So we both went up together and we looked at the place and it was very comfortable with two big large rooms in it about the size of this place I suppose. Two large rooms and I took it and shifted up into it and I lived there then for four years.

What was it built of?

Built of rapu and slabs. They got slabs out of the bush and rapu top and then I fixed it all inside with cut open sack. I papered all over this and I had a comfortable little house. I tell you straight there isn't a girl who would do that today.

You're quite right about that. You lived in this whare for 4 years? Then what did you do?

Well then I would have lived in it longer only there was an awful gale came on and I had a newborn baby and the: wind blew the top of the whare off. Then of course I had to pack up and put everything away as best I could as the top came off the bedroom part. It didn't come off the kitchen part, but off the bedroom part and I had to bring everything out of there and keep them dry. The rain was coming down and I had three little girls to look after. Husband wasn't at home. He was away surveying up Wairongomai direction. He only came home once a month.

You lived there all on your own?

Me and the babies. I used to have some friends come up and see me.

Did you ever see the Maoris around there?

No. They were down at Paeroa. After TeAroha got a township there used to be some come up to the town. They were very good.

What was it like bringing up a family in those days? How much money would you get a week?

I just got my husband's pay. About 3 pounds I think it was.

As much as that? Because he was a surveyor. Later on when he took on draining work. What would he get then?

I don't know. He got more then.

I think you told me that he got about 1 pound a week. It's a long way back to remember I know.

I forget now. It was a hard struggle. You had to clothe them and boot them and everything. It was hard to get on what little wages the husband was making. You had no pension or anything like now. There was nothing but his bit of money. It was very little you got then when you came to pay for the grocer's bill, the bread and the meat and groceries. You had hardly anything left to buy boots or anything else with. Then I used to do a lot of fancy work and I used to sell that and made a bit of money that way to help me with my little ones. Oh I have had a good struggle in life.