country life the scene is very fair. But I am not like Wordsworth and the poets of his school, Who love to roam midst Nature’s works where all is calm and cool. Who for a life of solitude the haunts of men forsake, Content to gaze on mountain peak, on river, or on lake.

LAYS THE SOUTH. But I would be where gallant men are waging freedom’s fight, I would assist my fellow men to gain what I think right. I would attempt kind Nature’s works more fairly to divide, And aid the lowly to withstand aristocratic pride. And I would be where I might find fit subject for my song, Where patriotic passions are burning hot and strong: Then I would help the people’s cause with ready pen and tongue, And glowing words in flowing verse should everywhere be sung. And I would be with kindred souls where wit and genius reign, Where I might find some fitting work to suit the fertile brain ; Where I might study all the laws, would make a model State, And show the world a working man may still be truly great. But there are millions in the world not half so blest as I. Though I have not what I desire I’ll heave no useless sigh, But manfully I’ll try to take whatever luck is sent; For though not supremely happy we still may be content. I know that many a man, as good as ever sat on throne, Has gone down to the silent grave uncared for and unknown. And men with the most noble gifts by Nature given to few Have passed through life without a chance to show what they could do.

PATRIOTISM. No love has been so grand on earth As freeman’s for his place of birth ; And records through all time shall tell How men for freedom fought and fell. We still revere the Spartan band Made at Thermopylae a stand, Who all the Persians defied, And for their country nobly died. For England’s sake brave Hampden fell— And Switzerland produced a Tell ; And Garibaldi’s honoured name On Italy sheds lasting fame ; But chief of all the great and brave ' Who ever filled a patriot’s grave Wallace is dearest still to me— He died to set my country free. When I think on these honoured names, How mean and paltry seem the aims Of him who only thinks of pelf, And cares for no one but himself ; And in his selfishness and pride Would try to grasp a country side,

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 89 And leave his fellowmen to roam Without a chance to get a home. Men of my class who bravely fight By honest toil to act upright, Oh ! if you would only unite And show the power of labour’s might; If you would join with heart and soul To raise New Zealand as a whole. Cast parish politics aside, And let it be your aim and pride To help and elevate our class ; So that our State would far surpass That filled by men in older lands, Who toil with weary hearts and hands. Then we would have more equal laws, And statesmen, study labour’s cause Then this would be a model State, Worthy of men both good and great.

THE FAIRMER’S LAMENT. There was a great fall in prices of produce and stock. The duty on spirits was then 14s 6d.

These are awfu’ hard times we are leevin’ in'noo, It is scarce worth oor while to yoke up the auld plew; Ane an’ saxpence a bushel is nae price ava For the very best oats when threshed oot o’ the straw. An’ we a’ maun agree it is no very nice To sell oor sweet mulk for sic an awfu’ like price As thruppence a gallon when just fresh frae the coo, I dinna ken what things may be coming to noo. An’ see to the best taties, their price is still waur, They are hardly worth picking up oot o’ the glaur ; Twa shillings a bag we scarcely ever can get If we hawk them aboot till we’re maist in a fret. An’ fivepence a dizzen for oor bonnie fresh eggs Wull no keep the guid wife very braw on her legs ; She maun gang withoot ribbons an’ things that are nice Until there is an unco big rise in the price. Baith the road rates an’ county rates bother us sair, An’ the property tax sometimes troubles us mair. It is awfu’ to think hoo we’re a’ keepit doon To provide for the swells leevin’ gran’ in the toon.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. When I gang to the toon I hae little to spend, I maun stay on the fairm if the times dinna mend ; For twa gallons o’ mulk will just pay for ae glass. It is dreadfu’ to think we hae come to this pass. If I meet wi’ a freen who has come frae oor pairt, An’ I tak’ a bit dram to cheer up my auld heart, They noo spoil the guid whisky wi’ something they mix, Through this horrible duty o’ fourteen an’ six.

ODE TO MY WIFE. Though thy bonnie brown hair is now mingling with grey, Though the beauty of youth is now fading away, Still the days that are gone I will never forget, And despite all the changes I still love thee yet. Oft the battles of life we together have fought, And wisdom by trials has full often been bought. Yet through trouble and care I as loving have grown, And it still gives me pleasure that thou art my own. Not thy beauty alone made thee dear unto me— For thy kindness and love drew my heart first to thee. And when beauty has faded love still shall remain ; I will share in thy pleasure, and feel for thy pain Though we cannot prevent our weak body’s decay. Though our strength may forsake us, our sight fade away, Yet our love and affection we still may control: And our life is worth living whilst soul clings to soul.

SWEET .HOME. Though forth to my labour I daily may roam, With pleasure each evening I turn to my home—- There love and affection my leisure beguile, For nothing can equal dear woman’s bright smile. The friends of my youth I will never forget; And deep in my heart I still cherish them yet, So gladly I’ll meet them if ever they roam, And come to New Zealand to found a sweet home.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 91 THE WATER OF LIFE.

In the morning of Life when the future seems long, And when labour is light to the active and strong, Then all things seem so pleasant, unknown is despair. And an appetite sweetens the coarsest of fare. But as age creeps upon us the strength fades away, The appetite fails, and the powers all decay ; Then the prospect around us seems dismal and drear: Life is scarcely worth living with nothing to cheer. But kind Nature provides for the loss of our powers, And with stimulants helps us to brighten the hours ; And a glass with a friend will cheer body and mind, And will make us feel pleasant, forgiving, and kind. For the Scotchman has whisky as water of life, To brighten his leisure, and to cheer him in strife ; And the Frenchman when drinking the bright sparkling wine. Fondly thinks la belle France is a country divine. To English and Germans there is nothing so dear As a jolly good draught of the light foaming beer. In the battle of life oft some poor drooping soul Has been cheered by the help of some good alcohol. Then away with the rulers who plunder us here, And deprive the poor toilers of whisky and beer. Who with duties oppressive frustrate Nature’s plan, And who grasp all they can from the hardworking man.

THE COMING TIME. See, the dawn of day is breaking When the toiling serfs shall rise ; And to labour’s rights awakening Old traditions shall despise. Doctrines false no more believing, Men shall think with judgment cool; Bigots stern no more deceiving, No more over men shall rule. Reason’s light shall guide the masses, Labour shall be fairly paid. No more toiling on like asses, Men shall rise to higher grade.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Then the guns shall cease to thunder, Men shall cease to wound and slay ; No aristocrats shall plunder In the happy coming day. Men shall help a fellow toiler ; Right shall rule in every land. Fearless of the grasping spoiler Working men shall proudly stand. Firmly stand by one another, All aspiring sons of toil; Treat each fellowman as brother, Let all meet on common soil.

UNSECTARIAN RELIGION. Mankind are weak, but God is great, And he alone can judge our state. He knows where all our spirits fly When our weak earthly bodies die. We think that one God made us all, Each race came hither at His call; Then seek not with a bigot’s hate To prophesy man’s future state. But strive while yet your life shall last To raise the lowly and outcast; Remember it is God’s wise plan There should be many forms of man. Be honest, truthful, kind, and brave, Actions alone your soul shall save. In spirit go to God alone, No mortal can for you atone. Our God is gracious, wise, and just, And knoweth those who humbly .trust; He will not strike for other’s deed, Nor cause the innocent to bleed. So when the hour of death draws near Regard the future without fear, Knowing that God though just is mild. And as a Father treats each child.

I .AYS OF THE SOUTH. 93 ODE TO BRACKEN. After our only meeting.

My brother poet, hail to thee! A kindred soul is dear to me. Let others madly strive for wealth, Though losing honour, love, and health; Or let a vain unthinking race The phantom pleasure hotly chase. For nobler ends let us combine, And use the poet’s gift divine To elevate our fellow men With glowing words and ready pen. And let us in our sweetest lays Sing lovely woman’s warmest praise. Although we do not write for gain, A higher aim we may attain, And show in our Creator’s plan The very highest type of man Is he to' whom the gift of song By right divine shall still belong. “Not understood” though we may be By sordid souls ; let us agree To stand together heart and soul, Through all the changes past that roll, To show that in this fair young land There are men still divinely planned With skill to use the poet’s art, That often stirs the human heart. Perhaps we never more may meet, Still with a poet’s ardent heat, I wish success where’er you roam ; And joy and comfort in your home. May all you love to you be kind, And cheer with sympathetic mind.

TO BRACKEN. After reading “ Musings in Maoriland.”

Dear Bracken! I read your book through With pleasure, and with sorrow, too. I think your luck must have been bad Your poetry is often sad. It seems as if your unkind fates Had passed some loved ones through the gates, And left you here to act your part With aching void within your heart. Perhaps sometimes “ Not understood ” By those you fondly thought that would Cheer with a sympathetic mind. With tender looks, and accents kind.

94 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Oft there is much to cause a smart To those who have a loving heart. And my poor muse may well be sad With all the trials that I had ; For oft I tried, and tried in vain, A higher station to attain. Where I might serve the people’s cause And help to get them better laws. B it oft my frugal savings went, And I had still to be content To work at uncongenial toil— Still had to cultivate the soil. Good-bye, my friend, I wish you well; I hope your book will freely sell Till you have wealth as well as fame, And honoured shall be Bracken’s name. I trust some day again to meet, And heart to heart responsive beat. With friendly grasp and friendly glass With us the time will quickly pass. Though others may be cold or cross I will be yours—Andrew Kinross.

(/ "fee, fpfi'/rry- $ irrt '/'M/ ^ V COMING HOME. /7 / The late Mr Mussen and I visited most of the Southland land district, when we re-valued deferred payment and perpetual lease allotments. After re-valuing in each locality Mr Mussen returned to Invercargill by train, and I drove home. When the re-valuation had been completed, I composed this poem whilst driving home from Gore. I’m coming home with joyful heart, my own dear wife, to thee; And Jessie in our little trap is trotting fast and free ; For whether over hill, or dale, or through the bush I roam, I always like it best of all when I am coming home. I saw more fertile farms than ours where better crops are grown, And yet when all have been compared I still prefer our own— For five and twenty years of life together we have passed Upon the humble little farm whereon our lot is cast. I care not for the bleak brown hills where not a tree is seen: I like a gently sloping bank with sward both close and green ; I like a clear and pebbly stream with never ceasing flow. That never floods the fertile fields when summer melts the snow. There is not any change in me, my heart is still the same, As when a happy youthful pair forth from the church we came, And,more than honours, more than wealth I value my dear wife, May’st thou be spared to bless our home as long as I have life.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 95 DEATH OF LOVE.

Poor Love is dead! Poor Cupid has been slain ! Cold is his heart and lifeless is his brain. He gave a true and faithful heart to one— But now, alas! his loving days are done. It was unkindness caused poor Love to die ; He bore it long with oft a heavy sigh— But slowly, surely, faded all away, Love must be met by love ere he can stay. When we have loving heart and fertile brain Deep is the grief and very keen the pain: When those we love prove cruel and unkind, And faith and trust are banished from the mind. Perhaps, again, poor Love may chance to live, A kinder heart a warmer love may give. On blessed hope yet faith again may thrive, And some sweet maiden may fond love revive.

0DE T0 A LADY FRIEND. am in the habit of composing rapidly, but I composed this poem more ly than usual. After a sleepless night I commenced to write it at daybreak and completed it before breakfast.

Lady! I give my thanks to thee For all the kindness shown to me ; To a poor poet’s tender heart That oft has felt misfortune’s smart Thy friendship has been very dear, And helps his drooping heart to cheer. Thy tender words, thy winsome face, Thy pleasant smile, thy artless grace, Must make a truly happy life For him who owns thee as his wife. But still for others not so blest, For all the weary and distrest Thou hast thy kindly words to cheer, And make thy friendship very dear. I thank the good and gracious Fate That sent my footsteps to thy gate. My heavy heart was very sad With all the troubles that I had, But thou hast lightened all my care And made life once again seem fair ; For the mysterious ways of Fate Had also sent thee troubles great,

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. % Thus thou could’st sympathise with me When stricken by a like decree. Though it has always been my plan To meet misfortune like a man, To laugh, to joke, to seem so gay, When oft my thoughts were far away. And a cold world would never know The sorrow buried deep below. But sweet are sympathy and love, And fall like sunshine from above Upon the weary stricken breast That prays for comfort and for rest. And when we feel the tender spell Our sorrows great we freely tell To sympathising loving ear, Whose consolation seems so dear. I hope our friendship thus begun Through all my future life shall run. If a poetic ardent prayer Can help to make thy life more fair, May He to Whom our thoughts aspire Grant all thy fondest heart’s desire ; May joy and sunshine gild thy life, As friend sincere, as faithful wife. Now I will say farewell to thee, I hope thy face I soon shall see, And for a time forget my care Cheered by thy friendship sweet and rare.

NEW ZEALAND ANTHEM. Almighty God, who made the earth, To Whom all creatures owe their birth, Thy people humbly pray to Thee To make New Zealand great and free. In it may worth and honour reign, May labour, wealth, and wisdom gain, May all unite with hand and brain Life’s highest standard to attain. May caste and birthright disappear, May equal rights be granted here, Till each may reach the noblest sphere, And modest merit may not fear. Protect and guard its sea-girt shore From foreign foes for evermore ; May peace and plenty always reign On every hill, on every plain.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 97 THE WISEST PLAN.

Though your dearest hopes are blighted, Though your fondest love is slighted, Although unkindness wounds your heart Unto its very inmost part ; Although ill luck may still attend And follow to the bitter end ; You’ll find it is the wisest plan To make of life the best you can. If love you cannot find at home Perchance you’ll find it if you roam— There is such difference of heart As heaven and hell are far apart. Perhaps you’ll meet some lady kind, With tender heart and feeling mind, Who’ll help to lighten all your care With sympathy and friendship rare ; Regard her as you would a saint, Let nothing sensual ever taint The love on her that you bestow, With manhood’s purest holiest glow. But if you meet some maiden gay, Who likes to flirt whene’er she may, Amuse her with the song and dance, With loving words, and tender glance. Be always courteous, kind, and strong, Judge for yourself ’twixt right and wrong: Thus cheerfully you still may live. And pleasure oft to others give.

LOVE. What is true love? Oh ! who can tell What causes such a magic spell, That fills the veins with liquid fire, And fills the heart with warm desire To make the loved one all our own And place her on a loving throne? ’Tis sweet sometimes to play the fool, And bow to woman’s kindly rule ; To try to win her fondest smiles With all a lover’s tender wiles ; To watch the love within her grow Till her fond heart shall overflow. When first we steal the loving kiss The soul is filled with highest bliss ; Then round her waist an arm we place, And clasp her in a close embrace—

LAYS OF SOUTH. Whilst we feel her warm heart beating, All our glowing thoughts repeating. Proud Science never can reveal Why two fond hearts so loving feel; No magnet ever is so strong, Can draw so far, or draw so long, As the dear girl we truly love All other maids on earth above. The love of fame may pleasure give, The soldier may for glory live ; But woman’s love is best of all That ever to man’s lot can fall. If we can chance to love too blindly Those who love will judge us kindly.

PHILOSOPHIC LOVE. Some love but once, are always true, A fond ideal love pursue, And if Fate keeps their lives apart. No other ever fills the heart. Into such constant love to fall, May not be wise; best to love all Those ladies who are sweet and kind, With charming ways and cheerful mind ; But if to one you give your heart, Till love shall fill its every part, Then you may five to rue the day You gave your truest love away. Although it may seem very strange, We find that ladies sometimes change, And modest maidens oft grow bold, When marriage laws a man enfold, With nagging words cause frequent strife. And oft embitter married life. Let others be content with one, In courting all there is more fun. If you have wealth you need not care, The world is full of ladies fair, Wherever you may choose to roam, In every land you’ll find a home ; While you have got the cash to spare, The world for you is very fair ; So flirt when you may get the chance— Join in the revel and the dance. If in the silent hours you grieve, Don’t wear your heart upon your sleeve. But seem the gayest of the gay While in the world a part you play.

LAYS OP THE SOUTH. 99 CANNY LOVE.

Although some poets write o’ love, I think they maun be daft, When praising waists sae unco sma, an’ hauns sae white an’ saft; I’d raither hae a braw Scotch lass, wi’ airms sae stout an’ strong— The lass can dae a guid day’s wark is worthy o’ a song. When I come tae my hoose at night, an’ a’ sae dark an’ cauld, It seems a waefu thocht tae think that I am growing auld, An’ hae nae wife tae welcome me, nae bairn tae ca’ me dad ; That I maim leeve a lonely life aft maks me soor an’ sad. I’d like tae get a daicent wife tae tidy up the hoose, Tae licht the fire, an’ wash my claes, an’ keep things clean and spruce; Wha didna care for fal-de-rals, an’ wasna’ hard tae please, An’ wore her warking petticoats no faur below her knees. Sae if there’s ony sonsie lass wad like tae get a man, An’ if she thinks that I wad suit a wedding we micht plan; An’ though I canna talk o’ love as some glib poets may, We micht get on juist quite as weel as warmer lovers dae.

TRUE LOVE. This is the sort of love I have always desired. Unfortunately few of my desires have been gratified.

It may be known to very few To love as truest of the true, When two fond hearts shall beat as one Till all the course of life has run. When man is honest, brave, and true, And scorns unworthy acts to do, When lovely woman sweet and kind, Has tender heart and gentle mind ; And when such hearts together meet, And filled with love responsive beat, Then sweet is Love’s first warm embrace When blushes paint the glowing face, And lips meet lips in fervent kiss! No wealth can buy such perfect bliss. Then sweetly on such lives shall flow, And love round each a halo throw ; The marriage tie shall cause no pain, No wish to break the tender chain, No angry word be ever spoken, No promise made be ever broken ; But each shall ease the other’s pain, And each shall share in every gain, And each shall fondly strive to please In days of trouble or of ease; If ever forced by fate to roam The heart shall always turn to home. Man need not ask a higher bliss Than to be blest with love like this.

100 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. MY OWN TRUE LOVE.

My own true love is beautiful, but better still is kind, No selfish or unkindly thought can enter in her mind ; No angry tear e’er dims her eye, no frown e’er clouds her face— She always with a lover’s warmth returns my fond embrace. And when misfortunes press on me she sweetly tries to cheer— No harsh reflections on the past from her I ever hear; Though vainly after wealth I strive her love I still retain, Through all the many cares of life she never gives me pain. And when to high and noble thoughts my soul will oft aspire, With truly sympathetic heart she shares each fond desire ; She makes this dull and dreary life seem something more divine, The halo of her constant love gilds every act of mine. But I have never met my love upon this solid earth— It was a poet’s sanguine dream that gave my love her birth ; Perhaps a maid so good and kind, so loving, sweet, and fair, Dwells only in some far-off land in castles in the air.

ODE TO ANNIE Annie my love, we had to part When thou hadst won my youthful heart; It was a stern and cruel Fate That kept me from my soul’s true mate. Soon as I saw thy lovely face. Within my heart it found a place And there it ever has remained, My first fond love is still retained. How strongly poet’s love can burn When it shall meet a sweet return ; Prosaic minds can never know How hearts with love can overflow. For only one bright happy night, We met, and felt a pure delight, Yet love shall only end with death, I’ll think of thee whilst I have breath. Through future ages as they roll. Shall we commune yet soul to soul? Shall your fond heart again be mine In some mysterious state divine?

A FARMER’S OFFER. Tune: “Wait for the Waggon.”

My darling, will you leave the town, give up a barmaid’s life? Will you come up into the country and be a farmer’s wife? I have a tidy little farm, of stock I have a few. If you will come along with me you’ll find some work to do. Chorus.

Will you come into the country, will you come into the country. Will you come into the country and be a farmer’s wife? Each morning you will light the fire, and you will milk the cow, And get my breakfast all prepared before I go to plough ; The dishes you will have to skim, the calf you’ll have to feed, And give the poultry and the pigs whatever they may need. The eggs you’ll have to gather up, and put them safe away, Soon after you have wiped them clean, against the market day; The butter you will learn to chum, and how to make the cheese— You’ll always find a little job whenever you may please. You’ll have to leam to bake the bread, likewise to wash and mend, And to the sheep and little lambs you sometimes can attend ; At harvest you can help to bind, and make the fragrant hay, There’s always something on a farm to while away the day. You will have a little garden where you can dig and hoe. And grow the vegetables in many a pretty row ; Then you can pick the ripest fruit, and make the luscious jam— And sometimes you can also cure the bacon and the ham. With a lot of useless learning you’ll never need to cram— Your life will all be practical, and work will be no sham; So if a pleasant country life for you has any charm, Just say you’ll be my pretty bride, and live upon a farm.

Answer. I thank you, Mr Verdant, for the offer you have made, But I think that for the present I would rather have my trade; When you have got a buggy, and a horse for me to ride, If you still want a pretty wife, perhaps I’ll be your bride.

102 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. FAREWELL TO THE LINDHURST ROAD BOARD.

Tune: “Willie Brewed a Peck o’ Maut.” Sung at a farewell gathering after the Board was merged in Southland County Council.

We often met in days now past, And worked to serve our fellow men. But merging has come on at last— The Board will never meet again. Chorus.

We’ve met to drink a friendly glass, Perhaps we’ll never meet again, Then let the bottle freely pass— The mountain dew was sent for men. For friendship’s sake we meet this night To have a chat and drink a toast, We’ll kindly think it is all right— If some of us should chance to boast. We’ll leave our troubles far behind, This night we’U all be full of glee; No gloomy thoughts shall cloud the mind, But kind and merry shall we be. Then here’s to every friend is true, And here’s to every lass is kind; This night our friendship we renew, And auld lang syne bring back to mind. And here’s to Britain’s distant shore, Here’s to the land we’ve made our home ; May friendship bind them ever more, Though sundered by the salt sea foam.

A DEMOCRAT’S LAY. I’m of the People, I stand by my class, I feel for each one of the toiling mass Who works long hours, oft weary and in pain— Whilst those who toil not have the greatest gain. I’m for the People and uphold their cause ; 1 strive to get for them more equal laws. To sweep away the relics of the past, When all the world was ruled by might or caste. Yet by the People shall the laws be made, And purer justice shall then be displayed ; A true Democracy throughout shall reign, And those who labour shall their rights maintain.

LAYS OF THK SOOTH. 103 SUCCESS TO NEW AUSTRALIANS.

A safe and speedy passage to the good ship “ Royal Tar,” And to the gallant men aboard who seek a home afar From Australasian magnates who monopolise the lands, And care not for the welfare of the common station hands. They go to found a newer State where all have equal rights, Where capital and labourers shall never meet in fights. Where every law shall recognise the brotherhood of man, And each shall work to serve the whole upon the noblest plan. And on the women brave and true who go with those they love. May He who watches o’er our lives send blessings from above • And may they never rue the day they left Australia’s shore— May happy homes reward them all where love reigns evermore

A POET TO HIS LOVE. A recitation composed in response to a request. He: Love, I will give my heart to thee, If thou wilt give thy heart to me ; Though I have loved before we met, Still I can love thee dearly yet; Although cold-hearted cynics blame, They shall not quench love’s ardent flame; They cannot chain the human heart, They cannot keep two souls apart. Then if you prize a poet’s love All other things on earth above, Such warm true love to thee will flow As very few can ever know. I’ll place thy face within my heart. Within its deepest, fondest part, And though I may be far away My thoughts to thee will ever stray; And though I never may have wealth I’ll be content with love and health ; And I will bury all the past, And love but thee whilst life shall last. I know it is a needless task, If thou canst love for me to ask; I see it in thy kindly eye, I hear it in thy gentle sigh, And many well-known signs reveal The tender love for me you feel. My darling! since thy heart is mine, This world of ours appears divine.

104 lays of the south. Answer.

She: My dearest, thou hast read my heart, And death alone our lives shall part; Wherever thou mayst chance to roam, There I will gladly fix my home, With joy I hope to bear thy name, And share with thee thy future fame. I know the words from thee that flow Shall yet cause many a heart to glow ; I ask no greater bliss in life Than be a poet’s loving wife.

A DYING POET TO HIS LOVE. We may desire, even when we have no hope that our desires will be realised. Sit down, my love, by my bedside, and let me clasp thy hand, So I may know that thou art near whilst I can understand ; For I feel the time is coming when my soul must take its flight, And I must wish to those I love my very last good night. I fondly wish that I could shed a halo round thy name, And it might be conjoined with mine upon the rolls of fame ; The only ties I recognise are sympathy and love, They help to cheer the drooping soul like gifts from God above. When you see my spirit leaving and on the verge of death, My heart has almost ceased to beat, I scarcely draw my breath, Then kiss me love before my soul away from earth has passed, I wish to die as I have lived, still loving to the last. Farewell, my love, my diarest girl, joy of my heart farewell, My deep, my true, my fervent love no words can ever tell; Now I will leave to God alone to judge my future fate, Perhaps we’ll meet, perhaps we’ll love in some sweet blissful state.

Poem recited at the first annual gathering of Southland Celtic Society, held at Forest Hill on 1st November, 1895. Celts! who ever have been free From the land beyond the sea, Where no victor ever trod, Since the hills were raised by God. Where the purple heather waves. O’er ten thousand heroes’ graves ; Where a thousand poets siing In the grand old Gaelic tongue. Gather now from hill and dale, Come from every southern vale ; Come to meet a brother Scot, Kinship never is forgot.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 105 Hearken still to song and tale Of brave hearts that never fail, In the gallant days of old, When our ancestors were bold. Come and see the tartans wave, Hear the pipers stout and brave, Watch the nimble dancers bound To the music’s cheerful sound. Maid and matron welcome here— Woman to a Celt is dear— May she cheer with kindly glance As we mingle in the dance. Here we need no foreign dance, Come from Germany or France— Every Highlander must feel Nothing beats strathspey or reel Let us in this southern land Stand together heart and hand— Till we have more equal laws, Let us work for freedom’s cause.

WELCOME TO A SPINSTER’S BALL. We give a welcome here to all Who are invited to our ball; We hope to spend a pleasant night, S And show that modern maidens can 4*nd wish our dance to give delight, Prepare without the aid of man. But still we think it is the best, And gives the dancing greater zest,- When for our partners we have males Whose gallant spirit never fails. Though we may independent be, And show that ladies can be free, Still gentlemen need not alarm, We know that woman’s greatest charm Is to be loving, kind, and sweet, Always pleasant, good, and neat. And now that we have shown to all How very cheerful is a ball, The bachelors may courage take And give another for our sake. So now with merry dance and song May no one think the night too long.

LAYS THE SOUTH. 10« TO JESSIE.

Jessie was a dark brown mare, which went in saddle, light and heavy harness. I bought her in March, 1878, when six years old, and sold her in May, 1897, quite sound. My Jessie, though we’re growing old Age seems to pass us by, We still are true and tough as gold, Few are like you and I. For nearly nineteen changing years Together we have wrought; You could not share my hopes and fears, Nor know how I have fought Against a hard and cruel fate That often pierced my heart; But still we helped to build a State, And you have done your part. Together we have tilled the land, Together reaped the hay ; The plough was guided by my hand, I tilted many a day. No whip has ever marked your hide, No spur e’er pierced your flesh, From many a lonesome drive or ride We always ended fresh. Poor Mussen now is in his grave, Who with us took a part; We helped full many a home to save, And cheered up many a heart. May you be spared for many a year To make our light trap fly ; Old mare! to me you still are dear, -Although you often shy.

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. No mortal knows how we came here, No one can tell where we shall go ; Man’s origin is never clear, All is mystery here below. If there is a God above us Who made all things upon His plan ; Surely such a God must love us, He speech and reason gave to man.

XjAYS op the sooth. 107 Was I once another creature, But then possessing this same soul? Had I other form and feature. Very different as a whole? Why should I be damned for ever Because one man broke God’s command ; Reason tells such doctrine never In the clear light of truth can stand. There is no justice in the creed That others must for me atone ; No God or man should ever bleed For what is done by me alone. Then to prepare for something higher Than the dull life that I lead here, My soul, still hoping, will aspire Though all the future be not clear. For such a future I’ll prepare By doing what I think is right; No mortal shall dictate to me, But I will search for truth and light.

THE BEST FEDERATION. This poem took 1st prize at Gore Industrial Exhibition, 1896.

Sons of toil why will you labour, Long weary hours from year to year? Each regardless of his neighbour, Still seeking his own course to steer. Why produce in vast profusion The varied products of the soil? Why indulge the fond delusion, Thus you will profit by your toil? Each machine that is invented Upon some labour-saving plan Should make workers more contented, And lighten all the cares of man; Why then will you keep on slaving. And turn each blessing to a curse? Why for land and labour craving, Only to swell another’s purse?

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Thousands now are poor and needy, Employment seeking, finding none; All because some are too greedy, And care not for each weaker one. Ignorance and superstition, Still keep men toiling through long years ; Shake off every old tradition, And banish all your foolish fears. You have power, and you have numbers, Then use your votes, and use your brains ; Rise up workers from your slumbers, Support no idlers with your gains. Judge men only on their merits, Respect them for the good they do ; Care not what a man inherits, If he is selfish and untrue. Fellow workers of each nation, All join to elevate your state— That’s the noblest federation, That is the aim so truly great. Shorten still the hours of labour, Thus there will be work for all, Thus each will assist his neighbour And thus obey true reason’s call.

SOUTHLAND PIONEER’S SONG. « Recited at Southland Pioneers’ Social, 1st January, 1897.

To-night we cast all care aside, And view the past with honest pride; For we have helped to build a State That shall be glorious and great. Chorus.

Then here’s to Southland’s Pioneers, Who knew it in its early years ; And here’s to every woman dear, Who kindly helped a Pioneer. Full oft we waded through the mud, We were not stopped by bog or flood. Ere bridges had the rivers spanned, We found our way throughout the land.

LAYS OF THE SQUIB. 109 For summer’s dust, and winter’s mire, We wanted only plain attire ; No shams or luxuries we knew, But we were honest, brave, and true. We sought to make a pleasant home, From which we would not need to roam ; And faithful woman bore her share Of hardship and of homely fare. Gone are the tussocks, fern, and flax, The bush has yielded to the axe ; We’ve flocks and herds on hill and plain, And fertile fields of waving grain. Now that our days of toil are past, May all be bright whilst life shall last, May woman ever cheer our lives As lovers dear, or happy wives. Our numbers lessen year by year - Let us be friends while we are here, And may we many an evening pass With song, and chat, and social glass. Then fill the glass whilst yet we may, That makes us still feel young and gay. And drink to Southland’s Pioneers, And give the toast with ringing cheers.

FAREWELL. Must our dream of love be ended, And may we meet no more? It is well hearts can be mended, As they were healed before. It was thy kindness reached my heart, And made me think of thee; It will be very hard to part When thou must go from me. Before the day begins to break My thoughts to thee will flee ; And often as I lie awake I fondly think of thee.

110 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Through all the labours of the day Of uncongenial toil, Still memory to thee will stray As I may till the soil. I care not what the world may say Whilst thou art kind to me, And gratitude my heart will sway Wherever 1 may be. Farewell to thee, dear little friend Thou shalt not be forgot; May every blessing thee attend, May happy be thy lot.

MY LOST LOVE. Tune: “Darling Nelly Gray.”

It was on a sunny day, when all Nature’s face was gay, They took my pretty girl away from me; Though we may be far apart I will wear, her in my heart, For nevermore her loving face I’ll see. Chorus.

/■ It was on a summer day that they took my love away, ! ^ They took from the pleasant river shore ; And though I 'may rue the day, for her happiness I’ll pray, Though I never see my darling any more. My love was both kind and sweet, and it made my fond heart beat When with an arm around her in the dance ; I will think upon each night when with innocent delight She gave me oft a loving tender glance. May she always cheerful be, though she is away from me. She’ll keep a place for me within her heart. But I will not tell her name, I will shield my love from blame, Though cruel Fate has forced us now to part. Then may all her future life be free from care and strife, May she have every comfort in her home ; But my kindly little pet I never will forget, However far away from her I roam.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.

God save the people is the song for me, From vice and ignorance Lord set them free, Teach them to love the right and hate the wrong, To help the helpless, fearless of the strong. Bless fair New Zealand with a lasting peace, May love of country with the young increase; We pray Thee grant us good and equal laws, And statesmen who will serve the People's cause. Bless the old land from which our country sprung, Unite Great Britain with the nations young Till merit only is what men shall prize, And all shall have an equal chance to rise. May guns and cannon yet be laid aside, May war no longer fill men’s hearts with pride ; Let it be known wherever man has trod We all are children of the self-same God.

POEM FOR HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF SOUTHLAND. Recited at the first annual gathering, held on 12th November, 1897-

Together in this southern land we Highlanders now meet, To show that for our native land our hearts still warmly beat; No other language speaks to us like the old Gaelic tongue In which the glory of the past by many bards is sung. We’U sing again the good old songs by our forefathers sung, When with the echo of their cheers the very rafters rung; We’ll tell again the stirring tales that we as boys were taught— How to defend their hills and dales the gallant clansmen fought. We value still the kilt and plaid by many heroes worn, That often on the battlefield by bloody swords were torn ; We love to hear the martial strains when loud the bagpipes swell, That led our ancestors to fight, who conquered or who fell We welcome here with friendly hand those others not so blest, Who chanced to draw the breath of life in south, or east, or west; We know good men are sometimes bom upon the Lowland plains, Though southern ears may not enjoy the bagpipes’ pleasant strains. May kindly woman join our ranks to make our warm hearts beat, Without her presence happiness can never be complete ; May she join in each Highland dance, strathspey, schottische, and reel, And send the hot blood through our veins till young again we feel.

112 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Then here’s to Scotland’s Highland hills where once we used to roam, And here’s to Southland’s newer land where now we have our home; May love of them unite our hearts wherever we may be— May they remain as in the past the freest of the free. Then fill the bagpipes, blow them loud, true Highland hearts to cheer, No music like them e’er is heard upon this earthly sphere ; And fill the glass with Scotland’s drink ip which we pledge each friend, May Highlanders such blessings know until the world shall end.

THE AMERICAN CARRIAGE FACTORY BUSINESS. A prize of ten shillings was awarded for this poem.

If you want to buy a daisy is very light to draw, Then Mathieson can show you one, the best you ever saw ; It is the very nicest thing to drive out with your girl. The motion is both light and smooth as on the roads you whirl. Chorus.

Then if you want to buy a trap you need not travel far, For Mathieson makes every sort,' even to a jaunting car. But if you want a larger trap, to suit a family man, Then Mathieson can make you one on many a different plan, With shafts or pole, with brake or hood, in everything complete, Quite strong enough for any road, yet elegant and neat. An omnibus, a waggonette, and every sort of coach, He builds upon his own design, and never needs to poach ; Whenever you may want a trap sure you will always find That Mathieson can make you one just suited to your mind. If anyone should doubt these facts, he’ll prove what he may say, For everywhere his traps were shown he always won the day j Wherever any show was held he always would contest, The many prizes he received will prove his work is best.

THE BRIDE’S REQUEST. When I was in my faither’s hame, Before I married thee, I had each comfort I could name, An’ freens tae chat wi’ me ; Sae if thour’t gaun oot the nicht, Min’ that I wait for thee, Thy coming maks a’ things seem bricht Thour’t a’ the warl tae me.

LAYS OP THE SOUTH. 113 Chorus.

Sae min’ I’m sitting a’ my lane, An’ dinna stay oot late ; I haena even got a wean, It’s wearisome tae wait. I want tae meet thee wi’ a smile, I dinna want tae greet, Sae dinna let them thee beguile, Whaever thou mayst meet; But just come quickly back tae me. An’ dinna try me sair, I want tae mak a hame for thee Whar a’ is bricht an’ fair.

THE ROSE OF LILLBURN VALE. Tune: “The Rose of Allendale.”

I dined at a farmhouse in an extremely lonesome situation, outside of settlement. Residing with her parents there was an accomplished young lady who was cut off from society, amusement, and the amenities of life. I felt sorry for her, and next morning I composed this poem in the hope that it might help to cheer her lonely life. I was pleased to learn that she felt grateful for a poet’s sympathy. Fair is thy face, and hard thy lot, Sweet Rose of Lillburn Vale : Confined in this sequestered spot Thy spirits oft may fail. If I was only young and free, And thou wouldst share my lot, I’d bear thee far away with me To some more cheerful spot. I’d fondly gaze upon thy charms, And list to thy sweet voice ; I’d guard thee safely in my arms. And give thee all thy choice. I’d tell thee of a poet’s love With winning words of mine ; I’d prize thee all the world above And give my heart for thine. Although I cannot give my hand, Or offer love to thee, I know that thou canst understand That heart to heart may flee; I hope that it may cheer thy lot To sometimes think of me— For kindness need not be forgot Wherever we may be.

114 LAYS OP SOUTH. The Hon. John McKenzie, chief of the Gaelic Society of New Zealand, was expected to preside at the annual meeting on August 26, 1898. I composed this poem for the occasion and sent a copy to Mr McLeod, hon. secretary. As it was not convenient for the chief to attend, the poem was recited by Mr McPherson at the monthly meeting of the Society on September 7, and I was thanked for it.

In fair Dunedin now we meet, Our gallant Highland chief to greet; And we have come from hill and dale Each brother Highlander to hail. We come to hear the Gaelic tongue, That thrills our hearts whenever sung; We come to see the tartans wave, That cover hearts both true and brave. Then loudly let the bagpipes swell In warlike strains that we love well; That led our countrymen to fight, When foemen yielded to their might. And woman dear, with kindly glance, Will join us in each Highland dance ; And young again we all will feel, When joining in strathspey and reel. Sometimes upon the Highland hills, The clansmen still had many ills ; And many a peaceful Highland glen Was cleared of gallant Highland men. And oft our kinsmen had to clear To leave a place for sheep and deer, And had across the sea to roam. In other lands to find a home. But here in this fair southern land The Highlander, with willing hand, May find a pleasant peaceful home, From which he’ll never need to roam. For here we have a Highland chief— Will share our joy and cheer our grief; Though but a shepherd from the hills His heart with Highland fervour thrills. Then rally round the Highland flag, No true-born Highlander will lag When duty calls on him to fight For beauty, country, and the right.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 115 POEM FOR SECOND ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE HIGHLAND

SOCIETY OF SOUTHLAND. Held on September 30, 1898.

Another year has passed away and once again we meet, And Highlanders with heart and hand their countrymen will greet, And Celts have come from Forest Hills ; though different in name The Highland heart and Gaelic tongue are everywhere the same. And now we have a Highland band, the best in all the land. When pipes shall play, and tartans wave, then everything is grand, And marching stately at their head leads the drum-major bold, Who Southland’s might and dignity can everywhere uphold. Our chief shall ably fill the chair though risen from the ranks— The man who serves the people’s cause deserves the people’s thanks ; For here we have a blessing great, a privilege we prize, That every man, if good and true, has got a chance to rise. The poet’s words shall reach the heart as they have done before, The Highland patriot and bard shall live for evermore ; And orators with glowing words shall tell the tales in prose, How in the records of the past our gallant race arose. And bards shall sing the good old songs we heard when we were young. And Highland hearts shall warmly glow to hear the Gaelic tongue ; And we will show the Lowland men that they are welcome here, To clasp our hands, and join with us in sharing Highland cheer. And after all these joys are passed shall come the best of all, When manly hearts will gladly yield to woman’s pleasant thrall; Too quickly all the night will pass when mingling in the dance. And all our cares shall be forgot when cheered by beauty’s glance. And if we choose to blow our pipes we have a right to blow, For Dargai’s hills and Egypt’s plains to all the world can show That Highland arms are just as strong and Highland hearts as bold As when they drove the Romans back in famous days of old.

LOOKING BACK. Although I now am growing old My heart shall never grow too cold, With warmest pleasure to be stirred, When woman speaks a loving word. Still in my heart there is a place For every sweet and lovely face, That brightened all my life with love, Like gleams of sunshine from above.

116 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. Far off are some, and some are dead, But memory will a halo shed Around them, whilst I draw my breath, And love shall only end with death. But one fair face I scarce can trace That ought to fill the foremost place ; My love was very hard to kill, And remnants of it linger still. Clearest all other forms above Appears my youngest kindest love, Who cheered me through unhappy days With words of sympathy and praise. Fond memory will pleasure give, So long as I may chance to live ; To think of those so sweet and kind, Who cheered my heart, inspired my mind.

PRAYER. Almighty God! Who made mankind, Who oft hath shown that Thou art kind. The bounties given to many lands Were all created by Thy hands. And when we cast our gaze on high We see Thy greatness in the sky. We feel that Thou art wise and just, And in Thy goodness humbly trust. Enable us whilst we are here To view the future without fear, By doing all the good we can And following Thy creative plan. Bless all the friends that we possess, Cheer them in sorrow and distress ; May very happy be each life, And always free from angry strife. Bless this young land in which we live. We humbly ask that Thou wilt give To it a future clear and bright, Where truth and reason shed their light.

SHOF^T POEMS, SE|MTIME^TS; JOTTIHGS, etc.

TO MY BROTHER ON HIS GOING TO SEA, 1845. Though raging seas between us roar Still I’ll think of thee, brother. Though I should never see thee more Still I’ll think of thee, brother. Though I be laid on bed of death Still I’ll think of thee, brother And till I draw my latest breath I’ll ever think of thee, brother.

BEFORE PROCEEDING ON AN EXCURSION. Wake, boys, wake, for the morn is clear, No heavy clouds need cause us fear, The sun shines bright on ocean’s breast, And we’ll enjoy our day of rest. Wake, boys, wake, though the morn is wet, Although the wind blows harder yet; Though waves dash into every form, Still let us rise above the storm.

TO MY WIFE, 1855. Modesty adorns thy beauteous face, And all thy actions are replete with grace. Rare are thy virtues, happy be thy life, Young Mary Ann, my own beloved wife.

TOASTS. Here’s health to dear woman so charming and fair, Who excels all the treasures of art ; No picture nor statue with her can compare, For she has a warm loving heart.

118 LATS OF THE SOUTH. Here’s health to the man who is honest and true, Who would scorn to do aught that is mean, Whose virtues are many, whose failings are few, And these few to good-fellowship lean. Here’s to the man who tills the land, And works for others’ good ; , Who guides the plough with skilful hand. And fills the world with food. Here’s to the man who’ll bravely fight To guard his home so dear. Who’ll strive for freedom and for right, A gallant volunteer.

Shall we not seek to rise above a life of constant toil? Or shall we rear a race of serfs on fair New Zealand’s soil? Shall local works and little thoughts fill each elector's soul? Or shall we not more nobly serve our country as a whole? Keject no scheme because the author’s name Is not emblazoned on the rolls of fame ; But judge each plan with an impartial mind: Sneers oft assail the wisest of mankind.

Had they never borrowed madly, Had they never squandered badly. We had never known depression, Nor fresh taxes many a session. It is so sad that in this world of ours To earn their food men work long weary hours, And those who cultivate the yielding soil Receive but little; others get the spoil. Over his wine some theorist will blow And tell the farmers what they ought to grow ; But all the blossoms that he ever grows Are those that grow upon a ruddy nose.

We still are governed upon the same old plan, That those who have the power take all they can; And those who toil but do not use their brains Are often fleeced of most their hard-won gains. Awake, Cockatoo ! Arise, Cockatoo ! Nobody cares what will happen to you ; Capital plunders or labour blunders, Much of the trouble still falls upon you.

LAYS OF THE SOUTH. 119 And Parliament, too, on poor Cockatoo, Claps a taxation, is heavy to bear; Do not act like sheep, but wake from your sleep, See that you ask what is honest and fair.

Let them sing of the banners, the emblems of might, But I sing of a banner, the emblem of right. Of a flag that is worthy the gallant and brave, Those who seek not to kill, but to help and to save.

TO MY WIFE ON HER RETURN FROM DUNEDIN. Now drink your toddy up, my wife, till tongue is loose and free ; Then come and place your hand in mine and sit down close to me, And tell me all that pleased you most when you were far away, For well I know by years of care you earned your holiday.

Man may think, he may plan, what his future shall be, And to act on his plans he may seem to be free ; But Fate often decrees that the wisest shall fail, And no efforts to rise over luck can prevail. ’Tis better to have fought and lost than never fought at all, When bravely fighting for the right there’s honour in the fall; We fight not with the arms that kill, but with the tongue and pen. So though we often lose the day, we still may fight again. I know the time is coming when the reign of might has passed, And labour which creates all wealth shall get its share at last; When caste and capital combined no more shall make the laws, But legislators then shall aim to serve the people’s cause. Then let us in this fair young land strive firmly for the right, And let our laws no more be framed for capital and might; But let us lend a helping hand to every struggling man And show the world that we can rule upon the wisest plan.

A COUNTRY LASS. There is a bonnie country lass wha leeves no faur frae me, As nice a lass as ony lad need ever wish tae see. The roses bloom upon her cheeks, like lilies is her broo, Twa coral lips sae temptingly enclose her pretty mou. Sae cheerfully she does her wark in hoose, or field, or byre, An’ yet she looks sae unco weel when dressed in braw attire. She sweetly sings the guid auld sangs that aye are dear tae me, An’ in the dance she trips aroon sae Kchtly an’ sae free.

120 LAYS OP THE SOUTH. WRITTEN ON A NEW YEAR CARD SENT TO A LADY.

Still may you thrive, though ninety-five, And may you happy be ; When it is o’-er full many more May you be spared to see.

COMPOSED AT LAKE WAKATIPU. Some may sing ot our mountains, our forests, and lakes, Where each work of Nature of grandeur partakes ; But the sight that is sweetest and fairest to see Is the charming young lady was dancing with me.

COMPOSED AT GREENVALE STATION. Let others scale the mountain top, the glacier, and the peak, And let them boast of climbing feats, I no such honours seek. I care not for the steep hillside where fleet merinos roam— It is on a gently sloping bank that I would find a home.

TO A YOUNG LADY FRIEND. Where fair Dunedin City stands around Otago Bay, And busy commerce fills the streets throughout the live-long day. There dwells a maiden bright and fair, so charming and so gay, Whose kindly words and pleasant smiles may steal the heart away. May health and happiness attend dear Annie all through life, And may she never trouble know as maiden or as wife ; May gracious Fate bestow on her whatever makes life sweet. And I will still remember her, though we may never meet.

Auld identities noo are fast passing awa’, Ilka year maks them less, like the sun melts the sna. Young folk are noo rising wha ne’er mention the name O’ bonnie auld Scotland, for New Zealand’s their hame. An’ they sing na the sangs that oor forefaithers sung, Aid sune they’ll forget a’ the guid Scottish tongue , An’ they dance na the strathspey or lichtsome Scotch reel, But like foreigners languidly roon aboot wheel.

LAYS OF THE SODTH. 121 I’d rather hear the good old songs I heard when I was young Than any of those foreign airs by prima donnas sung ; I like to hear a Scotchman sing Auld Scotland’s hills for me, The grand old land where I was born will still remembered be. Though mistakes we may regret yet it does no good to fret, So let us make of life the best we can ; Though we may be out of luck let us meet our fate with pluck, And show that we can always be a man.

COMPOSED FOR A FRIEND, ON THE DEATH OF A RELATIVE IN ENGLAND.

I’m dwelling very distant from the land where I was born, When it is summertime with thee, we have the winter morn ; Although between our bodies there are many leagues of sea In thy time of tribulation my spirit flies to thee. I join thee in thy mourning for the dear one who is dead, And I think upon the spirit that to spiritland has fled ; I pray to our Creator to send comfort unto thee, May it cheer thee in thy anguish, this sympathy from me.

Though absent still I see thy face, Within my heart it holds a place. And memory brings back to me Full many things that tell of thee. If trouble ever comes to thee, Then let thy thoughts revert to me ; And it may comfort thee to find That I will never be unkind.

Girl of my heart, though we must part, And nevermore may meet ; Whilst life shall last I’ll love the past, When hearts responsive beat.

TO A POETESS. Although I have not seen thy face yet still within my heart With truly sympathetic love I give to thee a part. I feel those loving words of thine spring from a nature sweet, Though bodies may be far apart, in spirit we can meet.

122 LAYS OF THE SOUTH. FAREWELL.

Readers, farewell, I hope my lays May be deemed worthy of your praise. I always practise what I preach, And in my Lays I sought to teach That man to man is brother still, And was not made to wound or kill; Still those who toil should use their brains, So others shall not filch their gains. New Zealand’s sons should all aspire And cultivate a strong desire To make their country great and free, Where all men shall more equal be. Yet still all other things above, I value kindly woman’s love. She often has been sweet and kind, Has cheered my heart, inspired my mind. 1 hope that I may sometimes dance With a sweet maid whose tender glance Will show my words have reached her heart, Though all too late for Cupid’s dart; Still she may feel a poet’s love Is pure and true as heaven above. As life began so life shall end, No more a lover, still a friend ; Heart may meet heart without a taint. Would soil the virtue of a saint.

John Ward & Co., Pri.vi s, Invercai New Zealand.

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