Pat Ritter. Books

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‘I hope you’re right Joe because although I love teaching, if we were wealthy, I wouldn’t need to work, only live a high life.’ She returned inside to ready herself for work.
With approval from his wife Joe stood erect walked with a spring in his step to visit Greg Deveney, Stock and Station Agent. Greg should help him with plans to expand his business in Charleville.
‘Good morning, Joe.’ Greg greeted Joe entering his office by shaking hands. Offered a seat in his office. ‘How can I help you?’
‘I’ve come to ask your advice Greg’. Joe stammered trying to overcome his anxiety.
‘You are successful with your business. What advice would I be able to help you with?’
‘I want to expand my business to Charleville. Need to purchase large premises to build more motor vehicles.’ Joe stated in a business-like manner.
‘After buying one of your motor vehicles, seeing how growth has increased in your business. You are doing the right thing Joe.’ Greg shared with his friend.
‘You’re happy with your motor vehicle?’ Joe asked.
‘Best thing I ever did. After going with you and Sidney Kidman, convinced me to do away with horse and buggy. Sold them.’
‘Yes, business is booming here in Cunnamulla. I hired more staff to keep up with demand. Increased production on road graders to help build roads. Councils in the region bought a couple to make roads. Business is growing.’ Joe explained.
‘Why do you need me?’ Greg asked.

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‘Need your assistance with buying suitable premises in Charleville. I trust you, Greg. Would you accompany me to Charleville to have a look at businesses to buy?’ Joe hoped Greg would agree. ‘I’ll pay all expenses.’
‘How long will we be gone?’
‘Make it a week.’
‘Okay. When do we leave?’
‘I’ll go home and pack, be here to pick you up before lunch.’ Greg shook Joe’s hand.
‘See you when you arrive.’
True to his word Joe returned to pick up Greg at the allocated time. They left Cunnamulla on the newly constructed road toward Charleville.
‘Can’t believe how smooth this road is Greg.’ Joe asked reaching Coongoola.
‘Your road grader is making this possible to reach places quicker and smoother than horse and dray.’ Greg sat back in front passenger seat, felt comfortable in Joe’s latest Model T Ford.
‘Wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t build Cunnamulla Racetrack.’ Joe admitted.
‘You never know what’s around the next corner of our life. Do we Joe?’ Greg smiled.
‘You know Greg, this only started with meeting Sidney Kidman. When we visited his properties, I listened to his stories; something must’ve grabbed my attention because I can’t stop thinking about expanding my business. No fear, only self-confidence.’ Joe admitted.
They drove along in silence.
‘You want to stop for a cuppa?’ Joe asked. Greg nodded. Joe pulled to the edge of the road parked near a log. ‘Here will do.

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‘I’ll build a fire.’ Greg gathered sticks to build a fire to boil the billy. Joe filled billy with water.
After billy boiled Joe threw a handful of tea leaves into the water of the billy. Picked the billy up from the fire, swung it around three times, set it on the ground. Picked up a stick, struck the stick against the side of the billy.
‘I haven’t seen anybody do this before Joe.’ Greg said astonished.
‘Used to do this when I walked from shearing shed to shearing shed in my younger day.’ Joe poured tea from the billy into two pannikin mugs. Handed one to Greg. Joe opened a biscuit tin filled with fruit cake offered Greg to select a piece which Greg did.
‘Never expected to be treated like royalty.’ Greg said munching into his piece of cake. ‘Apart from first meeting you when you sold ‘Tilbaroo Station’ to Sidney Kidman, I’ve never had much to do with you Joe. Tell me your story.’
‘Not much to tell really. Grew up the city. Always wanted to become a shearer. Travelled to Cunnamulla, worked at ‘Tilbaroo Station’.
‘You worked at ‘Tilbaroo Station’? I thought you owned ‘Tilbaroo Station’?’ Greg asked.
‘No. Nat Young gifted Hannah and I ‘Tilbaroo Station’ as a wedding gift.’
‘I’ll be. Always thought you owned ‘Tilbaroo Station’. Must have hurt to decide selling your property to Sidney Kidman?’ Greg asked. ‘Mind if I have another cuppa?’ Greg handed his pannikin to Joe for a refill. Joe filled Greg’s pannikin; filled his own.

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‘I didn’t have anything until I met Hannah.’ Joe admitted.
‘Nat is richest grazier in the region.’
‘Yes, many years ago he decided to purchase ten properties to add to ‘Kahmoo Station’. Best move he ever made. Purchased ‘Tilbaroo Station’.
‘How did you meet Hannah?’
‘I returned to Cunnamulla to look for work in shearing. Went to book into Ma’s Guest House to find the building on fire.’
‘I remember when Ma’s Guest House burnt down. A person died in the fire.’ Greg thoughts returned to the night of the fire.
‘When I arrived at the fire Hannah told me someone was still inside. Unfortunately, he died later in hospital.’
‘This was terrible for Ma and Hannah. Losing everything.’ Greg said, concerned.
‘Ma lived with Nat and Martha on ‘Kahmoo Station’. Hannah lived at Alex’s hotel. I lived there at the time as well.’ Joe shared his story. ‘Hannah asked her father to employ me on his property. I’ve worked there ever since until I commenced building my empire.’ Joe shared. ‘We better keep going. Want to arrive before dark.’ They cleared the camp returned on their journey to Charleville.
Arrived in Charleville before dusk. Booked into Railway Hotel for the night. Joe introduced Greg to Bill and Margaret Smith, mine host of Railway Hotel. They invited Joe and Greg to join them for dinner. Conversation arose of their visit.
After listening to Joe about purchasing a building in Charleville to build his motor vehicles, Bill said, ‘There’s a building to expand your business, Joe. Cobb & Co building across the road from the hotel. Would suit your building motor vehicles. I’ll show you in the morning.’

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‘Obliged Bill. You’ve saved me searching. Provided this is the right one.’ Joe concluded.
After breakfast next morning Bill escorted Joe and Greg to Cobb & Co building across the road from his hotel.
‘This is exactly what I’m looking for.’ Joe exclaimed whilst his eyes devoured the building. ‘Why do Cobb & Co want to sell their premises?’ Joe asked in astonishment.
‘Because of your motor vehicle. First established in 1886. End of the road for building coaches and buggies I’m afraid.’ Bill answered.
All three gentlemen entered the building. A shop fronted the footpath attached by a workshop extending three times the size of his building in Cunnamulla. Joe’s mind buzzed with excitement visualising improvements to install a fuel bowser in front of the shop; display his latest model of Ford Model T from the shop window.
‘Who do we speak to about purchasing this building, Bill?’ Joe asked excitedly.
‘Leave everything with me Joe. I’ll find out everything. Do you want me to do a deal for you?’ Greg inquired.
‘This is the exact reason I bought you along for the ride. Bill and I will return to the hotel. Meet us back there when you have sufficient information for the sale.’ Joe and Bill left Greg to conduct his business.

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‘You’re smart Joe.’ Bill expressed to him on their return to the hotel.
‘Why do you say, ‘I’m smart’?’ Joe asked as they entered the public bar. Bill raised his hand to the bartender for two beers. ‘We’ll sit over here in a quiet corner.’ Joe followed Bill to their seats.
‘To bring along your own Station Agent. A smart move.’ Bill added when their drinks arrived.
‘Earlier this year I spent a month with Sidney Kidman visiting his properties in the channel country. Being with this gentleman forced me to think differently about how I conduct business. If everything were left to me to determine how much to pay Cobb & Co for their building, I wouldn’t have a clue. Greg is in the business. Knowledge is power.’ Joe sipped his beer.
‘You’re right. Over the past couple of months workers from Cobb & Co have been drinking at the hotel. Rumours about their closing shop murmured around the bar. No one wants to lose their jobs.’ Bill finished his beer, beckoned to the bartender for another two.
‘Those men won’t need to worry about losing their jobs. Future is in motor transport Bill. I’ll need every man available to assemble Model T Ford motor cars in this factory. Size is important. Three times the size of my factory in Cunnamulla. Therefore, my Charleville factory should produce three times the number of motor vehicles than my Cunnamulla factory.’ Joe finished his beer, excitement filled his veins. His dream moving toward reality.
Greg arrived at the hotel greeted by Joe and Bill.
‘How’d you go Greg?’ Joe questioned.
‘Here is the contract for you to sign and the deal is done.’ Greg handed Joe sheets of paper.

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Joe read the contract. ‘Have you a pen?’ Greg handed Joe a pen who signed the contract. ‘Deposit will be transferred to their bank account before we leave town.’ Joe’s smile showed how pleased he was with his business deal. His time with Sidney Kidman most fortunate.

Following day Joe and Greg returned to Cunnamulla. Joe couldn’t wait to inform Hannah of their latest business venture. Greg processed the sale.
Hannah couldn’t believe Joe acted so quickly with the deal to expand their business.
‘I want my two important workers to take charge of Charleville business. I need to talk with them and their family to explain my plans for expansion. I’ll be home for supper.’ Joe kissed Hannah who wished him best of luck.
Joe spoke with his two workers who collaborated with him on Nat’s properties installing overhead shearing equipment, then offered them positions with his own business assembling motor vehicles.
Both workers agreed to relocate at Charleville to open the new business. After speaking with their families all agreed to purchase a home in Charleville. Both were given a substantial pay rise with their positions. They had total control of hiring personnel, building the business to assemble motor vehicles.
Joe remained in Cunnamulla to allow full autonomy to his workers. After a month he visit the new factory to inspect their work and progress. His confidence grew within to trust others with his business. Another small golden nugget of knowledge handed down to him by Sidney Kidman.