File 4: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 4, pp. 1343-1673, 1818-1895

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Sydney July 24, 1860

My dear Sir,

I have your favor (which crossed my letter) authorising the engagement for Mr Oxley of one of the youths at 12 to 15£. Since I wrote you would have considerably advanced in consequence of the approaching exodus to the Snowy River. The 2 youths I expect here in a few days are aged 18 & 19 and for such as these 20 to 26£ with Rations can be obtained. The Labour Agent whom we employ to make agreements &c says the lowest present value of such Youths is £18 & 20 with rations. I shall be glad to engage the 2 to the same employ. If Mr Oxley would have the goodness to give me the maximum wage he would like to give I shall then be better able to act. The employer will of course pay their expenses up the country.

The Ardmillan by which they came was signalled on the 18th at Cape Otway.

My only apology for thus troubling you is my earnest desire to promote the real prosperity & happiness of these youths.

Will you please acquaint me with your plan for increasing Ministers Stipend.

I remain my dear Sir Yours truly

[indecipherable]

Rev. Mr Hassal

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Wootong Vale, Feb. 19th 1869

My dear Nephew

I am sorry to have to trouble you again, but as the Mortgage of Freshfield to Mr. Gaesdon is all ready to sign, there is great delay caused in consequence of the Deeds of the 480 acres over which your Father had the Mortage not having yet been sent to Vaughan Moule & Seddon, Melbourne. At least if they are sent they

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Wootong Vale Dec. 1868

My dear Nephew

It is a long time since I heard from you. I have been anxiously looking for the Deeds and the release to come to Melbourne. I have been able to get £1,0000 on Freshfield by Mortgage, and the last two months we have been waiting for the release. You know they do not like

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not come to hand when I heard yesterday, will you please give instructions to whoever has them to send them down as quickly as possible. Mr. Gaesdon's money is waiting to be paid and I have to pay interest from the 12 of January last, and he thinks it is my fault that they are not in his possession. I know Mr. Barton held them for your Father but I suppose he has given them to your

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present Solicitor. I hope your dear Wife and little ones are well and yourself, love to all from your affectionate

Aunt C P Hassall

P.S. We are having some very hot weather but still we have grass and water.

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to make out one Mortgage before they know the old one is quite cancelled.

So do please write to your Solicitor and urge him to send up the Deeds and release as soon as possible to Messrs. Vaughan Moule & Seddon, Furnival Inn Chancery Lane Melbourne.

I am in great need of this £1,000 especially at the end of the year. We are all well and our shearing is over but the wool not sold yet. My love to your dear wife and accept the same from your affection. Aunt

C.P. Hassall

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Aramac, Apr. 26th/74

My Dear Lizzie

Your letter (with the photograph) arrived to find me down with a severe attack of [indecipherable] which has been very prevalent here lately. I was very ill for about five weeks, but I think I have got over it now. My friend Mr. Birch the surveyor took advantage of my

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illness and cleared out without paying me my money. However I shall meet him again some day and then I suppose it will be all right. Great numbers of travellers are passing here on their way to the Palmer. There must have been a great deal of distress & suffering there from want of Rations. We are nearly if not quite as bad off here, no Flour, Tea sugar or Tobacco. A dray however arrived last night and some more are expected in a day or two. I do not feel inclined to write any more at present, but as soon as I get to work again I will write and let you know my movements. With love to my Dear Mother.

I remain Your affet. Bro.

J S Hassall