My grandfather, Mr. Francis HENTY, married Miss Mary Ann LAWRENCE, daughter of Mr. William LAWRENCE, of Launceston. The idea had been for my grandmother to live in Portland, while my grandfather went inland to Merino Downs, but when she realised what this would mean she said if it were good enough for her husband to live in a sod hut on the station it was good enough for her. So she set out by bullock dray, which was the only form of transport in those early days, for the station. The sod hut had a door on each side, and when it rained the water poured in at one side and out at the other, and stepping stones had to be used for the occupants of the hut to keep their feet dry. The house, which is now standing, was built about 1843, and so far as we know the celebrated oak was planted by my grandfather, soon after he reached Merino Downs in 1837 from an acorn brought from his old home "Fieldplace," in Sussex. Once a year the bullock drays took the wool to Portland. and brought back the stores, which had to last the year. My grandfather had a general store on the property, where his employees could obtain necessary goods.

Names of some of the old hands employed at Merino Downs: John Stephen ANDREWS, better known as Jack FOSTER, born 13th October, 1833; died at Merino Downs, October, 1918. A sailor of the Royal Navy; at the bombardment of Sebastopol, 1854. For 60 years a faithful employee of the HENTY family. (The foregoing information was taken from the tombstone erected to his memory in the Merino Cemetery.)

William Percy ROOKING, also his wife, Jane Eliza; C. V. EDWARDS, senr.; T. JENKINS and his son, William; Archie McPHEE; Jimmy EDMUNDS; S. REMFRY.

MANAGERS ON THE ESTATE:
Messrs. C. LEITHRIDGE, P. LAWRENCE, FRENCH, A. M. McLEOD, HORSFALL; F. CROSSLEY (Overseers); Messrs. WIDDICOMBE, M. MINOGUE, Jas. HARVEY.

SUBDIVISION MANAGERS:

MERINO DOWNS-Messrs. SOUTAR, TURNER, N. SMITH, D. C. SMITH.

TALISKER-Messrs. A. M. McLEOD, H. V. McLEOD, Jas. HARVEY, P. BRIDGEMAN, W. BAIRD.

WURT WURT KOORT-: Messrs. GIBB, CLYNE, SHEPPARD, W. HOGARTH, P. C. ANDERSON.

BOOK-KEEPERS

Messrs. Walter and R B. PAGE.

INTRODUCTION OF MERINO SHEEP AND STOCK
About the year 1823 or 1824 a friend named Mr. John STREET was induced by my father to emigrate to Sydney, and he made him a present of ten of his sheep, nine ewes and a ram. Some lambs were also dropped on the voyage. Mr. STREET eventually settled at Bathurst. As a result of the disposal by that gentleman of some of his rams at very high prices (one bringing 100 guineas and the sire leased for a similar sum for the season), five or more lots were consigned by my father to Sydney for sale, each lot containing 80 to 100. Soon afterwards some New South Wales settlers proceeded to England with the view of purchasing rams, and after searching England and the Continent without success, they eventually selected from my father's flock, and took them to Sydney. Two of the purchasers were Messrs. McARTHUR and LAWSON.

In Handfield's "History of Sussex," these sheep are thus referred to:"In the year 1796 Thos. HENTY, Esq. purchased the demesne lands in the parish of West Tarring, consisting of 281 acres. The farm is now in a high state of cultivation. The breed of Merino sheep has been brought to a high state of perfection by Mr. Henty, and many from his flock have been purchased by Mr. McArthur and sent to New South Wales. The sheep were bred up from King George the Third's flock."

As already stated it is from these sheep that the stock now on the estate are principally descended, but of late sires have been introduced from the leading Tasmanian and Colonial studs.

The cattle are pure Durhams, preferred to Herefords, for their earlier maturity. The herd numbers about 2000. There are 500 breeding cows, Including a pure herd of pedigreed stock, of Muntham and Calvert blood. The bulls, ten in number, are all of the most fashionable strains of blood procurable. amongst those at present in use are Elushington, the Second, roan, bred by the Hon. W. McCULLOCH, by (Grand Duke of Oxford Third, dam of Blushing Oxford, roan Duke of Muntham, Sixth Duke of Brunswick, bred by the executors of the late Hon. N. BLACK, of Mt. Noorat.