During the early part of this month we had gales of wind from the E which lasted several days. Also plenty of rain.
Friday 16th There was a Patriotic Dance in the Hall in the evening to provide funds to send under clothing to our Omaha soldier boys at the front. About £8 was taken. All of us went but Jane who has a bad cold did not come.
Saturday 17th It was a fine day. The wind has been blowing from the SE for nearly a week and the “Kawau” has not been able to go into Mangawai. I went down to the village in the morning to get the mail, took some flowers to the Church and trimmed the lamps. Willie was cutting tea tree on the farm.
Sunday 18th Revd Macdonald had Communion in the Church at
8 am. I attended. Collection 3/-
There was also service in the evening at 7 o’clock, it had been raining in the afternoon and the night was dark. All of us attended, but only about 16 attended. Mac gave us a very good sermon. Collection 7/- Total for the day 10/-
Monday 19th It was a fine day. Willie was cutting tea tree on the farm. I was getting firewood and shelling beans.
Tuesday 20th It was a fine day. Willie & Grace went fishing down to this wharf. I went down to the village to get the mail, when I got back I was clearing my Office out. Willie & I were cutting tea tree on the farm in the afternoon.
Mrs Simpson went down to Archie Dunnings in the afternoon and as it came on to rain she staid there the night.
Wednesday 21st It was a fine day. Mrs Simpson came home in the morning and brought word that old Mrs Dunning had died last night at 9 oclock. Willie re-commenced working in the quarry to day.
I went down to the village in the afternoon. The “Kawau” got stuck at Mangawai on Monday night therefore there was no steamer or mail.
Thursday 22nd Willie got up early to start work at the quarry at 7.30 am, but it rained very hard nearly all morning so he came home again as it was too wet for working. Mrs Dunning Senr was buried in this Cemetery in the afternoon, it was largely attended. Revd Boyle officiated at the grave.
I came down again in the evening for the mail and to attend to the Library.
Friday 23rd Willie went to work at the quarry but he only put in about half a day as it rained heavy in the pm. The “Gael” made a round trip here instead of the “Kawau”, she came here last and as she came into the harbour the “Kawau” showed round the point and they both came up to the wharf together. The “Kawau” got off the bank at Mangawai to day where she got in last Monday night.
After we came home from the steamer Willie & I were cutting tea tree.
Saturday 24th It was a fine day. After getting firewood I was helping Willie cut tea tree on the farm.
Sunday 25th It rained heavily last night and it was showery this morning, but it cleared up in the afternoon. I conducted service in the Church in the afternoon. About 25 present. Offeratory 7/-.
I received a Telegram from Henry who was at Tokomaru Bay waiting for the “Tarawera” to come up to Auckland on his way home. I went up with Willie Dunning and had tea there and spent the evening.
Monday 26th It rained heavily last night and early this morning, but it cleared up and turned out a fine day. The wind has changed to SW.
I was helping Willie cut tea tree on the farm all day. Mrs Simpson went to Ti Point in the afternoon to stay.
Tuesday 27th It was a fine day. Wind SW. Willie was working in the quarry. After breakfast I went down to the village to get the mail, called in at Archie Dunnings to see the war news, saw that the SS “Tarawera” had arrived in Auckland from the coast on Sunday and there was a Clarke among the passengers which no doubt would be Henry. I was cutting tea tree on the hill & on the farm.
Wednesday 28th It was a very fine day. I was cutting tea tree on the farm in the morning. In the afternoon I went down to meet the steamer, Henry came up in her, he has not been home since Willie and Jane were married.
Albert Wyatt and his bride (né Violet Ashton) also came up after their honeymoon. I carried up a bag of sand.
Arthur Torkington came here while we were having tea to see his uncle Henry.
Thursday 29th It rained nearly all morning and we were unable to go out. Willie was scraping gum.
Henry walked over to the Claim in the afternoon to see Jim and Jane. In the evening I went down for the mail and attended the Library.
The latter part of the afternoon Willie and I were cutting tea tree on the farm.
Friday 30th It was fine in the morning. Willie was working at the crusher.
In the morning I was cutting tea tree on the farm and in the afternoon I was cutting tea tree on the hill.
I went down to the steamer to get the mail. It was dull and threatening all day, and in the afternoon it started to rain and it rained steadily all evening. Henry returned from Ti Point in the evening very wet.