246 THE PASTORAL AGE IN AUSTRALASIA 



with slab sides and a high and steep-pitched roof, as 

 was everywhere the old way. Others, again, that were 

 more advanced, in that same Territory, might be sohdly 

 built of freestone. 



In the headquarters of squatting in New Zealand the 

 house at the head-station is often beautifully situated, 

 comfortably built, and of a handsome design, belonging 

 to a rich squatter whose name is (or used to be) a power, 

 but it is still of wood, like so many of even city houses 

 in almost stoneless New Zealand. In Australia the 

 house of a great squatter may be substantially built of 

 stone, of bungalow shape, with only one story, and a 

 three-sided broad verandah. Easy-chairs and lounges 

 will be scattered over the verandah. The high windows 

 come down to the floor. The door is Avide and inviting, 

 opening on to a spacious cool-tiled hall. There may be 

 a couple of dra^ving-rooms, and behind them a cheerful 

 morning-room, while the bedrooms, always cool and airy, 

 open on to the verandah. A group of detached buildings 

 contains bachelors' quarters and a schoolroom, which 

 may be used equally for a concert-hall and a chapel. 

 In front there may be a natural lake or ornamental 

 water, with a windmill and pipes running into the 

 garden. 



Some of these houses, even if belonging only to pioneer 

 squatters, may be, like Lady Barker's in the Malvern 

 Hills, adorned with many of the little elegancies of life, 

 such as drawing-room ornaments, pictures, etc. The 

 dining-room may have fine prints on the walls and a 

 " trophy of Indian swords and hunting-spears over the 

 fire-place." The hall may be hung with whips and 

 sticks, spears and hats. In the drawing-room may be 

 seen a tall, white classically shaped vase of Minton's 

 pottery. While the sitting-room may be the picture of 

 cosy comfort, with well-filled book-shelves, arm-chair, 

 and sofa. Yet that was a pioneer station, far in the 

 interior of Canterbury province, in New Zealand. Such 

 a house may be small, but as a pioneer squatter said, 

 it is ** large enough to hold a great deal of happiness." 



