Thursday 1st It was a fine day, ‘tho dull. In the morning Jack walked over to Ti Point.
I went down to the beach to sieve some black soil & I carried some up. The “Kawau” arrived from Auckland at 1 pm, Willie went down to get the mail. Jane was cleaning out the kitchen, pantry &c.
Friday 2nd It was a fine day. I was digging in the front garden. In the evening I went down for the mail and to attend the Library. Jack returned from Ti Point late at night
Saturday 3rd It was dull in the morning, but it turned out a very fine day. After breakfast I walked up the hill to John Greenwoods to order some butter for the wedding, had dinner there and a look round the garden, called in at Mr Banks, Mrs Handbys & Miss McKenzies on my way. In my absence Jack had gone to the Claim to a football match and a Dance in the evening.
Sunday 4th It was a beautiful day. In the morning I walked over to Ti Point calling at Mrs Gravtts & Mr Ashworths. I had dinner at Duncan Knaggs, had a look round his garden and then went on to Joes, only Minnie and the children were at home, I did not stop there long as the wind has changed round to the NE and it came over cloudy and I thought it might rain, got home in time for tea. Jack had ridden to Pakiri this morning to John Salts and was not expected home tonight.
Monday 5th The wind is blowing strong from SE and it rained all day. We were not able to do anything out of doors.
Tuesday 6th It was a showery day and the wind is blowing strong from SE. The “Kawau” arrived from Auckland at 4 pm after a rough passage. Grace Davey and her bridesmaid , Miss Lily Revell, came down by her, Willie & Jane were down to meet them, the former took a box of Eggs down & hauled Graces luggage in two loads. Jack returned from Pakiri
Wednesday 7th It did not rain, but it was a dull day, the wind is changing to the S & SW and the sea is going down. Jack got and chopped up a lot of firewood, he went to spend the evening at Joe Wyatts.
Thursday 8th It was a beautiful day. After breakfast Jack, Willie, Grace & Miss Revell walked over to Ti Point to spend the day. The went over to the Sand Spit returning home a little before dark, much tired with their walk, Jack staid over there.
Jane & I were the only ones left at home. I sowed in boxes Enfield Market Cabbage, Tomato & Childs Improved Rhubarb, also a row of Sweet Peas near the closet, later in the afternoon I took the horse and sleigh down to the wharf to meet the “Kawau” and hauled up two cases of Fruit that came by her, also empty egg box and bag of soil. We had a lot of callers today. Mrs Arthur Greenwood came in the morning and staid for lunch, Miss May Greenwood called in the pm then Mabel Wyatt and in the evening Mr & Mrs J. C. Wyatt.
Friday 9th It was a very fine day. After breakfast I went down to the village to post the newspaper. Arthur Greenwood brought me down two climbing rose bushes, namely Dorothy Perkins and Lady Gay. I carried up a bag of black soil. After I got home I planted Lady Gay and William Alan Richardson one on each side of the rustic arch and I planted Dorothy Perkins where W. A. Richardson came out, also planted 4 clumps of Gladiolus in the Diamond bed.
In the afternoon the ladies of the district entertained Jane at afternoon tea, Grace, Miss Revell and I also went, a most bountiful tea was provided. Mrs Carr on behalf of the ladies of the district made a very flattering speech and presented Jane with a complete set of kitchen utensils. Besides this both Jane and Willie received a quantity of useful and handsome presents, I staid down to look after the Library.
Saturday 10th It was a beautiful day, and a busy one. In the morning Jim Came with 8 bullocks and a big sleigh and hauled over to their future home all Janes goods, Jane rode over their to superintend the fixing up of a bedroom, May Dunning were over there scrubbing out all the rooms and Alec Matheson was finishing the carpentering work, Jane returned home late in the evening. Willie & I were busy . We boiled 2 Hams, killed and cleaned 7 fowls, I dug up the diamond bed. Willie took the horse & sleigh down to the wharf in the evening to meet the “Kawau” and hauled up the bread and confectionery to the Hall. Jack returned from Ti Point in the evening bringing some fish.
Sunday 11th It was a fine day, the wind has got to the NE and it looks as if there was going to be a change of weather for the worse.
Revd Teale held service in the Hall in the afternoon, about 50 present. Jane, Jack & I attended, Mr Teale preached an excellent sermon. Offeratory 15/5.
Monday 12th It was fine in the morning ‘tho dull. In the afternoon Willie & I went down to the Hall to prepare it for the wedding tomorrow. Willie fixed up the lamps while I swept out and washed the crockery, when we were going home it came on to rain and we got wet, it rained steadily all evening. Jim came in the evening and I issued his & Willies Marriage Licenses
Tuesday 13th The rain last night has changed the wind which is now SW and it turned out a very fine day, we were all up betimes and had an early breakfast and Jack, Willie & I carried things down to the Hall, there were a lot of willing helpers. Miss McKenzie decorated the tables and made the bouquets for the brides & bridesmaids. Mr & Mrs Archie Dunning, Charlie Wyatt, Hattie & Alf Wyatt, Mabel & I were cutting up sandwiches, the “Kawau” arrived from Auckland bringing, Fred and Vic, Henry, Mrs Simpson, Ken Wallace, Tillie Coplestone & Pearl Greenwood for the weddings, also Mrs G. Davey. The wedding was solemnized in the Public Hall Leigh at 3p.m. Revd K. W. P. Teale MA. (Anglican) officiated, Mrs C. Gravatt presided at the organ and played the Bridal March, & the Wedding March also a Hymn, the contracting parties were, James Alexander Dunning to Jane Clarke, William Clarke to Grace Emily Davey. Jane had her cousin Mabel Wyatt for bridesmaid, Grace had Miss Lily Revell. Jim had my son Jack as best man and Willie had Henry, after the wedding Jack Walden took photographs of the wedding group and also of most of the guests.
The wedding breakfast was laid on the stage at which 115 guests were entertained. There was a Social in the evening at which 30 extra guests were entertained. George Brown and Joe Dennis supplied the music for the dances. Mr Jack Walden acted as M.C. there were songs & musical items given between the dances, supper was served at 10.30pm. The “Kawau” left for Auckland at 11pm, Jim & Jane left by her also Ken & Tillie, Fred & Vic and Pearl Greenwood. Thus ended a very eventful day.
Wednesday 14th It was a fine day. Henry & Mrs Simpson walked over to Ti Point in the morning, Jack rode up to Pratts. In the afternoon Mrs Davey, Miss Revell & I went down to the Hall to help clear up. I took the horse down & hauled up the provisions that were over &c. Mr & Mrs Charlie Wyatt, Mrs A. & May Dunning & Hettie Wyatt were there helping.
Thursday 15th It was a fine day. Jack & Mrs Simpson returned from Ti Point. Henry rode to Pakiri returning in the evening. Mrs Davey & Miss Revell walked to Ti Point, returning with Mrs Simpson. Jack Walden brought the proofs of the Photos. I went to Mabels place, Mrs Dunning Senr, Mrs A. Dunning & the Store in the afternoon.
Friday 16th It was a fine day and the sea very calm. We all got up early and got down to the wharf before 8.30 at which time the “Kawau” was expected in from Mangawai, we are losing our guests that came up for the wedding, my sons Jack & Henry, Mrs Simpson, Mrs Davey & Miss Revell. After waiting until after 10 am we heard that the “Kawau” was stuck at Mangawai and not likely to get off until evening so we all went home and came down again in the evening, the Steamer came in a little before 8 pm and they all embarked on board and they would have a very calm passage.
We shall miss them very much, the girls are very good company and kept us merry. I shall also miss my sons, as they have not been home together since Minnies marriage and it is doubtful whether we shall all meet together again.
Saturday 17th It was a fine day, but the wind has changed and is blowing strong from the N. I was working in the flower garden all day. In the afternoon I went to Mrs Dunnings Senr to take two kits I had borrowed, to return the proofs and to take a pumpkin, I went to the beach and carried up some sand.
Sunday 18th It rained all day, wind still at the N. The Scow returned from the Great barrier last night and Mr Phillips put into our front paddock 56 head of Cattle and 111 Sheep and took out his horse he had grazing here.
Revd Paris should have preached in the Hall this afternoon, but none of us went.
Monday 19th I went down to the village to post some letters, It rained steadily the remainder of the day. We were not able to do anything out of doors.
Tuesday 20th It was a beautiful day, the wind has changed to the W and although we had a good drop of rain the ground is drying up nicely.
In the afternoon I went down to the beach and sieved some black soil which I carried across to the wharf. The “Kawau” arrived from Auckland about 3 pm. Jim & Jane came up by her and were going round to their new home. Willie took several boxes of Janes down to the wharf for them to take round with them, Willie hauled up the black soil for me.
Wednesday 21st The wind was blowing very strong from the W.
In the morning I planted out in the flower garden some rooted flower cuttings that I got from Joe Greenwood. Bob Blair came & took the Sheep away that we put in to the front last Sunday to graze. In the afternoon I rode over to Jims place to help them unpack their goods, I only got home in the evening just in time as there was a heavy shower of rain just as I got in the house.
Thursday 22nd It was a very fine day. I was working in the flower garden. In the pm I went down to the village to get the mail after the arrival of the “Kawau” from Auckland, I also carried up a bag of sand. Willie commenced digging in the garden rooting out the stumps of the Hales Early Peaches.
Friday 23rd It was a very fine day. I was working in the flower garden all day. I went down for the mail and attended the Library in the evening.
Willie was rooting out Peach trees in the garden.
Saturday 24th There were a few rather heavy showers, otherwise it was a very fine day. I got a lot of firewood the remainder of the day, I was working in the flower garden. In the pm Willie & Grace went down to the Goat Island to try & get some fish. In the evening Bob Neeley came to get his marriage certificate.
Sunday 25th It was a fine day, but the wind is blowing from the E.
In the morning I went down to the Hall to the Bible Class Anniversary, there was a good attendance. Mrs Rennie & Mrs Wilson Knaggs sang Solos.
Flo, Dorothy & Agnes came over to spend the day. Joseph Greenwood who came up by the “Kawau” came here in the pm and staid tea.
Monday 26th It was a very fine day. Dominion Day. In the morning I went down to the village to post a letter & to get the mail, carried up a bag of sand, the remainder of the day I was working in the flower garden. Willie was digging below the house.
Tuesday 27th It was a very fine day. Willie took the horse down to the wharf in the afternoon & hauled us 1 Sack each of Maize, Sharps & Bran, also 1 Cwt Seed Potatoes & empty Egg Box that came by the “Kawau” this afternoon.
I also went down to get the mail and I carried up a bag of sand.
Wednesday 28th It was a very fine day. Jane rode over early in the morning and had breakfast with us, she left during the morning to go to Mrs Dunnings. I was working in the flower garden. In the afternoon I went over to Mrs Dunnings to witness her signature to her Pension papers, carried up a bag of sand from the beach from her beach. Willie was digging all day.
Thursday 29th It was a very fine day. I was working in the flower garden all day. I finished digging the ground over once. In the afternoon I went down to the village to get the mail, carried up a bag of sand. Willie was digging below the house.
Friday 30th It was a very hot day. After breakfast I went down to the village to post some letters, went down to the wharf to see the “Kawau” off. Joe Greenwood was returning home by her. I carried up a bag of sand. The remainder of the morning I was helping Willie dig round the young “Diamond” plum trees. In the pm I was breaking down lumps in the flower garden. In the evening I went down for the mail and attended the Library