More Info →Bert Denton's Diary 1910

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1 Jan.	Fine. Went up river in motor launch owned by Mr Walker a friend of Franks. Had a most enjoyable picnic about 2 miles above Kennedy's. Some delay on return journey owing to engine getting out of gear. Croquet at Walkers until dusk. Home late
3 Jan.	Hung about Wanganui all day. Offering my wool in Wellington today so waited to hear result. Received wire from Murray Roberts C Co. saying that the wool was passed in at 9 C 3/4d. I decided to accept same being only ¼d. under reserve
4 Jan.	Beautiful day. Jen, George & I took trip up river to Pipiriki. Left Enid at Frank's with girls. Had splendid trip up. Magnificent sceneryRiver very low so the boat had to be pulled up most of the rapids on steel wire. Reached Pipiriki about 5pm. Met son of Rev. Jenkins, Ohau, on boat. He recommended us to patronise a boarding house run by one Smith as being moderate clean & homely. After putting in about 1½ hrs of misery there, we decided to flit to the boat house where we got very comfortable quarters
5 Jan.	Fine. Up at 4.30am & left Pipiriki for Wanganui at 5am. Morning dull but turned out beautiful day. Reached Wanganui 12 noon after a very good run down. Splendid trip all through except perhaps the "homely" hash house
6 Jan.	Jen George & I in town for lunch. In afternoon Frank & I went in launch to see Sculling Handicaps on river. Good turn out. Three heats. First won by R. Arnst (world champion) second by W. Webb (ex champion) & third by Hagney (Australia)
7 Jan.	Went to Castlecliff - wind very unpleasant but improved towards evening. In evening Jan Frank & I went to see Haywards pictures - rather poor.
8 Jan.	Final of sculling Arnst 1st Hagney 2nd Webb 3rd
10 Jan.	Came home by express train. Bradley drove us up
22 Jan.	Anniversary Day. Fine & Hot. Met Laurie & Miss Daniells at 11.50 train & brought them home to stay a day or two. Afternoon drove to Horowhenua Lake & had a trip round in motor launch. Very enjoyable
23 Jan.	Very hot. Afternoon drove Laurie & Miss Daniells up river Ohau to see water scheme. Laurie, Gil & I had beautiful swim in deep hole at junction Nakahiki. Home 6.30. Adkin over in evening
24 Jan.	Jan drove Laurie & Nell to catch morning train to town
26 Jan.	Decided to destroy poor old "Echo" today as he is getting very feeble. He has been a faithful old dog & splendid worker
28 Jan.	After a hurried tea I mustered 2 tooth ewes & lambs. Margy & Clifford Adkin & Amy Denton who had been over to tea for Enid's birthday helped me draft & fill up the shed. Enid had birthday party. Hudsons, Wilsons Adkins Dentons & Billy came up for Doris.
29 Jan.	Enid not at all well. Very feverish & vomitting. Dosed with castor oil but threw it all up. Eased off in evening. Went to town for cough cure & magnesia.
30 Jan.	Enid still groggy though better
3 Feb.	Jen & I loaded wool on dray (3 bales) & I carted to station & consigned to Murray Roberts & Co. Net Alb. Hallow at station as he was en route to Foxton to take charge of Levin & Co. Agency there. He missed coach so came home on load of timber (gate). Hung round rest of the day & took him down to meet coach at 7.45pm
8 Feb.	Drove to Adkins in evening and brought round Amy Denton to stay with us. Discussed Rob's purchase of site of old store with W.G.A.
9 Feb.	Horowhenua Show Day. Wet but cleared by 10 o'clock. We all drove down about noon & had a very enjoyable day. Show very successful - large entries.
14 Feb.	Fine & hot. Sigglekow came & we commenced to enlarge scullery. Knocked old building to pieces & made a good start with new.
16 Feb.	Sigglekow continued carpentering. Put up frame & commenced rusticating. Smith - Bricklayer man came & commenced to build chimney. Got in foundation & moved out stove. He is doing the job for £7-5-0
17 Feb.	Sigglekow & bricklayer on job - latter closed up fireplace in dining room & nearly finished chimney. Sigglekow finished rustic steps & door. I went to Mill to get odd timber also oil & red lead from Walker for priming. Saw by "Dominion" that I received 12d. per lb. for lambs wool in Wellington sales
22 Feb.	Sigglekow came & we finished lining kitchen. Walker came & commenced painting & paperhanging - estimated £3-10-0 - £4 for his work
23 Feb.	Jen sang at "Young Ladies Soiree"
25 Feb.	Lord Kitchener visiting Wellington Cadets parade in bad weather
5 March	Sigglekow came up & I paid him off £8-2-0
12 March	Met Rob Denton at Mail train and drove him home to stay with us. Spent evening at tricks
13 March	Afternoon we all drove to town & Rob & I went over State Farm. George stung by bee
16 March	Were to take Rob & Lil (Ralph) to beach but went to Lake instead as weather doubtful. Good fun. Kid's races, kite flying etc.
28 March (Easter Monday).	Cliff & Vivian staying with us while Mr A.&Clare in Wellington. All dorve to beach. Children had good bathe. Very enjoyable day. Afternoon tea Mrs W.M. Clark. Les, Gil & Miss Benett of Karori spent evening with us.
10 April (Sunday)	Dull. Drove to Manakau in afternoon to see Mr & Mrs Vickers. Pleasant afternoon but caught in heavy shower of rain coming home
11 April	Jen's birthday. Escaped prisoner Powelka causing great excitement in Palmerston North. Has been at large for about a fortnight & has defied the police. Nearly captured last night but escaped afar shooting policeman very seriously
1 May (Sunday)	Fine. We all went to Church (Rev. Jones). George appeared in new grey suit & looked well & hearty. Afternoon drove to cemetery & afterwards to Adkins to tea
7 May	News arrived of the death of King Edward VII of England of bronchitis suddenly
18 May	Jen still feeling very unwell on account of her boil (on top lip) & general debility. Annie Adkin returned from Wellington after being laid up for 9 mths first by operation then by very severe burn on leg caused by hot water bottle (boiling water) being left on the bare flesh after the operation. Still not able to walk so had to be carried on stretcher
19 May	Enid, George & I drove to Levin for stores etc. Halley's comet passed across sun at 1.30pm today. Will not be seen again for 75 or 80 years
24 May	Eclipse of moon. Saw Halley's comet - not very bright
3 June	Kings Birthday. Otaki Races at Levin Course. Went to Wellington by 3.50 train taking Enid with me. Jen & George stayed at Arcadia. Jack Devine travelled to town with me. Arrived "Fern Hill" about 7 o'clock. Enid rather homesick, tired but behaved well
4 June	Took Enid for a walk down town & on wharf. Saw Town Hall etc. Afternoon left Enid at Carrie's & went to Athletic Park to see football match Petone 18 Vic. College 5. Very fair game.
5 June	Church in morning. Rob, Enid & I went to children's Sunday School which was very interesting & instructive. Enid enjoyed it very much. Stayed at home with Mother in evening. She is improving in health slowly
6 June	Enid & I came home by train reaching Levin at 11.50a.. Had dinner at the Arcadia. Home about 1.30 Found everything alright
12 June	Sunday. Drove to Adkins in afternoon to see Annie who is progressing only slowly
16 June	Rode to Levin & met Kellow & Staples (his assistant) & we drove to Experimental Farm to look at horse that Mr Drysdale was offering for sale. Kellow reckoned horse too heavy for his purpose so will notbuy. I rode horse & found him not a bad hack.
4 July	After dinner, George, Enid & I all turned into bed all suffering from colds. Jen drove to Levin. George very feverish and generally out of sorts. He seemed to get worse about 8 o'clock so I decided to walk to Adkins & Gil kindly rode to Levin for Dr Kennedy who arrivedabout 9.30 & prescribed for George. His temperature was over 102 & he was suffering from bronchitis. We all had rather a poor night. Johnson defeated Jefferies in 15 rounds for champion boxer of the world.
5 July 6 July 7 July	George Enid & I stayed in bed. Gil brought medicine from Keedwell for George who began to mend. Enid pretty lively - self so-so. Influenza
8 July	Got up for a short time but felt groggy so lay about mostly. Jen drove to town for supplies & had narrow escape at railway line from being caught by train. Gil did odd jobs for Jennie
9 July	All feeling a lot better
2 Aug.	Had word that Father is not very well which would probably prevent Edie from visiting us
6 Aug.	About 10.30 we received telegram from Wellington saying that Father was seriously ill so I prepared to go to town to see him. Jen & children went to Adkins & Mr Adkin & I went to Wellington by Napier Express 3.50pm. Arrived home to find Father in great pain suffering from severe internal haemorrhage, Drs Martin & Herbert attending him C 2 nurses one day C one night. Saw Father for a little while but he could not speak much on account of severe pain. Frank also arrived from Wanganui
7 Aug.	Father slightly easier throughout day but the great loss of blood is tending to weaken him. Church in morning & Central Mission in evening
8 Aug.	Doctor had rather bad news about Father & consequently all very upset - However Dr Cahill was called in to consult & they changed the treatment which seems to have soothing effect. Dad seemed very bright & I talked with him for quite a quarter of an hour & I was astonished that his memory was so clear. Frank & I visited Rob (in bed with sciatica) & I walked home with Auntie Ralph
9 Aug.	I returned home by first train. Jen met me with phaeton & we went straight home. Went to Adkins after dinner & had talk with Annie Adkin returned home by late train & I rode over to hear latest news which was not very good as father had spent a very bad night & seemed to be weaker.
10 Aug.	Drove to Levin & spoke through telephone to "Fern Hill" & learned that Father had been successfully operated upon & the doctors had removed a large tumour from his bladder. He was reported as doing as well as possible. We all felt immensely relieved & eagerly await fresh news.
11 Aug.	About 10 o'clock we were very shocked at receiving a wire from home telling us that Father had passed away at midnight. I, at once, made arrangements for going to town. Jen & children again stayed at Adkins. Went to town by 3.50 train arriving at home to find all the family there very much upset. I learned that Father had gone through the operation well, his pulse being, if anything, stronger, but at 9 o'clock he took a turn for the worse & passed quietly away at 10 sins, to 12 o'clock. Mother, Rob, Will, Frank, Laurie, Edie & Kate were with him to the last. His last message to us was "Keep the name bright" which has always been his pride. He appeared to have passed away without much pain as his face was beautifully calm & peaceful. I felt very sorry that I had not stayed instead of coming back to Levin. Mother was very brave throughout the great blow but she was very weak & helpless at bedtime. Adkin came down by late train 11 o'clock
12 Aug.	Funeral took place about 2pm. Just previous to this all the family gathered round the coffin & Mother & Frank offered up a prayer for Help & Guidance. I shall never forget the last look we had of Father; he looked so beautiful & angelic - just as if he was sleeping peacefully. We all kissed him i last farewell. Mother placed a small bunch of primroses in his clasped hands as her last gift. Father had died a fortnight from the day he took to his bed which was his 77th birthday. We can scarcely realise what a great loss we have sustained but we can rejoice that he is now free from all his pain. He has indeed set us a grand pattern. There was a short service in the dining room when Revs. Isill, Serpill & Dr Gibb officiated. We five sons with Mr Adkin acted as bearers. There was a large number of friends who came to pay their last respects to Dear old Dad but as he had expressed a wish for a•private interment the number was limited to old friends. It was most pathetic to see how affected his old friends were when they went to see his for the last time - how they cried. Father was buried in the Sydney Street cemetery beside Florrie. The plot had been bought for 37yrs. P.S. Even our old washer woman Mrs Matthews came up to see Father before he was buried. Also Nannie Richards & Auntie James & many others. There must have been over 200 letters & telegrams received - all expressing sympathy for Mother & full of admiration & respect for Father.
13 Aug.	Replied to letters of sympathy. Walked to town with Laurie in evening
14 Aug.	After breakfast Will, Rob, Frank, Laurie & I walked to the cemetery with flowers for Father's grave
15 Aug.	Put in whole day at the shop, trying to make myself useful without much success. Could not do much but had to be there, in case I was needed.
16 Aug.	Came home by first train. Jen could not meet me on account of wet day so I walked to Adkins where we had dinner
20 Aug.	In the morning I took Jennie & George to the station to catch the early train for Wellington. Enid staying at Willie Stewart's I stayed there at night
5 Sept.	Up early went home & cleaned up house. Jennie & George came back by 11.50 train & we all drove to Stewart's where we stayed for dinner Home about 2.30pm. I went round sheep. Very pleased to be home again.
8 Sept.	George's 3rd birthday. Adkins came round to tea & evening.
13 Sept.	Mrs McIntyre & two sisters up to see Jen & we drove them home, packing nine people in phaeton
15 Sept.	Beautiful day. Helped Adkins dock. Jen & children visited Adkins in afternoon. On our way home Vivian & George rode on "Jack" but he bucked them of allowing to Vivian riding on his back behind the saddle "Jack" objected & fired them off. They were fortunately not much hurt.
16 Sept.	Went to Levin sale. Fat sheep were booming Fat wethers £l, £1/1/0 (Adkins) up to 23/-
22 Oct.	I went by train to Wellington to see Mother. Mrs Gardener stayed with Jen.
23 Oct. (Sunday)	Laurie & I walked to the cemetery before breakfast & tidied up the grave a little. Mother & I walked to Church Mother's first appearance on foot. Spent rest of the day with Mother talking etc. did not go out again.
24 Oct.	Came home by first train. Jen & Mrs Gardener met me. Jen not very well, slight sickness
14 Nov.	About 4 o'clock Frank drove over with Leslie Adkin to see us & they stayed to tea. Mother came up from town with Frank and is staying at Adkins. Jen very bad after they left
15 Nov.	Afternoon George & I drove to Levin. Called to see Mother at Adkins on the way home. Drove home in heavy rain.
16 Nov.	Drove with Enid to Adkins & brought Mother home with me. Walked round with Mother & did a little mowing. Drove her back to Adkins about Rpm. Jen feeling a lot better
18 Nov.	J.W. Gibson opening new store. Went to afternoon tea
21 Nov.	Jen & I drove to station with Mother who went to Wellington by 4.45pm train.
29 Nov.	Rode to Levin to hear result of wool sale. Wired Murray Roberts & Co. for price realized & got reply that wool was passed in at 9¼d the reserve being 10d. However I decided to accept 91d & Mr Winchester moved to that effect.
7 Dec.	Finished shearing Total number 522. Ten bales of fleece wool & one of bellies & pieces.
23 Dec.	Packed up ready to go to Wellington caught 3.40pm train. Hughie travelled with us. I had to take him to his uncles before going to "Fern Hill" Met Alice Denton.
24 Dec.	(Saturday) Christmas Eve. Took children down town to see shops. Tremendous crowd of youngsters. Had good fun.
25 Dec.	Went to Church Taranaki St. in morning & to St Johns in evening with Edith to hear Rev. Gibbs Afternoon Will, Frank & I went to cemetery.
26 Dec.	George & I went to Oriental Bay to Ross' to get "Morrie" & to take him to "Fern Hill" for the day. Morrie is a fine little chap, very smart & talkative & caused great amusement. Spent whole day at "Fern Hill" & amused the children. Evening I took Morrie home & called on Mrs Kellow
27 Dec.	Took Franks' & our children down to the wharf to see the ships
28 Dec.	Laurie & I went to Te Aro Baths before breakfast. Afterwards I had a bike ride as far as Kaiwarra & back. We all went to Lyall Bay for the day. Mother Jenny, Frank going in cab.
30 Dec.	Went to wool store again and saw all bales opened up & a few buyers valuing. Afternoon I took all the children to the Zoo. (valued 9¼d realized 9½)
31 Dec.	We came home by 8.15am train. Frank travelling as far as Adkins with us.