Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

contact wdth the Anglo-Celtic population. The English word 'sugar' appeared after
1870.
The cost of goods which the workers obtained on credit included: olive oU,
fifteen pence; matches, six pence; bread, seven pence; a shirt, four shillings; a jumper,
four shiUings and six pence and shoes, twelve shillings and six pence. Sometimes the
men were paid in moneta (money) for which they received accumulated amounts for
up to ten weeks' labour. With this money they were able to purchase items which the
Gervasoni store could not provide. Workers' names recorded in the book (in a
number of handwritings, including that of Luigi's wife) included G. Angielo, Luigi
Germano,^"* Mr Belizini and Battista Cartasio, all of whom, as northem Italians,
indicated the endurance of their viUage Unks. Luigi's business papers indicate that, as
weU as receiving part payment in kind, the workers were able to take items on credit:
things, such as tobacco ~ the major item ~ wine, olive oil, matches, bread, sugar,
cheese and butter. Wine consumption was moderate, about four and a half litres per
week, and probably only consumed in the customary manner with meals. The taking of
goods on credit suggests a high level of tmst existed between employer and employee
based, no doubt, on village and kinship ties.
By the early 1870s Carlo and his family were the only members of the
partnership stiU Uving in the 'old stone house'. Like their smaller home, it became the
focal point for many social gatherings, including musical evenings which featured
Italian speakers playing the violin, comet or piano; some locals claimed that, of aU the
parties held around the district, none were better attended than those of the
325