Not too important a question re NZ
Jan 8th, 2005, 12:09 PM
#22
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Melodie, the quahog may actually be a close relative of the wombat. I base this on the authority of a 19th century London con man who was selling land in Australia that he didn't own. He wrote rhapsodic promotional material of the joys of New South Wales, including a reference to flocks of wombats flittering across the setting sun.
Not surprisingly, con men were among Australia's first settlers. One group of entrepreneurs in the new convict settlement had a thriving business convincing their fellows to escape by walking overland to China, which they explained was just the other side of the Blue Mountains, then selling them suitable hand-drawn maps. They did well, safe in the knowledge that their customers would never be seen again.
Not surprisingly, con men were among Australia's first settlers. One group of entrepreneurs in the new convict settlement had a thriving business convincing their fellows to escape by walking overland to China, which they explained was just the other side of the Blue Mountains, then selling them suitable hand-drawn maps. They did well, safe in the knowledge that their customers would never be seen again.
