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 Settinginto
Australia
 More related titles from How To Books

Living and Working in Australia

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 setting into
Au^tr^liA
The complete immigration guide
to gaining a short or long-term visa

MathewCollins
how books
Published by How To Content,
A division of How To Books Ltd,
Spring Hill House, Spring Hill Road,
Begbroke, Oxford 0X5 1RX. United Kingdom.
Tel: (01865) 375794. Fax: (01865) 379162.
email: [email protected]
www.howtobooks.co.uk

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or stored in

an information retrieval system (other than for purposes of review)
without the express permission of the publisher in writing.

© Copyright 2006 Mathew Collins

First published in paperback 2001

Reprinted 2003
Second edition 2005
Third edition 2006
First published in electronic form 2007

ISBN: 978 1 84803 130 2

The right of Mathew Collins to be identified as the author of this work

has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.

Cover Design by Baseline Arts Ltd, Oxford

Produced for How To Books by Deer Park Productions, Tavistock
Typeset by PDQ Typsetting, Newcastle-under-Lyme

NOTE: The material contained in this book is set out in good faith for
general guidance and no liability can be accepted for loss or expense
incurred as a result of relying in particular circumstances on
statements made in the book. The laws and regulations are complex
and liable to change, and readers should check the current position
with the relevant authorities before making personal arrangements.
 Contents

Preface x

1 Australia's History 1
A nation is bora 1
Gold 2
Post-war peace and prosperity 3
An ever-changing society 4

2 Australia Today 6
A stable democracy 6
The island continent 8
States and territories 9

3 Education in Australia 15
The education system 15
Preschooling/daycare/play group 16
Infant and primary school 16
Secondary school 17
Career and vocational training 18
University 18

4 Health Care Services in Australia 19

The public health care system 19
Private health insurance 20
Where to go if you get sick 21

5 Enjoying Australia 23
Boating 23
Golf 24
Motoring 24
Fishing 24
Horse racing 25
Other sports 25
Arts 26

v
vi GETTING INTO AUSTRALIA

6 Staying in Australia Temporarily 28

Taking a holiday 29
Using the working holiday scheme 29
Categories for Temporary Immigration 30
Skilled Independent Regional Category (Temporary) 37

7 Staying in Australia Permanently 41

Migration programme 42
Identifying your occupation 43
Getting your skills assessed 44
Payment of fees 48
How to have your documents correctly certified 48
The application process 49
Clarifying your work experience 50
The points test 51
Bonus points 58
Skilled designated area sponsored 61
Health and character checks 63
Applying for a visa 66
Contacting the Australian Mission 67
How your application is processed 68

8 Family Categories 69
Prospective spouse category 69
Prospective spouse document checklist 71
De facto spouse category 74
De facto category document checklist 76
Spouse category 79
Spouse category document checklist 81
Interdependent partner category 84
Interdependent partner category document checklist 86
Parent migration 90
Parent categories document checklist 96

9 Employer or State/Territory Sponsored Migration 98

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 98
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) 100
Labour agreement/s (LA) 103
Invest Australia Support Skills (IASS) 105
Skilled State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) 107
 CONTENTS vii

10 Visas Through Business 109

State/Territory governments 110
Business owner 111
Senior executive 114
Investor 115
Business talent 117
Established business in Australia 117
Regional established business in Australia (REBA) 119
Obligations after arrival and points self-tests 120
Costs and charges 130
Dependants 131

11 Child and Other Family Migration 133

Orphan relative category 133
Adoption category 134
Dependent child (temporary) category 134
Other family migration 134
Aged dependent relative 135
Remaining relative 135
Carer 135

12 Useful Information 136

Arriving 136
Money matters 137
Transport 140
Utilities 143
Time and holidays 143
Weather 144
Where to live 146
Newspapers and television channels 149
Medical and health services for visitors 151
Language 152
Other useful information 153

Useful Contacts 157

Glossary 167

Index 193
This page intentionally left blank
TAKE MORE OF YOUR MONEY WITH YOU -
WITH CURRENCIES DIRECT

When you start to plan your move to Australia there are

lots of things that you need to consider to ensure that
your new life is a happy one. And one of the most
important things is foreign exchange.

At some point you will have to change your hard earned

money into Australian dollars, whether to buy a house
or simply transfer your savings, foreign exchange can't
be avoided. Unfortunately, exchange rates are con-
stantly moving and as a result can have a big impact on
the amount of money you have to start your new life.
For example, if you look at the Australian dollar during
2005 you can see how this movement can affect you.
Sterling against the dollar was as high as 2.4879 and as
low as 2.2761. So if you had £200,000 to transfer you
could have received as much as $497,580 or as little as
$455,220 a difference of over $42,000.

It is possible to avoid this pitfall by fixing a rate through

a forward contract. A small deposit will secure you a
rate for anywhere up to 2 years in advance and by doing
so provides the security of having the currency you need
at a guaranteed cost.

Another option if you have time on your side is a limit

order. This is used when you want to achieve a rate that
is currently not available. You set the rate that you want
and the market is then monitored. As soon as that rate
is achieved the currency is purchased for you.
If you need to act swiftly and your capital is readily
available then it is most likely that you will use a spot
transaction. This is the Buy now, Pay now option where
you get the most competitive rate on the day.

To ensure you get the most for you money it's a good
idea to use a foreign exchange specialist. As an
alternative to your bank, a specialist is able to offer
you extremely competitive exchange rates, no commis-
sion charges and lower (if any) transfer fees. This can
mean considerable savings on your transfer when
compared to using a bank.

Information provided by Currencies Direct.

www.currenciesdirect.com Tel: 0845 389 1729 Email:
[email protected]
 Preface

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the

world and has proven to be extremely popular with both
holidaymakers and those looking for a complete lifestyle
change. Australia's population has been enhanced by
nearly every nationality, making Australia's vast land-
scapes a melting pot of cultural diversity, changing
societies and dynamic economies.

Amongst these constant changes, Australia's immigration

policies have been the subject of constant analysis and
updating. I have written this book in an attempt to
simplify current immigration policies and procedures in a
way that will allow you to understand the implications of
these policies and what they mean to you.

Having practised immigration consultancy for almost 15

years, I have found that most people ask the same
questions: 'How do I migrate to Australia?' 'How long
does it take?' and 'How much does it cost?'

Immigration, like most government policies and laws, is a

complex subject to tackle. Most clients want to know the
steps required to immigrate, what documentation is
required, what are the best channels to use and what are
their chances of success.

xi
xii G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

This book discusses staying in Australia temporarily and

permanently, family categories, employer sponsored
categories, setting up in business, business skills and
investment categories. I have included useful contacts that
you can use to obtain the latest up-to-date information
and documentation for your application.

In today's new electronic world and marketplace, the

global traveller and company are driving and increasing
the demand for people who will live in a different
geographical location. The advent of email and the
internet is contributing to the need and demand for
accurate immigration information.

Completing this book has been a challenge. Alongside

managing a busy practice and the day-to-day demands of
our clients this has been a task that would not have been
completed without the assistance of Nicky Barclay, my
colleague and workmate. Nicky has spent many hours on
the research and compilation of material for this hand-
book; without her this project would still be on my hard
drive. Her dedication and application in assisting in the
completion of this project has allowed the book to get to
print. For this she has my gratitude, appreciation and
respect.

After reading this book, you will be confident enough to

be able to handle your own case or be able to tell your visa
consultant what you hope to accomplish.

Good luck!

Mathew Collins
 1

Australia's History

A NATION IS BORN
Until fairly recently, Australian immigration policies
encouraged British applications for permanent residency
and citizenship. As a consequence almost everyone in the
UK seems to have at least one relative living in Australia.
In the early days of colonial rule, the British government
used Australia as an outlet to hold their convicts. On the
26lh of January 1788 the first fleet of 11 ships arrived at
Sydney Harbour and this marked the beginning of a new
nation. A second coastal penal settlement was established
in Tasmania in 1825. From the first colony, exploration
and settlement spread and at the same time the British
government was giving away free land in order to
encourage people to move away from the overcrowded
shores of Britain to the apparently empty land of
Australia.

Free settlers started to greatly outnumber the convict

population and settlements spread to South Australia in
1837. Victoria sprang up in 1851, Queensland in 1859 and
although the Swan River Colony had been established in
1827 it only became a self-governing colony in 1890. The
Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 through
the proclamation of the Constitution for the Federation of
six States. The original fathers knew that they were at the
forefront of this new nation and were concerned about

1
2 G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

avoiding the pitfalls of the lands that they had come from.
They had progressive ideas about the rights of man,
democratic procedures and the value of a secret ballot.
Since then the constitutional links with Britain have been
slowly loosened.

The colony's development was far from smooth. The

Aborigines were not pleased to see the new arrivals, who
promptly declared the land to be uninhabited and simply
took it over. It is estimated that the population of
Aborigines across Australia before 1770 was more than
300,000. They spoke 500 different languages that were as
complex and rich as any European language, yet were
dismissed as babble by the first settlers. The situation
became worse for the Aborigines as they were thrown off
their land, whole communities became infected by the
foreign diseases that arrived along with the Europeans
and some fell victim to imported social problems.

GOLD
The exploration of Australia came relatively late and
progressed slowly. The inhospitable nature of much of the
continent, the barrier of the Blue Mountains to the west of
Sydney and the difficult nature of the Australian bush
added to this slow development. It was the discovery of
gold at Bathurst by Edward Hargraves in May 1851 that
put Australia firmly on the map. This announcement sent
shock waves around the world and the rush of prospectors
to Bathurst from other colonies was so great that the
population of Victoria declined rapidly. This was the first
of many subsequent gold finds that attracted a flood of
migrants to the Australian shores. Those miners who
came initially for the gold remained as settlers and
 AUSTRALIA'S HISTORY 3

contributed their skills to the new land. This led to the

rapid economic growth which made it possible for
Australia to become relatively independent.

POST-WAR PEACE AND PROSPERITY

By 1880, Australia had a population of two million. By
the end of World War I, that number had swelled to six
million. After the end of World War II, the nation entered
a boom time when there was a sustained period of rapid
industrialisation and encouragement of immigration from
Europe. The population then rose from seven million to
eleven million with the influx of immigrants between 1945
and 1965. This wave saw the change of the culinary,
psychological and cultural face of Australia. During this
period when the population was increasing so dramati-
cally the Australian government tried to influence the
nationalities of the immigrants, by passing the Immigra-
tion Restriction Bill, known more commonly as the
'White Australian Policy'. This Bill had been introduced
to prevent the immigration of Asian and Pacific Islander
people, but was later revoked.

The number of Australians employed in the manufactur-

ing industry had grown steadily since the beginning of the
century, and many women who had taken over for the
men while they were away at war were able to continue
working during peacetime. Primary industries such as
wheat and wool also continued to grow in output,
although the percentage of Australians employed in the
rural sector started to decline.

The economy developed strongly in the 1950s. This period

saw the opening of mining resources and major nation-
4 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

building projects like the huge hydro-electricity generator

project in the Snowy Mountains. A prosperous society
meant that everyone was benefiting, suburban property
ownership increased and the government consolidated its
political stability.

The establishment of a capital city for the country became

a priority. The battle was bitterly fought out between
Sydney and Melbourne, and the compromise meant that
the government developed a new territory between the
two cities on the Monaro Tablelands. Canberra was
developed in 1913 as the head of the nation.

AN EVER-CHANGING SOCIETY
During the 1960s Australia's society and culture was
again amidst the elements of change. The main reasons
were the declining influence of Britain as a world power,
the increasing domination of the United States especially
during the Vietnam War and the increasing ethnic
diversity within Australia's social make up. The 'Baby
Boomers' had a huge effect on the nation's direction as
their generation emerged as an active force behind a great
deal of economic, political and social change.

In 1967 Australian citizens voted overwhelmingly in a

national referendum to give the federal government the
power to pass legislation on behalf of Australia's
indigenous people. This showed an enormous amount of
support towards improving the living conditions for both
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by
Australia as a whole. In 1993 a watershed was reached
when the High Court rejected the view that Australia was
unoccupied when the first fleet of settlers arrived. The
 AUSTRALIA'S HISTORY 5

Court also recognised the right of Aborigines to claim

sections of unoccupied land throughout the country.
Although the Aborigines still remain Australia's most
disadvantaged group the future is looking much brighter
and increasingly harmonious.

The long post-war domination of the national political

scene by the National Party finished in 1972 when the
Labour Party won the general election. The following
three years saw reforms and major legislative changes in
education, health, social security, foreign affairs and
industrial relations. However, in 1975 a constitutional
crisis resulted in the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam,
being dismissed by the Governor General and subsequent
defeat of the Labour party in the following election. The
National Party dominated the political scene until 1983
when Labour once again came to office. The present
coalition government, led by Prime Minister John
Howard, took over from the Labour Party after winning
the 1996 general election and was re-elected in 1998 and
again in 2004.
 2

Australia Today

Times have changed quite significantly and Australia's

current immigration policies have become much more
stringent. This has been driven purely by the fact that
Australia has become an incredibly desirable place to live.
The government now has much more discretion on who
can enter, and so is now able to pick and choose from the
applicants. This has come a long way from compulsory
immigration during the early 1800s.

A STABLE DEMOCRACY
Australia has created a robust and pioneering democracy.
The government structure reflects the British and North
American models of liberal democracy, but at the same
time has uniquely Australian features. The Commonwealth
of Australia is a federation of six states and two self-
governing territories. There are three tiers of government;
all are democratically elected to office and are titled:

Federal
State
Local.
The Federal Parliament, which sits in the national capital
Canberra, consists of an Upper House called the Senate
and a Lower House called the House of Representatives.
The party (or parties) with the largest number of members

6
 AUSTRALIA TODAY 7

in the House of Representatives forms the government.

The Senate acts mainly as a house of review.

Although Australia is an independent nation the British

Head of State (currently Queen Elizabeth II) is still
formally the Queen or King of Australia. The monarch
appoints the Governor General, on the advice of the
elected Australian government, to represent them. The
Governor General appoints ministers on the advice of the
Prime Minister and by convention acts on all matters of
Parliament following the advice of the ministers. The
power these governors exert is mainly ceremonial and
there has been a lot of debate over whether Australia
should become a republic.

Unlike Britain but similar to the United States of America,

Australia has a written Constitution. This document sets
out the functions of the Federal Government: mainly
looking after the national economy, foreign policy and
defence, social services and immigration. State and
Territory Governments are run on similar lines to the
Federal Government, but the leader of the Government is
known as the Premier. They deal with all matters that are
not assigned to the Federal Government: mainly education,
health, transport and natural resources. In practice the two
levels of government co-operate in many areas. The third
tier is Local Government, which has responsibilities withi
the communities dealing with issues like urban and rural
roads, rubbish removal and building codes.

Australia has full adult suffrage and voting is compulsory

for all tiers of government. Although the fine for failing to
vote is small, more than 90% of voters cast a ballot. In
8 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

recent times, Australia has effectively had a two-party

system at both State and Federal level, with the Australian
Labour Party and a coalition of the Liberal and National
Parties competing for power.

Australia's wealth, outward-looking policies and stability

have made this country important in world events. It is a
part of the Commonwealth of Nations, was a founding
member of the United Nations and was instrumental in
the founding of APEC.

THE ISLAND CONTINENT

Australia has often been referred to as the largest island
in the world and the smallest continent on earth, with an
area of 7.69 million square kilometres - to put this land
mass into perspective, you could fit the United Kingdom
into Australia just over 31 times. With such a vast land
area its geographical and climatic regions vary consider-
ably - from the tropics, rain forests and stunning
coastlines in the far north, to Australia's interior desert,
to the cooler more temperate mediterranean appearance
of the south coast, to the Alps in the east offering skiers
snow conditions to rival the best slopes in Europe.

Although Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia,

Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil,
it has a relatively small population, currently estimated at
19 million. Much of Australia is a plateau, bounded by
four seas and three oceans. It has an average elevation of
330 metres, which is the lowest of all the continents, with
its highest point being Mount Kosciuszko. However, what
Australia's landmasses lack in height they make up for in
variety. Visitors come from all around the world to see the
 AUSTRALIA TODAY 9

giant monolith Uluru (more commonly known as Ayers

Rock), the vast Australian outback, the Great Barrier
Reef and the stunning untouched coastlines.

STATES AND TERRITORIES

Australia's Federal Government, the six states and the
two self-governing territories all share in the responsi-
bility of governing the vast land area.

The Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has a lot to offer - a healthy
lifestyle, modern infrastructure, a youthful and multi-
cultural population and a dynamic economy. This
territory has twice as much land area as France but a
population of only 200,000. The Territory consists of a
huge wilderness dotted with outposts of civilisation
mines, Aboriginal settlements, cattle stations and great
national parks. The capital is Darwin, which was first
established in 1869. Visitors come through this region to
get to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and the Kakadu national
park. The region enjoys a very tropical climate but like
most tropical destinations has been affected by the
natural elements, most famously cyclone Tracey in 1974.

The Northern Territory exudes confidence. Significant

industry sectors include tourism, mining, construction,
agriculture, pastoral and horticulture. Darwin is the
closest capital city to link with major Asian centres
because of its geographical location, and the Northern
Territory is forging ahead with business links as a result.

South Australia
South Australia was the first Australian state to be
founded by the free settlers. It is a region famous for its
10 G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

vineyards, award-winning wines and brandy. This state

offers an exceptional lifestyle and a modern economy. The
capital is Adelaide, which was designed by a British Army
engineer called Colonel William in 1836. Most of South
Australia's population lives in or near to Adelaide so
travelling anywhere else gives the impression that you are
in the real outback. South Australia has a strong case as a
competitive, productive and creative location for business
migrants. Adelaide is home to world class education and
research facilities and backs innovation and technology.
The South Australian government is working with
potential investors to identify growth markets and
potential partners. They have committed to fast track
approval for new projects and businesses and are
providing financial incentives and tailored support.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra was established in 1911 as the site for the
country's national capital. It is home to a number of
institutes including the National Library, the National
Gallery, the Australian War Memorial, the High Court
and the Federal Parliament. Being the centre of the
Australian government, administration and international
affairs it has also become an extremely important centre
for business. Canberra is home to 300,000 politicians,
diplomats, public servants and academics amongst its
growing population. As a completely planned city the
national capital has few international rivals. It has been
strategically placed in the southeast region between the
busy markets of Melbourne and Sydney with a view to
major growth and expansion. Originally designed by
Walter Burley Griffin - an architect from Chicago - it ha
taken decades to complete. However, through the careful
 AUSTRALIA TODAY 11

planning Canberra has a very safe community environ-

ment and a cosmopolitan lifestyle; it has been able to
combine modern city living with a clean environment.

Queensland
Better known as the Sunshine State, Queensland stretches
from the tropical rain forests in the north, through the
deserts to the Pacific coastline and is fringed by the Great
Barrier Reef to the northeast. A state of extremes means
that you can find everything from cosmopolitan cities to a
slower pace of life in small towns and settlements. Brisbane
is the capital, rising from penal beginnings to become
Australia's third largest city. Queensland's population
currently stands at 3.5 million, of which just over 1.5
million live in Brisbane. There is a huge pull towards this
city purely because of the quality of life. The attractions
include beaches, islands, beautiful weather, fresh yet cheap
food, easy to use transport and business opportunities.

In Australia's fastest growing state the economic activity

and growth is in tourism, manufacturing, technology,
primary industry and services.

Tasmania
Tasmania is an island found 300km off the south eastern
tip of Australia. It is separated from the continent by the
Bass Strait and is a beautiful, temperate, green island that
has remained largely unspoilt and unpolluted. The island
has an enormous amount of forests, mountains and fertile
farmlands that have been protected as reserves and
national parks. Hobart is Tasmania's capital and is
Australia's second oldest city after Sydney. It is located
at the bottom of the island and has been made famous in
recent years by the Sydney to Hobart yacht race that takes
12 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

place every year on New Year's Day. Tasmania produces

some of the world's finest wool and food products, and
sells advanced technology products to more than 40 niche
markets.

Victoria
Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states. Of its
population of close to 4.5 million people, 3 million live in
the capital city of Melbourne. The colony of Victoria was
originally settled by gold miners around the Ballarat and
Bendigo region, farmers and herders in the Murray and
Goulburn valleys and whalers and sealers at Apollo Bay
and Port Fairy. Melbourne is Australia's second largest city
and was established in 1835. It is an incredibly popular city
to live in. Geographically it sits at the bottom of Australia
on the coast. It experiences a mixture of temperature
extremes and definitely sees each of the four seasons -
sometimes in one day! The city is a wonderful place to live,
with a medley of gardens, culture, beautiful architecture,
arts, fashion and a growing business economy.

Western Australia
Western Australia is a huge and empty state. It is about
the size of Western Europe, with almost three quarters of
the state's population of 2 million people living in its
capital Perth. Perth is separated from the rest of Australia
by the barren expanse of the Nullarbor Plain and is
therefore geographically the most remote city in the
world. Much of Western Australia's wealth is based in
large mining and mineral companies, while other flour-
ishing industries include manufacturing, tourism and
primary industries. Migrants moving to Perth enjoy a
near perfect climate, alongside a mediterranean lifestyle,
clean air and a very low cost of living. The city is close to
 AUSTRALIA TODAY 13

beautiful beaches and rivers so you don't have far to go to

get out of the cosmopolitan world.

New South Wales

With almost 6 million people, New South Wales is
Australia's most popular state. Sydney is where it all
started in 1788 when the first British fleet landed on its
shores. It has since become the international gateway for
millions of tourists each year to start their travels before
moving on to experience the rest of Australia. Sydney is
home to more than 4 million people and is definitely
Australia's best known city. It is renowned not only for its
great beauty but also for its world famous buildings such
as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Sydney has all the benefits of a large city: it is exciting,
busy, beautiful and cultural yet this is crossed with the
laid back attitude of the locals.

In September 2000 the eyes of the world were focused on

Sydney as it played host to the games of the XXVII
Olympiad. The games were a tremendous success for
Australia as 3.5 billion people from around the world
watched one of the most celebrated games to date. The
total economic benefit to Australia was estimated at over 6
billion dollars, with over 15,000 media representatives
covering the event. These games cemented the view that
Sydney is one of the most beautiful and modern cities in
the world today.

The city is open and spacious and is surrounded on three

sides by national parks, the fourth side being lined with a
spectacular 60km coastline. The 'Sydneysiders', it is said,
live magnificently by world standards. They inhabit the
14 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

areas from the harbour out to the beaches and far flung
suburbs, choosing between the faster city lights and the
quieter and more relaxed suburban lifestyles.

On top of the social and lifestyle aspect, Sydney is also

known to be home to Australia's most influential central
business district, as most national and international
offices choose to have their major Australian companies
in the city. As a result Sydney has become an attractive
place to live with opportunities and lifestyle choices for a
broad spectrum of people.
 3

Education in Australia

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Education standards in Australia are amongst the highest
in the world, and Federal and State Governments have
ensured that these standards are regulated and main-
tained. The Federal Department of Employment,
Education and Training (DEET) is the main government
body responsible for the overall education policies,
ensuring that there is a consistency of standards through-
out Australia.

Access to quality education has always been seen by

Australians as part of their child's birthright and
community involvement in monitoring the standard of
education is very high.

The education system is broken up into five separate

areas:

preschooling/daycare/playgroup
infants and primary school
secondary school
career and vocational training
university.

Minimising any educational differences between states

and territories ensures that students across the country

15
16 G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

have complied equally with the standards required for

entry into tertiary education. There is the option within
the education system to have your child enrol with a
public or private school. The difference is that the public
school system is owned by the government and is free to
everyone (although there is a fee to cover yearly extra
curricular activities) and the private schools are run by an
independent body with annual fees being charged by the
school. Currently up to 35% of children are enrolled at
private schools throughout Australia, and early registra-
tion of your child at these schools is recommended as
competition is strong and waiting lists are getting longer.

PRESCHOOLING/DAYCARE/PLAYGROUP
The starting age for these schools is three years old and
although none of these schools are compulsory, many
children start their education in one form or another at one
of the above mentioned centres. As these are privately
owned, early registration is advisable, as places are limited.

INFANT AND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Children in infant and primary schools are grouped
together on the basis of their age and development level.
The progression to the following year is based on an
evaluation of the student's development during the year.
Most schools have a uniform for the pupils to wear and
this now includes a hat, because of the strength of the sun
in Australia. Research has shown that long-term exposure
to the sun has harsh effects and can cause damage, and as a
result most schools now have the policy 'no hat - no play'.

Public schools tend to be co-educational, while private

schools have a higher proportion of single sex environ-
 EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA 17

ments. Private schools also offer a more diverse range of

specialist subjects like computing studies, science and
music at this age. Public schools do, however, teach a
mixture of languages through a syllabus called ' LQTE'
Language Other Than English.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Secondary school is only compulsory up to the age of 15.
There are two more years of schooling after this age and
the majority of students do tend to stay on throughout the
entire education system. English, science and maths are
compulsory during the first couple of years, but there is a
broad range of elective subjects that the students can
choose from to fill out their timetable. As the students
progress through the school system, teachers actively
encourage them to talk through subject options and
career directions with a career advisor, especially as
universities do require specific papers to be completed
before entry is permitted onto specific courses.

Supplementary education is offered if the course that the

student wants to enrol on conflicts with other papers, or is
not currently on offer at their school. This will come in
the form either of correspondence papers or school on
Saturday. All registered courses of study at secondary
school are accredited by the relevant state (or territory)
authorities. Completing the final year of study, however,
does not entitle the student to immediate entry onto the
university course of their choice. Places on Tertiary
courses are limited and competition is strong.

International Baccalaureate is a programme with a high

international profile and is offered during the last few
18 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

years of school. This course allows the student to gain

entry to a number of overseas universities and gain
advanced placement in some American universities.

CAREER AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

There are again both public and private education
services provided in this sector:

TAPE - Technical and Further Education - is

regulated by the government,
ACPET is the Australian Council of Private Education
and Training.

These courses have a strong and practical focus towards

the career that the student is aiming for. Fees are charged
for these courses but the costs vary between courses,
tertiary institutes and states. Most courses offer a
Diploma or Associate Diploma level and few are offered
as degrees.

UNIVERSITY
The Australian universities prepare students for entry
into specific professions. There is an emphasis on both
teaching and research so that a full range of both
academic and professional disciplines can be offered
with awards ranging from an Associate Diploma to a
Doctorate. Most universities have a multi-campus struc-
ture with each campus specialising in a particular
discipline - they act as separate departments which then
link back to the main campus. Some universities offer
residential accommodation on site and a series of external
clubs and extra-curricular activities to complete the
student lifestyle.
 4

Health Care Services in

Australia

THE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Australians are served by one of the most comprehensive
and highest quality health care systems in the world. This
public health care system was established in 1984 and is
known as Medicare.

Through Medicare, Australians have the assurance of

knowing that they have access to free public hospital
treatment and free or subsidised medical care and that
this service is available to everyone regardless of income,
age or health status.

Medicare also provides both free hospital and medical

cover for permanent residents who are financially
disadvantaged such as low income earners and those
receiving benefits from the government such as sickness
benefit, unemployment benefit, aged pension and invalid
pension.

Treatment and admission to a public hospital is guaran-

teed for emergencies such as accidents, heart attacks or
urgent surgery. Minor or less acute illnesses can also be
treated within the public hospital system. Be aware,
however, that due to the high demand for treatments on

19
20 GETTING INTO AUSTRALIA

this public service, there are lengthy waiting lists for

elective surgery, which means that you will not be able to
specify a time or date on which you would like your
treatment to take place.

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Private health insurance is available to anyone wanting to
cover the costs of becoming a private patient. The benefits
of becoming a private patient are:

You choose your treating doctor.

You may reduce the waiting time for your elective

surgery.
It provides cover for other services that are not covered
by Medicare including dental, optical, pharmaceutical,
physiotherapy and a wide range of other services.

Around 34% of Australians choose to take out private

health insurance, and 24% have taken it out with a
company called Medicare Private. This is just one
insurance company that you can take cover with, but
the main advantage of Medicare Private is that they are
able to offer hospital insurance that covers 100% of
hospital charges including extra costs like telephone calls,
television rental and newspapers.

Private health funds are regulated by the Commonwealth

Government, and all follow the principle of community
rating. This means that everyone pays the same - the
premiums charged by funds do not vary according to age,
sex, state of health or the size of your family. So a family
premium will be double that of a single premium
 HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA 21

regardless of how many family members there are, and a

young healthy single person will pay the same as an
elderly, unwell single person provided they have taken out
the same cover.

Rules regarding membership vary between funds and

between states, so it is a good idea to ring around and do
some research on what is on offer and what cover suits you
best within the area that you decide to settle in. Health
insurance does provide options for those who want the
comfort and convenience of treatment in a private
hospital.

WHERE TO GO IF YOU GET SICK

If you or your family get sick the first port of call will most
likely be your local doctor, a General Practitioner (GP). If
your condition or illness requires further attention then
your GP will advise you to see a specialist.

Although the visit to your GP or specialist is not free, a

rebate through Medicare is available. This rebate is 85%
of the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee. The MBS
sets down fees for services determined by the government
to be fair to both patient and doctor. Low income earners
and those receiving benefits will receive a 'Health Care
Card'. Holders of this card do not pay anything for a visit
to the doctor, as the GP will directly bill Medicare for the
rebate.

The Commonwealth Government also subsidises most

prescription medications brought at pharmacies through a
scheme called the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This
provides access to prescription medication at a reasonable
22 G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

cost. Health Care Card holders pay a low set fee per
prescription.

If you are being admitted to a public hospital then you

should have your Medicare card with you. If you want to
be admitted as a public patient (even if you have private
health insurance) then you can be, but they will need the
details of your Medicare card. The only costs you should
pay as a public patient at a public hospital are any extras
like television or phone services. Medicare covers all of
the hospital and medical charges.

If you hold private health insurance then more than likely

your doctor will make the booking for you. You will be
required to fill out forms regarding your medical history
and personal details, and you may even need to attend
pre-admission blood tests and X-rays. If you do not have
100% coverage you will be asked to pay the difference as
you leave. If you do not have health insurance you will be
asked to pay the anticipated costs before you are
admitted.
 5

Enjoying Australia

Australia's climate and geography provide the perfect

playground for relaxation and enjoyment for the entire
family. Almost every leisure pursuit known to man can be
found within the Australian boundaries. From snowy
mountains to the deep blue sea, this is the ultimate
environment to satisfy your sporting and leisure require-
ments all year round.

BOATING
The large expanse of water surrounding Australia, the
ideal weather, the plentiful and secure anchorages and the
abundant inland waterway systems are more than enough
to entice the majority of Australia's population to spend
at lot of their time around, in and on the water. Australia
has been renowned as a nation of'boaties' and 'yachties1
for years and boat ownership is very popular, with
facilities for all classes ranging from dinghies to multi-
million-dollar yachts and cruisers. Registration of all
boats that are capable of doing 10 knots or more is
compulsory and the drivers are required to hold a general
boating licence and have a thorough knowledge of local
rules and conditions. The Boating Industry Association is
represented in most states; they are there to offer advice
and assistance in the purchase and ownership of all types
of boats.

23
24 G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

GOLF
Australia has over 1,000 golf courses around the country
and a large number are world class, designed to test both
the casual and more serious players. The ranges are often
situated in beautiful locations. The Cypress Lakes and
Country Club is located in the Hunter Valley 130kms
north of Sydney - this is not only a demanding course but
has the added advantage of being situated right in the
heart of the Hunter Valley wine district. This golf range,
like many others, provides a pleasant backdrop to both
social and business activities. Some courses are incorpo-
rated in resorts and accept casual players only, while
others are more established members-only clubs, which
do not accept any new members, although there are also a
number of newer clubs with top courses which are actively
pursuing new membership.

MOTORING
Australia is one of the most motorised countries in the
world. Because of the distances between work, home and
social events, people rely on their cars to get them around.
Many people take advantage of the good quality roads
and highways and get out into the wide open space that is
so much part of Australia. Many clubs have been set up
and information on these will be at your local community
council or information office.

FISHING
Fishing is the most popular leisure activity in Australia,
which is not surprising given the country's vast coastline
and inland waterways. Some of the best sea fishing does
not even require a boat - you can fish off the beaches and
rocks in your local area and still find a wide range of fish.
The ultimate ocean fish is the black marlin, which can
 ENJOYING AUSTRALIA 25

grow beyond 700kg and is renowned in the fishing world

as a great fighting fish. Trout fishing is generally restricted
to the Snowy Mountain region in New South Wales, with
popular brown, brook and rainbow trout found in these
rivers. The Murray River cod is any freshwater fish-
erman's dream; specimens as large as 1.8 metres long,
weighing over 100kg have been caught.

HORSE RACING
Racing is very much part of the Australian psyche, and
there is a great range of opportunities to be involved in
this sport, from being an owner of a thoroughbred horse,
to having a punt at the local race course. The once-a-year,
nation stopping Melbourne Cup has become increasingly
popular and now draws horses from as far away as
Ireland. This event is held in November and has become a
folk festival as much as it is a fiercely competitive horse
race. Australians are amongst the greatest gamblers on
earth with the turnover climbing to well over A$7 billion a
year from the TAB. A percentage of this money is now
being returned to race clubs as prize money or to improve
facilities for both the public going to the races and the
horses.

OTHER SPORTS
Australia is a sporting nation. Not only do Australians
play sport, but they watch sport, bet on sport and talk
sport probably more than anything else. The climate,
natural opportunities and adequate leisure time all
provide the perfect framework for any sporting activities.
There are only a few countries in the world where you can
take part in such a variety of sports and with such ease
over the entire year. There is a large number of sporting
26 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

clubs and teams available, from community based

projects, business social teams, club sports through to
professionals. If sport is your thing then you will be able
to find something that fits into your schedule in the sport
that you like.

Popular sports include soccer, rugby, Aussie rules foot-

ball, golf, tennis, bowls, basketball, netball and athletics,
just to name a few. The mountains of New South Wales,
Tasmania and Victoria offer horse treks in the summer
and skiing in the winter. The beaches all around Australia
offer surfing, windsurfing, swimming, scuba diving, and
the rivers and harbours join in with more places to sail
and waterski. Jogging and walking are national pastimes,
all the major cities have beautiful gardens for you to
experience and there are great tracks and walkways
through the mountainous and coastal areas as well.

ARTS
Australia has drawn its population from more than 120
countries from around the world, and its culture and arts
reflect this vast resource. Australia's cultural life is rich
and diverse. It looks into the past and works its magic
into the present.

There are museums all over the country that focus on

Australia's maritime, technology, culture and natural
history. These museums offer experiences that take you
from the beginning of time to the local area. Capital cities
all boast an abundance of art galleries, holding some of
the finest Australian and overseas paintings and sculp-
tures. The Australian Ballet and Theatre Companies are
famous not only within the country but on an interna-
 ENJOYING AUSTRALIA 27

tional scale. They tour regularly to other major world

cities and festivals. Australia has also produced a number
of outstanding opera and pop singers, as well as rock and
mainstream bands.
 6

Staying in Australia
Temporarily

People holidaying in Australia must seek a visitor visa

(tourist class) from the Australian High Commission.
Australia offers visitors a visitor visa that lasts three
months or one that lasts for six months. If you are issued
with a three month visa the holder must enter within 12
months from the date of issue. However, if you receive a
six month visa then the holder may enter within four years
from the date of issue, or before the passport expires,
whichever occurs first. Australia has very strict rules on
overstaying so it is vital that applicants do not fall into an
overstay situation.

All people applying for a temporary residence visa must

meet health and character criteria. In line with this some
applicants my need to undergo a medical and chest X-ray
before approval is given.

A person on a temporary residence visa will normally be

allowed to travel out of and re-enter Australia for the
duration of their visa. It is worth noting that people who
stay in the country past the expiry of their visa seriously
jeopardise their right to future visits or migration plans.

28
 S T A Y I N G IN A U S T R A L I A T E M P O R A R I L Y 29

TAKING A HOLIDAY
Australia offers a wide range of visa categories to enable
you to stay in the country on a temporary basis. Over the
2005-2006 financial year almost 100,000 temporary visas
were granted to overseas citizens.

Temporary residents with the right to work must pay

taxes on any income earned in Australia. They will
normally be prevented from claiming social welfare
benefits or national public health cover unless they come
from a country that has a Reciprocal Health Care
Agreement with the Australian government.

USING THE WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME

The working holiday scheme encourages an international
understanding between countries. It provides opportu-
nities for young people to experience Australia through
travel and holidaying, and allows them limited work
opportunities.

Australia has reciprocal arrangements with the United

Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, the Republic
of Ireland, the Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany,
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China,
Finland and the Republic of Cyprus. Young people from
other countries may apply providing they can show the
benefits that would be gained in granting them the visa.

Applicants must show that:

They are between the ages of 18 and 25 years and have

no dependants. Citizens up to 30 years of age may
30 GETTING INTO A U S T R A L I A

apply if they are from countries that have a reciprocal

scheme with Australia.

The main reason to travel to Australia is for a holiday,

and that any work taken will be incidental to support
themselves while holidaying.

They will not enrol to study, apart from short-term

English language courses.

They will leave Australia at the end of their authorised

stay.

CATEGORIES FOR TEMPORARY

IMMIGRATION

Investor retirement category

Qualifying retirees may live in Australia for a period of
four years. The requirements for the visa are:

Be at least 55 years of age.

Have no dependants other than a spouse or de facto
partner.
Meet the health and character requirements.
Be sponsored by a State/Territory Government
Agency.

Have minimum assets legally owned and acquired by you

and your spouse (if applicable) which you are able to
transfer to Australia, of:

A$500,000 if you have indicated to your chosen State/

Territory Agency that it is your intention to live in a
regional/low growth area of Australia; or
 S T A Y I N G IN A U S T R A L I A T E M P O R A R I L Y / 31

A$750,000 if you have indicated to your chosen State/

Territory Agency that you do not intend to live in a
regional/low growth area of Australia.

In addition you must also be in a position to show the

following:

That you have an annual net income stream (for

instance pension) which you and your spouse can
access of A$50,000 if it is your intention to live in a
regional/low growth area of Australia.

That you have an annual net income stream (for

instance pension) which you and your spouse have
access to of A$65,000 if it is not your intention to live
in a regional/low growth area of Australia.

You are required to be in a position to make a Designated

Investment* of:

A$500,000 in your own or your spouse's name in the

State/Territory from which you have gained sponsor-
ship, if you have advised your sponsoring State/
Territory agency that you intend to live in a regional
area of Australia; or

A$750,000 in your own or your spouse's name in the

State/Territory from which you have gained sponsor-
ship, if you have advised your sponsoring State/

*Designated Investments are offered by the Slate and Territory Treasury

Corporations as:

Primary issue government securities with a maturity of no less than that

four years from the date of purchase.
Limited to investments detailed for the Investor Retirement Visa with
interest paid at six monthly intervals.
Are non-transferrable and non-redeemable
32 / G E T T I N G I N T O A U S T R A L I A

Territory agency that you intend to live in a non-

regional area of Australia.

These assets must have been owned by you for a period of

at least two years, unless these are related to pensions or
inheritance.

Additionally you must show evidence that you have

purchased for yourself, and your spouse, if applicable, a
private health insurance package which meets Australian
Department of Health and Ageing requirements (DHA)
for the full term of your intended stay in Australia.

Retirement visas now include limited work rights which

will allow the holder to work for a maximum of 20 hours
per week.

Note: New South Wales is not currently offering

sponsorship for this visa category.

Should you wish to extend your stay at the end of the

initial four-year period of this visa you will be required to
show evidence that you meet the following criteria:

Be at least 55 years of age.

Have no dependants other than a spouse or de facto
partner.
Meet the health and character requirements.
Be sponsored by a State/Territory Government
Agency.
Are able to make a Designated Investment* of:
- A$250,000 if you have indicated to your chosen
State/Territory Agency that it is your intention to
 S T A Y I N G IN A U S T R A L I A T E M P O R A R I L Y / 33

live in a regional/low growth area of Australia; or

A$500,000 if you have indicated to your chosen
State/Territory Agency that you do not intend to
live in a regional/low growth area of Australia.

In addition you must also be in a position to show the

following:

That you have an annual net income stream (for

instance pension) which you and your spouse can
access of A$50,000 if it is your intention to live in a
regional/low growth area of Australia.

That you have an annual net income stream (for

instance pension) which you and your spouse have
access to of A$65,000 if it is not your intention to live
in a regional/low growth area of Australia.

You are further required to show evidence that you, and

your spouse, if applicable, have held private health
insurance which meets the requirements of the Depart-
ment of Health and Ageing (DHA) for the term of your
original visa and continue to hold this. Additionally you
are required to provide evidence that you are:

of good character;
meet health requirements (at this time streamlined
health criteria will apply and the examinations you
undergo will be restricted to examinations for condi-
tions considered as public health risks by Australia).

Repayment of your initial investment on maturity is

guaranteed by the State or Territory Government.
34 / G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

The table opposite shows details of those postcodes which

are deemed to be regional/low growth areas of Australia.

Emergency category
This allows applicants who have applied for a temporary
residency visa, but are awaiting approval on the health
and character criteria, the right to travel to Australia if
they can demonstrate an urgent need to do so.

Confirmatory category
This approves the stay of people who have entered
Australia on an emergency visa once their outstanding
health and character checks have been met.

Exchange category
This allows citizens from countries that have reciprocal
arrangements to enter Australia.

Foreign government agency category

Employees of foreign governments which have no official
status, or those officials who do not have diplomatic or
official status, have the right to stay in Australia on the
basis of carrying out official business.

Special programme
This allows Churchill Fellows or other approved commu-
nity based non-commercial programme members the
chance to enter Australia to develop international
relations.

Visiting academic category

People who have been invited by an Australian research
or tertiary institute may travel to Australia to observe and
participate (without payment) in projects.
Regional Australia/low population growth Postcodes
metropolitan areas inclusive
New South Wales 2311 to 2312
except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and 2328 to 2411
Wollongong 2420 to 2490
2536 to 2551
2575 to 2594
2618 to 2739
2787 to 2898
Queensland 4124 to 4125
except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold 4133
Coast 4211
4270 to 4272
4275
4280
4285
4287
4307 to 4499
4515
4517 to 4519
4522 to 4899
Victoria 3211 to 3334
except Melbourne metropolitan area 3340 to 3424
3430 to 3649
3658 to 3749
3753
3756
3758
3762
3764
3778 to 3781
3783
3797
3799
3810 to 3909
3921 to 3925
3945 to 3974
3979
3981 to 3996
Western Australia 6041 to 6044
except Perth and surrounding areas 6083 to 6084
6121 to 6126
6200 to 6799
South Australia Entire State
Tasmania Entire State
Northern Territory Entire Territory

Note: none of the Australian Capital Territory is included.

35
36 / G E T T I N G INTO A U S T R A L I A

Entertainment category
This grants entry for performers and their supporters who
will be involved with the Australian entertainment
industry.

Sport category
This allows sportspeople, sporting officials and support
staff to engage in competitions and training in Australia.

Media and film category

Professional media and support staff may seek entry
under this category.

Public lecturer category

This enables professional lecturers and recognised experts
to take up invitations to make public presentations.

Family relationship category

This provides the opportunity of an extended holiday for
young people under the age of 18 to stay with relatives or
close family friends in Australia.

Domestic worker/diplomatic or consular

This allows entry for domestic workers and official staff in
Australia. This application must be supported by the
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Religious worker
This allows religious and evangelical workers to serve the
spiritual needs of their faith in Australia.

Supported dependant (of an Australian or New

Zealand citizen)
This allows for dependant family members of Australian
citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand
 S T A Y I N G IN A U S T R A L I A T E M P O R A R I L Y / 37

citizens temporary residence in Australia.

Expatriate category
This gives the right of temporary residence to the
dependants of expatriate employees stationed in isolated
locations in Papua New Guinea, the South Pacific and
southeast Asia.

Diplomatic category
This gives approval for diplomats, consular officials and
employees and certain members of specialist United
Nations agencies temporary entry into Australia.

SKILLED - INDEPENDENT REGIONAL

CATEGORY (TEMPORARY)
The Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa has been
developed in consultation with the State/Territory govern-
ments. The main aim of the SIR visa is to assist in the
development of regional Australia through skilled migra-
tion. The SIR visa allows an initial stay of three years,
during which time the SIR visa holder must live in this
area for at least two years and work in their chosen area
of regional Australia or a low growth metropolitan area
for at least 12 months.

At the date of writing these areas are as shown in the table

on page 35.

Once you have lived in regional Australia or a low growth

metropolitan area for at least two years and are able to
show evidence that you have been employed for a
minimum of 12 months, you are eligible to apply for
permanent residence through a range of existing cate-
gories of regional visa. These include the Regional
Other documents randomly have
different content
 CHAPTER XXVI.
THE PRINGLE CORRESPONDENCE.

T
HE reader will perhaps wonder what our fair friend Mrs.
Pringle is about, and how there happens to be no tidings from
Curtain Crescent. Tidings there were, only the Tantivy Castle
servants were so oppressed with work that they could never
find time to redirect her effusions. At length Mr. Beverage, the butler,
seeing the accumulation of letters in Mr. Packwood, the house-
steward’s room, suggested that they might perhaps be wanted,
whereupon Mr. Packwood huddled them into a fresh envelope, and
sent them to the post along with the general consignment from the
Castle. Very pressing and urgent the letters were, increasing in
anxiety with each one, as no answer had been received to its
predecessor. Were it not that Mrs. Pringle knew the Earl would have
written, she would have feared her Billy had sustained some hunting
calamity. The first letter merely related how Mrs. Pringle had gone to
uncle Jerry’s according to appointment to have a field-day among
the papers, and how Jerry had gone to attend an anti-Sunday-band
meeting, leaving seed-cake, and sponge-cake, and wine, with a very
affectionate three-cornered note, saying how deeply he deplored the
necessity, but how he hoped to remedy the delay by another and an
early appointment. This letter enclosed a very handsome large coat-
of-arms seal, made entirely out of Mrs. Pringle’s own head—
containing what the heralds call assumptive arms—divided into as
many compartments as a backgammon board, which she advised
Billy to use judiciously, hinting that Major H. (meaning our friend
Major Y.) would be a fitter person to try it upon than Lord L. The
next letter, among many other things of minor importance, reminded
Billy that he had not told his Mamma what Mrs. Moffatt had on, or
whether they had any new dishes for dinner, and urging him to write
her full particulars, but to be careful not to leave either his or her
letters lying about, and hoping that he emptied his pockets every
night instead of leaving that for Rougier to do, and giving him much
other good and wholesome advice. The third letter was merely to
remind him that she had not heard from him in answer to either of
her other two, and begging him just to drop her a single line by
return of post, saying he was well, and so on. The next was larger,
enclosing him a double-crest seal, containing a lion on a cap of
dignity, and an eagle, for sealing notes in aid of the great seal, and
saying that she had had a letter from uncle Jerry, upbraiding her for
not keeping her appointment with him, whereas she had never made
any, he having promised to make one with her, and again urging
Billy to write to her, if only a single line, and when he had time to
send her a full account of what Mrs. Moffatt had on every day, and
whether they had any new dishes for dinner, and all the news,
sporting and otherwise, urging him as before to take care of Dowb
(meaning himself), and hoping he was improving in his hunting, able
to sit at the jumps, and enjoying himself generally..
The fifth, which caused the rest to come, was a mere repetition of
her anxieties and requests for a line, and immediately produced the
following letter:—

MR. WILLIAM TO HIS MAMMA.

“Yammerton Grange.
“My dearest Mamma,
“Your letters have all reached me at once, for though both Rougier
and I especially charged the butler and another fine fellow, and gave
them heads to put on, to send all that came immediately, they seem
to have waited for an accumulation so as to make one sending do. It
is very idle of them.
“The seals are beautiful, and I am very much obliged to you for
them. I will seal this letter with the large one by way of a beginning.
It seems to be uncommonly well quartered—quite noble.
 “I will now tell you all my movements.
“I have been here at Major Yammerton’s,—not Hammerton’s as
you called him—for some days enjoying myself amazingly, for the
Major has a nice pack of harriers that go along leisurely, instead of
tearing away at the unconscionable pace the Earl’s do. Still, a canter
in the Park at high tide in my opinion is a much better thing with
plenty of ladies looking on. Talking of cantering reminds me I’ve
bought a horse of the Major’s,—bought him all except paying for
him, so you had better send me the money, one hundred guineas;
for though the Major says I may pay for him when I like, and seems
quite easy about it, they say horses are always ready money, so I
suppose I must conform to the rule. It is a beautiful bay with four
black legs, and a splendid mane and tail—very blood-like and racing;
indeed the Major says if I was to put him into some of the spring
handicaps I should be sure to win a hatful of money with him, or
perhaps a gold cup or two. The Major is a great sportsman and has
kept hounds for a great number of years, and altogether he is very
agreeable, and I feel more at home here than I did at the Castle,
where, though everything was very fine, still there was no fun and
only Mrs. Moffatt to talk to, at least in the lady way, for though she
always professed to be expecting lady callers, none ever came that I
saw or heard of.
“I really forget all about the dinners there, except that they were
very good and lasted a long time. We had a new dish here the other
night, which if you want a novelty, you can introduce, namely, to
flavour the plates with castor oil; you will find it a very serviceable
one for saving your meat, as nobody can eat it. Mrs. Moffatt was
splendidly dressed every day, sometimes in blue, sometimes in pink,
sometimes in green, sometimes in silk, sometimes in satin,
sometimes in velvet with a profusion of very lovely lace and
magnificent jewelry. Rougier says, ‘she makes de hay vile the son
does shine.’
“I don’t know how long I shall stay here, certainly over Friday, and
most likely until Monday, after which I suppose I shall go back to the
Castle. The Major says I must have another day with his hounds,
and I don’t care if I do, provided he keeps in the hills and away from
the jumps, as I can manage the galloping well enough. It’s the jerks
that send me out of my saddle. A hare is quite a different animal to
pursue to a fox, and seems to have some sort of consideration for its
followers. She stops short every now and then and jumps up in view,
instead of tearing away like an express train on a railway.
“The girls here are very pretty—Miss Yammerton extremely so,—
fair, with beautiful blue eyes, and such a figure; but Rougier says
they are desperately bad-tempered, except the youngest one, who is
dark and like her Mamma; but I shouldn’t say Monsieur is a
particular sweet-tempered gentleman himself. He is always
grumbling and grouting about what he calls his ‘grob’ and declares
the Major keeps his house on sturdied mutton and stale beer. But he
complained at the Castle that there was nothing but port and sherry,
and composite candles to go to bed with, which he declared was an
insult to his station, which entitles him to wax.
“You can’t, think how funny and small this place looked after the
Castle. It seemed just as if I had got into a series of closets instead
of rooms. However, I soon got used to it, and like it amazingly. But
here comes Monsieur with my dressing things, so I must out with
the great seal and bid you good bye for the present, for the Major is
a six o’clock man, and doesn’t like to be kept waiting for his dinner,
so now, my dearest Mamma, believe me to remain ever your most
truly affectionate son,
“Wm. Pringle,”
To which we need scarcely say the delighted Mrs. Pringle replied
by return of post, writing in the following loving and judicious strain.
“25, Curtain Crescent,
“Belgrave Square.
“My own Beloved Darling,
“I was so overjoyed you can’t imagine, to receive your most
welcome letter, for I really began to be uneasy about you, not that I
feared any accident out hunting, but I was afraid you might have
caught cold or be otherwise unwell—mind, if ever you feel in the
slightest degree indisposed send for the doctor immediately. There is
nothing like taking things in time. It was very idle of the servants at
Tantivy Castle to neglect your instructions so, but for the future you
had better always write a line to the post-master of the place where
you are staying, giving him your next address to forward your letters
to; for it is the work for which they are paid, and there is no
shuffling it off on to anybody else’s shoulders. The greatest people
are oftentimes the worst served, not because the servants have any
particular objection to them personally—but because they are so
desperately afraid of being what they call put upon by each other,
that they spend double the time in fighting off doing a thing that it
would take to do it. This is one of the drawbacks upon rank.
Noblemen must keep a great staff of people, whom in a general way
they cannot employ, and who do nothing but squabble and fight with
each other who is to do the little there is, the greatest man among
servants being he who does the least. However, as you have got the
letters at last we will say no more about it.
“I hope your horse is handsome, and neighs and paws the ground
prettily; you should be careful, however, in buying, for few people
are magnanimous enough to resist cheating a young man in horses;
—still, I am glad you have bought one if he suits you, as it is much
better and pleasanter to ride your own horse than be indebted to
other people for mounts. Nevertheless, I would strongly advise you
to stick to either the fox or the stag, with either of which you can
sport pink and look smart. Harriers are only for bottle-nosed old
gentlemen with gouty shoes. I can’t help thinking, that a day with a
milder, more reasonable fox than the ones you had with Lord
Ladythorne, would convince you of the superiority of fox-hounds
over harriers. I was asking Mr. Ralph Rasper, who called here the
other day, how little Tom Stott of the Albany managed with the
Queen’s, and he said Tom always shoes his horses with country
nails, and consequently throws a shoe before he has gone three
fields, which enables him to pull up and lament his ill luck. He then
gets it put on, and has a glorious ride home in red—landing at the
Piccadilly end of the Albany about dusk. He then goes down to the
Acacia or some other Club, and having ordered his dinner, retires to
one of the dressing-rooms to change—having had, to his mind, a
delightful day.
“Beware of the girls!—There’s nothing so dangerous as a young
man staying in a country house with pretty girls. He is sure to fall in
love with one or other of them imperceptibly, or one or other of
them is sure to fall in love with him; and then when at length he
leaves, there is sure to be a little scene arranged, Miss with her red
eye-lids and lace fringed kerchief, Mamma with her smirks and
smiles, and hopes that he’ll soon return, and so on. There are more
matches made up in country houses than in all the west-end London
ones put together,—indeed, London is always allowed to be only the
cover for finding the game in, and the country the place for running
it down. Just as you find your fox in a wood and run him down in
the open. Be careful therefore what you are about.
“It is much easier to get entangled with a girl than to get free
again, for though they will always offer to set a young man free,
they know better than do it, unless, indeed, they have secured
something better,—above all, never consult a male friend in these
matters.
“The stupidest woman that ever was born, is better than the
cleverest man in love-affairs. In fact, no man is a match for a
woman until he’s married,—not all even then. The worst of young
men is, they never know their worth until it is too late—they think
the girls are difficult to catch, whereas there is nothing so easy,
unless, as I said before, the girls are better engaged. Indeed, a
young man should always have his Mamma at his elbow, to guard
him against the machinations of the fair. As, however, that cannot
be, let me urge you to be cautious what you are about, and as you
seem to have plenty of choice, Don’t be more attentive to one sister
than to another, by which means you will escape the red eye-lids,
and also escape having Mamma declaring you have trifled with Maria
or Sophia’s feelings, and all the old women of the neighbourhood
denouncing your conduct and making up to you themselves for one
of their own girls. Some ladies ask a man’s intentions before he is
well aware that he has any himself, but these are the spoil-sport
order of women. Most of them are prudent enough to get a man
well hooked before they hand him over to Papa. It is generally a
case of ‘Ask Mamma’ first. Beware of brothers!—I have known
undoubted heiresses crumpled up into nothing by the appearance
(after the catch) of two or three great heavy dragooners. Rougier
will find all that out for you.
“Be cautious too about letter-writing. There is no real privacy
about love-letters, any more than there is about the flags and
banners of a regiment, though they occasionally furl and cover them
up. The love letters are a woman’s flags and banners, her trophies of
success, and the more flowery they are, the more likely to be
shown, and to aid in enlivening a Christmas tea-party. Then the girls’
Mammas read them, their sisters read them, their maids read them,
and ultimately, perhaps, a boisterous energetic barrister reads them
to an exasperated jury, some of whose daughters may have suffered
from simitar effusions themselves. Altogether, I assure you, you are
on very ticklish ground, and I make no doubt if you could ascertain
the opinion of the neighbourhood, you are booked for one or other
of the girls, so again I say, my dearest boy, beware what you are
about, for it is much easier to get fast than to get free again;—get a
lady of rank, and not the daughter of a little scrubby squire; and
whatever you do, don’t leave this letter lying about, and mind,
empty your pockets at nights, and don’t leave it for Rougier to find.
“Now, about your movements. I think I wouldn’t go back to Lord
L.‘s unless he asks you, or unless he named a specific day for your
doing so when you came away. Mere general invitations mean
nothing; they are only the small coin of good society. ‘Sorry you’re
going. Hope we shall soon meet again. Hope we shall have the
pleasure of seeing you to dinner some day,’ is a very common mean-
nothing form of politeness.
“Indeed, I question that your going to a master of harriers from
Tantivy Castle would be any great recommendation to his Lordship;
for masters of foxhounds and masters of harriers are generally at
variance. Altogether, I think I would pause and consider before you
decided on returning. I would not talk much about his Lordship
where you now are, as it would look as if you were not accustomed
to great people. You’ll find plenty of friends ready to bring him in for
you, just as Mr. Handycock brings in Lord Privilege in Peter Simple.
We all like talking of titles. Remember, all noblemen under the rank
of dukes are lords in common conversation. No earls or marquises
then.
“It just occurs to me, that as you are in the neighbourhood, you
might take advantage of the opportunity for paying a visit to
Yawnington Hot Wells, where you will find a great deal of good
society assembled at this time of year, and where you might pickup
some useful and desirable acquaintances. Go to the best hotel
whatever it is, and put Rougier on board wages, which will get rid of
his grumbling. It is impertinent, no doubt, but still it carries weight in
a certain quarter.
“As you have got a hunting horse, you will want a groom, and
should try to get a nice-looking one. He should not be knocknee’d;
on the contrary, bow-legged,—the sort of legs that a pig can pop
through. Look an applicant over first, and if his appearance is
against him. just put him off quietly by taking his name and address,
and say that there are one or two before him, and that you will write
to him if you are likely to require his services.
“You will soon have plenty to choose from, but it is hard to say
whether the tricks of the town ones, or the gaucheries of the
country ones are most objectionable. The latter never put on their
boots and upper things properly. A slangy, slovenly-looking fellow
should be especially avoided. Also men with great shock heads of
hair. If they can’t trim themselves, there will not be much chance of
their trimming their horses. In short, I believe a groom—a man who
really knows and cares anything about horses—is a very difficult
person to get. There are plenty who can hiss and fuss, and be busy
upon nothing, but very few who can both dress a horse, and dress
themselves.
“I know Lord Ladythorne makes it a rule never to take one who
has been brought up in the racing-stable, for he says they are all
hurry and gallop, and for putting two hours’ exercise into one.
Whatever you do, don’t take one without a character, for however
people may gloss over their late servant’s faults and imperfections,
and however abject and penitent the applicants may appear, rely
upon it, nature will out, and as soon as ever they get up their
condition, as they call it, or are installed into their new clothes, they
begin to take liberties, and ultimately relapse into their old drunken
dissolute habits. It is fortunate for the world that most of them carry
their characters in their faces. Besides, it isn’t fair to respectable
servants to bring them in contact with these sort of profligates.
“Whatever you do, don’t let him find his own clothes. There isn’t
one in twenty who can be trusted to do so, and nothing looks worse
than the half-livery, half-plain, wholly shabby clothes some of them
adopt.
“It is wonderful what things they will vote good if they have to
find others themselves, things that they would declare were not fit
to put on, and they couldn’t be seen in if master supplied them. The
best of everything then is only good enough for them.
“Some of them will grumble and growl whatever you give them;
declare this man’s cloth is bad, and another’s boots inferior, and
recommend you to go to Mr. Somebody else, who Mr. This, or
Captain That, employs, Mr. This, or Captain That, having, in all
probability, been recommended to this Mr. Somebody by some other
servant. The same with the saddlers and tradespeople generally. If
you employ a saddler who does not tip them, there will be nothing
bad enough for his workmanship, or they will declare he does not do
that sort of work, only farmer’s work—cart-trappings, and such like
things.
“The remedy for this is to pay your own bills, and give the
servants to understand at starting that you mean to be master. They
are to be had on your own terms, if you only begin as you mean to
go on. If the worst comes to the worst, a month’s notice, or a
month’s pay, settles all differences, and it is no use keeping and
paying a servant that doesn’t suit you. Perhaps you will think
Rougier trouble enough, but he would be highly offended if you were
to ask him to valet a horse. I will try if I can hear of anything likely
to suit you, but the old saying, ‘who shall counsel a man in the
choice of a wife, or a horse,’ applies with equal force to grooms.
“And now, my own dearest boy, having given you all the advice
and assistance in my power, I will conclude by repeating what joy
the arrival of your letter occasioned me, and also my advice to
beware of the girls, and request that you will not leave this letter in
your pockets, or lying about, by signing myself ever, my own dearest
son, your most truly loving and affectionate Mamma,
“Emma Pringle.
“P.S.—I will enclose the halves of two fifty-pound notes for the
horse, the receipt of which please to acknowledge by return of post,
when I will send the other halves.
“P.S.—Mind the red eyelids! There’s nothing so infectious
 CHAPTER XXVII.
SIR MOSES MAINCHANCE.

O
UR friend Billy, as the foregoing letter shows, was now very
comfortably installed in his quarters, and his presence
brought sundry visitors, as well to pay their respects to him
and the family, as to see how matters were progressing.
Mr. and Mrs. Rocket Larkspur, Mrs. Blurkins, and Mrs.
Dotherington, also Mrs. Crickleton came after their castor-oil
entertainment, and Mrs. and Miss Wasperton, accompanied by their
stiff friend Miss Freezer, who had the reputation of being very
satirical. Then there were Mr. Tight and Miss Neate, chaperoned by
fat Mrs. Plumberry, of Hollingdale Lodge, and several others. In fact
Billy had created a sensation in the country, such godsends as a
London dandy not being of every-day occurrence in the country, and
everybody wanted to see the great “catch.” How they magnified him!
His own mother wouldn’t have known him under the garbs he
assumed; now a Lord’s son, now a Baronet’s, now the Richest
Commoner in England; with, oh glorious recommendation! no Papa
to consult in the matter of a wife. Some said not even a Mamma, but
there the reader knows they were wrong. In proportion as they
lauded Billy they decried Mrs. Yammerton; she was a nasty, cunning,
designing woman, always looking after somebody.
Mrs. Wasperton, alluding to Billy’s age, declared that it was just
like kidnapping a child, and she inwardly congratulated herself that
she had never been guilty of such meanness. Billy, on his part, was
airified and gay, showing off to the greatest advantage, perfectly
unconscious that he was the observed of all observers. Like Mrs.
Moffatt he never had the same dress on twice, and was splendid in
his jewelry.
 Among the carriage company who came to greet him was the
sporting Baronet, Sir Moses Mainchance, whose existence we have
already indicated, being the same generous gentleman that
presented Major Yammerton with a horse, and then made him pay
for it.
Sir Moses had heard of Billy’s opulence, and being a man of great
versatility, he saw no reason why he should not endeavour to
partake of it. He now came grinding up in his dog cart, with his
tawdry cockaded groom (for he was a Deputy-Lieutenant of Hit-im
and Holt-im shire), to lay the foundation of an invitation, and was
received with the usual wow, wow, wow, wow, of Fury, the terrier,
and the coat shuffling of the Bumbler.
If the late handsome Recorder of London had to present this ugly
old file to the Judges as one of the Sheriffs of London and
Middlesex, he would most likely introduce him in such terms as the
following:—
“My Lords, I have the honour to present to your Lordships’ (hem)
notice Sir Moses Mainchance, (cough) Baronet, and (hem) foxhunter,
who has been unanimously chosen by the (hem) livery of London to
fill the high and important (cough) office of Sheriff of that ancient
and opulent city. My Lords, Sir Moses, as his name indicates, is of
Jewish origin. His great-grandfather, Mr. Moses Levy, I believe dealt
in complicated penknives, dog-collars, and street sponges. His
grandfather, more ambitious, enlarged his sphere of action, and
embarked in the old-clothes line. He had a very extensive shop in
the Minories, and dealt in rhubarb and gum arabic as well. He
married a lady of the name of Smith, not an uncommon one in this
country, who inheriting a large fortune from her uncle, Mr.
Mainchance, Mr. Moses Levy embraced Christianity, and dropping the
name of Levy became Mr. Mainchance, Mr. Moses Mainchance, the
founder of the present most important and distinguished family. His
son, the Sheriff elect’s father, also carried on the business in the
Minories, adding very largely to his already abundant wealth, and
espousing a lady of the name of Brown.
 “In addition to the hereditary trade he opened a curiosity shop in
the west end of London, where, being of a highly benevolent
disposition, he accommodated young gentlemen whose parents
were penurious,—unjustly penurious of course,—with such sums of
money as their stations in life seemed likely to enable them to repay.
“But, my Lords, the usury laws, as your Lordships will doubtless
recollect, being then in full operation, to the great detriment of
heirs-at-law, Mr. Mainchance, feeling for the difficulties of the young,
introduced an ingenious mode of evading them, whereby some
article of vertu—generally a picture or something of that sort—was
taken as half, or perhaps three-quarters of the loan, and having
passed into the hands of the borrower was again returned to Mr.
Mainchance at its real worth, a Carlo Dolce, or a Coal Pit, as your
Lordships doubtless know, being capable of representing any given
sum of money. This gentleman, my Lords, the Sheriff elect’s father,
having at length paid the debt of nature—the only debt I believe
that he was ever slow in discharging—the opulent gentleman who
now stands at my side, and whom I have the honour of presenting
to the Court, was enabled through one of those monetary
transactions to claim the services of a distinguished politician now no
more, and obtain that hereditary rank which he so greatly adorns.
On becoming a baronet Sir Moses Mainchance withdrew from
commercial pursuits, and set up for a gentleman, purchasing the
magnificent estate of Pangburn Park, in Hit-im and Hold-im shire, of
which county he is a Deputy-Lieutenant, getting together an
unrivalled pack of foxhounds—second to none as I am instructed—
and hunting the country with great circumspection; and he requests
me to add, he will be most proud and happy to see your Lordships
to take a day with his hounds whenever it suits you, and also to dine
with him this evening in the splendid Guildhall of the ancient and
renowned City of London.’”
The foregoing outline, coupled with Sir Moses’ treatment of the
Major, will give the reader some idea of the character of the
gentleman who had sought the society of our hero. In truth, if
nature had not made him the meanest, Sir Moses would have been
the most liberal of mankind, for his life was a continual struggle
between the magnificence of his offers and the penury of his
performances. He was perpetually forcing favours upon people, and
then backing out when he saw they were going to be accepted. It
required no little face to encounter the victim of such a recent “do”
as the Major’s, but Sir Moses was not to be foiled when he had an
object in view. Telling his groom to stay at the door, and asking in a
stentorian voice if Mr. Pringle is at home, so that there may be no
mistake as to whom he is calling upon, the Baronet is now ushered
into the drawing-room, where the dandified Billy sits in all the
dangerous proximity of three pretty girls without their Mamma. Mrs.
Yammerton knew when to be out. “Good morning, young ladies!”
exclaims Sir Moses gaily, greeting them all round—“Mr. Pringle,”
continued he, turning to Billy, “allow me to introduce myself—I
believe I have the pleasure of addressing a nephew of my excellent
old friend Sir Jonathan Pringle, and I shall be most happy if I can
contribute in any way to your amusement while in this
neighbourhood. Tell me now,” continued he, without waiting for
Billy’s admission or rejection of kindred with Sir Jonathan, “tell me
now, when you are not engaged in this delightful way,” smiling round
on the beauties, “would you like to come and have a day with my
hounds?”
Billy shuddered at the very thought, but quickly recovering his
equanimity, he replied, “Yarse, he should like it very much.
“Oh, Mr. Pringle’s a mighty hunter!” exclaimed Miss Yammerton,
who really thought he was.—“Very good!” exclaimed Sir Moses, “very
good! Then I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We meet on Monday at the
Crooked Billet on the Bushmead Road—Tuesday at Stubbington Hill—
Thursday, Woolerton, by Heckfield—Saturday, the Kennels. S’pose
now you come to me on Sunday, I would have said Saturday, only
I’m engaged to dine with Lord Oilcake, but you wouldn’t mind
coming over on a Sunday, I dare say, would you?” and without
waiting for an answer he went on to say, “Come on Sunday, I’ll send
my dogcart for you, the thing I have at the door, we’ll then hunt
Monday and Tuesday, dine at the Club at Hinton on Wednesday,
where we always have a capital dinner, and a party of excellent
fellows, good singing and all sorts of fun, and take Thursday at
Woolerton, in your way home—draw Shawley Moss, the Withy beds
at Langton, Tangleton Brake, and so on, but sure to find before we
get to the Brake, for there were swarms of foxes on the moss the
last time we were there, and capital good ones they are. Dom’d if
they aren’t. So know I think you couldn’t be better Thursday, and I’ll
have a two-stalled stable ready for you on Sunday, so that’s a
bargain—ay, young ladies, isn’t it?” appealing to our fair friends. And
now fine Billy, who had been anxiously waiting to get a word in
sideways while all this dread enjoyment was paraded, proceeded to
make a vigorous effort to deliver himself from it. He was very much
obliged to this unknown friend of his unknown uncle, Sir Jonathan,
but he had only one horse, and was afraid he must decline. “Only
one horse!” exclaimed Sir Moses, “only one horse!” who had heard
he had ten, “ah, well, never mind,” thinking he would sell him one.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll mount you on the Tuesday—I’ll mount
you on the Tuesday—dom’d if I won’t—and that’ll make it all right—
and that’ll make all right.” So extending his hand he said, “Come on
Sunday then, come on Sunday,” and, bowing round to the ladies, he
backed out of the room lest his friend the Major might appear and
open his grievance about the horse. Billy then accompanied him to
the door, where Sir Moses, pointing to the gaudy vehicle, said, “Ah,
there’s the dog-cart you see, there’s the dog-cart, much at your
service, much at your service,” adding, as he placed his foot upon
the step to ascend, “Our friend the Major here I make no doubt will
lend you a horse to put in it, and between ourselves,” concluded he
in a lower tone, “you may as well try if you can’t get him to lend you
a second horse to bring with you.” So saying, Sir Moses again shook
hands most fervently with his young friend, the nephew of Sir
Jonathan, and mounting the vehicle soused down in his seat and
drove off with the air of a Jew bailiff in his Sunday best.
 Original Size

Of course, when Billy returned to the drawing-room the young

ladies were busy discussing the Baronet, aided by Mamma, who had
gone up stairs on the sound of wheels to reconnoitre her person,
and was disappointed on coming down to find she had had her
trouble for nothing.
If Sir Moses had been a married man instead of a widower,
without incumbrance as the saying is, fine Billy would have been
more likely to have heard the truth respecting him, than he was as
matters stood. As it was, the ladies had always run Sir Moses up,
and did not depart from that course on the present occasion. Mrs.
Yammerton, indeed, always said that he looked a great deal older
than he really was, and had no objection to his being talked of for
one of her daughters, and as courtships generally go by contraries,
the fair lady of the glove with her light sunny hair, and lambent blue
eyes, rather admired Sir Moses’ hook-nose and clear olive
complexion than otherwise. His jewelry, too, had always delighted
her, for he had a stock equal to that of any retired pawnbroker. So
they impressed Billy very favourably with the Baronet’s pretensions,
far more favourably the reader may be sure than the Recorder did
the Barons of the Court of Exchequer.
 CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE HIT-IM AND HOLD-IM SHIRE
HOUNDS.

D
ESCENDING Long Benningborough Hill on the approach from
the west, the reader enters the rich vale of Hit-im and Hold-
im shire, rich in agricultural productions, lavish of rural
beauties, and renowned for the strength and speed of its
foxes.
As a hunting country Hit-im and Hold-im shire ranks next to
Featherbedfordshire, and has always been hunted by men of wealth
and renown. The great Mr. Bruiser hunted it at one time, and was
succeeded by the equally great Mr. Customer, who kept it for
upwards of twenty years. He was succeeded by Mr. Charles Crasher,
after whom came the eminent Lord Martingal, who most materially
improved its even then almost perfect features by the judicious
planting of gorse covers on the eastern or Droxmoor side, where
woodlands are deficient.
It was during Lord Martingal’s reign that Hit-im and Hold-im shire
may be said to have attained the zenith of its fame, for he was
liberal in the extreme, not receiving a farthing subscription, and
maintaining the Club at the Fox and Hounds Hotel at Hinton with the
greatest spirit and popularity. He reigned over Hit-im and Hold-im
shire for the period of a quarter of a century, his retirement being at
length caused by a fall from his horse, aggravated by distress at
seeing his favourite gorses Rattleford and Chivington cut up by a
branch-line of the Crumpletin railway.
On his lordship’s resignation, the country underwent the
degradation of passing into the hands of the well-known Captain
Flasher, a gentleman who, instead of keeping hounds, as Lord
Martingal had done, expected the hounds to keep him. To this end
he organised a subscription—a difficult thing to realise even when
men have got into the habit of paying, or perhaps promising one—
but most difficult when, as in this case, they had long been
accustomed to have their hunting for nothing. It is then that the
beauties of a free pack are apparent. The Captain, however, nothing
daunted by the difficulty, applied the screw most assiduously,
causing many gentlemen to find out that they were just going to
give up hunting, and others that they must go abroad to economise.
This was just about the gloomy time that our friend the Major was
vacillating between Boulogne and Bastille; and it so happened that
Mr. Plantagenet Brown, of Pangburn Park, whose Norman-conquest
family had long been pressing on the vitals of the estate, taking all
out and putting nothing in, suddenly found themselves at the end of
their tether. The estate had collapsed. Then came the brief
summing-up of a long career of improvidence in the shape of an
auctioneer’s advertisement, offering the highly valuable freehold
property, comprising about two thousand five hundred acres in a
ring fence, with a modern mansion replete with every requisite for a
nobleman or gentleman’s seat, for sale, which, of course, brought
the usual train of visitors, valuers, Paul-Pryers, and so on—some
lamenting the setting, others speculating on the rising sun.
At the sale, a most repulsive, poverty-stricken looking little old Jew
kept protracting the biddings when everybody else seemed done, in
such a way as to cause the auctioneer to request an imparlance, in
order that he might ascertain who his principal was; when the Jew,
putting his dirty hands to his bearded mouth, whispered in the
auctioneer’s ear, “Shir Moshes Mainchance,” whereupon the languid
biddings were resumed, and the estate was ultimately knocked down
to the Baronet.
Then came the ceremony of taking possession—the carriage-and-
four, the flags, the band of music, the triumphal arch, the fervid
address and heartfelt reply, amid the prolonged cheers of the
wretched pauperised tenantry.
That mark of respect over, let us return to the hounds.
 Captain Flasher did not give satisfaction, which indeed was not to
be expected, considering that he wanted a subscription. No man
would have given satisfaction under the circumstances, but the
Captain least of all, because he brought nothing into the common
stock, nothing, at least, except his impudence, of which the
members of the hunt had already a sufficient supply of their own.
The country was therefore declared vacant at the end of the
Captain’s second season, the Guarantee Committee thinking it best
to buy him off the third one, for which he had contracted to hunt it.
This was just about the time that Sir Moses purchased Pangburn
Park, and, of course, the country was offered to him. A passion for
hunting is variously distributed, and Sir Moses had his share of it. He
was more than a mere follower of hounds, for he took a pleasure in
their working and management, and not knowing much about the
cost, he jumped at the offer, declaring he didn’t want a farthing
subscription, no, not a farthing: he wouldn’t even have a cover fund
—no, not even a cover fund! He’d pay keepers, stoppers, damage,
everything himself,—dom’d if he wouldn’t. Then when he got
possession of the country, he declared that he found it absolutely
indispensable for the promotion of sport, and the good of them all,
that there should be a putting together of purses—every man ought
to have a direct interest in the preservation of foxes, and, therefore,
they should all pay five guineas,—just five guineas a-year to a cover
fund. It wasn’t fair that he should pay all the cost—dom’d if it was.
He wouldn’t stand it—dom’d if he would.
Then the next season he declared that five guineas was all
moonshine—it would do nothing in the way of keeping such a
country as Hit-im and Hold-im shire together—it must be ten
guineas, and that would leave a great balance for him to pay. Well,
ten guineas he got, and emboldened by his success, at the
commencement of the next season he got a grand gathering
together, at a hand-in-the-pocket hunt dinner at the Fox and Hounds
Hotel at Hinton, to which he presented a case of champagne, when
his health being drunk with suitable enthusiasm, he got up and
made them a most elaborate speech on the pleasures and
advantages of fox-hunting, which he declared was like meat, drink,
washing and lodging to him, and to which he mainly attributed the
very excellent health which they had just been good enough to wish
him a continuance of in such complimentary terms, that he was
almost overpowered by it. He was glad to see that he was not a
monopoliser of the inestimable blessings of health, for, looking round
the table, he thought he never saw such an assemblage of cheerful
contented countenances—(applause)—and it was a great satisfaction
to him to think that he in any way contributed to make them so—
(renewed applause). He had been thinking since he came into the
room whether it was possible to increase in any way the general
stock of prosperity—(great applause)—and considering the success
that had already marked his humble endeavours, he really thought
that there was nothing like sticking to the same medicine, and, if
possible, increasing the dose; for—(the conclusion of this sentence
was lost in the general applause that followed). Having taken an
inspiriting sip of wine, he thus resumed, “He now hunted the country
three days a-week,” he said, “and, thanks to their generous
exertions, and the very judicious arrangement they had
spontaneously made of having a hunt club, he really thought it
would stand four days.”—(Thunders of applause followed this
announcement, causing the glasses and biscuits to dance jigs on the
table. Sir Moses took a prolonged sip of wine, and silence being at
length again restored, he thus resumed):—“It had always stood four
in old Martingal’s time, and why shouldn’t it do so in theirs?—
(applause). Look at its extent! Look at its splendid gorses! Look at
its magnificent woodlands! He really thought it was second to none!”
And so the company seemed to think too by the cheering that
followed the announcement.
“Well then,” said Sir Moses, drawing breath for the grand effort,
“there was only one thing to be considered—one leetle difficulty to
be overcome—but one, which after the experience he had had of
their gameness and liberality, he was sure they would easily
surmount.”—(A murmur of “O-O-O’s,” with Hookey Walkers, and
fingers to the nose, gradually following the speaker.)
 “That leetle difficulty, he need hardly say, was their old familiar
friend £ s. d.! who required occasionally to be looked in the face.”—
(Ironical laughter, with sotto voce exclamations from Jack to Tom
and from Sam to Harry, of—) “I say! three days are quite enough—
quite enough. Don’t you think so?” With answers of “Plenty! plenty!”
mingled with whispers of, “I say, this is what he calls hunting the
country for nothing!”
“Well, gentlemen,” continued Sir Moses, tapping the table with his
presidential hammer, to assert his monopoly of noise, “Well,
gentlemen, as I said before, I have no doubt we can overcome any
difficulty in the matter of money—what’s the use of money if it’s not
to enjoy ourselves, and what enjoyment is there equal to fox-
hunting? (applause). None! none!” exclaimed Sir Moses with
emphasis.
“Well then, gentlemen, what I was going to say was this: It
occurred to me this morning as I was shaving myself——”
“That you would shave us,” muttered Mr. Paul Straddler to Hicks,
the flying hatter, neither of whom ever subscribed.
“—It occurred to me this morning, as I was shaving myself, that
for a very little additional outlay—say four hundred a year—and
what’s four hundred a-year among so many of us? we might have
four days a-week, which is a great deal better than three in many
respects, inasmuch as you have two distinct lots of hounds,
accustomed to hunt together, instead of a jumble for one day, and
both men and horses are in steadier and more regular work; and as
to foxes, I needn’t say we have plenty of them, and that they will be
all the better for a little more exercise.—(Applause from Sir Moses’
men, Mr. Smoothley and others). Well, then, say four hundred a-
year, or, as hay and corn are dear and likely to continue so, suppose
we put it at the worst, and call it five—five hundred—what’s five
hundred a-year to a great prosperous agricultural and commercial
country like this? Nothing! A positive bagatelle! I’d be ashamed to
have it known at the ‘Corner’ that we had ever haggled about such a
sum.”
 “You pay it, then,” muttered Mr. Straddler.
“Catch him doing that,” growled Hicks.
Sir Moses here took another sip of sherry, and thus resumed:—
“Well, now, gentlemen, as I said before, it only occurred to me
this morning as I was shaving, or I would have been better prepared
with some definite proposal for your consideration, but I’ve just
dotted down here, on the back of one of Grove the fishmonger’s
cards (producing one from his waistcoat pocket as he spoke), the
names of those who I think ought to be called upon to contribute;—
and, waiter!” exclaimed he, addressing one of the lanky-haired order,
who had just protruded his head in at the door to see what all the
eloquence was about, “if you’ll give me one of those mutton fats,—
and your master ought to be kicked for putting such things on the
table, and you may tell him I said so,—I’ll just read the names over
to you.” Sir Moses adjusting his gold double eye glasses on his
hooked nose as the waiter obeyed his commands.
“Well, now,” said the Baronet, beginning at the top of the list, “I’ve
put young Lord Polkaton down for fifty.”
“But my Lord doesn’t hunt, Sir Moses!” ejaculated Mr. Mossman,
his Lordship’s land-agent, alarmed at the demand upon a very
delicate purse.
“Doesn’t hunt!” retorted Sir Moses angrily. “No; but he might if he
liked! If there were no hounds, how the deuce could he? It would do
him far more good, let me tell him, than dancing at casinos and
running after ballet girls, as he does. I’ve put him down for fifty,
however,” continued Sir Moses, with a jerk of his head, “and you
may tell him I’ve done so.”
“Wish you may get it,” growled Mr. Mossman, with disgust.
“Well, then,” said the Baronet, proceeding to the next name on the
list, “comes old Lord Harpsichord. He’s good for fifty, too, I should
say. At all events, I’ve put him down for that sum;” adding, “I’ve no
notion of those great landed cormorants cutting away to the
continent and shirking the obligations of country life. I hold it to be
the duty of every man to subscribe to a pack of fox-hounds. In fact,
I would make a subscription a first charge upon land, before poor-
rate, highway-rate, or any sort of rate. I’d make it payable before
the assessed taxes themselves”—(laughter and applause, very few
of the company being land-owners). “Two fifties is a hundred, then,”
observed Sir Moses, perking up; “and if we can screw another fifty
out of old Lady Shortwhist, so much the better; at all events. I think
she’ll be good for a pony; and then we come to the Baronets. First
and foremost is that confounded prosy old ass, Sir George
Persiflage, with his empty compliments and his fine cravats. I’ve put
him down for fifty, though I don’t suppose the old sinner will pay it,
though we may, perhaps, get half, which we shouldn’t do if we were
not to ask for more. Well, we’ll call the supercilious old owls five-
and-twenty for safety,” added Sir Moses. “Then there’s Sir Morgan
Wildair; I should think we may say five-aud-twenty for him. What
say you, Mr. Squeezely?” appealing to Sir Morgan’s agent at the low
end of the table.
“I’ve no instructions from Sir Morgan on the subject, Sir Moses,”
replied Mr. Squeezely, shaking his head.
“Oh, but he’s a young man, and you must tell him that it’s right—
necessary, in fact,” replied Sir Moses. “You just pay it, and pass it
through his accounts—that’s the shortest way. It’s the duty of an
agent to save his principal trouble. I wouldn’t keep an agent who
bothered me with all the twopenny-halfpenny transactions of the
estate—dom’d if I would,” said Sir Moses, resuming his eye-glass
reading.
He then went on through the names of several other parties, who
he thought might be coaxed or bullied out of subscriptions, he taking
this man, another taking that, and working them, as he said, on the
fair means first, and foul means principle afterwards.
“Well, then, now you see, gentlemen,” said Sir Moses, pocketing
his card and taking another sip of sherry prior to summing up; “it
just amounts to this. Four days a-week, as I said before, is a dom’d
deal better than three, and if we can get the fourth day out of these
shabby screws, why so much the better; but if that can’t be done
entirely, it can to a certain extent, and then it will only remain for the
members of the club and the strangers—by the way, we shouldn’t
forget them—it will only remain for the members of the club and the
strangers to raise any slight deficiency by an increased subscription,
and according to my plan of each man working his neighbour,
whether the club subscription was to be increased to fifteen, or
seventeen, or even to twenty pounds a-year will depend entirely
upon ourselves; so you see, gentlemen, we have all a direct interest
in the matter, and cannot go to work too earnestly or too
strenuously; for believe me, gentlemen, there’s nothing like hunting,
it promotes health and longevity, wards off the gout and sciatica,
and keeps one out of the hands of those dom’d doctors, with their
confounded bills—no offence to our friend Plaister, there,” alluding to
a doctor of that name who was sitting about half-way down the
table—“so now,” continued Sir Moses, “I think I cannot do better
than conclude by proposing as a bumper toast, with all the honours,
Long life and prosperity to the Hit-im and Hold-im shire hounds!”
When the forced cheering had subsided, our friend—or rather
Major Yammerton’s friend—Mr. Smoothley, the gentleman who
assisted at the sale of Bo-peep, arose to address the meeting amid
coughs and knocks and the shuffling of feet. Mr. Smoothley coughed
too, for he felt he had an uphill part to perform; but Sir Moses was a
hard task-master, and held his “I. O. U.‘s” for a hundred and fifty-
seven pounds. On silence being restored, Mr. Smoothley briefly
glanced at the topics urged, as he said, in such a masterly manner
by their excellent and popular master, to whom they all owed a deep
debt of gratitude for the spirited manner in which he hunted the
country, rescuing it from the degradation to which it had fallen, and
restoring it to its pristine fame and prosperity—(applause from Sir
Moses and his claqueurs). “With respect to the specific proposal
submitted by Sir Moses, Mr. Smoothley proceeded to say, he really
thought there could not be a difference of opinion on the subject—
(renewed applause, with murmurs of dissent here and there). It was
clearly their interest to have the country hunted four days a week,
and the mode in which Sir Moses proposed accomplishing the object
was worthy the talents of the greatest financier of the day—
(applause)—for it placed the load on the shoulders of those who
were the best able to bear it—(applause). Taking all the
circumstances of the case, therefore, into consideration, he thought
the very least they could do would be to pass a unanimous vote of
thanks to their excellent friend for the brilliant sport he had hitherto
shown them, and pledge themselves to aid to the utmost of their
power in carrying out his most liberal and judicious proposal.
“Jewish enough,” whispered Mr. Straddler into the flying hatter’s
ear.
And the following week’s Hit-im and Hold-im shire Herald, and also
the Featherbedfordshire Gazette, contained a string of resolutions,
embodying the foregoing, as unanimously passed at a full meeting
of the members of the Hit-im and Hold-im shire hunt, held at the Fox
and Hounds Hotel, in Ilinton, Sir Moses Mainchance, Bart., in the
chair.
And each man set to work on the pocket of his neighbour with an
earnestness inspired by the idea of saving his own. The result was
that a very considerable sum was raised for the four days a-week,
which, somehow or other, the country rarely or ever got, except in
the shape of advertisements; for Sir Moses always had some excuse
or other for shirking it,—either his huntsman had got drunk the day
before, or his first whip had had a bad fall, or his second whip had
been summoned to the small debts court, or his hounds had been
fighting and several of them had got lamed, or the distemper had
broken out in his stable, or something or other had happened to
prevent him.
Towards Christmas, or on the eve of an evident frost, he came
valiantly out, and if foiled by a sudden thaw, would indulge in all
sorts of sham draws, and short days, to the great disgust of those
who were not in the secret. Altogether Sir Moses Mainchance rode
Hit-im and Hold-im shire as Hit-im and Hold-im shire had never been
ridden before.
Original Size
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