he colonies," he said, "get heavily
bit at first by listening to the land-agents, and allowing themselves to
be persuaded into buying property which, when they come to take
possession of it, is in a majority of the cases almost worthless. I
should advise you when you get there to hire a house in Wellington,
where you can leave your wife and daughter while you examine the various
districts and see which offer the greatest advantages. If you do not
feel equal to it yourself, let your son go in your place. He is, I
think, a sharp young fellow, and not likely to be easily taken in. At
any rate, when he has made his report as to the places that seem most
suitable, you can go and see their relative advantages before
purchasing.

"'There is no greater mistake than buying land in a locality of which
you know nothing. You may find that the roads are impracticable and that
you have no means of getting your produce to market, and after a while
you will be glad to sell your place for a mere song and shift to another
which you might at first have obtained at a price much lower than you
gave for your worthless farm. I have knocked about in the States a good
deal, and have known scores of men ruined by being too hasty in making a
choice. You want to be in a colony six months at least before investing
your money in land, so as to know something of the capabilities and
advantages of each district. To a young man I should say--travel about
in the colony, working your way, and making a stay of a month here and a
month there. Of course in your case this is out of the question; but a
personal examination of the places offered to you, which in nine cases
out of ten men are ready to sell for less than they have cost them, will
ensure you against absolute swindling."

"What are you going to do yourself, Mr. Atherton?"

"I have come out simply to study the botany of the island. I may stay in
the colony for a month or for a year. At any rate, if you depute Wilfrid
to travel about to examine the various districts where land can be
bought, I shall be glad to accompany him, as I myself shall also be on
the look-out."

"You are not thinking of farming, Mr. Atherton?"

"No. My own idea is to take a bit of land on one of the rivers, to get
up a hut to serve as my head-quarters, and to spend much of my time in
travelling about. I am very fortunately placed. I have ample funds to
enable me to live in comfort, and I am free to indulge my fancy for