Monday 1st It was a beautiful day. It was Alans 21st birthday.
I went over to Auckland in the morning, transacted some business, had lunch at the Strand Restorant, attended a service for men delivered by Bishop Crossley in the Chamber of Commerce. Returned to Devonport in the evening.
Tuesday 2nd It was a beautiful day. Noel Gibson left this morning to go down to Napier in one of the big Union Steamers. I went over to Auckland in the pm, attended the service conducted by Bishop Crossley in the Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday 3rd It was a beautiful day. I went over to Auckland after lunch, attended Bishop Crossleys service in the Chamber of Commerce, afterwards took the tram out to Remuera and walked to Mrs Simpsons, before tea I walked to the Ellerslie village; staid all night at Mrs Simpsons. Fred had not returned from Dargaville.
Thursday 4th It was a fine day. After breakfast I went in to see Mr Newson who is a neighbour of Freds, came into Auckland by train, went up to Bucklands Auction in Albert St where a lot of vehicles & harness was to be sold, I bought a beautiful set of harness privately for £7. Afterwards had lunch and then attended the last of Bishop Crossley’s services in the Chamber of Commerce, returned to Devonport in the afternoon.
Friday 5th Good Friday. Mrs Wallace went to morning service at Trinity Church. I staid at home all day.
Saturday 6th It was a drizzling rain all morning, I went over to Auckland and went up to Bucklands, but found that the office was shut, returned to Devonport for lunch, in the afternoon I went across to Auckland again , took the car out to Mt Eden , first called at Mrs Tuckers and then went to look at Mr Grindrods garden, enjoyed a chat with Mr Grindrod very much, had afternoon tea there and then returned to Mrs Tuckers, had tea there and spent part of the evening there and then returned to Devonport.
Sunday 7th It was a wet day, but cleared up a little the latter part of the pm and evening, no one went to Church in the morning, but Mr W, Bert & I went to the presbyterian Church in the evening, Revd O. Blundell preached.
Monday 8th Easter Monday. It was a beautiful day. Mr & Mrs W
& Alma & I went across to Auckland in the 10 am boat and then got on board the Eagle and went to Rangatoto Island, went all through the caves and to the top, returned to Devonport at about 5 pm, having spent a very pleasant day.
Wednesday 10th It was a very fine day. After breakfast I went over to Auckland and took the car up to Parnell, to attend the annual meeting of the Lay Readers Asson , there were about 20 present , Bishop Crossley presided and there were also on the platform Archdeacon Calder, Revd Hawkins & McLean, Mr Charter is the efficient Secretary. The business transacted was not important.
Mrs Crossley entertained us to lunch at Bishopscourt.
Afterwards I walked to the Ellerslie gardens which are very beautiful, and then on to Mrs Simpsons where I staid the night.
Thursday 11th It was a fine day. In the morning I dug up a piece of ground near their gate for Mrs Simpson.
In the afternoon Mr Newson took me a drive in his sulky , we drove through Cornwall park, along the Onehunga road, across the Mangare bridge, through Mangare and Otahuhu and home by the South road. I enjoyed the drive very much.
I stayed at Mrs Simpsons for the night. Went to Bennet & Greens nursery in the morning.
Friday 12th It was a fine day. In the morning I took a walk, I walked up Campbell road from the Harp of Erin up to the Royal Oak down to Onehunga road to the tram barn and home by Green Lane. Returned to Devonport in the afternoon.
Saturday 13th It was a fine day. I went over to Auckland in the morning returning to Mr Wallaces for lunch. Went over to Auckland in the afternoon and went up to see the Domain garden.
Sunday 14th It was a showery day. Mrs W. , Alma & I attended Trinity Church in the morning, in the afternoon Mr W & I took a walk to Cheltenham beach, it came in to rain before we got home and rained all evening, we were unable to go to Church.
Monday 15th It was a fine day. I went over to Auckland in the morning, took the car up to Symon’s [sic] St, walked down to Mt Eden station and took the train to Henderson to see my old friend and neighbour Joseph Greenwood, found that they had just moved into their beautiful new house which cost about £800. Helped Joe pack pears , they took two loads of fruit numbering 49 bushel cases of apples & pears weighing about a ton down to the station.
Tuesday 16th It was a fine day. Mr & Mrs & Dora Greenwood went to town after breakfast to buy furniture. I walked down Lincoln road to see Willie Wright, Mrs W had gone to Auckland with Mrs Greenwood, Willie showed me round his orchard and entertained me to lunch, in the afternoon I went to Mr Helsbys where I received a warm welcome from this worthy old couple. Mr Helsby showed me round his orchard and I had afternoon tea there, returned to Mr Greenwoods to stay the night.
Wednesday 17th It was a very fine day. I left Henderson by the 9 am train , met my old friend Willie Runciman in Symonds St and walked down town with him, took the boat over to Devonport for lunch.
In the afternoon I went over to Auckland again, went up to Ponsonby to see old Mr Wallace and Mrs Coplestone, returned to Devonport by the 50.10 [sic] boat.
The general topic of conversation now is the terrible tradigy of the foundering of the White Star Line S.S. Titanic by coming into collision with an ice berg off the coast of Newfoundland last Sunday night while on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Number of persons who have perished number about 1500, number picked up in the life boats 866.
Thursday 18th It was a beautiful day. I stopped in the house in the morning to read and write, and in the afternoon I went over to Auckland and visited the Horticultural Show which was held in the town Hall, the Governor Lord Islington opened the function, the exhibits were very good. I met Mrs Grindiod and Mrs Rollinson. Returned to Devonport in the evening.
Friday 19th It was a fine day. In the morning I went to see old Mrs McKenzie who used to live at Omaha. In the afternoon I went over to Auckland, called at Geo’ Fowlds to enquire of Bert Rollinson where his mother lives , having found out I went to call on her and had tea there, in the evening I went to Mrs Simpsons, found that Harold & Alma there having come up from Ti Point this afternoon, staid all night.
Saturday 20th It was a fine day. Returned to Devonport for lunch, in the afternoon I went over to Auckland again took the car to Mt Eden called at Mr Grindrods, he gave me a lot of Daffodil bulbs and other plants , had afternoon tea there and received a pressing invitation to call whenever I am in Auckland, called at Mrs Tuckers and then returned to Devonport. Mr, Mrs & Alma Wallace went to the Horticultural Show and Mr W afterwards went to Ponsonby to see his father.
In the evening Mr W. Bert & I went to the Pictures in the Parish Hall.
Sunday 21st It was a fine day. In the morning Mr Wallace & I went up Mount Victoria we went into the signal station and the signalman Mr Taylor lent us an opera glass and we had a splendid view all round. In the afternoon Mr W & I went over to Auckland, took the car up to Ponsonby and went to Point Erin Park which has been lately acquired by the City Council from Mrs Campbell, it is situated on the cliff overlooking Shelly Beach, the City Council are building a large swimming bath on the beach and laying out the grounds, a band was playing on the lawn, a great many people were there, the house is turned into a tea kiosk, we returned to Ponsonby for tea and Mr W & I attended the Presbyterian Church in the evening.
Monday 22nd I bid bye to the Wallaces and went over to Auckland, Alan went over together & carried my bag, when we got to the office found that there was no Steamer to Omaha to day as the “Kawau” is in dock and there is no boat until Wednesday, so I left my luggage in the office and Alan & I went & had lunch together, returned to Devonport in the afternoon.
Tuesday 23rd There was a NE gale blowing accompanied by rain, I did not stir out all day, Ken was also home with a bad throat.
Wednesday 24th Showery day, strong wind from the W big sea in the harbour. I went over to Auckland in the morning the “Kawau” was lying alongside of the wharf but men working aboard her and she was not going until 5 pm, I saw John Greenwood on the wharf, sent a wire to Willie that I was not coming and I took my bag back to Devonport.
Thursday 24th [sic:25th] It was a fine day. I went over to Auckland in the pm took my bag, learned that the “Kawau” was going to leave at 6 to morrow morning so I did some shopping and carried all my parcels down to the office & then returned to Devonport.
Friday 26th There was very heavy rain in the night & showers early in the morning, Mr Wallace & I got up at 4.30, Mr W made some tea and he went with me down to the wharf to see me off, I crossed to Auckland in the little “Kawau“, reached our “Kawau” and got on board of her, we left at 6 am and had a very good passage arriving at Leigh a little after 11 am, Willie was to meet me with a horse & sleigh to haul up my luggage and parcels, I was very glad to get home again having been absent a month tomorrow. I have enjoyed my visit very much and appreciate very much the kindness of all the Wallace family.
Saturday 27th It was a showery day, I walked over to the Claim to see Jane, Jim was away at Dome valley playing a friendly cricket match, had lunch there, Agnes & Dorothy came and were going to stay all night,
Miss Shanahan the Teacher also called, returned home before dark.
Willie went fishing to Ti Point, he did not get home until after we had our tea, he brought a few small schnappers.
Sunday 28th It was a very showery day. Revd Macdonald held service in the Hall in the afternoon, on account of the weather the congregation was not very large, Grace & I attended, Collection 8/9.
Monday 29th It was a showery day. After breakfast I went to G. Knaggs to witness Mrs Knaggs signature to her pension paper, had dinner there. In the afternoon I went down to the Library to catalogue the new books.
Tuesday 30th It was a very showery day. After breakfast I went down to the village to post some papers, took some flowers to the steward of the “Kawau“.
Willie took the horse & sleigh down to the wharf & as he received no fruit cases he hauled up a fowl crate.