in freehold land, which they can purchase, in sections of twenty
acres and upwards, at 2 pounds the acre. The next step is to build
a sod but with two rooms on their property, thatching it with Tohi,
or swamp grass; a door and a couple of window-frames all ready
glazed are brought from Christchurch in the dray with the family and
the household goods. After this rough and ready shelter is
provided, the father and sons begin fencing their land and gradually
it all assumes a cultivated appearance. Pig-sties and fowl-houses
are added; a little garden, gay with common English flowers, is made
in front of the house, whose ugly walls are gradually hidden by
creepers, and the homestead looks both picturesque and prosperous.
These small farmers are called Cockatoos in Australia by the
squatters or sheep-farmers, who dislike them for buying up the best
bits of land on their runs; and say that, like a cockatoo, the small
freeholder alights on good ground, extracts all he can from it, and
then flies away to "fresh fields and pastures new." But the real
fact is, that the poor farmer perhaps finds his section is too far
from a market, so he is forced to abandon it and move nearer a town,
where the best and most productive land has been bought up already;
and he has to begin again at a disadvantage. However, whether the
name is just or not, it is a recognized one here; and I have heard a
man say in answer to a question about his usual occupation, "I'm a
Cockatoo."

This particular "nest" appeared to me very well off, comparatively
speaking; for though the men complained sadly of the low price of
their wheat and oats, still there was nothing like poverty to be
seen. Ready money was doubtless scarce, and an extensive system of
barter appeared to prevail; but still they all looked well fed and
well clothed; sickness was unknown among them, and it did one's