Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

The Building of Willie's House

The building of the cottage for Willie's family was, of course, being done in his absence. Ellen White and Sara McEnterfer supervised the work. To Willie she wrote on June 10: 4BIO 324.6

We have gone ahead to build your house, and if anyone wants to grumble, you will be out of it altogether. Those who are now on the ground will take the blame. But I meant that everything should be done that could be done, in a plain, wholesome way, for your family. The house may look unnecessarily large, but I have looked it over and over, and could not bring my mind to diminish one foot in any direction. I have never been required before to do so much thinking and planning in so many lines, especially in reference to this house. I want your house to be a comfortable home, and there is not a thing I would detach from the building.—Letter 138, 1897. 4BIO 325.1

Writing to Edson and Emma of some of the problems she was confronted with, she mentioned the expense of building in Australia: 4BIO 325.2

It costs just about double to build a house here, and takes three times as long as to build a house in America. Before the weather boards can be nailed on the house, every one has to be bored with a gimlet to put the nails through the wood, it is so hard. The wrought-iron nails will double up if this is not done. So you see everything takes longer and lumber is more expensive. Then here our boards for floor come from Oregon, America. All the lumber here will shrink very much. The buildings which should not cost in America over £100 cannot be built here for less than £200. This makes all meetinghouses and all dwelling houses cost much more than in America.—Letter 164, 1897. 4BIO 325.3