19.06.2013 Views

Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

written in Italian, and apparently unchallenged within EngUsh jurisdiction, the contract<br />

was witnessed by Invemizzi and Ticinese settler Giuseppe Borga. It revealed some<br />

modification of the immigrants' language after their years in Australia, the English<br />

word 'land' appearing rather than its Italian equivalent 'terreno'.<br />

At the same time as he signed this contract. Carlo signed another with<br />

TerribUini, purchasing his land at Yandoit.** Terribilini agreed to sell a sixth-part of his<br />

property, including cattle, houses and garden, for the agreed price of 162 pounds, ten<br />

shiUings, payable wdthin six months. On the day of the contract, Carlo was required to<br />

pay ten pounds to validate the contract with the balance due at the end of six months,<br />

provided no new arrangements had been made. The contract, which was again<br />

witnessed by Borga and Invemizzi, again contained variations from standard ItaUan<br />

(cf above discussion of 'popular Italian' p. 99) the word selini (shilling), for example,<br />

appearing instead of scellini, and suggesting the influence of a Lombard dialect.<br />

Stmggling with the irregularities of English pronunciation, the immigrants wrote<br />

Hepbum as 'Hepboume', likening it no doubt to the similar sounding and earlier<br />

visited Melboume.<br />

On 16 April 1864, six months after the previous contracts, further legal<br />

documents were signed between the two parties. ** Carlo paid Terribilini the sum of<br />

35 pounds wdth the promise of the balance within six months and the establishment of a<br />

five per cent per annum interest fee. Terribilini, in a separate agreement, paid Cario<br />

the full amount owing to him. These contracts again carried a number of spelling<br />

anomalies from standard Italian, the word selini being repeated and si segnano (sign)<br />

320

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!