December 1896

Tuesday 1st   It was a fine day.   We were working the bullocks in the Cultivator in the orchard in the morning.
There was a Concert in the Hall in the evening given by the Orchestral Society in aid of its funds, we all went and enjoyed ourselves very much.  I was Chairman, they took £3. 8 . 0  at the door.

Wednesday 2nd  It was a fine day.   I went down to the Steamer in the morning to see Revd English off.  John hauled up a Couch from the Wharf, and a bag of Flour from Harpers, he also hauled  the new Organ from the Wharf up to the Hall, he also hauled Miss Hardings piano from the Hall up to her house.
John returned to Tomarata.  The girls went to Mrs Dunnings in the evening.

Thursday 3rd   It was a fine day.   We killed a Sheep in the evening on account of the election tomorrow.

Friday 4th   It was a fine day.   General Election to day.   I was Returning Officer to take the Local Option Poll and John Wyatt for the Electoral Poll.  I had tea at C. Wyatts

Saturday 5th   It was a fine day.   There was a Cricket Match at Matakana between the local and Omaha Clubs which resulted in a victory for Matakana  John played in the match and Jane and Minnie went over to witness it.  Miss Harding & Jim Dunning returned with them and had tea here, Miss Harding staid all night.

Sunday 6th   It was a fine day.   John, Miss Harding & Jane went a ride on to the Pakiri beach, they had dinner at Mrs Gravatts and returned for the services in the evening.   G. Wyatt was here for dinner.  We changed the service to the evening to day and used the new organ for the first time.  I read a sermon kindly lent to me by Archdeacon Dudley on Music in Public Worship.  There was a collection of 19/1, made up afterwards to  £1 .

Monday 7th   It was a fine day.   John returned to Tomarata in the morning.  I planted out some Kumera plants.  I went to Mrs Fordhams in the evening.

Tuesday 8th   It was a fine day.   I was digging in the orchard in the morning and mending the fence between the farm and Mathesons paddock.  Wrote a letter to Henry in the evening.

Wednesday 9th  It was a fine day.   I was mending the fence between our place and Haskells.  The Steamer has changed her trips this week, she should have come in at 4 oclock, but it was after that when she came in.

Thursday 10th   It was a fine day.   I was mending the fence between our place and Haskells.  Minnie rode over to Mrs G. Cruickshanks at Matakana in the afternoon.  John came home for his music lesson in the evening.

Friday 11th   It was a fine day.    John returned to Tomarata in the morning.  I was planting out Kumera plants.  Killed a Sheep in the evening.

Saturday 12th   It was a fine day.   John came home from Tomarata in the afternoon for the Cricket practice and he and the girls rode to Pakiri in the evening for the monthly dance.  Jane went home with the Whitleys and staid all night.

Sunday 13th   It was a very hot day.  I read service in the Hall in the evening, there were about 45 present.  Jane returned from Whitleys in the evening.

Monday 14th   It was a hot day.   John took the two pair of bullocks over to Pakiri and hauled back 4 Sacks Kauri Gum which he took down to the Wharf .  I planted some Kumera shoots out.

Tuesday 15th  I planted a few Kumera plants.  John dug the kidney Potatoes at the bottom of the orchard.  We were preparing the tub for dipping the Sheep in the afternoon.  We got the Sheep from the farm in the evening.

Wednesday 16th   It was a fine day.   We dipped the Sheep under the Pine Tree in the Pigs Paddock.   Charlie Wyatt helped us.  John was digging Potatoes in the E.R.  in the afternoon.  I went down to the Steamer in the afternoon, she had a good cargo both ways .  John sent 4 Sacks of Gum away.

Thursday 17th   It was a fine day, but there was a shower of rain in the afternoon.  There was a concert in the Hall in the evening in aid of the School Library.  It was very well attended and was a great success.

Friday 18th   It was a fine day.   We finished digging the Potatoes in the E.R. , we also picked a lot of Peas.  Killed a Sheep in the evening and went to the Library.

Saturday 19th   It was a fine day.   Miss Harding came here in the afternoon to stay.  There was a meeting of the Orchestral Society in the School in the evening, also a meeting of the Road Board in the Hall.  John went over to Pakiri in the morning, he took two of our Cows with him and brought home a Bull that we have bought from C.  Dyer.

Sunday 20th   It was a fine day.   Walter Wyatt was here for dinner.  I read service in the Hall in the evening, there was a good congregation, Miss Harding played the organ.  Jim Dunning was here for tea, and Wilson Knaggs came up with us after church.

Monday 21st   There were several showers during the day.  We put another plain wire on the fence next the road in front.

Tuesday 22nd   John went over to the sand spit to shoot rabbits and he brought home 7.  I was planting Kumeras.  There was a social in the Hall in the evening given by the people of Omaha as a send off to the Miss Hadings.  It was largely attended.

Wednesday 23rd   It was a fine day.   We hauled Miss Hardings goods down to the Wharf.  The Steamer went out at 6 oclock, there were a good many down to say good bye to the Miss Hardings who left by the Steamer for good.

Thursday 24th   It was a fine day.   John cut some Tall Fescue Seed in the E.R.  he also hauled up a box of Groceries & a bag of Sugar that came up by the Steamer yesterday.  We killed the Turkey that we got from Jno Greenwood also the Lamb that had a long tail.

Friday 25th   Christmas Day.  The weather was fine.   Old Mr & Mrs Wyatt came up here for dinner & tea.   Honor Wyatt & Charlies boys were here for tea.  The boys played Cricket in Joe Wyatts paddock in the afternoon.  Wilson Knaggs called here in the afternoon and took Minnie to a picnic at Ti Point.

Saturday 26th   It was a fine day.  John & I were cutting Tall Fescue Seed in the E.R.  in the morning.  They played at Cricket at the Race Course in the pm.   Harold & Joe Torkington came up here for tea with Jack, Jane went up to Mauds in the afternoon and Maud, Willie and the children came down with her and staid here.

Sunday 27th   It was a fine day.  Walter & George Wyatt and Wilson Knaggs were here for tea.  I read service in the Hall in the evening, there was a very large congregation.

Monday 28th   It was a fine day.   I rode over to Pakiri in the morning to Mr Wittens place.  I had a good look round his orchard, had dinner there and returned home for tea.  There was a large Picnic at the beach in the afternoon all our young people went to it, there was also a dance in the Hall in the evening.

Tuesday 29th   It was a fine day.   John went to Tomarata early in the morning.  Walter Wyatt came over & wanted me to  go to Pakiri with him to see his Wethers, so I went on horse back with him and Alfred. We  had dinner at J. Salts.

SheepDec1896-1

I paid for Roberts, but not for Walters.
We got them home safely, branded and put them into the barley paddock.
Sydney and Herbert Fordham came here in the evening.  Maud,  Wille and the children went home after tea.

Wednesday 30th   It was a fine day.   I was thrashing Tall Fescue Seed in the E.R. in the morning.  The Steamer came in at 1 pm.  We were all down when she came in.

SheepDec1896

Thursday 31st   There was a little dusty rain in the morning, but nothing to speak of as it turned out a fine day.  I was Thrashing Tall Fescue in the E.R. in the morning.  Killed a sheep in the evening, one that I bought of Walter Wyatt.  The Bull got out of the Barley Paddock on to the road, I went and got it in again, he was in
A. McKenzies paddock.