A Typical Colonist

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 107, 28 February 1893, Page 2

A Typical Colonist

Our reporter recently during his pere» grmatious in tho district came across, and was most hospitably entertained, by a new comer amongst us. Tho settler in question, Mr John Lofts Hills, has a holding of about 330 acres on the FeildmgAshurt road which wo* purchased some six years ago. Mr Hills is a strong, sturiy ex- sailor some 60 years of age, a roan who can turn bis hands to wfcatever offers, and a grand specimen of " John Bull " in the colonies. He has recently built himself a large roomy house, the plans for which he drew himself, and put it together with the assistance of only one other man. whom he picked up accidentally at Paromata shortly before leaving that neighbourhood. To show the energy of the subject of our sketch, he, assisted only by his two sons, has cleared the whole of his property, with the exception of some 15 or 20 acres of shelter bush which has been left standing. The land is of first rate quality, well stocked, and carry's some 800 sheep, 40 head of cattle, besides horses, pigs, etc. No wonder New Zealand goes ahead when it can everywhere show such samples of it 8 colonists as the above men who by their pluck, energy, and persevereuce have made the country what it now 18, and our only wish is, that many more such settlers may come amongst us. Mr Hills is blessed with the proverbial " quiverful," a round dozen being the muster roll at his festive board.