hat I first decided to write the following story
of the experiences of a young emigrant to New Zealand between the ages
of 16 and 21. I wrote it many years ago, when all was fresh in my
memory; then I laid it by. Now when I have retired, after a life's
service passed in foreign lands, it has been a pleasure to me to recall
and live over again in memory the scenes of my earliest life.

It may, however, be possible that the account of the adventures,
successes, and failures of a lad, thrown on his own resources at so
early an age, may prove of some value to others starting under similar
circumstances in life's race; and if it in any way shows that the
Colonies are a good field for a young man who wishes to adopt the life
that may be open to him there, and who is determined to work steadily,
keeping always his good name and honour as guiding lights to hold fast
to and steer by, the story may not be quite useless.

The Colonies are as good to-day as forty years ago, better I should say,
for they offer more varied openings now than they did then.

The great colonial dependencies of Great Britain were founded and worked
into power by the emigrants who overflowed thence from the Motherland.
These, for the most part, took with them little or nothing beyond their
pluck, energy, strong hearts, and trust in God, and still they go and
will go. It is a duty they owe to the mother-country as well as to
themselves, and the great Colonies of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
are calling for more and more of the right sort of workers to join in
and take their share in building up great nations, and extending the
glory and civilising influence of Great Britain over all the world.

I would say to all young men in this country who have no sufficient call
or opening at home, especially to those who have not succeeded in
obtaining professional positions, and who wait on, hoping for something
to turn up, go out while there is yet time, to the great countries
waiting to welcome you to a man's work and a man's place in the world,
and don't rest content with an idle, useless, and dependent position
where you have no place or occupation. Do your plain duty honestly and
fearlessly. Treat the world well and it will treat you well.

I do not, of course, give this advice to all. There are men who will not
succeed in the Colonies any better than here. Some will fail anywhere. I
mean the idle and lazy, the untrustworthy, the drunkard, and the
inca