Alexr Dick _Letter No. 34_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Letter #34 to son Alex in Geelong                     

                                       Ballarat 12th.June, 1858

My Dear Son,

When I last wrote I expected to have passed through Geelong before now., on my way home. Jack tried to borrow, but the interest asked was too exhorbitant for his stomach. We have asked £25 for the house from all enquirers but we are as far as ever from getting it sold, so I fancy we will have to come down to £20.

The Gravel Pits has not washed a fourth of an oz. to the load. As they have to pay off debt there will be no divide for a week or two. There is a divide at the Nightingale tonight, a small one. Jack expects as much on Monday as will allow him to give in J. Hunter's case.

William has gone back to Bullarook. He could not get a job here, wright work or rough carpenter would have been welcome. The parties on Pinchgut had come on a litle better after he left. So it appeared the best thing he could do was to return.

There was a fine nugget of 175 pounds weight got on Bakery Hill the other night and within 2 feet of an old drive. The parties were on the reef and it was paying well independant of the nugget.

I had a letter from Aunty, all well. Sandy had been 6 months at the joiner trade when she wrote. He likes it well, is getting taller and stouter. Annie is not mentioned but she says they have been short of work owing to the failures. She says there are great numbers of labourers and tradesmen emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope. A. Wylie is still at his former job. Did you hear from the Engineers I wrote to.

John King wrote Jack to send some money to Mrs. King, but he has none at present. I hope she has got Mrs. Leckie all right at the fireside again.

My compliments to all Busbyites. C. Gray often spoke to me of coming. He thought J. Leckie would find him a job behind a counter.

If we get the house sold I will write directly.

Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #54

J. Hunter

Aunty (Mary Russell) & Sandy

A. Wylie

John King

Mrs. King.

Mrs. Leckie

C. Gray

J. Leckie

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):