Z506/3/14/8

Letter from John Field to father, John Perring Field.

12 Aug 1872

From: 1872 To: 1872

Must have received last letter telling of Emily's confinement. Her mind is more alert now I have given up drink. If I had thought in this way 27 years ago – how different present position would be. Attends United Methodist, not Primitive, as wrote previously. Business is good although meat Companies are doing very little. Nearly every day butchers are becoming insolvent, some with liabilities to the extent of £1000. Have taken 2 additional rooms belonging to the house with a back entrance. Gives us 6 rooms and a lobby. More comfortable as boys have been obliged to sleep in shop. Pays 13s per week. John is now getting useful. Thinks of continuing him at school another month. He was 13 on 5th instant. Have recently escaped foot and mouth as Government acted promptly and destroyed infected imported cattle. Would be difficult to stamp out as some of squatter estates are very large. Many large buildings in course of erection. Our Town Hall is larger than any in Europe but one. Telegraph is now connected to any town of importance. Have at last decided on gauge of railways. Melbourne is famous for railroad and police

item

Field, John,
Field, John Perring,
Field, Emily

family correspondence, Methodist churches, butchers, telegraph, railways, Australia Melbourne, Australia