AN EVENTFUL LIFE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 215, 14 March 1872, Page 7

AN EVENTFUL LIFE.

Everbody in Melbourne knows "the blind speculator" — Mr. Augustus Keith — who for so many years has been a familiar figure in Collins Street, as he walked to and fro, leaning on the arm of the companion and guide. Few, however, know the full measure of his "sti-ange eventful history," which he thus narrates : —

"I ought to give you some account of what I have been doing since my arrrival in this colony. While I was in New Zealand in 1842, by the explosion of a gun I lost my sight, and the use of my right hand. Partially recovering, I returned to England, in 1843 ; and the following yeai*, whilst under medical treatment, I totaly lost my sight and have never recovered it. Yet in 1853 I came out to Melbourne, since which time my speculations have been as follows :—lst.: — Ist. I brought out with me a moveable Hotel, furniture, &c, intending to erect the same on the diggings, but I afterwards erected it as a goods store in Collins-street west. 2nd, I built the Parade Hotel, Wellington Parade, opposite the Survey Paddock, Richmond, when the whole of East Melbourne was bush land. 3rd, T purchased the Melbourne Packet, a vessel of 200 tons burthen, for £2500, to trade with the adjoining colonies. 4th. j built the Sandhurst Hotel, Bendigo, which was at that time the second Hotel building — Dr Tierney's, afterwards Mr. Harnwy's. was the only other hotel in course of*lsrection, paying carriage for goods 100 per ton. sth. I advanced money to- build the Criterion Theatre, Sandhurst, which afterwards fell into my hands, and was called the Haymarket. 6th. I took up from the Goverment, and purchased from private owners, 500 acres of land at Huntley near Sandhurst ; forming the township of Huntley and as a great portion of the land was auriferous sold several claims to the miners, and afterwards subdiv- ■ ided the remainder into small suburban allotments. 7th. I assisted Mr. Emmett in the formation of the Bendigo Waterwoks Company, by finding the cash —upwards of £750 — for Mr. Emmett's expenses while getting up the Company.

I was afterwards one of the largest shareholders, purchasing shares at £18 premium. Bth. I formed the first mining company under the first Limiced Liability Act, in small shares, viz., the Catherine Reef Quartz Mining Company, which caused the first rush of mining companies at Bendigo ; and was subsequently interested in many other companies. 9th. I rented, and afterwards purchased, premises and brewing plant, and carried on the businesof brewing at Sandhurst. 10th. I rented Mr. Harney's irrigation farm, forty acres, with steam plant on the Campaspe, the rent of which was £250 per annum. I rented afterwards another farm, 300 acres, on the same river, where I erected all the machinery, plant, &c, for extensive irrigation and at the same time rented a vineyard and orch ird on the Bendigo Creek, lllh. I rented the malthouse on the Yarra, Richmond, and carried on the business of malting. 12th, I projected the Victoria and .Pastoral Association, and obtained runs having sixty miles frontage to the Paroo River, embracing one million four hundred thousand acres of land leased from the Sydney Government, with 33,000 head of cattle, I also obtained the use of two other runs in Queensland, having purchased 10 ; 000 sheep and 8000 head of cattle. 13th. I joined a company to seek for coal at Western Port, where we sank several shafts and bored to the depth of 300 ft. 14th. I joined others in collecting black wood timber, for the purpose of furniture- making and staves for casks. 15th. I projected the present Polynesian Company, and suggested the same to Messrs F. Cook, 0. Vandamme, and W. H. C. Brewer, and gave them a written sketch of a treaty to be obtained from King Thakombau, by which they ' obtained two hundred thousand acres of land and certain privileges all of which the Company obtained by their first treaty with the King. 19th. I went to Queensland, chartered a small vesse 1 , and made two trips to obtain pearls and pearl shells. I have spent thousands in mining, both quartz and alluvial workings of gold. Three times have I prospected with others for copper ; and had several interest in the gold and tin mines at Beechworth, &c.

Lastly, lam unfortunately an inmate of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. —"Herald"