| Jan. 8 Wed. | I took Enid and George to the station. They are going to Wellington for a few days. |
| Jan. 10 Fri. | The (Maori) shearer turned up so started shearing the lambs. |
| Jan. 15 Wed. | Miss Bowles by morning train to Plimmerton. The children will meet her there. |
| Feb. 3 Mon. | Rung up the Adkins from Paekakariki. Miss Bowles has not got home so - I will have to return at once. When I got back they got back by train in front of us. |
| Feb. 12 Wed. | Went to Mr Prouse's funeral. Largest that has been in the District - very hot day. Miss Bowles stayed with my kiddies. |
| Feb. 15 Sat. | Got Poad to give me a hand in with the hay - two small loads. Miss Bowles and the kiddies gone up the river for a picnic. |
| March 3 Mon. | Started Heap to clean out a drain in the bathing hole paddock. Got hoggets off the back hill ready for dipping. |
| April 7 Mon. | Went over in the morning, found things anyhow. Mr Adkin returned the bull on Saturday. He smashed up two gates. Found Tommie dead in the paddock - gored by the bull. |
| April 8 Tues. | Went over early and got the cows in for George. The bull has been smashing things up again. He has given Dollie a scratch but I don't think it is deep. I took George to the sale with a few steers, sold them - for 8 pounds and 10 shillings. Took steers home. |
| April 12 Sat. | Gave Vickers a hand to dip his sheep. He gave me a hand to bathe Dollie - thinks she will be alright. |
| April 17 Thurs | Left by morning train for Wellington. Got to Fernhill about 1 O'clock in time for dinner. The children seemed tired of the train. Left them at Fernhill. Went along with Mr P Denton - stayed with him. No word of the boat |
| April 18 Fri. | L. Denton Enid George and Jack came along in the morning. They saw the boat so we ail went out and had a look at it. It wont berth until the morning. |
| April 19 Sat. | Had a look through the window about 6 o'clock. Saw the boat creeping in. Had a cup of tea and then we made for the wharf. Bert looking very fit. (Hurrah). |
| April 22 Thurs | Went to the train to meet Bert. Glad to see him back again. |
| April 23 Wed. | Bert and I made up to the back hill and mustered the sheep. Cleaned up the wethers, got them in the shed ready for crutching. |
| NOW DIARY OF BERT | |
| April 27 Sun. | We all went to Church of England in the morning. Took a walk around in the afternoon. |
| April 28 Mon. | Drizzling rain. Went over to Willie Stewart's and looked over accounts. |
| April 29 Tues. | Went to Levin sale. Met host of old friends. |
| April 30 Wed. | Beautiful day. Met Edith at Napier train. A lot of soldiers travelling home. Met a lot of friends in Levin. |
| May 1 Thurs. | Mr and Mrs A.J. Kellow from Foxton drove over to see me, and we had an enjoyable day. |
| May 3 Sat. | Wet in morning. Cleared in afternoon George and I drove to Levin and to the country - found plots fairly tidy. Saw Mr and Mrs McHinny on the way home. |
| May 4 Sun. | Edith and I drove with the children to church in the morning, in afternoon saw Mrs Stewart and Mr L Adkin. |
| May 8 Thurs | Went along to Queen Street with Edith who returns to Wellington by Napier mail. Clare motored her to the station. |
| May 9 Fri. | Mr and Mrs Sorenson drove up to see me. |
| May 10 Sat. | Went over to Foxton on mail car to see Albert and Miss Kellow. "Queen of the South" wrecked on Cape Campbell. |
| May 11 Sun. | In afternoon drove in Mr and Mrs Ross' car to Mr Ross' flaxmill. |
| May 12 Mon. | Returned to Levin ex mail car. Tremendous load aboard 14 passengers and sundry packages but the old Ford waltzed home in real style. At home found some dogs had been tearing around during the night. |
| May 14 Wed. | Willie Close came up to see inc regarding taking timber off my place and also bringing timber from Reads property though my place. Agreed to pay me 3/6 per 100 foot for my timber. Re bringing timber from Read's through my property he is to put concrete culverts over all creeks and drains not to cut up the paddocks with his waggons but keep to one track and keep fences in good repair. |
| May 16 Fri. | Went to disposal sale of J.Davies estate. Didn't buy anything. Later had tea and evening with Mr and Mrs S MacKenzie. |
| May 17 Sat. | Spent most of the day using the "drag" borrowed from Mr Miller to clean out the creek at the back of the woolshed. George and Jack were of great asistance and are becoming very useful. |
| May 15 Sun. | Am no longer a soldier as I was discharged yesterday. |
| May 21 Wed. | In Wellington fixed up free railway passes for 1 months travelling. Also mufti allowance less 2 pound and sixpence for military overcoat. Secured berth for "Maori" and tickets for Edith for S.I. tour. Left for Lyttleton at S pm. Good trip. |
| May 22 Thurs | Edith and I arrived Christchurch 9 am, left for south by midday express. Stayed at Timaru at Hydro Grand saw Timaru pretty thoroughly - very nice little town. Caught mail for south arriving at Dundedin 9pm. |
| May 24 Sun. | Edith and I went to St, Kilda, St. Clair, round Maori Hill and Roslyn. In afternoon had a car ride to Portobello by hill road and back along the waters edge. Most enjoyable. |
| May 25 Sun. | Went to Anglican Cathederal. |
| May 26 Mon. | Left Dunedin at 8 am. Cold and wintery, travelled south to Gore and changed for Lumsden and Kingston. Ran into snowstorm at Clinton. Country under snow as we apporached Lake Wakatipu. Very cold. About 2 hours on steamer boat on Lake and arrived Queenstown 6..30. |
| May 27 Tues. | Up early, caught the boat at S am for head of the Lake. Heavy snowstorm. Called at several large sheepstations en route so did not reach Glenorches till 2 pm when weather was beatifully fine. Took good walk around till boat left at 4 pm arriving Queenstown at 6.30 pm |
| May 28 Wed. | Left Queenstown at 9.30 am for Arrowtown per coach. A Mr Campbell of Wellington travelled with us and knew the country and made the trip very interesting. Dinner at Arrowtown (a trick of a place in goldmining days.) Coach also from Arrowtown to Cromwell. Very interesting drive down the Kawarua River which joins the Molyeneaux at Cromwell. Country very rough and uninviting and absolutely overrun with rabbits. Not at all taken with it. Just before reaching Cromwell saw irrigation scheme for pumping water up to the neighbouring flats. If successful it should be very profitable. Stayed night at Cromwell. |
| May 29 Thurs | Left Cromwell 7.00am, travelled by Public Works train to Clyde. Travelled down Central Otago Railway to Dunedin. Country still very rough. Arrived Dunedin 5.30. |
| May 30 Fri. | Heavy snow during the night. Edith laid up with veins on leg. Had advice from doctor. Walked up Mt. Cargill Road for view and to the resevoir in afternoon. |
| May 31 Sat. | Left Dunedin 8.30 am Beautiful day tho cold. Arrived in Christchurch and went to St. Elmo's - accommodation only poor. |
| June 1 Sun. | Went to the Cathederal. After dinner Edith and I went to see Roly's father Mr W H Denton and family. |
| June 2 Mon. | Round Christchurch in the morning, then on to Sumner. In afternoon went up Cashmere Hills in train, then for a walk towards Lyttleton. |
| June 3 Tues. | Left ChCh for Greymouth via Otira Gorge. Very fine trip. Coached through the gorge. Very cold, plenty of icicles everywhere. Excellent scenery. Good as we've seen yet. Arrived Greymouth 7 pm. Railway Hotel. |
| June 4 Wed. | Left Grey 8 am for Hokitika. Miserable land en route. Arrived Hokitika took motor to Kaneri 3/4 hour run. Very pretty bush and lake most beautiful. Sunny day. Reflections most vivid. |
| June 5 Thurs | Left Greymouth 7 am +or Reefton - very cold. Frost thick on the ground. Left Reef ton by motor about II am. Lunch at Inangahua. Nice drive through the Buller Gorge, crossed over on ferry, arrived Westport 2.30 pm. Had a good walk round, nothing much to see. |
| June 6 Fri. | Left Westport 5.45 am. Dark cold, went back through the gorge to lnugahua where we had breakfast. From there we travelled north along the banks of the Buller. Passed Lyall the most desolate place l saw on the trip. Road steep and narrow with sharp turns. Very poor country. Rather better at Murchison where there is a little dairying land. Arrived Glenhope 1 pm. and had dinner. From there to Nelson by rail - nothing to see. Arrived Nelson 5.30 pm drove to the port and put up at the hotel there ready for the boat in early morning. |
| June 7 Sat. | Left Nelson at daybreak by S.S. Pateena. Nice trip till we reached the straits where it was extremely rough and most of the passengers were sick. Arrived at Fernhill in time for tea. |
| June 9 Mon. | Kate & I left Wellington by Napier mail. Kate stayed at Matamau with Lucy Jensen. I went to Hastings to Laurie and Nell. |
| June 10 Tues | Nell and I went to Napier or the day, saw the sights and had a good day generally. The public apparently took us for newly married couple we must have looked the part. |
| June 13 Fri. | Left Hastings and travelled far as Wanganui. Frank met me. |
| June 16 Mon. | Left Wanganui 7 am. and arrived in Masterton at 3.30 pm. stayed at Mathon Lodge Mr Daniels' place. |
| June 17 Tues. | Went sundry motor rides with Mr Daniel. Archie and Len Daniel arrived from Waikato. |
| June 18-21 Wed-Sat. | Went with Len Daniel to his ranch Wairere 1600 acres mostly easy hills, native grass, flat only fair, stock good. Romney-Lincoln ewes, heavy in wool. Hereford polled Angus cross cattle well bred. Wairere - took train to Managatainoka. Drove in gig about 15 miles over rough road. |
| June 23 Mon. | Left Masterton after visiting Waingawa freezing works with Len & Mr Daniel. Train late in arriving in Palm. North so missed New Plymouth mail. Eric McLearvy gave me a ride in his car and landed me at the top of Queen St. Glad to be home again. |
| June 25 Sat. | Went to Wellington. Mother pretty well. Bought some tools from the shop. |
| July 11 Fri. | Mr E. Law arrived from Shannon by motor to take Miss Bowles as Dora sick. Enid and I made breakfast. |
| July 13 Sun. | Went to Adkins for dinner. Drove to Shannon to see Dora. |
| July 19 Sat. | Showery. Peace Day. Took the children. Willie Stewart and Peter down to Levin to see the procession and demonstration. Went to luncheon to returned soldiers. Home to dark. |
| July 21 Mon. | Peace Day for children, but couldn't go down as the rain was coming down in torrents. |
| July 22 Tues. | Did not go down to sale.. Very heavy rain at lunchtime, creeks running high. Miss Bowies still making daily visits to Dora. Cliff drives her in the car. |
| July 25 Fri. | Dora came down to Cheslyn Rise so Auntie's job is over. |
| August 2 Sat. | Heavy showers during the day. George and I cleaned out thecreek above the bathing hole. Released a lot of water. |
| August 4 Mon. | Showery. In the evening took the three children to Children's Fancy dress ball in commemoration of peace. Enid went as "a lady of 50 years ago" and was dressed in her grandmother's wedding dress - it suited her splendidly and she looked A1. George caused much amusement as Charlie Chaplin and looked a regular trick. Jack looked very fierce as a cowboy. However, none of them scored a prize but all had a good time. There were about 420 children to be judged and the hall was far too small - a difficult job. Home about midnight - dead beat. |
| August 5 Tues | Went to Levin sale. Breeding ewes sold for one pound 11/7 - cheap. hoggets 1/3/4, 14/-, 17/2. A good conditioned lot brought 30/6. Bought some concrete pipes for culverts from County Council. |
| August 8 Fri. | No lambs yet. Went to clearing sale at P. Dags - cows brought big prices. 50 gns (stud) 30 and 27 pounds. |
| August 11 Mon. | Willie Stewart carted up concreted pipes from Council Chambers - 4 fifteen inch at a foot (36/-) and sundry broken pieces from 17/6 the lot. Put in the afternoon at the crossing. |
| August 13 Wed. | Used Willie's block dray to collect hay frame (10/-) from Dag's, also dog kennel (and dog which I am to give a trial.) Rode around the terrace, found new lamb, first of the season. |
| August 14 Thurs | Willie and I finished the large culvert. In afternoon put in hinau culvert and began another in open drain. |
| August 17 Sun. | Took children to church. Dinner at Mrs Stewarts, In afternoon drove with Willie to funeral of Mrs Fred Davies - lots of people attended. Heavy rain as we were leaving the cemetery. Picked up Auntie and children at Mrs Stewarts. |
| August 21 Thurs | Took Clare to dance at Druids Hall. |
| August 24 Sun. | Miss B. and children went to church. I took out hay and went around the ewes. In evening I biked down to church and afterwards went to Mr and Mrs Stewart MacKenzies. |
| August 27 Wed. | Fed out hay and went around the ewes. Drove to Levin with Willie in phaeton to look at horse under offer. Was not satisfied that it was quite reliable so did not buy. Looked at another in Araepaepae Rd, rather old, will see owner later. In evening took Clare to Peace Ball, very nice evening - good floor. Opposition dance in Town Hall. |
| August 29 Fri. | Rode up to A. Mark's place and brought home a bey gelding on trial. |
| August 30 Sat. | Tried new horse in dray to cart out hay. Went fairly well but seemed little nervous. Afternoon drove new horse in phaeton to Levin - went satisfactorily - fair pace, no shying. Stood in Levin while George. Jack and I went to see the football Horowhenua Reps. v. Manawatu 5-5. Enid assisting at Red Cross shop on behaif of Dr. Barnardo Homes and staying over tomorrow with Mrs Glassford. |
| August 31 Sun. | In afternoon Willie and I drove as far as Kuku to try out the horse - satisfactory and fairly good pace. |
| Sept. 1 Mon | Heap came and went on splitting rata. |
| Sept. 3 Wed. | Went to Church of England Social in the evening. |
| Sept. 5 Fri. | Mr Whitaker came to look at the work I wanted done. Spent most of day among the sheep. |
| Sept. 7 Sun. | Plenty of iambs. Could not go out as the phaeton is being repaired at McIntosh. Nearly collapsed when Miss Bowles was driving on Friday. |
| Sept. 8 Mon. | Heap came and we made a start to move sheep yards to new position near woolshed. Took old yards to pieces. Moved dagging floor in three sections. As it is pretty far gone, I am only putting it down temporarily. |
| Sept. 11 Thurs | Blowing a dale from the east with rain at intervals. A fair number of trees blown over - pines and willows mostly. |
| Sept. 12 Fri. | In evening children's party at Mrs Vickers so Auntie and I drove down to bring them home - had a gay time. |
| Sept. 16 Tues. | Went to bridge at night at Mrs Clarke's. |
| Sept. 17 Wed. | Strained my bacK while working at yards. Auntie treated it to hot fomentations. |
| Sept. 18 Thurs | Back considerably better - rode around the sheep, did some light work in the yards. In evening went to dance in Druids Hall with Clare and Clifford - very enioyable. |
| Sept. 20 Sat. | George and I put in a few hours at the yards. In afternoon went to Wellington by slow train after having to get a permit to travel. Arrived at FernhiIi at 10 pm, saw mother for a few minutes. Yarned with Will till late. |
| Sept. 21 Sun. | Fine. Sat about all day talking with mother. Saw Rob also Alice and Percy in evening. |
| Sept. 22 Mon. | Did some shopping - bought new lamp for dining room. Returned to Levin by slow train. Biked home. |
| Sept. 23 Tues. | Docked 116 [?] lambs from old ewes. Fairly decent lot on the whole. New yards worked well. Lots of ewes yet to lamb. |
| Sept. 24 Wed. | In evening went to final dance of Autumn Leaf Assn. |
| Sept. 30 Tues. | George had bad turn last night with nightmares and was quite off colour. Did not go to school today. |
| Oct. 2 Thurs | Fenced in new garden (where old sheep yards had been) Enid and George both away from school. |
| Oct. 3 Fri. | Dull but fine. Brought up a load of firewooL. Cut rushes in hay paddock and put them in a hole by sheep yards. George went round sheep. |
| Oct. 4 Sat. | Disgusted with weather - strong winds and heavy rain. Went to sale - not much doing. Tea at Willie S's afterwards we drove to hear lecture on "N.Zers in France" by Lieut. Col. Charters. Not bad. |
| Oct. 9 Thurs | Finished sheep yards. In evening went to Mrs Percy's for a game of cards. Enjoyable evening. Had a little singing. |
| Oct. 15 Mon. | In afternoon drove Aunt and George to station to catch Napier Mail tor Plimmerton to stay for a week to recuperate. Enid and Jack and I baching. |
| Oct. 17 Fri. | Willie brought Mrs S. over to look after the house while we went on with the drilling. Ground in great order. |
| Oct. 19 Sun. | Did not turn out to Kirk. Enid Jack and I drove over to Cheslyn Rise for dinner and tea. Home at dark. |
| Oct. 20 Mon. | Met Napier Nail and brought Auntie and George home. |
| Oct. 21 Tues. | In evening Willie and I drove to hear Mr J. Dawson speak on prohibition in America. |
| Oct. 23 Thurs | Felt very done up after shearing (14 ram hoggets and 5 other rams) Split rimu by sheepyards tor posts to mend fence (10 new posts) |
| Oct. 25 Sat. | Afternoon went to Wellington by Napier Mail. Met Frank McGovern - was at Wellington College with him 25 years ago. Had a good yarn on way down. Found mother fairly well. |
| Oct. 26 Sun. | Beautiful day. Mother decided to go to church so Will Edith and I took her down in a cab. She lasted out very well and enjoyed the service. Percy Norrie and Harry over in evening. |
| Oct. 27 Mon. | Beautiful day and holiday for Labour Day. Edith and I went down to see first St. Margaret's College and afterwards Wellington Girls College. Former in T. C. Williams old residence. Everything in fair order. Mrs Urquart showed us round Girls College. Furniture not so well kept as at St. Margarets and place hardly as spic and span. Have made no decision yet. Evening Will and I went to see YMCA gymnastic display - splendid performance. |
| Oct. 29 Wed. | In evening Willie and I went to hear cantata at Century Hall.. Very fair turnout. |
| Nov. 1 Sat. | In evening went to town. Shop day in aid of funds for school picnic. |
| Nov. 2 Sun. | Children and I went to church. |
| Nov. 3 Mon. | Whittaker's men made a start with hayshed. Put up large wall. I put in piles. |
| Nov. 4 Tues. | Very wet morning. Whittaker's men on Job. Finished boarding up. Arthur Davey from Wanganui spent evening with me yarning over our Palestine experiences. |
| Nov. 5 Wed | After dinner Arthur Willie and 1 had a good look round the State Farm - very interesting experiments in field division - showing effect of sowing cow grass on old pasture on top of grass (6lb. cow grass per acre) Cow grass subsequently outgrew the grass, made excellent growth. Carpenters finished job. |
| Nov. 7 Fri. | Man named Archer walked up from Levin to work - put him on levelling on terrace. In evening went down to see the Bartholomew boys to see some of their photos. |
| Nov. 10 Mon. | Went to Levin in evening (singing). Afterwards went to pictures. Wet night. |
| Nov. 11 Tues. | Slack sale. In evening went to political meeting. Labour party candidate McKenzie, fair speech. |
| Nov. 14 Fri. | Fine and very hot. Archer came and we went on stumping. I fired the heaps of wood in the evening. |
| Nov. 16 Sun. | Dull with heavy rain in afternoon. Went by car to Mangahao. Had to climb very steep hill to get to main camp, where we were well treated. Gave about an hours entertainment. Walked Lack to car. Stopped by powerhouse site for another feed and entertainment. |
| Nov. 17 Mon. | Mr Vickers drove me to look at 6 two year old steers he wanted to quit. Badly bred so bought them for 3/5/0. |
| Nov. 18 Tues. | Began shearing in afternoon - self 11, Willie S. 5. Shearing continued over next fortnight. Problems - machine stopped running, cutters not going well, ran out of benzine, shearers failed to turn up (so called Clifford Adkin). Later a man named Howarth turned up. |
| Dec. 3 Wed. | Very cold wind and rain. Snow on foothills. Lost 7 sheep from exposure. |
| Dec. 6 Sat. | Remainder of lambs in shed. Finished shearing about 4.30 Very please to have it over. |
| Dec. 10 Wed. | Fine Early dinner, biked down to racecourse where school children were having their peace picnic. Just missed seeing Johnny run but failed to get place. George won 12 year old race, was second in relay and third in hop step and Jump. Enid did not complete. Fair crowd present. |
| Dec. 13 Sat. | Went to Wellington by Napier Mail. Mother only fairly well, looking rather weary. |
| Dec. 14 Sun. | Went to see Auntie Ralph and Lil who have been Laid up with poisoned hands and had very bad time. Sat round all day and talked to Mother. |
| Dec. 15 Mon. | Went down and interviewed Mr Hunt, Mr Morcom of Farmers Distr. Co. re wool. Had look round building - a very fine place. |
| Dec. 17 Wed. | Election Day. Very hot. W.N. Field elected by 1200 majority. McKenzie (Lab), McDonald, fsherwood in that order. Massey returned with about 46 seats. Sir O. Ward Sir d. Carrot and Russell defeated. National Prohibition has a big lead over Continuance and State Control. Home 1 a. m. |
| Dec. 20 Sat. | Wool sold in Wellington yesterday. 13 bales of fleece at 16 pence, 2 bales lambs at 15 pence. Hoped for better on fleece. |
| Dec. 21 Sun. | Cold and windy. George and l went to Mangahao with ladies and gentlemen to entertain men there with Xmas dinner and music etc. Thavelled in char-a-banc, very comfortable. Had quite a successful day. Dinner seemed to be greatly appreciated at both camps. Had some music and recitations (Miss Brown v. good) Arrived home 10 p.m. after some delays on road. |
| Dec. 23 Tues. | Took children to train to Wellington where they are spending Xmas with Rob and Carrie. |
| Dec. 25 Thurs | Xmas Day. Beautiful weather. I was up at 4 a.m. milked cows, breakfast by 5.30 Willie and I continued drilling and finished about 8 a.m. Later Auntie and I went to Cheslyn Rise for dinner and rest of day. |
| Dec. 28 Sun. | Beautiful day. Alb & Vi Kellow drove over in car to see us. Took a walk up to the terrace in afternoon. |
| Dec. 31 Wed. | Willie and I took levels at the creek and found a place for a dam in bathing hole paddock. |
