The Argus at KellyGang 21/6/1880 (2)
The bailiff explained that when a bridge was being built in the neighbourhood, the selector had the nous to lay in a stock of slabs and boards, which he obtained on cheap terms from the saw mill. I haven't any implements," the selector went on to say and we saw nothing about the place but an axe, "but there are 20 acres of ploughed land. My neighbours ploughed it for me this year. I have a couple of horses, and I hope next year to own a plough. I get employment when I want it, my son and myself earning £2 10s a week, grubbing trees, and our wages keep the house going. I have got six children, the eldest two being 14 and 16.
Some of them go to school, “On the whole, he took a cheerful view of his prospects and expected to be able to rub along somehow though he was in arrears with his rent and wanted the necessary means to crop his land properly. Some of his neighbours thought he was lucky in getting plenty of employment, but they also pointed out that while he was working for other people he could not be doing much to improve his own land. For all that, he was proceeding methodically with the task of fencing and clearing, and he regarded the occupation as healthy, though a little rough, for his wife and children. Estimating his next year's crop as not likely to realise more than £50 net, we feared that this stout-hearted fellow had a long future of hard work and scanty results before him.
It is satisfactory to find that the small schools in the district are highly appreciated even by the poorest class of selectors, and that whenever the children are old enough to find their way along the roads they are sent regularly. While we were speaking to the proprietor of this selection two boys and a girl crossed the paddock on their way home from school, looking cheerful and well dressed. Catholic parents take quite as much advantage of the education system as Protestant parents, and they are most anxious to have their children well taught. If there were any charge for teaching, the parents in many cases would not be able to make use of the school.
A Kilmore family, consisting of father, mother, and eight sons and daughters were found settled on 640 acres of land. Like all their neighbours they had suffered in the rust year, but a herd of 27 head of cattle had helped them along in the winter. They lived in cottages built of palings and roofed with shingles. They cultivated a garden, and owed no money to anybody. Four of the children were at school, the rest were grown up and worked about the house or on the farm. If it had not been for the cows, they would have done very badly last year, when the crop failed; by selling butter and cheese the wife and daughters had kept the house going. They had been over three years on the land and had only obtained one crop, viz, at the late harvest when the yield was 350 bags on the two selections. Did they think there was much distress in the locality? "No most of the selectors will be all right if they get a good crop next harvest; sure they are all very ingenious to get along in the world." One of the leases was due in August, and it might be necessary to raise a few pounds on it
There was more appearance of prosperity on this Selection than in any others in the immediate neighbourhood. We had become so accustomed to bark huts that this hardwood cottage with its painted door took us by surprise. Just before we reached this place, the bailiff had halted to speak to a selector a little in arrears with his rent. Only the head of the house came out, the wife and daughter stayed bashfully indoors, and peeped at us through one of the cracks in the wall. They were not very well clad. The capital brought to the district by the selector had all gone. His story was the same as others that had already been told us. For the first two years only nominal returns had come in and the proceeds of the fourth harvest (200 bags) were absorbed by debt. No rent could be paid until next year. There were two teams of horses and two cows and 150 acres of land had been ploughed, on two selections of 140 acres and 320. They had hardly enough to keep them for the next few months but hoped to push along if not pressed for their rent. They would not have done badly if it had not been for the disappointments of the first two years. In the first season 25 acres yielded nothing, and in 1879, though a fine crop came up, there was no grain.
In very few instances were any kitchen gardens to be seen the first day out. Turnips and cabbage were said to grow well, but the soil was too dry and the winter weather too frosty for potatoes. At other places we found the potatoes good. As a rule the licensees seemed to have had no time to make gardens and had spent all their energy on fencing and ploughing. The case was different with lessees and freeholders, and near townships one was often gladdened with the sight of an orchard and flower garden. There are three or four well to do selectors on the vicinity of Lake Rowan-men who took up land under the 45th section of the act of 1865, who started with plenty of money, who now own sheep and cattle, and send both wool and grain to market. On persons of this class it was not necessary to call. Their prosperous condition appeared to be well known in the township.
The district has been too recently settled under the act of 1869 for the formation of many villages. A public house a store, and a blacksmith's shop constitute an average township. On the Murray, and along the railway, the villages may contain a number of houses, but in the midst of the selections the weary traveller must not expect many comforts. There was one particular inn at which we fell in with two commercial travellers. The two played enchre until nearly 1am . and every word they spoke was heard through the house. They laughed, joked, drank, and in other ways enjoyed themselves; and no one could hope to sleep until they sought their rest. By the time they became quiet, another set of foes discovered themselves, and were active until daylight. We were not always unfortunate, however in our lodgings. Another night we put up at a well kept, comfortable house. It stands upon the road from Shepparton to Yarrawonga about seven miles from the Murray.
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