THE PARTNERSHIP OF H. G.-S. AND T. J. S. 225 



so much as a preliminary grace. We decided to spend it without 

 interference, as we thought proper. Fencing was our first care ; com- 

 pelled by conditions to remain perennially overstocked, it was important 

 that there should be smaller paddocks. Into them weak hoggets and 

 ewes hanging about corners could be shifted as into convalescent camps ; 

 by subdivision of the run we could at least average the feeding of the 

 flock more evenly. Fencing was accordingly run from the Waikoau 

 river along the top of the Newton Eange into impenetrable scrub 

 and fern behind Table Mountain. Further subdivisions erected at right 

 angles from the new fence to the lake and elsewhere gave us nine 

 paddocks in lieu of two. Certainly the posts, like angels' visits, were 

 few and far between the battens likewise were reduced to a minimum ; 

 still these unsubstantial fences did hold sheep, and that, after all, is the 

 prime object of fencing. 



The station had hitherto possessed but one set of yards, those in 

 front of the wool-shed. Heretofore we had at docking-time driven our 

 lambs from each of the two huge paddocks down steep slopes to lake 

 level. Lambs, like bees, hate to run downhill ; segregating to the 

 rear, regardless of their deserted dams, they had broken back and 

 scattered in hundreds over the paddocks, where, although the merino 

 ewe is an excellent parent, a proportion had been mismothered and 

 lost. As, therefore, we could not move Mahomet to the mountain, 

 we tried the alternative and built on the hill-tops several new sets 

 of yards. They were constructed strictly of posts and wire, not rails, 

 for Stuart was as shy of timber as I was of yearling rams ; not on 

 unnecessary split and sawn stuff was our precious patrimony to be 

 squandered. 



Looking back now I am confident that, as a preliminary, we could 

 have made no better move. We were able at once to increase our flock, 

 and to carry them, if not better, at least more evenly. We were able, 

 moreover, each year to nurse through the winter several hundred sheep 

 that would otherwise have probably perished. 



In the meanwhile time had not stood still ; half of the term of 

 the original lease had expired. No native lease, however, was on the 

 east coast in those days ever allowed to expire completely. It was 

 to the interest alike of native owner, squatter, and banker to see that 

 when about half the period of a lease had expired, another should be 

 substituted. A fair average of length tenure was thus secured in 



p 



