Wednesday 1st It was a fine day but the wind has changed round to NE and is blowing strong.
In the morning I was cutting firewood the other side of the hill. In the afternoon I carried home a load of wood, and then went down to the steamer, she made a round trip to day, but she called in here first, because she brought the coffin containing Ruby Biorkland who had died in Auckland, her body was to be taken to Pakiri to be buried tomorrow. The new Teacher also came up Mrs Knowles who has three children and her mother with her. Willie came down with the sulky with a box of Eggs and he carted home a Sk of Maize.
Thursday 2nd It rained all last night and all this morning. I was not able to do anything outside, but wrote a letter to Mr Grindrod. The weather cleared up in the afternoon & the wind changed to the SW.
I went down for the mail in the evening and changed by book.
Friday 3rd Fine in the morning a few slight showers in the afternoon. In the morning I was cutting firewood the other side of the hill.
Willie Harper brought up a wire, it was from Jack saying that they were coming by the steamer to day so I took the sulky down to the wharf to meet them. The steamer was a hour late as she had to take on board Archie Dunnings horses at the Kawau as they have finished hauling out firewood there. There was a roll of honour dance in the evening, but none of us went as Jack & his wife are leaving again tomorrow morning. Jane came over to see them and staid the night.
Saturday 4th It was a fine day. Jack & his wife & George returned to Auckland by the “Kawau” leaving this wharf at 10.30 am, all of us went down to see them off and then Jane returned home, we were very sorry that Jack & his wife could [not] make a longer stay but they have to leave Auckland next Wednesday by the “Mako”.
Willie & Dave finished sacking up the charcoal, they have 58 sacks.
In the afternoon I went the other side of the hill to cut firewood, I carried two loads home.
Sunday 5th It was a fine day.
Willie & Grace walked over to Ti Point to spend the day with Harold & Flo’. I attended the Methodist service in the afternoon, went to Wm Dunnings for tea.
Monday 6th The wind was blowing strong from the SE but there was no rain.
Willie & Dave hauled the charcoal to the wharf. In the morning I cut firewood, and in the pm I pruned the roses. In the evening there was a Bible meeting in the hall of the WCTU. Miss Powell (organiser) gave an address, there were songs, recitations & refreshments.
Tuesday 7th SE gale blowing, no rain. Pulling up tea tree, brought home 2 loads firewood. Willie & Dave were preparing for another Kiln.
Wednesday 8th It was blowing a gale from the SE all day accompanied with driving rain. We did no work outside.
The steamer did not come.
Thursday 9th The wind has changed to the S and the sea is going down. Willie took his eggs down to the wharf in the morning and brought up a load of cases. I was working the other side of the hill. Went down to the village in the evening, the mail did not get in until after 10 pm so I did not wait.
Friday 10th It was very fine & calm in the morning, there were some rather heavy showers in the afternoon.
I was pulling tea tree the other side of the hill. There was a patriotic dance in the hall in the evening, Grace & Willie went, I staid at home. Arthur Greenwood has put up the cook house at the Hall during the day and the boiler was used for the first time. The “Kawau” called in at 8 pm from Auckland on her way to Mangawai, Revd Macdonald came up by her, Jack sent a case of Bananas for us and Willie brought it up after the dance. Harold & Flo’ came up here and staid the night. Willie sowed a bed of Onions.
Saturday 11th It was a fine day.
I was cutting wood the other side of the hill. I went down to the village in the afternoon. The “Kawau” returned from Mangawai, she went round to Big Omaha to discharge cargo and will call in here again tomorrow afternoon for passengers.
Sunday 12th It was a fine day, wind has changed to the NW.
Revd Macdonald celebrated communion at 8 am. Grace and I went. Collection 7/- I went down to the wharf in the afternoon to take the Captain a bunch of flowers. The “Kawau” called in here at
2.30 pm for passengers for Auckland 6 from here. Service again at
7 pm, there was a large congregation, Collection 11/6. Daily total 18/6.
Monday 13th It was very dull in the morning but the rain kept off until the afternoon when we had a few showers. In the morning I was cutting wood the other side of the hill. In the pm I was in the house. David did not come to work so Willie was doing odd jobs round the house.
Tuesday 14th It was a fine day.
Dave and Willie were building their Kiln. I was pulling up tea tree the other side of the hill.
Wednesday 15th It was a fine day. My 74th birthday.
In the morning I was pulling tea tree. In the afternoon I went down to the steamer. Willie took the sulky down and brought up flour, sugar & groceries.
Thursday 16th It was a very fine day. Willie went to Auckland per “Kawau” at 8 am this morning, Grace went to see him off. He is going up to Dargaville.
I was pulling up tea tree & cutting wood. I had to milk the cow this evening. In the evening I went down for the mail & to change my Library book. I received a wire from Jack asking me to see D. Knaggs about going down to Te Araroa to re-erect his wool-shed.
Friday 17th It was a fine day, but the wind has changed to the N.
I walked to Ti Point in the morning to see Duncan about going down to Te Araroa but he was not as home, had lunch there. When I returned home I went down to the wharf. It was the “Kotiti” and she was an hour late.
Saturday 18th It was rather showery in the morning, but in the afternoon it was fine. Grace went down to the village in the morning to post letters. Duncan Knaggs came to have a talk to me, he cannot go down to Jack to work as he is too busy, he staid for lunch. I cut feed for the cow & carried firewood.
Sunday 19th It was showery in the morning, but finer in the pm.
I conducted service at 2.30 pm. There were 27 present. Collection 7/- .
Monday 20th It was a fine day. After breakfast I went down to the PO to send a wire to Jack. Pulled up tea tree on the farm and carried home firewood.
Tuesday 21st It rained last night, but it was very fine this morning.
I was pulling tea tree on the farm both morning & afternoon, carried home firewood. Grace went up to see Mrs Wm Dunning in the pm.
Wednesday 22nd It was a fine day, ‘tho threatening for rain. In the morning I was pulling tea tree on the farm, brought home cow feed and firewood. In the afternoon I went down to the steamer, got the mail. Heard that Jim Sadler was Killed in action in France.
Thursday 23rd It was blowing a gale from the W with a few driving showers, was not able to do anything outside. I went down to the steamer at 10.30 and got the meat. Mr Len Wyatt & Annie Matheson were here for tea. I went down for the mail & to the Library in the evening.
Friday 24th It was fine in the morning. I was pulling tea tree on the farm, in the pm I went down again but there were driving showers so had to come home. Willie returned in the evening per “Kotiti”. Grace went down to meet him, he brought home [rest of line blank]
Saturday 25th It was a fine day. Willie and I went into the barley paddock to look for the cow Dinah who has been missing, we found that she had fallen into a hole, she had calved but the calf was dead, we got Dinah out of the hole but she could not stand so Willie shot her. In the afternoon Willie took the sulky down to the wharf & hauled goods.
Sunday 26th It was a showery day. I attended the Presbyterian service in the morning. In the afternoon I called on Gravatts & A. Greenwood.
Monday 27th A showery day. Willy & Dave skinned Dinah and buried her, afterward planted some Cabbages & Cauliflowers.
I pulled tea tree and carried wood home.
Tuesday 28th It was a fine day. Willie & Dave were making a Kiln.
In the morning I went down to Harpers, afterwards pulled tea tree & carried wood. Harold & Mr Torkington were here for tea, Grace & I with them went down to the Hall, there was a send off for John Addison who is home on his final leave.
Wednesday 29th It was a fine day. In the morning I was the other side of the hill pulling tea tree. In the afternoon I went down to the steamer, she made a round trip. I sent away £5 to Mr Georty from the Church people of this place towards the Vicarage Fund. Willie took Eggs down in the sulky. I received letters from Jack & Mrs Halliwell.
Thursday 30th It was a fine day. I pulled tea tree on the farm. In the evening I went down for the mail and changed by books.
Friday 31st It was a beautiful day. I finished pulling tea tree on the farm. In the afternoon I was pruning roses.