JOSEPH LIGGINS’ THIRD LETTER

The Longburn Letters.

Post Office, Palmerston North, Probably September, 1884

Manawatu, Nr. Wellington.

Use stronger envelopes

Dear Will,

I am thankful for your help in arbitrating the loan. We are, as you know, a long way from friends and stand on our own merits so that we can have no help except out of our own finger ends. I shall send you some money when I draw part of my salary in December and will tell you what to do with it then. I came down to my last pieces of money. The money I showed you went piece by piece, first to one necessity and then another, till I began to be afraid that I should have to ask for a draw on account of salary but a kind providence provided that the money should just last till I drew my quarters salary and I still have one bright medallion called by the men of the world a sovereign and which coin is faced by a picture in relief of that unhandsome woman known to the unenlightened as Queen Victoria. Also, to bear it company, I have two crown pieces made in the reign of that lunatic farmer George, one of which my Mother gave me the morning I came away. These coins I always carry in my belt and wish to preserve them.

I am glad you sent me the account of Sudbury Dairy. Send all dairy news, lectures or departures in machinery that may come to your notice. I improved the occasion, as some parsons say, when they give a white garment, wings and all, to some lately departed piece of rascality, I wrote a leader in the Settlers Friend, an advertising medium owned by our Chairman of Directors for which he gave me thanks. Of course I did not think it necessary to say how much was frigged.

You will be glad to know that we shall start in three weeks. We have decided on a trademark - tree fern in a circle, words - Manawatu, New Zealand. We shall send to Sydney, India, China, etc. Jonathan, I have got engaged to assist me in the factory. I can depend on him and shall thereby keep out the colonials for whom I have no love. They would upset the trade and turn me out if they got the chance. They are too keen, all money and grab here.

Since last writing we have been visited by disastrous floods. The Manawatu, a few miles from here, overflowed its banks carrying stock, timber, trees, etc. away to the sea. Railway communication with Foxton (see West coast, North Island) was suspended for some weeks, the Maories having to paddle the passengers over who were going to and from Wellington. Goods accumulated at each side till the river was down and the road made good.

I have written Luke, John, Kate, Mother and Aunt and Uncle Dobson by this mail. Tell George Smith and Annie, Tom Ball and Annie No. 2, that we will write them in the next mail. Thanks for letter from Sarah’s Mother. You know it’s all very well, I can do nothing for them, done too much already. They should apply to their own sons who are in good positions, better than we are. I am grieved that you should have the annoyance of the people calling on you. They will leave off after the usual nine days; many thanks for your forbearance.

You will be surprised to know that Sammy Snelson’s uncle is Chief Magistrate and Mayor of Palmerston. He is an auctioneer, has been out here a long time, is in a good position I believe and much respected. We had an Ashbyite named Dewes, a nephew of lawyer Dewes, apply for the office of milk seller here. He got the situation but threw it up and is now perambulating the country in company with Percy Leyland, a horse tamer with abilities as fine as Rareys, he will master and ride any horse in two hours time. I have seen nothing of the Carters or Booths and do not care to find them out. I believe that we shall get on alright here, the directors place confidence in me.

Give our love to Ellen and the children and accept the same yourself.

From your loving brother and sister,

Joseph and Sarah Liggins