The 'black 1880s' were a hard time for many in New Zealand, and this was felt across the board - for young men struggling to establish themselves and established 'patriarchs' alike. Such a patriarch was George Sumpter, prominent citizen of Oamaru, sometime-Mayor, Provincial Representative, father of ten, and general wheeler-dealer. And such a young man was Richard Davies, a Welsh immigrant who came to work for George and fell in love with George's first-born child. Richard had to prove his ability to support George's much-beloved daughter, and so he was sent to ply his trade (auctioneer) in...