Community Contributed

Martha Florence Proctor's Diary

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:52:49+00:00
The handwritten diary of Martha Florence Procter nee Retter 1 June 1886 – 30 November 1886 was typed up by a Kete volunteer. It shows a slice of a woman's life in the Horowhenua in 1886.
PublisherHandwritten
CreatorMartha Florence Proctor
Creation date1886-1887

The photo at left shows Flo (Martha Florence) and JP Proctor on their diamond wedding anniversary.

June 1st 1886 Tuesday

We left Parewanui for Horowhenua. Mother and the three youngest came in the train to Foxton. J. Doughty carted the things to the tram. Father rode down by himself to Foxton. Johnnie, Willie and myself started together, to ride to Foxton, but when we got to Stokes’s, Mrs Stokes made me stop there. John and Willie went on.

Had a wet day for shifting.

Wednesday: - J. P. and I rode down to Foxton in the evening. It was very dark. J. P. went home again. We all stayed in Foxton that night.

Thursday: -Father and Mother rode down here in the morning. A very cold and wet day. Cooley brought the things down. Father and Mother unpacked some of the things.

Friday: - Joe, Sib, Nina and myself came down in the coach. Joe and Nina were a little sick. Coach was full. Nobody on the beach to meet us. We walked in to the stables. Hanita came and carried Nina and some of the things. Mrs. Oliver gave us some breakfast; while we were having it Father, and Uncle came. Father carried Sib. Uncle, Nina and Joe and I rode Maud S. John and Willie rode from Foxton. They overtook us about half way home.

Saturday 5th. Hapimana died. 6th Tamati died. More unpacking done. A wet day, not much done. House is not finished yet. J.P. came down in the evening, and went home on Sunday, 6th; from 7th to 12th odds and ends done. Fireplace and hearth filled in. Saturday J.P. came down for a holiday. Stayed three weeks. Father and he did a lot to the house.

Monday 14th. Father, J.P., Willie and I went to the train. The men were all idle, as the engine was broken. Met with an accident through working on Sunday. We had dinner at Hera’s.

Tuesday 15th. Father, J.P., John and Willie went again, as Father wanted to know when the train would be opened – as we have some of our things in Rangitikei still. Mrs Maggie McDonald came to borrow Uncle's horse. She brought our mail with her. Got a letter from Rosie, the first since the Exhibition. Also got a Canterbury Times from Mr. Harlock.

23rd. Another day Father, J.P., Lydia and I went over to get some Nikau to make a hat for J.P. Took a gun with us. Shot a pigeon before we started. Got four tui over the lake. We went to the Navies' camp. Saw them at work and the engine take 12 truckloads of gravel. I came home with a headache. The lake was very rough, a little water splashed into the canoe. Got a letter from Jim with his photos.

29th. Mother, Father and John went to the train: all the men had shifted down to Otaki. They got a lot shovels. J.P. dug up my garden and formed the beds.

July 3rd. J.P. went home. I went to Foxton with him. I stayed in Foxton and Johnnie came to meet me on Sunday. I got a new pair of boots.

5th. I planted my flowers in my garden.

19th. Began to give the children their lessons. Found a nest with two eggs.

13th. Started to knit a pair of socks. Finished them on the 23rd.

24th. Willie and I went to Foxton. J.P. and Honi came down with us. Dark when we got home.

25th. Went to see old Hou buried. He died on Wednesday 21st at five o’clock. About one o’clock Lew and Mr Cummerfield came down. Had flounders for dinner. Lew took old Joe for the Hunt.

26 Monday. J.P. went home in the morning. I went with him out to the beach to get some pumice stone. John went and got the cart. Uncle and father mended a cart. I started a pair of cuffs.

27th. Uncle doing the thatch of the house. Father got the wild lot of geese home and cut their wings.

29th. Finished my cuffs. Lydia and her brother went to Foxton.

31st. Had a headache all day and night. Lydia speared some eels.

Aug. 1st. Read a short story in the morning. Had dinner. Mother and Father and Willie went over the lake. Honi was here and had dinner. Uncle and (blank) were here just after Mother went over the lake. I got them some dinner; but (blank) was too busy talking about Parihaka to Honi, to have any. They went home about four o’clock. It was nearly dark when Mother and Father got home. I read another story.

2nd Monday. We all went over the lake to the railroad. We went expecting to see the train. One went up about eight o’clock. We left home at nine got over there at ten. Went up to the station and stopped some time waiting to see it. Got tired waiting. Had a look about the camp. About one o’clock when we left. We had got nearly to the lake coming home when we heard the train whistle. We were all disappointed. Nina walked nearly all the way home. I only carried her through the bush. Mother had a headache. It was three o'clock when we got home. Sib was sick after we got home.I started another sock as we were going over in the canoe, did a little while over there. Did a little paddling coming home. Had not been home long when Uncle and Honi came. Some of the Maoris gone to Waikawa.

3rd. The rest of the Maoris gone today. Mother washing. Father burning flax. Mrs Somerville sent up to know if she could have some money.

4th. A dreadful windy day and very cold. Willie began money addition sums. Joe short division. Johnnie cutting wood. Father clearing the flax and rushes. I started to make my dress. Got a letter from Barbara. Father brought another little pig home.

5th. A lovely day, Johnnie went to Uncle's to get the horse and cart, to cart the wood. Did some more to my dress. Mother making Lydia’s skirt.

6th. Mrs Somerville sent in for her money. Uncle was here in the morning. My head inclined to ache.

7th. Head aching a little in the morning and got worse afterwards. Did a little cleaning and dusting. Mother did the scrubbing. I did the ironing. J.P. came down, got here at one o’clock. Raining all day. Answered Bab’s letter.

8th. J.P. could not go home, too wet. Had a goose for dinner. I read one short story. Headache quite well.

9th. Another wet day, J.P. got up early. Woke me, I got up and got some breakfast. He went home. Did a good bit to my dress. Mother doing odds and ends. The children went away with Johnnie so we had no lessons today. Father was over the lake and came home all wet. Johnnie, Willie and Joe came home wet too.

10th. Threatening to rain. Mother washing and baking. Had lessons today. Johnnie went to skin a dead sheep. Father making a table. Finished one sock and commenced another. Did nothing to dress. Maoris came home.

11th. Another wet day. Uncle came for the cart. Mother not very well. Did a little more to dress. Geese went away this morning.

12th.Wet this morning, but cleared up a bit in the afternoon, very windy and cold. Lydia was over spearing eels. Father finished the table. Willie not at lessons today. Got a headache. Father started the sofa this evening.

13th. Finished my dress at last. A showery day. Father got some of the geese home.

14th. A very wet morning Johnnie and Willie got the rest of the geese home. Had ironing to do, as the clothes did not get dry before. J.P. came down in the evening and brought old Joe home.

15th. A lovely morning. Lydia and her mother here in morning and Uncle came after. Honi came while we were at dinner. J.P. went home this evening.

16th. Mother and the three little children went to visit Mrs McDonald. Johnnie and Willie took them down in the canoe. Father hung the boys’ door before dinner. After dinner did some cleaning. I cleaned and tidied up the house in the morning. In the afternoon trimmed a hat. Father did a little more to the sofa in the evening. I did a little knitting.

17th. Very wet morning as Johnnie and Willie would have gone to Foxton and I to the beach. Turned out a fine day afterwards. I sowed some flower seeds. Father doing some plastering. Lydia and her mother spearing eels. Uncle was here this afternoon. Johnnie found a goose nest. Two geese laid this morning. Johnnie been to Uncle’s for old Joe. Finished the socks.

18th. Johnnie and Willie went to Foxton for flour and sugar and both came home with headache. I went up the beach a little way with them, found two fish. I went for pipis but the tide was in and it began to rain so I came home. Met Mrs A. McDonald and Mofs Mary this side of the stables, and a Maori woman and man on the beach. Could not find Maude S in the evening so she had to go without her rug.

19th. Lydia and (blank) gone over to the Pah, some Maoris coming from Wairarapa. Uncle was here today for a little while. Maoris have come.

20th. Willie and I went to the beach to get pipis but there were none. Met Lew as we were going out. Father finished the sofa.

21st. J.P. came down in the evening.

22nd. J.P. stayed all day as I was going up on Monday 23rd. Went as far as Stokses' had very rough weather nearly all the time I was away. Stayed at the Stokses' till Saturday 28th. Got to Bessie's at night and stayed on Sunday. Had a headache all the time.

Monday 30th. Went to Sandridge and stayed all night and Pick and I came up in the afternoon and were caught in a shower. Stayed at Bessie's awhile as it began to rain hard when we got there. I stayed at Mrs A. McDonnell’s that night. Kate was there.

Wednesday 1st Sept. Went to Mrs Harlock’s in the morning. Her niece was staying with her. Went on down to Mrs. McD. at the Hou and then on to Mrs Willises' and while I was there Maud S. got tangled in the rope and I had to cut it; and then again she got tangled and broke it and got away. J.P. came while I was there so he caught her, and then we went down to see Mrs Burne, could not stay long as I had to come right round by Bulls to Sandon (Sanson?) Saw Beaty as we came through Bulls. Stayed at Mrs George’s that night.

Thursday 2nd. A very wet day and Sandon very muddy. After two or three attempts got to see Mrs Bowater and J.P. came for me while I was there. We both got wet through going to Carnarvon. It rained all the way.

Friday 3rd. A very windy day. Stayed at Stokes' all day.

Saturday 4th. I came down to Foxton in the morning and J.P. came in the afternoon. Willie and Johnnie were up to Foxton for flour and two pigs. It was late when J.P. and I got home and I had a headache. A letter from Barb, Aunty Winnie.

Sunday 5th. I had the headache all day. J.P. went home early as Willie was going up with him, to go to Jim's and he took Maud S. up to get some flesh on her as she is very poor.

Monday 6th. Head all right in the morning – but after dinner, when I began to give the children their lessons my head began to ache again and ached fearful all night.

Tuesday 7th. Headache all gone. Mother washed. Children had no lessons as Joe went away. Father went to Otaki.

Wednesday 8th. A very rough day. Johnnie went over the lake to bring Father home.

Thursday 9th. Father and Mother and Nina went over to the Pah to see about the road.

Friday 10th. Uncle and Lydia came over. Mother and Father went with Lydia spearing eels, and she lost her spear. In the morning Haritina and two Maori women came over to go and see about the road – but surveyors were at work.

Saturday 11th Got a letter from Daisy. J.P. came down early.

Sunday 12th. The two Maori women came over again, so we all went over to Houtiroa, and then over to Te;and Johnnie and father came after we left. We had a race to see who would be first, we beat them. The surveyors had their camp there.

Monday 13th. Got a letter from Fred. Father packing up his boards.

Tuesday 14th Answered Fred’s letter. I went with Joe some of the way to show him the road to McDonald’s, to post it. Mother and Johnnie and the two girls went to Uncle’s.

Wednesday 15th. Mother washing. Father and Johnnie getting the boards in the sledge to Te. A little Maori baby died.

Thursday 16th Father and Johnnie brought the boards home and the canoe from Te. Mother did a little papering. Johnnie got some wood. Baby buried.

Friday 17th. Father making a house for his wool. Uncle here today. Johnnie took the horse and cart home and brought old Bluehead back ; had to go to Foxton. I did a little cleaning and the ironing.

Saturday 18th. Another baby died. Johnnie went to Foxton for some flour. Took old Joe to pack on. I rode Bluehead as far as the Kawakawa and stayed there while Johnnie went for the mail. He got a letter from Alie Scott. I walked home and had breakfast did some cleaning, and after dinner swept a good bit of the rubbish down the hill and tidied up, cleaned the knives, forks and spoons, had a bath and watered my garden. Then Johnnie came home sick. Mother scrubbed the kitchen. Father went to the camp for some more boards, and brought home the sledge. J.P. came down about six o’clock.

Sunday 19th. Had a goose for dinner, J.P. had a headache. Uncle came over. Old Hiritana came in the afternoon. J.P. went home. Uncle Charlie came down in the evening.

Monday 20th. Father and Uncle Charlie went for Joe, the old horse, to plough. After dinner they went over the lake for the plough and also for Cornel. Mother doing some claying. Johnnie some fencing. Myself odds and ends.

Tuesday 21st. Mother and the little girls gone over to the Pah with Lydia and others to a meeting about Grey. I to see the baby buried. Uncle Charlie ploughing. Father and Johnnie clearing the rubbish. I scrubbed out the kitchen and tidied up. Sowed a few seeds. Mother got a bad headache. I got a letter and packet of envelopes.

Wednesday. Mother washing. Uncle Charlie finished ploughing and harrowing. Uncle and Puku here this morning, came for his plough. Johnnie took the two horses over to Uncle's. Old Joe here today for a little while, and Norinori and another girl here also, came for their canoe. Norinori helped me wash up the dinner dishes and did a little washing too. I marked some handkerchiefs. Sowed some more seeds in my garden and watered it.

Thursday. Mother not very well; baking, and cleaned some gooseberry bushes. Johnnie fencing. Father and Uncle C. went across the lake to see some horses. Uncle C. went home took the big mare and Darkie home with him. Left the foal here. Honnie got old Joe and Uira in. I scrubbed out the kitchen and got the dinner on. Mother clayed over the door and two windows. I wrote to Pick, Mrs Harlock and Barbara.

Friday 24th. Johnnie took the mail and took old Bluehead home. Uncle walked over for him and missed Johnnie on the road. Rained a little this morning, and very close this afternoon. Mother making her jacket. Father working at his wool. I scrubbed out the three bedrooms and tidied. I did the ironing.

Saturday 25th. Joe went for the mail I got a letter from Pick and J.P Lydia came over to go for some potatoes across the lake. Mother and Joe went with her. I did the cleaning, got it nearly all done before dinner. Mother and Lydia came home at dinnertime. Johnnie took the foal around the lake and had to leave Uira there with it, and let old Joe go through the bush to Koutoroa. After dinner I did a little dusting and then went to get some wild clematis but could only reach a few so got Johnnie to get them for me, and he got a lot. I had them from one end of the mantle piece to the other and a lot in another corner and here and there. I watered the garden and did a little weeding. Mother made some buns.

Sunday 26th. Mother got the dinner ready. I tidied up and had a good read nearly all day. I read (began) ‘My Guardian’ aloud in the evening. Father went over to the plain. Uncle was over and had dinner with us. A dull and rainy day.

Monday 27th. One or two little showers in the morning. Father and Johnnie planting potatoes. Mother finished her jacket. I weeded my flower beds and got the paths to do. I began an apron while giving the children their lessons, and wrote a letter to Beaty and J.P. in the evening. Had no reading.

Tuesday 28th. Father and Johnnie planting potatoes. At eleven Johnnie and Joe and the two girls went in the canoe with the mail. Mother washing . I tidied the rooms and scrubbed out the kitchen, and got the dinner and tidied up after dinner. One goose got some goslings out and a hen some chickens seven (one died).

Wednesday 29th. Father and Johnnie finished planting potatoes. Mother strapping Johnnie’s trousers. In the morning I did the ironing. Uncle was here and brought us some pork, did not stop long. After dinner I went out and swept up some rubbish and burnt it. Had no lessons. In the evening Johnnie and Joe went for the mail and Mrs McDonald sent us two roots of sage. I watered my garden. After tea I read the Weekly Press.

Thursday 30th. Mother and Father and the little girls went in search of a pot to get the loan of from the Maoris. Had to go Koutoroa first and then to the Pah and got one there. Johnnie doing a little bit of fencing along the front. I clayed the fireplace made the beds and tidied up the rooms, scrubbed out the kitchen, and the benches, and cleaned the knives and forks and spoons, and got dinner ready. Had to keep Joe in till teatime. After tea did a little writing.

Friday 1st. Oct. We were very late getting up, I did no cleaning only the fireplace, and made the beds. Did some more sweeping down the hill. Father doing his wool. Johnnie odds and ends. Mother has got a pain in her chest, doing odds and ends. Uncle here this afternoon, going to Mrs D's. Brought the news, Mrs King has got a son yesterday. Johnnie has just taken Mother and the two girls over to see her. J.P. came down after dark. Uncle did not come back till ten o’clock. He brought two letters for me one from Pick and one from J.P. J.P. told us Jim went to Napier last Monday.

Saturday 2nd. Mother did the scrubbing. I tidied the rooms, sowed mignonette seed Pick sent in her letter. After dinner J.P. and I went over to Uncle’s stayed there awhile, had something to eat and came home again. Mother was just getting tea ready, so we had some more.

Sunday 3rd. Not very bright, showery, Uncle and Puku were over. J.P. went home in the afternoon. I read some more in the evening. Sent Mrs Stokes letter which I forgot to post by J.P. and seeds also.

Monday 4th. Very wet day, only odds and ends done. Uncle was over, he had been doing the road and got wet through. We lost one little white chick. In the evening Johnnie read a little and I read some. Had no lessons. Father got wet through working at his wool.

Tuesday 5th. A wet morning, cleared up in the afternoon. In the morning Father went out to the beach to see if Coley had brought the things, but he had not. Another hen with six chicks. Johnnie gone over to Uncle’s for the horse and cart. Had lessons today. Mother patching, I doing some crocheting.

Wednesday 6th. A lovely day. Johnnie and Joe went out to the beach with the cart to see if the things had come – but had not, got home just in time for dinner. Uncle and a boy came for the cart to take the harrows and seed potatoes home. Lydia and her sister came over to pick out the seed and get some puha, and then they came over here. I was in my garden doing a little weeding and planting so Lydia did a little weeding for me. Then we had dinner, just as we were half through it Uncle and the boy came, they had been doing up the bridge. After dinner I did some more weeding and left Mother to wash up. Then came and gave the children their lessons. In the morning Mother went and cleaned some gooseberry bushes. I made the beds and tidied up the rooms. Clayed the fireplace, washed up and scrubbed out the kitchen and benches, and cleaned the knives and forks and spoons and teapot. Mother baking bread. Father working at his wool and this afternoon ((me and John) not clear) digging out cabbage trees. Johnnie and I read some more of 'My Guardian.'

Thursday 7th. Another lovely day. Father brought another goose home with six goslings. I helped Johnnie saw two pieces of wood, and then came in and clayed the fireplace and made the beds and tidied up the house; and cleaned the knives, and then tidied myself and went to my garden and finished weeding. Came in to set the dinner, had it and went and planted out one or two plants and then Father and Johnnie came home, they had been over the lake looking for the horses, and then Uncle and a Maori boy came for their seed potatoes. After dinner Johnnie went over to Uncle's for a horse to go out to the beach to see if the things had come. Father doing some more clearing. Mother wrote up one or two notes, did some sewing. Had lessons today. Mother went over to Otiwa to see if she could get a bit of soap as our things had not come down, she got some and Simion gave her four Spanish logs. He and Mrs Simion brought Mother home in the canoe and stayed till about ten o’clock. I wrote to Auntie and Daisy.

Friday 8th. Mother washing. Father went out to the beach again and Johnnie went for the cart and met Father coming home again, things not come. They have gone over the lake to see if they can find the horses. Johnnie took the mail and brought home Tuesday's mail. I got a little box of seeds from Pick and a letter from J.P. I clayed the fireplace and made the beds and scrubbed out the bedrooms and tidied and dusted. Had lessons. Got a letter from Beaty and J.P. Finished reading 'My Guardian.'

Saturday 9th Johnnie went out to the beach again but still no things. I made the beds and dusted and went and sowed my seeds and when I came in my head began to ache, took some pain killer and rubbed it with the pencil, and had a cup of tea – but did no good, had to go and lie down and it got worse and worse. Had some more painkiller, but did no good. It ached till Sunday morning. J.P. and Lew came down then had a very wet ride. J.P. gave me some more painkiller after he came and Mother bathed my head with whiskey and painkiller and after that had more pencil rubbed on. Mother did all the cleaning and ironing.

Sunday 10th. A fine day. After breakfast Johnnie and Lew went out to the beach as Coley’s cart was coming down. Lew rode old Joe out as he went to help Johnnie lift the things into the cart but they had not come down, so Lew came home again and Johnnie waited till they came and then our things did not come,only a bag of oats for Uncle he was owed; brought some Mamakau for us to taste we did not like it. J.P. and Lew went home early as J.P. had a horse to lead home from Foxton. In the evening, I commenced 'Prairie Bird', Johnnie read one chapter Uncle stayed till ten o’clock.

Monday 11th. Very windy day. I made the beds and swept and dusted the rooms and clayed the fireplace and was going to scrub but thought it was going to rain. Johnnie took the cart with the oats home. All the Maoris from Uncle's took Kate Broughton home as she was very ill. The lake is very rough. Uncle was here he has a bad wrist. Father is working at his wool. Johnnie dragging some of the rubbish off where Father has been clearing, with the sledge and Colonel. Had lessons. Mother doing odds and ends. I wrote two letters one to Jim and one to Pick. Johnnie and I read some more of 'Prairie Bird.'

Tuesday 12th. A lovely day. Father gardening. Johnnie splitting slabs. Mother making J.P. shirt. I clayed the fireplace, made the beds swept and dusted the rooms and scrubbed out the kitchen and cleaned the knives. I started the tucks in a nightdress. Joe took the mail. Had lessons. Uncle came in as he was going home, stayed and had tea. After tea Johnnie and I went and hunted some cows over the hill and then went down to the wharf where the children joined us and we had a little row on the lake, came home washed up and did some sewing and Johnnie read.

Wednesday 13th. Father gardening, Johnnie splitting slabs. I clayed the fireplace, made the beds swept and dusted. Planted one or two plants out in my garden. Lydia came to see if we had any cornflour for a little baby whose mother is ill. Mother sewing. Father and Mother and Nona went down to Mrs McDonald's to see if Coley’s cart had come – it had not. Miss Maggie gave them a bottle of milk and Miss Agnes lent us some papers. Simion gave Mother a little pig, it has got out of its box and run away. I got a letter from Barbara. Had lessons. I read.

Thursday 14th. A wet day. Johnnie and Joe went to see if the things had come – but had not when they went. Father gardening. Mother not very well, doing sowing. I did my ordinary housework and sewing. Had no lessons. Johnnie and I read. Norinori and NgaHuia were here in the morning.

Friday 15th. A wet morning. Cleared up in the afternoon. I did my housework and sewing. Mother sewing and doing odds and ends. Johnnie rode down to McDonald’s to see if the things had come, they had – so he come home for the canoe and he and Father went. Both lots had come. Johnnie and I read.

Saturday 16th. A lovely day. Putiputi was here in the morning – brought the canoe home. Honnie took a loaf over to Uncle’s he expected a visitor. Lydia took his horse and came over for something and went home again. We had dinner and went over the lake to Winara’s for some turkey eggs. They were not at home – only two little children. They were after corn – so we went on to Jack Bushes – had a look at them and came back again. They were home when we got back – so we got the eggs and started for home – but when we got down to the landing we beheld our canoe half way across the lake. Winara happened to have a canoe, so we got it and Father and J.P. went after the runaway and brought it back. We got a lot of ferns and Huwhis? (hoyas?)and other flowers. Johnnie was home when we got home. Had tea and Father went as far as Foxton with J.P. A hen left her nest and the chicks would soon have been out, put them under another hen.

Monday 18th. A fine but very windy day. Johnnie went over to Uncle’s for the horse and sledge to drag the rubbish off. Mother put up a windbreak at the end of the house. I did the usual cleaning and tidying and some sewing. Had no lessons as Joe was helping Johnnie. I wrote a letter to J.P. and Mrs Willis. A hen brought out 15 chicks.

Tuesday 19th. A windy and wet day. Johnnie and Joe clearing, and after dinner took the mail. I sent a pattern to Barbara. They brought home a letter from Fred. Had lessons. Uncle called in on his way home. Father came home while we were at tea. Mother sewing. I did a little sewing. I started a stocking for Joe in the evening and Johnnie and I read.

Wednesday 20th. Father and Johnnie clearing. Joe went over to put in old Joe’s seeds and he went for the mail, got two papers from Mr Harlock. Mother washing. I tidied up but did not scrub, as it was looking wet. Got dinner ready helped Mother a little. Had no lessons. A very wet night. I read. Colonel got out twice.

Thursday 21st. A dull morning and a wet night. I did my usual housework. Mother sewing and I did some too. Old Joe was here a little while in the morning. Had lessons. Father and Johnnie clearing, Colonel got out again. Johnnie and I read.

Friday 22nd. Father doing up the end of my room so I could not do my cleaning ,so I did a little weeding. Rahira came and Johnnie and Joe took her over in the canoe and were caught in a very heavy shower and got wet through. Uncle came in, he had been looking for his pigs. He stayed all night, as it was so dark. Had no lessons. Johnnie and I read. I did the ironing in the morning.

Saturday 23rd. Mother did the kitchen cleaning and I did the other. A showery day. Uncle went home after dinner. I got a letter from Pick and J.P. J.P. came down in the evening. Bar sent me a needle case by J.P. Father was over at the train to see if the potatoes came.

Sunday 24th. A wet day. Father, Mother and Joe went over to ? to see a sick baby – but they were not at home. They brought me home some hawthorn flowers, and Father got some torori plants. Uncle Charlie came down, got here after dark and was wet.

Monday 25th. A fine day. J.P. went home this morning. Uncle C. ploughing. Johnnie gone to help muster the sheep. Father went over to the train after dinner. Mother clayed the fire place and scrubbed the kitchen. I did my other work. Had lessons. Johnnie and I read. I finished a nightdress and did some knitting. Johnnie and the two girls and I went over to the island just before tea.

Tuesday 26th. A fine morning – but a very wet afternoon. Mother washing. Johnnie went out mustering – was done early. Father and Uncle C. went over for the potatoes and Johnnie went with them after dinner to bring the horses round. Uncle and Lydia were here, Lydia went to Otiwa and Uncle went home. When Lydia came home she showed me how to do the hat. We read. Had no lessons.

Wednesday 27th. A fine morning – but wet afternoon, at night thunder and lightning. Mother put out her clothes. Uncle C. did a little ploughing. Johnnie went for Uncle to come and do the sheep – but it rained. So he stayed here and went eeling at night. Lydia came in the morning and stayed all night and nearly finished J.P.'s hat, and I nearly finished mine. Got some news of the eruption. I read, had no lessons.

Thursday 28th. A fine day. Johnnie and Uncle went to the sheep. Mother and Lydia and the children went down in the canoe and came home about three o’clock. Mother got a slight headache. Lydia getting bobs ready Joe eeling. Uncle C. ploughing. Father not very well. I tidied up, scrubbed and cleaned and got dinner ready; and after dinner ironed and gave the children their lessons. Uncle and Lydia stayed all night. Uncle was going eeling but it rained all night. Johnnie read. I wrote a letter to Beaty and J.P. Lydia finished J.P.'s hat. I never touched mine.

Friday 29th. A fine day. Johnnie and Uncle, Mother and Lydia and Father went down to where they are working the sheep. Mother got 19 lambs for us three girls. Uncle C. ploughing. I got the dinner and scrubbed out the bedrooms, after dinner washed up and tidied and dusted and washed out Nina’s petticoat, and gave the children their lessons. Father, Uncle and Uncle C. went eeling – did not get many. Uncle and Lydia stayed all night. Mr Harlock sent the 'Canterbury Times.'

Saturday 30th. Mother scrubbed and clayed the fireplace. I tidied and dusted and scrubbed the dresser. Uncle and Lydia went home after dinner. Uncle not very well; too cold to go eeling. Uncle C. finished ploughing. J.P came down at night and brought Wallace for me.

Sunday 31st. Mother, J.P. and the children went over to the Pah – to see if she could get a little sugar – got some brown. I made the beds and tidied up and finished getting the dinner ready. Mother made the pudding and put the meat on. We were half through our dinner when Tom Procter came – and just as he got here Mother and Shem came home. Uncle C. went home after dinner. Father went to see after his pigs. Johnnie, Tom and Joe went home about four o’clock. I had a slight headache. Simion came over in the evening to clean his boots.

Tuesday 2nd Nov. Uncle and Lydia were here early. Father, Mother and Nina went over to the (blank) with them – they are working the sheep, we got 31 more lambs. Johnnie cutting firewood. I made the beds and scrubbed and did my usual house work. Baked the bread, got dinner ready. Gave the children their lessons. After dinner Johnnie went and got Uira. Johnnie read.

Monday Nov.1st. Had the headache all day. A very wet day. Johnnie and I read.

Wednesday 3rd. Maori boys going to Foxton took Uncle C’s plough up and going to bring us some things down. Father sharpened Jack’s saw. Not very well. Johnnie went for the mail, I got a letter from Daisy and J.P. Uncle and Lydia went home this morning. Old Joe was here. Mother rendering down fat. I did my ordinary housework. Gave the children their lessons. Had a little headache in the evening. After lessons went with Johnnie to hunt the cows, as Wallis would not go with him. Then we went to Otiwa in the canoe and back again.

Thursday 4th. Had a bad headache all night and day. Mother washing – did not get it finished. Things came down today.

Friday 5th. Headache better. I got up at half past four. Clayed the fireplace before I lit the the fire. Got breakfast ready. Scrubbed out the bedrooms and dusted. Had lessons, and after tea I went for the mail, got a letter from Fred and J.P. Mother finished her washing. Johnnie and I read - we finished our book.

Saturday 6th. I made the beds and dusted and scrubbed the kitchen before dinner. After dinner had to go and help Father plant potatoes. Mother had to finish my work and iron. I had a paddle in the canoe while Father was cutting potatoes but could not steer at all. Johnnie was arrowing (harrowing?) – when he finished I gave up planting, came home cleaned my boots and was going to bath when J.P. came. He rode Maud S. down and brought a letter and some papers from Mr. Harlock’s and a letter and some cabbage plants and a bunch of radishes from Mrs Stokes. Uncle was over today – brought Hogget over.

Sunday 7th. A wet day. Had a rhubarb pudding for dinner. Ten little ducks out. J.P went home early.

Monday 8th A lovely morning and a very wet evening and night. Uncle and Lydia came over this morning. Uncle came to help plant potatoes. Mother and the children went over to Otiwa in the canoe and Simion came back with them. While we were at dinner Uncle C. came, so they were all planting after dinner. Johnnie arrowing (harrowing?) and then had to go and look for Uira. I did my usual housework and scrubbed. After dinner tidied up again and made some biscuits. Mother and Lydia went spearing eels. Simion stayed till quite late. Uncle and Lydia stayed all night.

Tuesday 9th. Prince of Wales Birthday. A wet morning. We were all going over to see the train – but too wet. Mother went to Foxton with Uncle C. going to the Land Court. Uncle went home. Lydia to the Pah. Father not at all well, got the mumps. Johnnie getting wood home. I did my usual work and made some yeast, and some scones, which were not very good and finished one of Joe’s stockings.

Wednesday 10th. Father a little better. Johnnie and Joe planted a few potatoes after dinner. A very windy day. I commenced washing after making the beds and tidying up, did not get it finished. Wrote a letter to Pick and set bread. Started Joe’s other stocking before breakfast.

Thursday 11th. Another windy day. I finished my washing. Got dinner ready. My bread did not rise well. Baked it after dinner and scrubbed out kitchen and benches. Father better and planting potatoes. Uncle came over to help. Stayed all night. I wrote a letter to Pick and J.P.

Friday 12th. Pretty windy. Father, Johnnie and Uncle planting potatoes. I got dinner ready and scrubbed out the rooms before dinner. Lydia came at dinnertime, helped me wash up, and bake the bread while I dusted and ironed. Hapi took my letter to the mail in the morning. I did some darning in the evening. Uncle and Lydia went home. Lost two ducks.

Saturday 13th Lost another duck through the night or early in the morning; Mr Burchly buying pigs, was here this morning. Uncle and Lydia brought their pigs over here. Mr Burchly came in the evening to see them. Finished planting the ton of potatoes. Father very bad – hurt in lifting the potatoes. I got dinner ready and tidied the rooms and did my cleaning after dinner. Mother and J.P came down just as tea was ready, brought Maud S. home. Uncle and Lydia went home. I got a letter from Mrs Willis.

Sunday 14th. Father worse, after dinner Mother went for some medicine. When she came home she told us there were lots of pipis – so J.P and I went and got some.

Monday 15th. J.P. went home before we were up. Rained nearly all day. Johnnie helping Uncle with some of his pigs. Late before they got them over the Lake. Killed one somehow on the sledge, brought it here and Johnnie and Mother dressed it. I held the candle. Done very well. Father a little better. Mother did the washing. I did the housework – was very drowsy all day.

Tuesday 16th. I had a headache all day. Father about the same. Uncle not very well. Lydia went to Foxton.

Wednesday 17th Father a little better. Mother, Uncle and Lydia went to Palmerston as the Land Court is to be held there. I did my housework and ironing and went for the mail and some milk. Got a letter from J.P. The first rose out this morning.

Thursday 18th. Rained last night and raining tonight. Putiputi was here early this morning. Helped me wash up and swept up. I tidied up and scrubbed out kitchen and benches and rendered out the lard. Wrote a letter to J.P. and mixed up the bread. Johnnie and Joe planted some corn. Father about the same. Another rose out. Another duck died and a chick.

Friday 19th. Baked the bread, did out the bedrooms and dusted and other housework, started Sib's dresses and other things. Did a little weeding in my garden. Father about the same. Johnnie and Joe planting corn. Another duck died. Had some lettuce for tea.

Saturday 20th. Johnnie and Joe finished planting the corn and after dinner went over for Mother and Uncle – but only Uncle came. Father a little better. I made the beds, tidied and dusted and did all the scrubbing before dinner. After dinner cleaned the knives etc. Got dinner ready for Uncle and Mother. J.P was here instead of Mother.

I washed up. I ironed, had a bath, cleaned the windows. Got tea, bathed the children, sewed the lace on their dresses and other odds and ends. Uncle stayed all night as it came on to rain. Got a letter from Beaty.

Sunday 21st. A nasty dull day and showery. I did the housework and got the dinner ready, Uncle went home before dinner. Father about the same. J.P. started about three o'clock to go home – but it came on to rain hard so he came back as he had no coat. Had radishes for tea. I wrote a letter to Mrs Harlock.

Monday 22nd. J.P went home before daylight. A very hot day. Father about the same. We have all got bad colds. I did my housework, scrubbed and got dinner ready and starched and ironed Johnnie's shirt. The first I had done. Wrote a letter to Barbara.

Tuesday 23rd. Uncle came over in the morning and went to Foxton. Took my letter to post. I tidied up and did the washing and did the housework and made some scones. Father and Johnnie commenced the potatoes after dinner. Father set the bread as I had a headache coming on.

Wednesday 24th. I had a bad headache all night and day. Got up and tried to do my work – but Father sent me to bed again. He had to be housekeeper. Cooked the bread and got dinner ready. Let the children run about without their boots. I had no breakfast or dinner – did not want any. Got up again about three o’clock – felt a little better – made up the fire and swept and tidied up. Had a cup of coffee and some toast – washed up – made the beds – and brought the clothes in and folded them up, and got tea ready for the others.

Thursday 25th. Headache quite well. Scrubbed and tidied up and got dinner ready, rinsed out the tea towels, starched a dress and apron and starched two shirts and some collars and lace, and ironed them all. Uncle came home from Foxton and brought old Joe home – he started on Tuesday but had to go home again as he did not feel well and went on Wednesday. Brought a letter for me from Pick. Stayed all night. Not very well. Father a little better – Johnnie and he are doing the potatoes. Maoris shearing over at the ?awiheu. I set some bread – did some knitting.

Friday 26th. Uncle was up early and went home and was back again in time for breakfast and then went over to spear. The lake very rough, Father and Johnnie cleaning potatoes. I baked the bread – got dinner ready, did out the bedrooms and dusted and tidied and finished weeding my garden. A lot of roses and pansies out – some sweet peas out. Norinori, the hen got five chicks out.

Saturday 27th. Got nearly all my cleaning done before dinner, finished after dinner had a bath – did some mending. After tea I had to make some scones, as I was shorter of bread than I thought and baked a leg of mutton for Sunday. Bathed the children. Finished Joe’s stocking in bed about midnight. Got a letter from J.P. There was a shower of rain in the afternoon and stopped the shearing. Father and Johnnie doing potatoes and Johnnie and Joe went over to the train to see if Mother had come – but she had not. Uncle stayed here all night.

Sunday 28th. I had a headache all day could not do my work. Father got tea ready.

Monday 29th. Father and Johnnie still doing the potatoes. Sheep too wet to shear so Uncle went home and did some weeding. Uncle C. came down about ten o’clock and went home about half past five. I did the housework set some bread after breakfast. Scrubbed out the kitchen and got dinner. Had some lettuce for tea. Baked the bread after tea. Wrote a letter to Fred and J.P. The train now open right through from Longburn to Wellington. Would have gone over to see it pass – but John was too busy. A wet night.

Tuesday 30th. Joe’s Birthday. Got up early to start washing – but thought it was going to rain – as there was a shower about six but it brightened up again so I put the pot on again. Got all my housework done and potatoes ready for dinner and started washing by half past eight and made yeast. Got the washing all done by 4.30. Uncle went home and did some more weeding. Father and John cleaning


Our photocopy of the diary ended her - but a Kete visitor kindly provided us with a photocopy of the final 10 pages - we have added them to this topic as a scanned PDF document - << click here to see it >>: