Joseph Liggins’ Tenth Letter

JOSEPH LIGGINS’ TENTH LETTER

Longburn Dairy, Karere, Palmerston N., Nr. Wellington

20th May, 1886

Dear Will,

I have been a long while writing this time but waited until I was sure I could spare the money enclosed. The season for cheese making being over in about a fortnight we now know partly how we stand tho’ till the season is a little finished and stock taken we cannot determine it exactly. We have on the whole had a successful run. Our Sydney and Brisbane shipments were as a trial a failure, the excessive heat of that tropical climate melting the cheese in the boxes, but to compensate for this we have established a good name in the colony. So good indeed that Messrs. Turnbull & Company, the largest firm in Wellington, have purchased the whole of our present stock and say they will undertake to sell all we can make in ensuing seasons.

Our pigs have paid as well. Our stores are doing a fair trade. I believe before next season we shall considerably increase the number of partners, not because the affair is risky, but to secure more milk. Then the affair will be co-operative. I suppose not more than twelve milk suppliers and myself as manager will be the ticket. Then we shall be a strong firm practically independent. Palmerston itself has done all it can to break us. The Mayor, our late Chairman, was going round the store to get them to boycott us. He even ordered away Turnbull’s representative because they purchase our cheese. But we still progress and defy them. Next season we propose to supply stores to milk suppliers at nearly cost price thus striking a heavy blow at the storekeepers and (as we purchase stores from Turnbull) pleasing our purchaser of cheese. The fun is rich. You cannot understand bitter feeling against us, it is cheap advertisement.

In about a fortnight I and my helper will be building new cheese rooms and new stores (shop you call it) and generally fitting up for next season which commences on September 1st when we shall have double the quantity of milk that we have had last year, thus considerably adding to our chances of success.

This Saturday there is a map meeting called to take up land under the Special Settlement System on the New Railway here. I shall be in it if it comes off. The payments extend over ten years; land here makes money i.e. land costing £3.00 say per acre and spend another £4.00 per acre on it, then say in three years time that lands’ lowest value is £10.00 per acre thus putting by £2.00 a week in earned or unearned increment. I hope to have a nice piece in a few years to live on if I like or put someone else on if I do not want to leave here.

See, I am appointed School Committee man, astonishing what drifts to the surface in these regions. Thanks for papers. The honourable Bryce was in our place, he called as he was coming home by train. The appellation given him as stated by Rusden was Kohuli (murderer) not Kohuri. But it was false, the political strategic move was true enough but the settlers would at that time been murdered in their houses but for the form of this same "Honest John Bryce" as he is called by the whites.

I see you were having a severe winter, we were having a very genial and enjoyable summer and only this week has premonitions of winter made their appearance. Today the rain is heavy. The rivers are full up now, the ferry over the Manawatu is broken down and an immense land slip in the gorge necessitates no less than three coaches running to meet at these obstacles in about 15 miles. One of our suppliers has been trying to get home for a week and he is only about 20 miles away. Many are drowned at this season trying to find the fords which may have been there as they came, but were washed clean away as they came back. A friend of ours one day (in company with a Chinaman), attempted to ford a river, the settler going first and got through swimming all right but on looking round for his companion, saw only his horse swimming bravely to shore and gave up all hopes of John, but John turned up all right, for he was clinging to the horse’s tail. It seems they always slip off behind and clutch the tail when the horse swims, thus lightening the horse. I have never heard of the horse being missing, they swim well! The man is too often struck by the horse when he strikes out.

We are all well, children and Sarah hearty. I do not think any of us would like to live in England again except for the pleasures of home and family associations. I am sorry to hear of Luke’s illness. I almost expected him to turn up here, but this illness has made me give up that idea, although many previously rheumatic people being restored to health on the voyage and here although the winter is so very wet. I think it is worth a trial if only for the voyage here and back if he does not like it. I hope he is better. I would write him but don’t know where he is. I will try to send him a letter home. John never writes, how is he getting on? Tell him to save all his money, he might come here yet. Any family yet? Katie too increasing responsibilities, I am afraid I shall not know all my own relations when I come to see you. I am glad you are all well with you; hope Ellen and Aunt are stronger. Mother keeps about the same I hope. This winter has no doubt been heavy with Uncle Robert and Aunt.

I enclose Bankers Draft for £10.00 to pay interest and any other small items for them but deduct these littles you have given them from it and continue to do the same. You cannot afford to tip them for me, I am better able to pay it.

Thanks for Netherseal news, give my best wishes to enquirers.

I hope to send Ellen some plumage from native birds I shot this Winter to adorn her hat or the youngsters. The plumage is fine.

I will write further as soon as we have settled how we work the place. I hope to make a little in the turnover.

Give love from us all to Mother and all at Measham and Aunt, Ellen, youngsters and yourself. Annie Ball has not written so far as yet. If you see Mr. Peak, tell him we are well, we shall get him to act for us at the proper time. Many thanks for your many attentions to my affairs.

I am you affectionate Brother

Joseph Liggins