Diary 09 July 1903 – September 1905
WED 1st JULY 1903
Drove up to Norsewood & paid cheque £20-0-0 to Mr P.G. Grant. Eva posted letter to Miro[?] Garry, Eltham. Ella Grant came back with us. J Arthurs ploughing in front of house. A Mrs Carlson from Danevirk [Dannevirke] called collecting money for Danevirk Hospital. Gave her 5/-. We do not send milk to factory now, sent it only 4 or 5 times last month. El & Top at Lawn Tennis meeting tonight. Alick Hegh got ½ sheep tonight. Buttercup calved yesterday.
TH 2 El went to Agincourt by nine o’clock train. John put the four cows which we were milking, on back & brought in “Wildy”. Milking only “Buttercup” now. John paid Nils Larsen for carrying milk up to 20th June – 12/-. Jimmy Arthurs ploughing, nearly finished. Top started to pay cash to Skinner for bread today. A very fine day. John tonight went to see entertainment in Hall.
FR 3 “Wildy” jumped over & smashed hurl at stockyard and got back to her calf. Kept calf in here & put her on back. She jumped over fences & got back here. Paid J Arthurs £ s d 1-5-0 for ploughing lawn. Pressed bale of crutchings. A few fleeces of coloured wool on top. A fine day.
SAT 4 John took bale of crutchings & two bundles of skins to Ormondville for Williams & Kettles sale on the 16th. Sent letter also. John put cut through hinau log on flat. Shifted all ewes off flat. Put in 6 rhubarb roots in garden. Put dags round young fruit trees in small orchard. Killed the remaining fat sheep on hill. Little Ella went home with Top, when the latter went for her music lesson; no lesson today, the teacher did not come. Mrs Callander called late & John drove her home.
SUN 5 Walked over back with John & Babba. found 4 dead hoggets one of them near McGreevys – Neals corner killed by dogs, a good hogget, the others died from scour. All at home today. Alf Neal for tea. Steady rain set in tonight. A dull calm day.
MON 6 Sledged in 4 dead hoggt. [hogget] 1 killed by dogs which I skinned on back. John working with Alick Hegh. J Neal bought 4 steers for £9. We deducted the yearly £1. He paid £8 exclusive.
TU 7 JULY 1903
Skinned the 4 hogg & boiled them for hens & pig. Went out to back & brought in another weak hogget. Killed it for dog. John at Hegh’s. Got bushel of wheat yesterday & case of Kerosene from Becketts. Tonight Top at meeting of lawn tennis, John at Ping Pong in Library. A fine day.
WED 8 Mustered back sheep, Gerty & Eva helping. John at Hegh’s. Mum at Agincourt. Picked out 65 weak hoggets & put them in reserve with the eleven hoggs. there now & the 5 rams. 4 weak hoggets on flat. Put 410 back unless I missed a count out of 30 or 40. A very fine calm day. A letter last night from Mum. Eva wrote one tonight & John posted.
TH 9 Found hogget caught in blackberry vines in reserve. Eva fell off “Chessie” on back near 3 gateways, not hurt. Sledged in dead hogget from back, six skins now. John went to Mr. Parsons tonight to play Ping Pong. Fine day. A circular from Mr. I.D. Watson to say that a banquet will be given to Mr. C Hall MHR. in Town Hall at 7 PM on Monday 13th that the Premier Mr Seddon has promised to be there & some members of Parliament &c. Mr Watson is secretary to the affair. I am disinterested in the matter.
FR 10 Went through hoggets in reserve, none caught in lawyers. Also thro [through] ewes & walked among lawyers on back. Fine day. Found dead hogt. in reserve. Dug round heath & holly tree in front. Mum home from Agincourt. Came up in the coach with Carl. John working with A Hegh, today he bought from a hawker an ink-holding pen for himself for 2/= and a brooch for Eva for 1/=. Tonight El & I went to Canon Webb’s meeting at Becketts. The business was to talk over having services in Gospel Hall.
SAT 11 Got in Reserve sheep. Gave gum leaf tea to the scoured ones. Put 40 on flat and on reserve now 44 total 5 of them rams. Top helped me to lower 2 maize stringers down at “precipice crossing” for culvert on this side. Attended Farmers Union Meeting in Mr. Becketts. Miss Davis here tonight. Dull calm day.
SUN 12 JULY 1903
All at home. A wet day. No one here as a visitor but Miss Davis.
MON 13 John drove his mother to railway station at 9 AM. and got bugle volunteer accoutrements &c from Mr. Forbes. Sledged slabs to precipice gully for culvert. Shifted sheep (ewes) all on to flat. Banquet to Mr Hall tonight.
TU 14 John at A. Hegh’s. Finished culvert up gully. Cut down & covered up some lawyers in Reserve. Released a hogget. A cold miserable sort of day. Some light rain.
WED 15 Cutting down lawyers & putting dead wood over them in Reserve, released a hogget this morning. After dinner walked over back, feed not bad. Received £2 15 9 from Fresh food & Ice Company Wellington for 4 ducks six chickens (25lb at 6d per lb 12-6) (29 hens 2/6 per oz 1-16-3) (4 ducks = 7/-) Tonight drove to Rechabite Hall Ormondville to Parisheners [Parishioners’] meeting & handed them over £10.6.6 as ministers stipend & offertories, a bitterly cold night.
TH 16 Wool skins crutchings &c sale today in Napier. Fine day. John did not go stumping with A Hegh today, rain in the morning, turned out to be a very fine day. We chopped down & covered over with dead wood several bunches of lawyers. A Hegh paid me today on account the sum of 15/=. Tonight John has gone to Norsewood with his volunteer bugle.
FR 17 Chopping down lawyers &c in Reserve. John at Hegh’s Got in ram “Darby” & killed him, one of his fore legs-the lower part dropped off at the place where it was swollen from having a rope side-long[?] fastened on it. A calm dull day. Mum came home from Agincourt today.
SAT 18 The worst of the lawyers in reserve chopped down & covered up today. Mr. Cumming & Miss Davis here tonight. Boiled ram Darby & a hogget for pig which we are fattening.
SUN 19 El stayed at home with Mrs. Cumming, the others of us went to school church. Canon Webb. A very fine day.
MON 20 El drove Mrs. Cumming home. John not at Hegh’s. We pulled down 3 rail fence at long plantation. [?] got 150lb sack pollard a few days ago at Becketts for 13/6.
TU 21 JULY 1903
Dragged some rails from long plantation to corner plantation on flat. Laid iron pipes from 800 gallon tank down to creek. John stumping with Hegh. Fine day.
WED 22 Wet day. Received factory money today = 2/= Found hogg dead in Reserve, skinned it. John bought bluchers[?] at Juckuch[?] 6/6.
TH 23 Another wet day. Boiled food for pig in wash-house. Castrated calf & earmarked him. John gone to Ormll [Ormondville]. tonight in the pouring rain on Volunteer business, Major McMain[?]
FR 24 Shifted ewes off flat on to Ridges & Widerups. One ewe with twins. A very cold day, much rain last night. Pulled hogg out of creek on flat dead also a 2 tooth ewe drowned at Corner bridge[?] Telegram from W & Henry Fourneau, coming on Monday next.
SAT 25 D O’Hara came today & killed the pig & dressed him in a first class style. Sledged in the drownd [drowned] ewe & hogg & skinned them and also two others. Four boiling at present in the big boiler. Top got her music lesson today.
SUN 26 Walked all round back sec. A little sweet picking for the ewes on Widerups & the ridges. Milly Ericksen spent the evening. This has been a very fine day. We milk one cow, 1 calf not yet weaned.
MON 27 Sent the pig away by Carl Schmidts express this morning for Wellington. John went to Orm. [Ormondville] to meet Willie & Henry Fourneau. Wms [Williams] & Kettle’s cheque £ s d 8.6.6 for bale of crutchings & 27 skins. Alf Neale for tea. The crutchings fetched 4[?] per lb. 14 skins 4½. 13 skins 3¾.
TU 28 Transplanted oak out of slope plantation into long plantation & fenced 2 trees. Got small pig at D O’Hara for 10/= & paid his bill. Took the chair for Mr. Hyde Poultry expert when he lectured in Town Hall. Boys out with gun. Very fine days.
WED 29 Sent John’s insurance money £ s d 1.17.10 Rec £3.5.4 cheque from W. Dowrick[?] & Co. for pig sent them weighing 199lbs at 4d per lb railage 1/= another very fine day. Worked about home &c.
TH 30 Four tooth ewe died lambing & 2 more hogg died. Sent to Union Bank the 2 cheques, amount £ s d 11.11.10.
FRI 31 Wet day. Found 2 dead hogg’s on back & Ewe & lamb. At night all hands at Social in Town Hall.
1st SAT AUGUST 1903
A little snow on the ground this morning. Soon disappeared. Some more snow fell in the forenoon. Skinned 2 hoggs on back & buried them. Willie Henry Top & babba [Babba] drove to Waikopiro, very fine afternoon. Paid Mr. Beckett £ s d 1.12.0 Premium for or on £200 amount of insurance on house.
SUN 2 The boys & girls drove up to the Ranges. A fine day. Sent ½ years rent to Receiver of Land Revenue with a request to refund me 10% allowed to Crown Tenants. Wrote to Maurice ville [?] Re lime. Wrote Robert Dobson & Co. & signed new Insurance Paper Re £200 on dwelling house. Boys drove in cow “Darkie” from back, will soon calve. Boys shot 2 hares Saturday. and one quail. Bricklayer Hansen died yesterday.
MON 3 Willy & Henry went home by 1st train. Mam to Agincourt at midday. John helped me saw totara in Widerups rushes, got some light post for wire netting at laurel hedge & also house blocks. Poor old M. Hansen buried today. Top at Martins tonight. Another fine day. “Darkie” calved.
TU 4 A very cold day. John carted in 2 loads firewood off Flat. Walked through paddocks. Ewe on back lambed last night Skinned hoggt. Caught hare in trap in top garden. “Darkie” very seedy today, does not feed. Gave her pint of raw linseed oil tonight. Scarcely any milk, udder very hard. Fell wattle tree just outside corner of garden. At night went to Horticultural meeting in Library, am one vice President.
WED 5 Poor “Darkie” moping about all day, not eating, tonight gave her boiled linseed oil & nitre, she has no milk. Walked thro ewes, one at 3 gateways with twins. Put in some cabbage seed, broccle [?] [broccoli], carried in weak hoggt out of ridges & skinned it. John shooting at Target & foot falling.
TH 6 Shifted Ewes on to Flat. Darkie no better. 1 lamb last night. John & Norsewood Volunteers drilling at Orm. tonight. At Mr. Becketts tonight with a Card party. Home at 1 AM.
FR 7 Very fine day. Put in posts for wire netting along laurel hedge. Took roots &c off ploughed ground. Mam came home. John, Top, Miss Davis, Mrs Beckett, & her brother in law gone in buggy to Orm. Social Club. w [with] others gone by coach. Very fine night.
SAT 8 AUGUST 1903
Stapled on wire netting. Skinned hoggt in Reserve. John splitting firewood. “Darkie’s” udder hard & swollen, has no milk or else it will not come. Mr. Beckett came with sack of Dun oats, bag flour, staples &c. Gave cow table spoon-ful [tablespoonful] turpentine with oil tonight. Another ewe with twins on Flat. Find day.
SUN 9 John rode to N Nicholaisen’s for remedies for Darkie. Got directions – 1lb epson [Epsom] salts, sulphur, nitre &c. Got them at Mr. Becketts & drenched her. Alick Hegh helping El bathing her hard udder & rubbing into it turpentine & oil. Went over back to see sheep & cattle. Found “Lively” lying in a bit of hallow [hollow] ground unable to get up, must have been there 2 or 3 days, pulled her round & Came home & John & Mam came out. Could not get her up. John. A Hegh & myself tried to sling her with Blocks, ropes & sacks & failed, she seems paralysed. Heavy rain falling, we got wet. Harold Olsen for tea.
MON 10 Sledged home to Cart shed the cow “Lively”. A Hegh’s mare in lead coming up out of gully. The chestnut dragged the sledge the remainder of the way. “Darkie” dead this morning. Rain all day. “Lively’s” neck seems dislocated. Makes no attempt to stand Nicholaisen’s remedy for cow not cleaning 1lb Epsom salts 1 oz ginger. 1 oz sulphur ½ oz nitre. Drench cow.
TU 11 Poor “Lively” no better. Skinned “Darkie”. Got new Wertheim Sewing machine. John walked over back. Saw 7 young lambs. Skinned hoggt. Drill tonight in Norsewood. Sent answer to Mr. Hunter. A fine day.
WED 12 Skinned 2 hoggs on flat & one ewe died lambing on back. Picked up 2 tooth ewe which had lambed in a hallow place on flat & could not get up, lamb dead. got ewe round after a while. John picked up another 2 tooth ewe after lambing on Widerups, she cannot stand. Took lamb from a two tooth on flat. Bled [?] “Lively” to put her out of pain. John shooting at Target at Amundsen’s, and at Drill tonight in Norsewood. Today like summer.
TH 13 AUGUST 1903
Had to take in 2 ewes which were cast. They are getting all right. The little pig got out & went away. We found him at Fred Schmidts. A good Ewe dead on back, skinned her. Skinned Lively & dragged the carcase with mare on to flat to be burned, most of Ewes on back have lambed, about 50 to lamb there altogether. Mrs P G Grant & children here this afternoon. A very fine day. John drilling in Norsewood tonight. The 2 young calves are looking well enough on skim milk & a fistful of pollard scalded with hot water give the youngest (11 days) some milk from cow.
FR 14 A wet day. John helped A Hegh in the morning to Cut some chaff. Have 2 ewes & their lambs in the shed tonight Gave them hay in a box. One of the calves eats a little hay out of a box. Found a Ewe on Widerups unable to lamb, took it from her. A great many lambs came during the last 24 hours, seems to be half through, expect some deaths tomorrow, it is raining steadily & very dark. Not so many twins this year.
SAT 15 A bad night & a bad day this, cold & wet. Found a ewe dead in a pool of water near Gundersen’s Creek in the act of lambing. A poor crippled Ewe with big joints lambed but was unable to get up. Killed & skinned her. Killed & skinned a small poor Ewe on back & skinned a hoggt on back. Have 3 ewes in shed. They eat a little hay & are better off than if outside. Give the calves a little hay in a box, one of them eat a little. Six or seven dead lambs this morning. Tonight looks bad, dark, cold & wet. A little snow falling.
SUN 16 Cold but dry morning, only a little snow last night John walked over Widerups before breakfast. I went over flat. Wheeled in a weak ewe & gave her gruel. Got in a young ewe & took the lamb from her. She could not lamb. John took away a lamb from Ewe on Widerups. Just before dark took away a big lamb from 2 tooth on flat. Gave two motherless lambs to some boys going over Flat. A ewe died today one of those found cast & brought in. W. Torkilsen called tonight.
MON 17 AUGUST 1903
Walked over flat before breakfast & John over Widerups. John found a good big ewe with twins dead. I found a black face sheep with a dead lamb, Could not see any fresh dropd [dropped] ones. A dull cold day. John sledged in a load of rails from back & sledged in some firewood & gravel to washouse [washhouse] & shed door. Boiled a sheep for hens & pig.
TU 18 Not much rain today. Only a couple of fresh lambs last night. Went over back with John & Caught a motherless small lamb, brought him home & put him on a dark-wooled Ewe. Put 2 small notches in his left ear to remember him. Put one notch in the ear of another similar wether lamb to know him by. Skinned 2 more hoggets. This makes 24 hoggs & 1 poor little dry ewe on back. John went to Norsewood tonight but no one to drill them.
WED 19 Fixed up wire netting along by Laurel hedge up to gate-way going up on hill. Have 3 ewes with 3 lambs in shed tonight A very fine day. John away shooting at Amundsens & tonight he is in Ormll. as Colonel Webb inspects Volunteers there tonight. Did not notice any fresh lambs today – only one or two. El put in small seeds in garden. Fair picking in the paddocks for sheep. John sawed split & sledged in 20 hinau stakes for wire netting.
THU 20 Walked over paddocks & buried dead sheep & dead lambs. Skinned a very poor Ewe, looked as if she had lambed a short time ago, also a hogget, both on back. Shook & raked some manger grasseed [grass seed] on burnt patch on back where the seed did not take well. John split firewood on reserve, inside hurl. Alice came up in last Coach. Leaves coming out on Willows, one wattle tree in flower. Spring day.
FR 21 Another spring day. Brown Ewe today takes to her lamb. He is notched in the ear. Skinned a hogt on Widerups & one on back & one in Reserve caught in lawyers. Let mare & foal into stockyard & oak plantation today. Killed old Ewe & skinned her, on back. We bury everything that we skin or that dies. John gave a skinned hogget as dogs meat to Mr. Tuck. All gone to Volunteer Social except Eva & me. A good springs day. Sharpened crosscut.
SAT 22 AUGUST 1903
Walked over all paddocks, found nothing dead today. Alice left, went by midday train. John with Alick Hegh. Mare & foal we let go in Oak plantation. No fresh lambs to be seen. Top got her music lesson. This has been a warm day.
SUN 23 Through Ewes & lambs & cattle. Fine afternoon. Cold showers in the afternoon. Brought in the 2 heifer calves from back, they are poor. “Stars” heifer calf very poor. Will give them hay & a warm drink. No fresh lambs. No one called. Have been getting hen eggs & some goose-eggs for some time. One wattle tree in bloom. Cannot get lawn dry enoug [enough] to harrow. Castrated & earmarked calf yesterday, very little milk for them. Give them pollard scalded, scraps of bread &c.
MON 24 A very fine day. John at Hegh’s. Walked over paddocks only one fresh lamb. Sledged in posts from back (totara’s) Made a fire to burn off log on track going to “totara stumps” At night drove with El to Library to attend “Social” meeting
TU 25 Found Ewe on flat with her head caught under log, pulled her out. Found one on Widerups unable to get up, after having a very big dead lamb, it was choked in the lambing. John at Hegh’s. Poor babba went to school today her mother drove her up, she went away quite happy. Made a fire on top of Widerup’s. Got Lawyers bill £7-3-0 Cotterill & Humphreys for transfer of Mortgage &c. besides £1 or guinea paid to Carlisle & McLean for surrender of Deeds, £ s d 8.4.0 costs to get a loan of £300. Windy day.
WE 26 Found a first class ewe dead in gully clost [closest?] to D O’Hara’s fence, far end of Widerups in the act of lambing, and another Ewe stuck under the end of a log on the same end of Widerups, having lambed, must have been there for a week, sledged her home, she cannot straighten her forelegs. Started sowing the oats & harrowing in front. John with A Hegh. Made fires in Widerups. Attended Dairy Factory meeting in Town Hall. Finish at 12 AM
TH 27 John finished harrowing in front, the oats all in. Some rain fell afterwards. John drilling at Orm. tonight. Took 2 more shares in Dairy Factory, six altogether now.
FR 28 AUGUST 1903
Last night at half past nine Miss Grace Cumming came. Today we made fires on Widerups. Sent five shrubs to be planted at Becks Memorial. El got some poisoned wheat at Road Board office. Made six foot gate. At night attended Parliamentary debate at Town Hall. Bill. “Suppression of liquor tr [?]
SAT 29 Skinned ewe on back & one on flat. John at firewood [?] Found a good sized lamb dead on ridges, wool in stomach. Shook some poisoned wheat in front. Gertie & Grace at Mr. Ericksens for tea. El, John, Eva & Ella went in buggy to see Punch & Judy in Town Hall.
SUN 30 Walked over all paddocks. Skinned a breeding ewe on back raddled blue on head & a very poor bought Ewe. So far I can reckon 12 good breeding ewes dead, the four or five died in the act of lambing, the others seem to be wanting in constitution. Ralph Grant for tea. Grace & Ella.
MON 31 Found a good Ewe dead on flat. Skinned her & found she was badly hurt inside, lamb (single) turned the wrong way. The Ewe we sledged home died last night in the greenhouse, skinned her & buried her in garden, made up fires on Widerups. Put in gate post at first brown gate. El drove to Norsewood & brought back Mrs. Cumming, she is here tonight. & Grace. This has been a good month as far as weather is concerned but a very unlucky one for the cows & sheep here. I skinned 45 sheep, ewes & hogget that died, and 2 cows. One of the Cows had just Calved & the other’s time was up.
TU 1st SEPTEMBER 1903
This month starts well. A very fine bright day. Hung first brown gate. Got hinges for other gates at Collings John worked the afternoon with Alick Hegh, this finishes Hegs [Hegh’s] job of stumping. All hands at Bert Collings Social.
WED 2 Shook & raked in grasseed in burnt patches. John at football in afternoon at Makotuku. A cold day. Feels like snow, a few flakes fell. Eva found hogg in the reserve tied up in the lawyers.
TH 3 SEPT 1903
A sheepskin & hide buyer called this morning, sold all skins, hoggs. mostly to him, delivered at Orm at 4d per lb He bought the two Cow hides, one for 12/= the other for 8/= Grace & Gertie drove down & met Alice who came back from Mangatainoke [Mangatainoka], got two hind shoes removed on mare. John got in firewood & sawed a hinau on back for posts.
FR 4 Bundled the sheepskins (3) John took them & the 2 Cowhides to Ormll. Received cheque £5.10.8 He also took Alick Hegh’s 2 hides & received £1 for them Hegh’s money was put on to my cheque which I sent to the Bank today £6.10.8. The weight of skins 272lb. There were 49 in the 3 bundles. El drove Alice to station. Very fine day. Ewes & hoggs skins averaged 5½ lbs at 4d = s d 1.10 = each skin.
SAT 5 Went over Flat & found Ewe dead, lamb alongside her a hoggt on back cast. Killed latter, John sledge them in. We give milk to the lamb. Some rain in afternoon shook & raked in grasseed on patches on back & Widerups Alick Hegh paid for the 10 chords of firewood split in (£ s d 1.0.0) reserve. John, Gertie & Grace at Wesleyan tea-meeting tonight.
SUN 6 Walked over all paddocks & saw all sheep. Skinned 2 hoggs. on back. Miss’es Martin Miss Davis & Mr. Garry for tea.
MON 7 Worked at paling fence. &c. Boiled meat for pig &c. A social party at Mr. Watsons tonight. John there. Went with El & Mrs Cumming & took Chair at Rev Beacroft’s [Beecroft?] Lecture on “Through London”. A mild dull day.
TU 8 John drove Mrs Cumming & Grace to Orm Station to catch 1st train. Gertie went in coach to meet train & see Miss Garrie, she did not come by the train expected, so Gertie did not see her. Did some work at paling fence. Buttercup came round last night. Must look out for her three weeks from now. We are all sleepy tonight, so we are going to bed early. A wintry evening.
WED 9 Made up a few fires on Widerups. Worked ap [at] paling fence. John splitting on flat & football afternoon. Mr Beckett sent bag of flour & case of Kerosene. Fine day.
TH 10 SEPT 1903
Made up fires with John on Widerups & went through Ewes. Saw on back two or three ewes with young lambs. Some of those intended to be dry ewes have young lambs. A neighbours ram got into paddock & was taken out on the 18th April. Worked at paling fence. El put in a pane of glass in bedroom window. John at drill in Norsewood tonight. Piano tuner – Mr. Farr. attended. Found a hogget in the creek-gully plantation, dead in the water. This has been a remarkably fine day. Little grass [?]
FR 11 We sawed 2 logs & split palings on totara track on back. Dragged some logs together with mare. A very fine day. The two young calves are doing well on home skim milk from one cow & few hand-fuls [handfuls] of pollard scalded with boiling water, twice a day. We give them hay in night-pens every night, no sign of scour, they also like crusts of bread &c soaked in their drink. The youngest is five weeks old. The 2 yearling heifers which looked so very poor on back & which I drove in here to bring round on hay, have improved very much. They will pull through El John & top are going to a “Social Club” Social.
SAT 12 Finished nailing on battens on paling fence. John went to football at Makotuku in the evening. Fine day. Mrs. Oldershaw called for accacia [acacia] blossoms. At night attended Farmers Union meeting at Mr. Beckett’s.
SUN 13 Got in heifer from back. She will soon calve. Got in Ewe off ridges. Washed & oiled & put back bearing. She is in a bad state. Poor Eva in bed today. She is not well. John gone to Martins for oranges for her. Gertie gone to school church. Mr. & Mrs. P. G. Grant & children spent the evening here. Eva soon jumped out of bed & played about with Ella who stays the night. El & Top went to W. Church tonight.
MON 14 Skinned the Ewe which we attended to yesterday. Spent the day clearing up in the yard – gathering chips &c. Put ring in little pigs nose. El got two kinds of seed potato at Becketts.
TU 15 SEPT 1903
Walked over paddocks, found young Ewe cast, after lambing, found lamb, got them in & left them in sheepyards, she took. Carted a few loads of gravel to gateways. Straightened up elm tree in pig paddock & lopped off limbs & wired it to post sunk 2ft 6in in ground to keep it upright. Attended Horticultural meeting in Library. Home at 10 o’clock. Fine day. No perceptible spring in the grass. Back sec [?] bare.
WED 16 Put in a few rows of early potatoes. Beauty of Hebron, in garden. Dug out & threw over fence couch grass. John brought in a lamb which he found jambed [jammed] under a log, he cannot use his hind part. John at football in Norsewood v Ormll. Rain fell last night & some today, much wanted.
TH 17 Put in remainder of seed potatoes, “Beaty [beauty] of Hebron”, and “Up to date”, put in manure with them. Put in 2 totara posts in garden paling fence. Splendid rain today. Eva got wet coming home from school. The 2 calves in pig paddock, plenty of grass there for them.
FR 18 Shook & raked in grasseed on burnt patches in Widerups. A very good growing day. Showers, calm & warm. Sawed & split totara posts on back. Found a ewe dead in gully on ridges. Miss Hogg for tea An invitation to the marriage of Miss Oliver & Mr. Coghill
SAT 19 A cold non-growing day. Splitting totara posts on back. Found a rabbits nest near totara stumps with five young ones, they would be soon able to leave nest. “Spot” found them, he also found a sheep stuck in a log. John pulled it out & it walked away. 3 little girls here this afternoon playing with Eva. Not much grass.
SUN 20 Walked over paddocks. Skinned a poor Ewe on back & pulled the wool off another lying in “Rabbit Gully”. Mr. Beckett & W Hogg in the afternoon took away foal (Mr. Becketts) off back. Dull cold day. No growth these days. Tonight steady rain & very dark.
MON 21 SEPT 1903
Mustered Ewes on flat & those on ridges =122 Docked 49 ewe lambs & 39w lambs = 88 A few ewes to lamb, put them all on flat. A very warm good growing day. The grass showing up.
TU 22 Got in Ewes & lambs off Widerups & docked 34 Ewes & 24 wether lambs. Number of Ewes 69. total 191 on flat now & total lambs = 146, nearly all singles. Just after we finished & got them on flat, a heavy shower of hail fell & rain. Ground saturated & yards will be wet for some days, it was quite hot in the morning before the rain. After dinner got some totara posts on back John started [startled?] a rabbit on Mortensens. Fine afternoon A letter from Agincourt. Some picking for sheep now.
WED 23 Sawed & split totara log in a rough gully on back. John drove in cow “Strawberry” at dinner time. She & “Buttercup had a tussel [tussle] & Strawberry fell on her back in the creek. Gerty held her head out of the water while Eva ran for Mr. Thodsen. Before he arrived the cow struggled on to her feet. John practicing Cricket on the hill– cricket ground. Posted 2 daily papers to Robert Dupleise [?]. Hot muggy growing day. John carried home this morning from A Hegh’s two little Tamworth pigs, red. Barrow & sow price 12/ each Fred Schmidt called with petition to sign against the appointment of W.M. Thompson as Factory Secretary did not see him. Warm rain tonight again.
TH 24 Gertie drove to station & met Miss’s Garry’s at first train from Danevirk. They went away again by express to Hastings. Mrs. Collinge & Miss Tucker called in the afternoon & Mrs. D Grant. We split some totara posts on back in gully & John carried them up the bank. Killed & skinned poor old Ewe.
FR 25 John rode to D O’Hara’s for meat this morning. We cleared track beyond totara stumps & started a rabbit with dog. Lit 2 fires. At night at meeting – Mr. Russel at Beckett [?] Farmers Union. El at Social C. Lecture. John drill at Ormll.
SAT 26 SEPT 1903
Mustered sheep on back & docked all lambs = 52. Amongst them, wether lambs 32 Ewes = 20 dagged & put back all sheep – mixed 384, amongst the 384 are one poor ewe with a poor lamb, the ewe stayed behind on back not able to travel, also a poor hogget. Shifted ewes & lambs off flat into fresh feed on ridges & Ws. Must give the flat a weeks spell. Miss Davis here tonight.
SUN 27 The heifer calved today – a small bull calf. We put the heifer in the bail without any trouble. She gave only a small quantity of milk. All at home today. Fred Martin & W Turkelson for tea. John gone to Wesleyan church with them tonight.
MON 28 Got out manure from under battens at yards & sledged it to ridge alongside gum trees in front of house. & planted some seed potatoes Also put sheep’s trotters & bones with manure. El & Top bought flower pots at Martins. Fine day.
TU 29 Put in some potatoes in ridge before dinner time After dinner steady light rain set in and continued until night. Put in cabbage seed in garden. The slugs eat up all that came over ground some weeks ago. John carted up to Wesleyan Church some greenaries and acacia blossoms for decoration in honour of Miss Oliver’s wedding tomorrow. Bad news has come that poor Canon Webb is suffering from cancer and that he is in pain, no one allowed in to see him now.
WED 30 A wet day. Too wet to go to the Wesleyan church to see Miss Oliver married. At night went with El to Lutheran Hall where there were games, tea &c. Veterinary surgeon came to Town Hall to lecture on Cows, but owing to the small number attending the lecture was postponed for a fortnight. John skinned hogget on back. Raked in some grasseed on a burnt patch. Took “Buttercup” to F Schmidts Bull. A very good month.
TH 1st OCT 1903
A nice soft rain today. John painting iron of verandah underneath. He is at drill tonight
FR 2 Shifted ewes & lambs off Widerups & ridges into Flat. John finished painting under verandah. He caught a fish in creek beyond the road tonight. We sawed & sledged in some firewood. Sharpened cross cut. EL & Top walked to Library. Mr. Grant cashed £6. cheque for them. More rain today. Grass looking well.
SAT 3 Thirty years ago today I arrived in Wellington from N.S.W. in the ship Wellington laden with coal &c. Drove to Ormll. & saw Canon Webb. El went on to Danevirk. Got a sack of rock salt from Wms. & K = 1½ cwt Railage & coach fare 2/- Salt & sack 7/3. John and Allen Grant looking out for rabbits, saw none. Strawberry calved today, a big bull calf. Light steady rain keeps on. El bought 9d worth of cabbage plants in Danevirk, digging fork &c.
SUN 4 Yesterday put the 4 sheep off hill. One of them, a ewe which I found jambed under a log in Widerups, was loosing her fleece which was loose on her, I pulled it off & put her on the flat with the others. Another ewe in lamb. Today skinned hogget up the fence on ridges. All except me went to school church, another misty day & dull.
MON 5 Put in 50 cabbage plants & planted potatoes in ridge John sawed & got in firewood. W. Hogg borrowed buggy to take Mrs. Beckett & 2 Canterbury lady visitors to Danevirk. El has a heavy cold & is in bed all day. Sent ½ can or a little more milk this morning to Factory, by Nils Larsen. Another showery day.
TU 6 John got in some firewood. & walked over Reserve to see sheep. Many showers of light rain. At night went to Library to Horticultural meeting. El up today, but looks weak.
WED 7 Made cupboard alongside chimney out side Johns window. El walked up to Becketts for 4 lbs nails. John split some firewood & then went cricketing.
TH 8 OCT 1903
El & Eva drove Top to Ormll. to catch first train to go to Hastings & to Rosebank. Wet day. Finished cupboard. Walked over flat & part of back John walked over what was McGreeveys end is now Mathiesons. He found an old ewe dead & saw a rabbit I skinned a hoggt. & an old ewe & saw a rabbit at scrub. Found a good hoggt. caught in a lawyer. An old ewe on flat has a good single lamb.
FR 9 This has been a fine day. Went out to scrub on back with John, took “spot” & he started a rabbit, John shot it. Could not see any more on back. Took out the three yearling heifers to back 4 remains. The hay about done. Found two tooth hogget dead in lawyers. Pulled the wool off. Skinned old ewe. Found remains of dead hoggt. on back in gully & the remains of 3 in creek in Reserve, this makes 40 All paddocks look well after the warm rain, grass growing. Carried home 3 sheep skins & some dead wool. John gone to Ormll. tonight to drill. Little Ella grant [Grant] here tonight.
SAT 10 John took down fence between Hill & slope plantation & sledged out to “garden” corner, wire, strainer & posts I put in strainer to fence in a piece for hay. Fine day. Got copy of “Farmers Advocate” tonight. The is the 3rd copy.
SUN 11 Walked over back. Spot chased young rabbit & lost it. Afterwards pulled him out of a stump. Mr & Mrs P.G. Grant in the afternoon & Mrs. & Miss Randerson. No milk sent to Factory today, Nils Larsen did not go.
MON 12 Dug out & shifted hinau strainer at my garden. John John sledged up totara posts from back. Fine day.
TU 13 John took a bundle of sheepskins to Ormll. for the sale on 16th Worked at fence at corner paddock
WED 14 Worked at fence at corner of flat. El drove over to see Mrs Nicholls. At night took chair at meeting in Hall to hear address by Gov Vet Mr. Burton on diseases and ailaments [ailments] of cows. Got Complimentary Ticket from Mr Russell Hastings to go as delegate to Union Dinner &c.
TH 15 OCT 1903
Stapled wire on posts in corner & put up posts & rails on one end. El drove up to see Mrs Hutchinson. Elsie Schmidt got a nail driven into her heel playing See Saw at school. Battens & timber lying about School ground with nails sticking upwards. Another fine day. Left out rock salt in paddocks for sheep. Grass looks well in all paddocks.
FR 16 Put in about 20 cabbage plants. “Finished” ridge potatoes Eva at home from School today. Got a cold or a slight head-ache. John & his mother working in garden. Got some carrot seed – “Sinclair’s Champion” at D. O’Hara’s today & put some in on a manured patch at the end of potatoe [potato] ridge. Found two tooth wether again cast on Widerups & brought him in, will leave him in shed paddock until I shear him. Mr. Beckett sent me 10/= for grass of foal for 20 weeks. A warm day. Good grass in all paddocks Sent a letter today to Robert Dupleix Belmont Banagher Kings County Ireland. Calves milk sour tonight again.
SAT 17 John split & sledged in battens for corner fence. Raised pipe in drain leading from tank. Did some work in garden
SUN 18 Walked over paddocks. Saw two of our sheep in McGreeveys or Mathiesen’s, Could not get them out, gave it up as dog was too tired. Poor Eva’s cold is still bad, chest bad.
MON 19 Got in Reserve sheep & dagged 68. amongst them 4 rams. Came on heavenly rain, light wetting rain. A N.Z. Alliance teetotal man called also a man from Danevirk with a draught [?]tire. Letter from Top in Napier at Mrs Cummings. We dug some in garden & put in some seeds, carrots. News came that Canon Webb died this morning.
TU 20 Got the 2 sheep out of McGreeveys through the fence. Dug half of my garden. Burned the logs in small paddock fenced for meadow. Eva at School. At night attended & joined “League” in the Rechabite Hall at Ormondville. Mr Oliver Rev. Chairman Mr Quintrell Sec. Mr Robinson Treasurer.
WED 21 OCT 1903
Went to Canon Webb’s funeral. Volunteers attended & Rechabites, many clergymen, Service in Church & at graveside, also by Rechabites. Afterwards went by express to Te Aute & stayed at F McNutt’s. Walked up from Railway Station
TH 22 Left Te Aute by 8.15 train. Got to show ground in good time to see exhibits &c. Saw Forneaus Gertie. Fulfords &c a very fine cool day. At night went to Sterricks. Had dinner at night in Drill Hall with members of Far. Union Slept at Sterricks. Alice there too for the night
FR 23 Left Hastings by express. John & Eva met me with buggy. Wildy calved yesterday, heifer calf. Got them in & took away calf. Found Found three ewes cast, one in each paddock At night drove up to Hall to last Social of Season.
SAT 24 Cow Wildy slow to milk. Calf drinks fairly well. Finished digging in my garden. Ground very dry. Mrs Nicholls & Mrs W. Parsons came when I was away at the Show. Got bottle of lemonade & bottle of “Orange Champa” – at Becketts tonight for Eva.
SUN 25 John walked over paddocks, found dead hog. on back near McGreeveys. Went to Ormll. church with El & Eva. Rev W. Hobbs preached. After dinner drove to Blair Gowrie & saw J Neal & CC Smith. Ada at Church Got home in good time to feed calves & milk &c. Ralph Grant & Tiny Olsen for tea. John went with them to Church. Sent John Insurance money £1 17 10
MON 26 Drove Eva to School. Got at W. Becketts a pair Shears & lettuce seeds = 4/6 total. A pair shears for John. Was going to shear rams and a few others, but found Reserve fence at Engelbretsens [Engebretsens] so bad, that we sawed & split some rimu posts for it. El & Eva went to meet last train & brought back Pop Fourneau. Gus Fulford & Gertie. Fine day.
TU 27 OCT 1903
Worked at fence, Reserve – Engelbretsen [Engebretsen]. Sent 2 papers – “Heralds”, with account of show, to Sam – Clarke, Belmont, Banagher, Kings Co. Ireland. Also a “Dairyman” paper. Put in some mangold seed in garden. El & the others drove up on hill. Constable Butler got particulars about Sections &c. Another very dry day. Gardens want rain. Ground dry.
WED 28 Finished repairing fence at Engelbretsens. John went Cricketing after dinner. Mr Quintrell & Mrs were capsized in their gig at the bend above Englebretsen’s, through the latter’s dog running at the horse. All were thrown against the fence. Not much damage done. A miraculous escape. El & Co. drove up to township. A fine calm day for working.
TH 29 Got in Reserve sheep & shore the four rams & one wether that got cast 4 or 5 times & two hoggets. Rain set in & we let the sheep go with the wool on. Rained all day, warm rain, will do a lot of good. John drove up to the school & brought Eva home dry. Nils Thodsen home from Hunters, they finished shearing there last Satur’y
FR 30 Yesterday Alick Hegh took back home one of the small pigs which we bought from him & gave us a better one instead. I paid him for both pigs £ s d 1.4.0 A constant wet day, fine warm rain. Raked a bit of grasseed in near my garden. The grasseed which I raked in on the burnt ground in Widerups, altho it came up, the sheep scratched the ground & lay on it, and it is quite bare now. No use raking in grasseed in spring on burnt ground. Planted some small acacia’s near my garden. John dug out on back what we thought were California thistles
SAT 31 Light rain most of the day. Rung the 3 pigs. Castrated the 2 calves & earmarked the heifer. Put handle in axe &c. At night El John Gus & Poppie drove to Hall to see a play. This has been the best October I have ever seen. Plenty of feed now & likely to be.
SUN 1st NOV 1903
John Eva Gertie Pop & Gus Miss Davis went to Ormll church Went with El Eva & Gus over flat & on high hills on back in the afternoon. No rain today. Miss Davis here tonight
MON 2 Put in a row of mangold seed & a few rows of potatoes in garden & finished the ground with carrot seeds. John tried to cart a little manure to my garden but the mare refused to pull when it came to the hills. He dug out the remainder of the Californian thistles. Top Pop & Gus drove to Waikopiro, had tea with Mrs Lucas. John at birthday party tonight – Miss Milly Ericksen
TU 5 Greased axels [axles] of buggy & put on washers. All women folk drove to Dannevirk, home a little after five. Got in Reserve sheep & shore 30. Knocked off at 4 o’clock John went cricketing. Put in shed 31 hoggets tonight.
WED 4 John got in Maffie from back. Her time up today. Shore the sheep in shed last night (31), before dinner & put them back in Reserve, 68. First cricket match of the season played today at Norsewood. Dannevirk made 108 first in. Norsewood made 118. John caught for 36. He and Willy Jurkelsen won the game, latter 13 not out. It was a very fine day and there was great excitement We all drove up after dinner. Got home after 5 o’clock.
TH 5 Sledged up some hen-manure to top garden. Top Pop & Gus drove to mountains. Warm day. Got in Ewes & lambs off Flat. Dagged most of them & shore 15 & put in shed tonight 21. Docked 3 ewe lambs. Ewes in good condition & are cutting good clean heavy fleeces. John at drill in Norsewood tonight
FR 6 Shore the sheep in shed last night & mustered the others on Flat. John finished dagging Ewes & lambs. Docked 1 Ewe lamb. Shore Ewes 52 Kept in 45 Ewes tonight. Turned out 79 lambs. The girls drove down to Mr Gollans for ferns &c. John sent letter to Agincourt to say he is coming tomorrow night.
SAT 7 NOV 1903
Shore the 45 Ewes kept in last night, makes 112 Ewes shorn, on flat and 79 lambs. John dagging. He went by express to Agincourt. Pop went home by express. Top & her mother milked the cows.
SUN 8 All went to school church – Gus & Miss Davis too I stayed at home. After dinner walked over paddock. Sheep looking well, appear to have heavy fleeces. Put “Maffie” in bail & took away some milk from her as her udder & teats looked so very full.
MON 9 Kings Birthday. Rain since ten o’clock. Top Gus & Eva drove down & met John coming from Agincourt by first train. Maffie calved last night or this morning a heifer calf marked like herself. Too wet tonight to go to Cricketers Social. John gone up in the rain to see if there are any people there. The night very dark. Wrote Wms & Kettle to send 14 wool packs & place to [?] £30.
TU 10 Sent two cans of milk to factory this morning They were only half full, but according to Factory instructions, the nights milk must be kept separate from the mornings. Rain all day. Eva driven to School by her mother, got ½ bushel of wheat at Becketts for fowls. Pressed two bales of wool. No. 1 Fleeces 70. Ewes, four rams, hoggets & Ewes. No. 2 contains, Fleeces 84. Raining heavy & steady tonight. Plenty of grass this season
WED 11 Telegram from A. H. Russell yesterday re Harbor rates. Drove Eva to school. Examination today. She says she has passed. John raked in seed on a burnt patch on back & saw sheep &c. Put in carrot seed in far garden & manured with a mixture of hen manure. A Mr. Watson from Hastings, a skin & wool buyer called & offered me 6¾ per lb for wool delivered at Ormondville. Only a little light rain fell today. John found a ewe under a log on Widerups today. She would not try to get back only that he saw her. The woolly sheep required dagging very much.
TH 12 NOV 1903
Finished putting in carrot seed in top garden. Did some weeding in front of house. Received letter from Cotterill & Humphreys Re interest £ s d 7.2.6 due on Nov 23. Attended at card party at night at Mr Becketts El Top Gus & Self.
FR 13 An umbrella man called & repaired one or two Got in ewes & lambs off Widerups & ridges, dagged them & also a few lambs (69) Ewes = 88 one of them is shorn. Put them on flat, shorn ones on Widerups & ridges. Came on heavy rain. Got ewes into shed & dagged them. Mrs P. G. Grant called Ella here. Mrs Thodsen & 3 children called. Got in from Mr. Becketts case Kerosene, bag flour &c. Rain
SAT 14 Rain all last night, Only very light rain today. Good growing weather, abundance of grass Repaired fence & strained wires going up to stockyard. John sledged in load of totara posts from back. Went through sheep. Saw rabbit in scrub. It got away from Spot. At home tonight.
SUN 15 John rode to Ormll. attended Volunteer Church service. El not well today, part of the day in bed. Last night got letter from Wms & Kettle enclosing Bank slip £30. lodged on the 12th inst. Top. Gus & John gone Wesley. [Wesleyan] Church
MON 16 Mowed grass round house & some at Greenhouse. Another cloudy day & some rain. El paid a £10.0.0 cheque to Mr Beckett on account. Top drove Gus to station & brought back 14 wool bales, paid railage 2/5 Top & her mother at Lawn Tennis Meeting in Library tonight. Wrote Wms & Kettle about a bundle of skins sent them Oct 13.
TU 17 Made entrance at first old bridge for calves to go into gully plantation. Put two calves in there today, two at sheepyards, one in ridges & one in shed paddock. Put in pane of glass in a woolshed window. Thunder shower in afternoon. Fearful heavy rain continued a long time. Top has three little ducks in a box. Close weather.
WED 18 NOV 1903
Walked through paddocks. Saw all woolly sheep & cattle. Close hot cloudy forenoon, Afternoon heavy constant rain. Takapau cricketers came to Norsewood, only played for half an hour or so, game postponed. Drove up to school & brought Eva & John home in buggy. A letter from N Fourneau to day they are not going to Palmerston show. Letter from Wms & Kettle & cheque enclosed for proceeds of 14 skins £ s d 1.3.11 after deducting 3/3 for goods supplied. El. Top & John at Lawn Tennis Social tonight. Not raining but very dark.
TH 19 Tried to do some work at repairing fence -Flat back, put in only one post when rain came on Chopped & made track to hinau posts near beehive maire. Got two hind shoes on mare. Got Wms & Kettle’s cheque changed by J Collinge. Got 10/- out of it to give John to go to Palmerston with tomorrow. Got parcel of roses by post from Gus had to pay 9 on them. Rain Rain every day. Weather much colder.
FR 20 Another wet forenoon, to [too] wet to go to Palmerston. Snow low down on the hills. The weather looks better tonight.
SAT 21 Got factory cheque this morning = £1-4-6 for 26 days in Oct. after deducting 12 lbs butter & shares. Some showers in the forenoon, afternoon fine. John split & sledged in some good firewood off Flat. Made hurdle, tarred ends [?] next ground. Letter from J McNutt.
SUN 22 Walked out over back, Eva rode Chessy[?]. A fine forenoon John went in uniform to Ericksens. Volunteers got their Photo’s taken by Oliver. Showers in the afternoon, meant to put in a few sheep tonight to shear tomorrow, but no chance. Sheep wet since Monday the 9th Miss Randerson & Ralph Grant for dinner & tea, then all but Eva & I went to Presbyterian church or service in Gospel Hall
MON 23 Sent cheque to Cotterill & Humphries £14.5.6 Their charges £ s d 7-3-0 Interest £ s d 7.2.6 John got in firewood. I mended fence Flat-Back. Got in 53 Ewes Put one half in shed tonight. Top at Lawn Tenis [Tennis]. John at Cricket A Sugden del[…]
TH 24 NOV 1903
The sheep were not dry before 10 o’clock. We shore the 53 which we had in yards & shed, bad to shear Got in remainder of flat = 34. In shed tonight 15. A Sugden brought 2 bushels of fowl-wheat. John & Top in Norsewood at Tennis & Cricket. A fine day.
WED 25 Up early shore the sheep in shed last night 34 then went to see cricket match Norsewood 195 v Takapau 39 then light rain which turned to heavy & continued all night. John rode out to back sec this morning & brought in Star with her young calf, a very big heifer red & white calf.
TH 26 Pressed one bale of wool. Put in 60 Ewes fleeces. Then put in a half bale & left it = 30 fleeces. A wet day. John rode to Ormll at night in connection with Volunteering
FR 27 This has turned out to be a fine day. Got all sheep off back on to flat. All shorn Ewes on ridges & Widerups. Found a ewe caught under a log on back near boundary. John went back & shore her & left her there. Got in a woolly sheep off O’Hara’s & one off F Schmidts through fence. Fine afternoon
SAT 28 Yarded woolly sheep & picked out Ewes 50 & their lambs = 55. Dagged them & put on ridges Put all the others, wethers, hoggs, &c on Flat 334 El, Top, & Eva left at 8.30 for Dannevirk & got home about 3 or half past. A very fine day.
SUN 29 All at home. Afternoon got in the 50 Ewes off Ridges. This has been a wet month. Abundance of grass everywhere
MON 30th
DECEMBER 1903 TUESDAY 1st
Shore the 50 Ewes & got in off Flat dry sheep 39 J Howes called with his Entire Horse & tried the mare, will call again on thursday.
TU 1st Shore the 39 in shed, & got in off Flat for shed 47 John rode to J Arthurs & brought back rooster Buff Orpington. Paid for him 7/6. Went cricketing & bought a saddle from J Colling [Collinge] for £2.10. Yesterday docked 4 lambs two of each sort.
WED 2nd DEC 1903
Shore the 47 in last night & got in 65 dagged them & put 50 in shed 15 outside. Very fine day. They are cutting good fleeces & are in good condition. Many fat ewes amongst them. Gertie went to Makatoku [Makotuku] with Edy Martin & Mrs. P. G. Grant this evening Eva said she was sick in school this morning and her mother being there with the buggy drove her & Ella Grant home here. John cricketing this afternoon
TH 3 Shore the 65 in last night & say 5 others = 70 Came on rain Thunder storm, rushed in 65 or 66 & shore 4 or 5 of them. The remainder of them are in the shed tonight, not dagged, 61 John milked 5 cows this morning & Gertie one. Eva at school today. I Howe called with Entire today.
FR 4 School childrens meeting in Waipawa today Mrs N Ericksen & her 4 children came here early & was driven to Orm” with Top & Eva. We dagged & shore the sheep in shed 61. It took the whole day to do it, some of them very heavy & hard to shear. some fleeces over 11lb weight. Many prime fat Ewes. A couple of showers today here. A wedding in Makotuku yesterday Mrs. Jessop to her third & Hoskings to his third. John took Chessie to Entire at Ormll tonight.
SAT 5 Pressed 3 bales before dinner, put in 204 fleeces. John went Cricketing after dinner. Rain set in & continued all the evening. Sheep wet again.
SUN 6 All at home. Misses Randerson & Learmont for tea
MON 7 Pressed one bale of wool No. 7 containing 72 fleeces A Hegh carted to Ormll 7 bales. Chessie in the lead. Rain thunder &c. Got in & dagged 81 sheep off Flat & put them back they are very wet. El in bed all day & part of yesterday. John went to Ormll with second load of wool & paid 21/s to Sugden & Sons for goods out of cheque for £3-0-0 Put all Reserve sheep except the 4 rams into ridges & Widerups
TU 8 DEC 1903
Put in carrot seed in garden where the seed sown before did not grow. Hoed up small patch of potatoes. Got in wolly [woolly] sheep & dagged remainder. 117 total now on Flat waiting to be shorn. They are still wet about the brisket & bellywool. John put big calf out on back. He is “Buttercups” calf 5 months & nine days old. 3 small calves in gully plantation one in shed paddock & one in sheep yds [yards], one in ridges Put a sledge load of hay in shed, that cut in garden and around house, not very sweet after all the rain. This evening John & Top at cricket & Tennis. Ella here.
WED 9 Norsewood Cricketers this morning went to Play Waipawa & got beaten by nine runs. 62 .71. Walked over paddocks. Did some weeding in garden.
TH 10 Weeding in garden all day & earthing up to cabbage & potatoes. More heavy rain today.
FR 11 Weeding in garden. Cauterised the horns of two heifer calves. Mrs P. G. Grant called. John caught a nice fish (trout) for his mother. He went at night with two other boys to see Montgomerie’s entertainment at Ormll Miss Garry came late at night, Walked up from Ormll We did not get her letter in time to go with the buggy. (Dolly)
SAT 12 Finished weeding in garden. Sheep not dry rain more or less every day. John got in the three two year old heifers from back Top Miss Garry Eva & Ella drove to Ormondll to get new potatoes at Sugdens. Mr P. G Grant called. At night Top & Miss G & John at Montgomeries.
SUN 13 John rode to Makotuku with a note from mother to Dr. McGavin to come & see her which he did and he left her all right & left medicine & &c &c. Mrs Thodsen was in attendance with the Doctor. Mrs Grant took Ella home. At night the young people went Presbyterian Service in Gospel Hall.
MON 14 DEC 1903
Cut the grass between Oats & fence along road & mowed some in corner plantation. Got in 66 sheep off Flat & shore a few of them. A light shower fell, got them in, shed dry.
TU 15 Up early. John milked. Heavy rain last night. Shore the sheep in shed, hard to shear. Got in remainder & put them in shed 51 Mrs Beckett called & Miss Cumming at night A letter from George. He is coming at Xmas.
WED 16 Shore the sheep in shed last night, the finish. Torrents of rain nearly all day. 8 coloured fleeces A cricket match was to be played at Norsewood. N. v Ormll started but was postponed. The first Wool Sale of the season in Napier. Gus Fulford sent a box of Gooseberry’s by post.
TH 17 Took “Korimiko” heifer to A Hegh’s bull this morning with Buttercup as company & left them until milking time this evening. Pressed two bales of fleece wool. Bale No. 8 contains 67 fleeces Bale No. 9 contains 72 fleeces. Agent for Dip, Littles Sheep Dip called. John got 2 fore shoes on mare. He is at Drill at Ormll tonight Mrs Grant & Mrs Thodsen called this evening. Windy tonight.
FR 18 Got in all Ewes & lambs off back on to Flat. Shore 20 lambs this evening. Letter from Wms. & Kettle to say the 7 bales in Napier was passed in at 6 ½. They valued it at 7d. I wired to say accept price offered. A very fine day, no rain.
SAT 19 Started early. Shore 60 lambs. John sledged in what hay was dry & mowed some in oak plantation. Charlie came on his bike from Te Aute this evening at about 9 o’clock
SUN 20 Put all dry sheep, wethers, hoggs. Ewes off front paddocks into back. Charlie biked back to Te Aute at 1.30 Got in & put in shed 67 lambs. Warm day.
MON 21 DEC 1903
Started early to shear lambs in last night Shore 65. Finished about 3 o’clock. Let two black Ewe lambs go unshorn. Rain last night & some light rain today, Could not get in any more lambs. John mowed some. Mam got up today
TU 22 Got Factory cheque this morning £2-8-0 after paying for butter & a sum of 11/6, in order to complete payment of two full shares. John got in some hay, firewood & mowed some in Oak plantation. Heifer “Lilly” round today. Becks bull in reserve with her. Got in & picked out the remainder of the Lambs & Shore some in the afternoon. Picked out 53 lambs & left two black ones unshorn. Poor Mr Tuck had his favourite bitch poisoned today. Mr Beck came for his bull, but decided to leave him here for a week or so. El got letter from Mrs Garry.
WED 23 Finished shearing the lambs before dinner time. John sledged in what dry hay there was & then went to practice shooting. At night he went away on Chessie to fish in the Manawatu. Received xmas cards from Te Aute & Agincourt. This afternoon killed three lambs for Christmas. El Eva & Top drove to Norsewood this evening.
TH 24 Finished pressing a bale of lambswool. John drove to Ormll to meet George. He sent a telegram to say he could not come. He tried the mare at Howse’s. John took half a lamb over to Mrs Thodsen Nils Larsen took half lamb. All drove to Norsewood. Got scythe handle at Becketts. J Collinge fixed it on to blade. Sent a lamb to Rosebank this morn 1/[?] train. Got vegetables from there yesterday, four sorts.
FR 25 John took half a lamb to A Hegh & went with him to Nicholaisen’s Factory. Top & I went to Ormll Church. Awaited for Sacrement [Sacrament]. The Bishop officiated today. John & Top at cricket & tennis. Took Strawberry to Hegh’s bull. El & Top at Wesleyan Sacred concert. A nice xmas.
SAT 26 DEC 1903
El drove John & Edwin Engelbretsen to Ormll to go to Waipukurau to play cricket against the latter township. Waipukurau beat them. Norsewood all out for 35 first innings. 48 runs Waipuk. It was decided by the first innings Sent Pass Book to Union Bank Napier. Mowed some at top garden. Shifted Ewes & lambs off Flat on to Ridges & Widerups. El Top & Eva drove up to Sunday School picnic (Wesleyan) in Nordbye’s paddock.
SUN 27 All at home. Hot day. A quiet Sunday.
MON 28 Mowing in corner, nearly finished. John shaking out & turning. Eva in bed all day she feels drowsy. Mother gave her a pill last night, think it contained opium. John rode up to Martins this evening & got her the two remaining banana’s in the shop. Hildah Gribble & little Ella for dinner. Letters from Nellie Forneau [Fourneau] & Mrs Francis
TU 29 John took 4 bales of wool with mare & A Hegh’s bush waggon [wagon] to Ormll made two trips. Took the poley heifer after tea to Heghs bull. Cocked some of the hay. Put in a row of cabbage plants in front of house. Eva better this evening.
WED 30 Windy in the forenoon. Hay blown about. We took some weeds out of carrots in top garden. Mam & I went by express to Hastings was met at the train by Henry & driven to Rosebank. A cool dull day. Met Charlie Ormll railway platform & he came back here with Gertie, on his return from Christ.Ch [Christchurch]
TH 31 John & Charley carted in the hay from the top garden while quite dry. John carted up firewood to Town Hall for the Tea meeting. Rain set in in the afternoon here and after midnight at Papakura. A small attendence [attendance] at tea meeting. Taken throughout – a rainy month. Mr Fourneau drove up to Napier. I walked to Spit.
FR 1st JAN 1904
Rain all day here and at Papakura. We did not go out anywhere. Charley went home to Te Aute.
Sat 2 Alice came up. John went to Danevirk sports. Mam & I drove from Rosebank to Greenmeadows to Wallace’s.
SUN 3 A fine day El went out with Mrs Fourneau for a drive. At night all hands went over to Fulfords.
MON 4 Came with Mr Fourneau to Hastings, present at two horse sales. Mrs Fournea [Fourneau] & Nellie drove main over to Hastings & gave her a case of fruit vegetables flowers &c. We arrived in Ormondville after 7 o’clock. John was in the Volunteer Camp at Amundsen’s
TU 5 John helping F Schmidt to get his hay in. I turned & shook out hay on hill & small orchard Got wool cheque when I came home £51 4 7 after deducting goods supplied &c also 30 advance. The nett amount of 7 bales x bred [cross-bred] fleece £82 18 1
WED 6 John home for breakfast from Camp. Top has done the milking for him & at night too or rather in the evening. We get the cows in at half past four, six cows. We mowed some in the forenoon in the paddock where the sheep have been running along the Brow near fence. Sent cheque to Bank & one to Dr McGavin 2.2.0 Also sent cheque, payment in advance £1.6.0 for Herald. A showery day. Becks bull running here.
TH 7 John home for breakfast after Top & I finished milking, she milks 3 cows. Put in row of Cabbage plants in front. Sent cheque to P. G. Grant £20.0.0 by Mam Top & Eva, they are walking up to township Chessie is lame, she was kicked on hind leg in a small paddock at Amundsen’s when John rode down to Camp. Sent cheque to W M Beckett £15.0.0 one to Road Board £4.16.8 County Council £3.2.0 Wintry weather. Sent cheque for Herald yesterday £1.6.0 Took some weeds out of carrots. Wind & rain all day.
FR 8 JAN 1904
A squally rainy day. Gathered up all the sacks about the place & mended some of them. John wheeled in firewood off the ridges.
SAT 9 John & I mowing on brow, afternoon John gathered & cocked hay in small orchard and after milking he went to Camp (Volunteer) He also turned & shook out hay near garden on brow.
SUN 10 Walked over back with Eva. Met J Neal & a younger brother at far corner, got home for dinner at about 1 o’clock. John came home from Camp in the afternoon, carried his blankets, rifle, &c. A very fine day. Youngsters gone to Lutheran Hall to see a Christmas tree adorned for Sunday school children.
MON 11 Mowing on Look-out. John cocking & turning. A hot day, very good for hay. El sent telegram to Mrs Wallace to say, “no eggs, hens not laying. Norman came by coach, Brought “Nuggets” periodical to John, tomatoes, flower cuttings. Sent Postal Notes for 4/- to Proprietor of Dairyman for past year & asked them to stop the Paper.
TU 12 Finished mowing on lookout. John haymaking. Started to cut about spring A very warm day. Every one busy with hay.
WED 13 Mowed some on Hill. John did something to hay at garden. In the afternoon Cricket match Ormll v Norsewood, it ended in favour of latter. Also Lawn Tennis Ormll v Norse latter won. Big smoke, it rose beyond Waikopiro hills. Norman W. left by afternoon coach. At night Vestry meet Ormll
TH 14 Gathered up & cocked hay on lookout. A dull day. Mrs Grant & Mavis Mr & Miss Grant from Canterbury here this afternoon. Ella staying here. John helping A Hegh with his hay. Recd = pay 7/6
FR 15 John drove Mam & Eva to catch 9.30 train for Agincourt with Mr Beckets [Becketts] mare & then sledged in all the hay in cocks. Shed rammed full. 7 boys helped
JAN 1904
FR 15 The biggest boy for tea Edwin Olsen. John gave him a shilling. He is a tiger to work. I mowing on hill. Gert got a letter from Pop & one from Gus.
SAT 16 John sledged in two loads of light firewood with Mr Becketts mare & then took her home. Got in ewes & lambs, latter not fat, many look small & miserable. Picked out 26 of the fattest & put them on flat. Turned out on ridges & Widerups 420 ewes & lambs. Mowed some on hill, Bathed & poulticed Chessy’s leg. Got at Mr Becketts tonight a bottle of Ellimans Embrocation. Another very warm day. Nils Larsen brought from Factory 2 lbs butter & a bottle to hold some of Wildy’s milk to be tested.
SUN 17 Sent some of Wildy’s milk to Factory to be tested. John at Manawatu bathing &c. home at milking time. Hot day. After tea cleared flat & opened hurdle at Gundersens. A Hegh came at night to ask for John at haycarting in tomorrow. Top at Wesleyan church tonight.
MON 18 Immediately after breakfast, mustered back Had them in the yards by 8.30, they did not travel well, after it began to get hot. Spot knocked up. John took “Primrose” to A Hegh’s bull. This makes 4 cows gone to Hegh’s bull. John working with A Hegh today. I turned some hay on hill. A young man representing Wms & Kettle called. After dinner started to pick out the fattest of the sheep. Picked out wethers fat and forward 52 Picked out Ewes fat and forward 86 Young Ewes 2 & 4 tooth, reckoned maidens 14 } total ewes 100 Put them on flat, total there now 144 8 152 Put all the Ewes & lambs off Widerups on to back this morning. Put all culls, stores &c into ridges this morning 265
TU 19 Bathed mare’s leg twice today & rubbed in embrocation Cocked hay on Hill. John took Maffie to Hegh’s bull & worked with him today. Wildy’s milk 4% [?]
WED 20 JAN 1904
Youngsters gone to cricket match Dannevirk Willy Torkelson [Torkilsen] came with a horse & took the buggy for some of them to go in. Top went away in the buggy with him. John went in some other convenience. Got in the fat sheep off Flat & put in yards 152 J Neal walked over to see about the buyer. He helped me pick out the fat wethers 52 from amongst the ewes. About 11 o’clock Mr McKenzie came & picked out 46 wethers at 14/- 32 4 0 81 fat Ewes at 12/- 14 maidens at 13/- 57 14 0 Total 141. I put them on flat & at 6 o’clock Bern Bengston came & took them to his place. He is intended to truck them at Ormll tomorrow. Put 11 rejected sheep on the ridges making 276 The Poley heifer round today. Becks bull with her. Mowed a bit on hill in afternoon Youngsters home between 8 & 9 o’clock. Beaten Norsewood cricketers got one run each & 3 bye’s in the first innings, did fairly well in second.
TH 21 Mowed a bit on hill, & all round house. John got a bit of firewood on flat & slept. Alice & Miss Ferguson came by coach at midday. Flossie came in the evening & stayed the night. John & Bertie Engelbretsen walked to Ormll to the volunteer drill. Mares leg improving.
FR 22 Got Factory cheque today £3-14 Deducted for butter 17 lbs, shares 7/- Test 3.3 & 3.4 & 3.5 John borrowed Mr Becketts mare & Alice & Miss Ferguson drove to Ormll & met Mam & Eva. John sledged in a bit of firewood & got a third bottle of Embrocation. Another “Dairyman” paper came altho I wrote to stop it.
SAT 23 Took “Koromiko” heifer the 2nd time to Hegh’s bull. Sledged hay together & built a small stack. Sent John’s insurance money yesterday £ s d 1-17-10 John caught 7 trout last night.
SUN 24 JAN 1904
All at home. Fine warm day. No one came today.
MON 25 Put all hay together & sledged in a load firewood John took Mr Becketts mare home to him & got 2 fore shoes put on her at J Colling’s. Alice & Jessie went by Coach to catch express. J Howes called & I paid him for service £2.10.0 of Entire. Mr Spackman called see about piano tuning. Mrs Olsen called to see about buying a quarter of mutton, none. W Torkelsen came at night when Top returned from Lawn tennis. John caught a trout today a pound weight
TU 26 Pulled weeds out of carrots in garden & we pulled some out of top garden & thinned some drills. Walked over part of back sec, long green grass everywhere, lighted a log amongst some rubbish Bede Bede in & about the scrub. Portable boiler arrived from A. L Gorden’s Dannevirk. Another warm day. Sharpened cross-cut saw in woolshed. Tonight received a cheque from Abraham & Williams in payment for 81 fat Ewes at 12/- and 14 maiden Ewes at 13/- picked out a week ago by Mr McKenzie. Cheque £ d s 57.14.0
WED 27 Shifted big boiled over to Dip. Cleaned dripping floor. Had an early dinner. John went away in his uniform with rifle to shoot at Amundsen’s. Top went with Misses Martins & others to a Pic-nic [picnic] up Briske’s way. Cut some ripe oats with hook over near far gate and some lying down at plantation. Emptied the sack of pollard which Sugden left yesterday, into dip tins, so that rats & mice cannot get at it. 2nd Wool Sale in Napier today. Good prices expected. We have 2 bales x bred 1 bale of Bellies with locks and small pieces & some dead at bottom. and one bale of Lambs wool in Napier for todays sale.
TH 28 Reaped & mowed some ripe oats. Recd from Wms & Kettle account of wool sold yesterday 2 bls [bales] x bred 7¼ one of Lambs 6¾. One bellies pieces dead 4d Satisfactory.
29th FRI JAN 1904
John took the milk to Factory this morning with Chessy & buggy, so as to get back early with skim milk to feed calves &c and get away early to Dannevirk. We had a free going smart [?] mare from Carl Schmidt for the trip. When we got to Matamau saw mill the tire of one wheel came off & we had a job with it until we got to Matamau blacksmiths shop where we stuck it on temporarily and at Dannevirk we got it & another wheel done properly at Mr Colletts & paid 9/=. I met McKenzie who bought my fat sheep & went with him to Abraham & William office & got a cheque for the 46 fat wethers £32.4.0 The accountant thought he had sent the cheque some days ago. I got it cashed & paid £2.10.0 to A L Gordon for portable boiler, he allowed Discount because the amount was paid before going into the books. 2/6. Bought boots at Farrows 15/6. Tops 10/6 for shoes & Johns 8/6 Boots. Discount allowed 1/=. Paid away altogether over £8.0.0 Rose’s sale going on, sheep selling well, Ewes fat & forward 12/6 Came by coach this afternoon a box of plums from Agincourt & a box of plums from Rosebank. John took Carl’s mare home & paid for use of it 6/=.
SAT 30 Mowed all the oats which was ripe, much of it was partly lying down. Tied & stook all that was mowed. The two pigs got out two or three times & we put rings in their nose’s. El walked up to Post Office & put £50.0.0 in the Savings Bank. Also put in for Eva 7/=. She took up with her a cheque for £28 & £22 in Bank notes I sent Abraham & Williams cheque to Union Bank £57.14.
SUN 31 All at home except John, he is at Nicholaisens for dinner & tea home at 9AM. Rain in the afternoon A good month. Good prices for Wool & Stock.
MON 1st FEB 1904
Poor Eva started to go to school this morning. after her holidays [holidays]. Cut most of the oats in front. Put all sheep off Widerups & Ridges on to flat. Mrs Gribble Mrs Parsons & Miss Neilson for lunch. Eva yesterday evening milked 2 of Johns cows dry. John at cricket practice this evening. Top at Tennis. John erected two tiers of wire netting at the end of the wash house to hold a cock & hen of the Buff Orpington breed to be fed & looked after for the forthcoming show to be held on the 24 inst.
TU 2 Finished cutting & stucking oats in front of house. A representative of the “Dairyman” paper called. A Photographer called to “take” the house, did not agree with him. He did not photograph it. The Rev W Lambert, the new church of England clergyman called on his way round to visit his parishinors [parishioners]. At night attended Horticultural &c meeting in Library. Did not finish until 11-30.
WED 3 John went this morning to a cricket match Norsewood v Takapau, former won. Went with El to Agincourt today. We were driven to Station by Top with Mr Becketts mare. We were met between Railway Station & homestead by Auntie & Myrtle. After dinner I went in train to Woodville & walked out to see the Show. Mr Frances was there & took 2 first prizes with his fowls, one for a white cock – Wyandott [Wyandotte] and a first prize for 6 well grown Wyandott chickens for table use. Came home with him in his spring cart.
TH 4 At Agincourt until after one o’clock. Rain came on, not heavy, and continued all day. We came to Dannevirk in slow train and then came on by express, brought a heavy case of plums from Agt. Alice here. Came home by Coach Pulled up plug & emptied Dip. Tank half full.
FR 5 FEB 1904
Took Chessy up to blacksmiths & got a hind shoe put on her. Got Mr Becketts mare & El drove Alice to station to catch midday train. John raked up oat straws in front of house. Drove round Ngamoko way with Church subscription list for ½ year ending 31st Dec 1903. Myself £1. W M Beckett £1. F Martin 10/. Riddell 10/- promised. Mrs Hutchinson 5/= for stipend & 10/= towards purchase of Gospel Hall. Mrs Oldershaw 5/= Cantley [Cantlay] 10/= stipend of £1 for purchase of Hall. Hill promised something. Mrs Dunning away from home, left both lists with her son for her. This has been a fine cool day after the rain last night.
SAT 6 Walked up to J Colling’s blacksmith’s shop & got a staple drawer made 1/6. Settled up for everything today included. Paid for saddle £ s d 2.10.0 total paid £3.7.6 John went with A Hegh to cart in his oats. Our oats in front Hegh carted in, there were 3 or 4 loads, we put it in the woolshed, then John went back with him & they carted in the remainder of his oats. A very fine dry day. All hands this evening gone to the Township. Also Winny & Ella
SUN 7 John walked across the paddocks to Fred Tuckers & the latter lent him his mare & a pair of spurs to go with 3 or 4 others up through Ruahine Mountains. He lost one of the spurs in the bush. At half past two in the afternoon there was service in the School by the new clergyman, Rev Lambert, went with El Mr Mrs & Miss Grant drove down & spent the afternoon & had tea. At night Top went to Wesleyan church. Mr Grant milked “Buttercup” this evening. Eva milked Primrose. John came home after we finished milking. A nice day.
MON 8 FEB 1904
A little rain fell in the morning. Eva & Ella went to school. John went to saw logs for firewood with A Hegh. I did some work about the place. A young man named Mr Polhill called to enquire about fat sheep. He is buying for the “North Brittish [British]”. John Top & Mam gone to hear blind musicians in Town Hall. Fine night.
TU 9 Poor Eva cries when having her hair combed in the mornings & does not like going to school. She will be at Ella’s Birthday Party today. Tonight John has gone up for her. Put three of the calves up on the hill today. John getting firewood on Flat. Mares leg much improved. Mam got another large bottle of Embrocation at Ericksen’s today. Did some work about the place. Sugden left 12lbs rice and fowl wheat.
WED 10 Put some water in dip in the morning. John afterwards put in more making up 400 gallons. We put Mr Becketts grey mare in the buggy and I, El, Top & Mrs Beckett drove to Takapau Sports. Brought the kerosene Kettle & boiled it & had a good lunch before the sports commenced. A little rain fell but soon knocked off. Left the ground 5.10 o’clock, home about 7. A good drop of rain fell whilst coming home.
TH 11 News today of an action at sea between Japan & Russia in which Japan succeeded in crippling three Russian ships. John walked down & saw I Arthurs about ploughing the stubbles in front. Stacked up the oats in end of the woolshed. John got in firewood with Chessie & dray. Some heavy rain fell with thunder & lightning. Ada & Cowper came. Received cheque for 4 bales wool from Wms & Kettle 47.0.8 John gone in uniform to drill tonight at Norsewood.
FR 12 Worked preparing & strenghtening [strengthening] approach to Dip Piano tuner yesterday. Sent cheque to Bank 47.0.8 Some heavy showers. El papering & painting small rooms.
SAT 13 FEB 1904
Finished working about Dip. Some rain fell today. John raked up amongst the stubles [stubbles].
SUN 14 All at home. Wind & rain. A rough wintry day.
MON 15 Light rain all the morning. John Mam & I went with mare & dray to Township & got 4 drums of Littles non-poisonous Dip £6-8-6 Got a suit of clothes for John at Campbells 1=5=0 a waistcoat for me 4/-, tablecloth &c £1-17-5 Shifted sheep from Flat on to Ridges & Widerups. Walked over Back plenty of grass & water everywhere Found one of our lambs on Mortensens side, Put it back. Saw some mushrooms in paddocks. “Maffie” gave symptoms today of coming round.
TU 16 Light rain in the forenoon. John helped A Hegh to fell & saw into lengths a matai standing dead tree in Reserve. Jimmy Arthurs came with his horses & plough & ploughed some of the stubles in front. At night went to Horticultural meeting in Library. Rain has cleared up
WED 17 D O’Hara called wanting to buy fat sheep, none. Sledged in some posts from back, John gone to cricket match Waipawa v Norsewood, made 13 runs & was bowled. Waipawa won. Lawn all ploughed
TH 18 Got some “March Mallows” at Engelbretsen’s & put a poultice on mare’s leg. Not easy to keep it on. John took away wire netting between Oak plantation & flat, we put it along road fence in front of lawn to keep out poultry. We sledged some posts & rails to fence where the wire netting was taken from. Mr Beckett send down a pound & three quarters of purple top turnip seed. I Arthurs did not come today. We got a box of plums today from Agincourt.
FR 19 Sledged in some posts from back. J Arthurs Harrowed & Bush harrowed lawn. I shook 1¾lbs turnip seed on it. Paid I Arthurs £1.5.0. Did some 3 rail fencing, Flat-Oak plantation, Mam got up 6 jams for show.
SAT 20 FEB 1904
Put up some pannels [panels] of 3 rail fence at Oak plantation. Headed hay stack on hill. Mrs Callender & two little girls came in the afternoon. Mam Eva Ella Top & John gone to see Kineomatigraph
SUN 21 A fine day. The Grant family for dinner & tea. At night I stayed with Eva & Ella. The others went to church & afterwards went to see Biblical pictures in Town Hall.
MON 22 Did not milk the cows last night, sent only one can of milk (not full) to Factory this morning. Received Factory cheque today £4.1.4 deducting for shares 7/= & butter 12/=. Worked at fence, finished the end next ridges. Sawed some matai for firewood on flat. Spot caught a young hare on flat today.
TU 23 Sledged in some firewood & sawed & split some. The others engaged in getting up exhibits for show tomorrow. Attended meeting in Hall tonight. Many beautiful flowers arranged on the stage sent for exhibition by Weightman & sons. Mr Goddard from Havilock [Havelock] sent flowers & his foreman Mr Abbot in here to judge flowers &c.
WED 24 Took up some exhibits to show. A basket of flowers (2nd prize) Top. Buttonhole. Dahlias six singles, Mam 1st prize. Cock & hen Buff Orpingtons 1st prize. Rain in the morning. Cleared up about 11 o’clock, remainder of the day very good. A great crowd of people. Takings about £70. Mr Gollam gave a sheep for a guessing competition. It brought in a couple of pounds & the carcase was sold for 12/=. I bought the timber for 30/=. Calico was purchased by Painter Olsen for £1=0=0 The sash (red silk) was awarded to Painter Olsen as he succeeded in gaining most points as an exhibitor. The mare we left in school paddock. We came home at 11 o’clock, borrowed Mr P G Grants buggy lamps, as the night was dark, but no rain. Star came round, could not take her away.
TH 25 FEB 1904
Went with mare & dray to Town Hall and took down shelves & benches & carted home three loads of heart of rimu inch boards, most of it first class timber. Gave Mr Martin cheque £3. for timber £1=10, donation £1=1 and got change.
FR 26 Half a day digging potatoes in garden. Mam gone to Agincourt by 10 o’clock train Top drove her to Station. Got in sheep off front paddocks, picked out 53 young Ewes & put them back on ridges. Put wethers &c out on back. John gone tonight to Ormondville to drill.
SAT 27 Dug out some of the potatoes in garden Put the eating potatoes in big trough in the buggy shed. John went away to shoot at Amundsen’s, came back after dinner time with Harold Olsen. They stacked the show timber and then went away fishing in Batchers Jansens creek & caught a dozen nice trout. At night went up to Township & paid Mrs Beckett £3.14.2 the amount of her Bill. Gave her a six pound cheque & got the change of £2=5=10. Hulena wants to dip on Monday next if fine. Put in totara gate post going into slab yard where pigs are fed. A hot day.
SUN 28 A very hot day. Reading & sleeping most of the day. Ernest & John caught some fish. Edy Martin in the afternoon, and after tea She Top & Eva went to Church in Gospel Hall. I went also & John. A very well built good building. A large Congregation. W Tarkelsen walked down after Church. A beautiful moonlit night.
MON 29 Dipped Hulena’s sheep before dinner 425. John went with buggy to Neals & brought home one of our sheep – a woolly one, which I shore. John rode up to practice Cricket. He & Top gone tonight to Leap Year Social in Hall. A dry month.
TU 1st March 1904
Rebecca Gertrude is 19 years of age today. I gave her a ring as a present. Pop Fourneau sent her a brooch. Rain set in this morning before daylight and continued until near midday. Heifer “Koramiko” [Koromiko] came round again for the 2nd or 3rd time & we took her to Hegh’s bull. Threw out pigs bedding of straw & saturated the place with Dip water & threw dip on the pigs as we blame then for the numbers of fleas in the house. We put the shorn two tooth wether on the ridges. We did not do much work today.
WE 2 Did not do much work today. After dinner John went to play in a cricket match at Ormondville Norsewood won. Very poor play on both sides. We hired a horse from Carl Schmidt & at half past one Top & I and Edy Martin drove to Dannevirk to see the Horticultural Show which was something similar to that of Norsewood. Picked up Mam & left Dannevirk at 6 o’clock. It was a nice day & not too hot. Paid 6/= for horse.
TH 3 A wet day Eva did not go to school. Pup[?] up a small loft in woolshed over battens to hold sundries. Thrashed some of the oats in shed. Yesterday Archy McLeod left Junction Hotel & Christian Jansen took possession. This rain is causing the creek to rise.
FR 4 The white poley heifer seems to be round today will not take her to a bull any more. Rain nearly all day. Shook some “Garden Sweed [Swede]” turnip seed in garden. Thrashed some oats John shook a little rue grasseed on a burnt patch in back. Fred Martin called with Johns Volunteer hat which Frank Hutchinson borrowed. Another dog belonging to Mr Tuck poisoned. Lying near road.
SAT 5 Light rain forenoon. Shifted meat safe. John helping A Hegh saw firewood in reserve. Jim Neal brought sheep buyer (Long burn) here no sheep ready. Sledged in 8 totara posts from back.
SUN 6 MARCH 1904
All at home in the forenoon. Walked round back after dinner. Went at night with Mam & Eva to Presbyterian church in the school. John & Top went to Wesleyan Some rain fell while in church. W Torkelsen came down.
MON 7 Got in all sheep off back – Ewes & lambs &c. Did not finish picking out breeding Ewes for the rams, dagged & put on Reserve 79 lambs & with them 7 poor old Ewes. Put about 20 of the best wethers with 100 breeding & fat Ewes on the ridges. Some sheep tonight on Flat & some in yard – culls. Only a few fat lambs Mam & Top in Norsewood today, got me a pair of Blucher boots at Ericksens for 8/9. They paid Road Board Rates for Neal Bros. £1-2=11. Put the 4 Lincoln rams out on Ridges with the Ewes
TU 8 Dipped & put on back 82 culls, stores &c. Dagged picked out & put in Reserve 108 lambs & 3 old culls. Yesterdays lambs 79 There are some fat lambs out with wethers & breeding Ewes. Culls in the yards tonight. Put breeding Ewes fat wethers & fat lambs all together on Ridges & Widerups. Gilbert McLeod called today about Dipping. Paid Sugdens bill £2=9=4 Top & Mam left this morning for Woodville Show.
WED 9 We dipped the remainder of the Culls 100 and put them on back. Dipped 205 mixed sheep for G. McLeod. Found a 2 tooth wether dead in Shed paddock after dipping. Poor Eva did not sleep well last night, complained about a pain in her stomack [stomach]. She stayed at home from School today, was sick this afternoon, threw up a clear watery fluid. She did not eat a morsel today. The cause of her sickness is that she ate some strong rank cheese with her dinner at School once or twice John went to Township after dinner and is not home yet, It is after 8 o’clock. Windy tonight.
TH 10 MARCH 1904
Got in all sheep off Widerups & ridges and picked out wethers fat Ewes for sale & a dozen lambs – the fattest, total 70. In the evening Mr Aldsworth a sheep buyer for the Gear Company called wanting to buy enough fat sheep to make up a truck load. We got in the 70 off flat & he had a difficulty to pick out 20 fat ones, 5 or 6 ewes & 2 or 3 four tooth wethers & the remainder two tooth wethers. The sheep were light & he paid me 14/- per head all round. He gave me a £14 order on the Wellington Company. which I endorsed & sent to Union Bank. At night attended Horticultural meeting in Library. Mr martin called in the afternoon to see about purchasing Mr Qunitrell’s organ which he offers for £18. Ten pounds to be paid down and the remainder after 4 or 6 months. Mrs Beckett advanced £5 put of the ten. I gave a cheque £5 to Mr Martin this money is to be refunded from the proceeds of Concert or tea meeting or something of the sort. This morning Mam & Top came home from Agincourt by 6 o’clock train, walked from Orm.
FR 11 Got in & dipped the Ewes 228 – 1 wether & one lamb & 4 Lincoln rams. We then dipped the 50 mixed sheep on Flat & put them on Back. Killed a two tooth Ewe for home use. We are having splendid weather for dipping
SAT 12 Cut up sheep & salted half of it. Put on new wire netting with small mesh between road & yard to keep in chickens from going on turnips. Got in & dipped 196 lambs and 10 cull Ewes & put them back on Reserve. John washed buggy at creek. A Hegh took out of Reserve two bush wagon loads of matai firewood Annual Harvest Festival in Town Hall by Wesleyans All but Top & Eva went. Had charge of sheep – guessing 25/6 result 15/6 clear. Pair boots for John 17/6 Ericksens
SUN 13 MARCH 1904
All went to church in G. Hall. Mr Quintrell’s Sunday. Afternoon Top went to see Edy Martin. Ralph for tea. John & Top went to Wesleyan Church. W Torkelsen called.
MON 14 Eva off to school. Light showers. Started to saw a log for firewood. Came on heavy rain & continued until the afternoon. Sent letter to “Farmers Advocate” Marton. John met Eva with buggy & drove down to D O’Hara’s. Got his bridle which he lost on the road a couple of months ago. Wanted to buy some fat for soap-making, but there was none. Very cool night.
TU 15 A very fine day. Sawed split & carted in firewood John & Top at a church meeting at Mr Becketts. Caught & shut up the six chickens or young fowls which go scratching on turnips in front.
WED 16 Weaned & put on flat on good grass two steer calves. Sawed another length off big matai log for firewood Washed mares leg yesterday with gum leaf water. We boiled down a kerosene tinful of leaves. Sent letter today to Mr Prentiss Longburn Freezing Works Sheep buyer to say I have no sheep fit to sell as freezers. Blasted one of the big matai logs. Paid 2/6 dog tax today to Collector & 6d exchange on cheque as I had to give him a cheque for £2= & got for change £ s d 1-7-0 Mam & Top went to Makotuku to see Mrs Whitson & top went up from there to see Ada. John practicing Cricket this afternoon & tonight gone to Ormondville to a social or some kind of send off to Capn. [Captain] Forbes. Three weeks today since “Star” was round. Becks bull with her
TH 17 Dug the ridge of potatoes in front. A good crop of white clean potatoes. John shifted the lambs off Reserve on to flat, where there is good clean fresh grass. Mam drove to Ormondll & met Uncle & Auntie Frances, every one quite pleased. A very fine day. Mrs Tucker & baby missed the train & Mam brought her back home. I drove Uncle to catch 7 o’clock train for Victoria.
FR 18 MARCH 1904
Picked up the small potatoes on ridge dug out yesterday and got a good deal of potatoes suitable for seed. Got last night at Sugdens a bushel of wheat 3/9 for fowls 2/6 worth of blasting powder (3 lbs) and a shillings worth of fuse. John splitting firewood on flat. I put up a few pannels of fence, three rail at corner plantation, near brown gate, shook some garden swede turnip seed on ridge where potatoes grew & raked it. Painter Olsen called to see about dipping his sheep. A very fine day.
SAT 19 High wind last night. Heavy rain in the forenoon. Blasted a matai log on flat for firewood. John mended a few sacks in shed. Finished the 3 rail fence at Corner plantation. Mam cut John’s hair & mine this afternoon.
SUN 20 All at home. Tiney[?] & Harold Olsen here today.
MON 21 Repaired fence at Corner plantation. John splitting firewood on flat. Blasted a hinau log on flat. Auntie & Mam walked up to see the log blasted. Sawed some matai on flat for firewood. Split some hinau posts. Tonight John & Top gone to see some sort of a play in Village Hall. Very find day. Mrs Christiansen called for a few head of cabbages for Salvation Harvest Festival. Rather cold nights
TU 22 Walked up to Township to see about getting some wheat & oats to sow in front as the turnips which we harrowed in did not do any good. Washed the mare’s leg with gum leaf water. Nils Larsen brought Factory cheque this morn £2.15.7 I got a pound of unsalted butter for Auntie at Factory Carted out manure from Stockyard & put it in front. Mr Prentiss Longburn Sheep buyer came today. We had no sheep for him. A box of apples came by coach from Agincourt. John & Gertie gone tonight to Mrs Dunnager’s to attend a meeting about church matters. To current account in U Bank £65.13.11
WED 23 MARCH 1904
Took Poley heifer for the 3rd time to Hegh’s bull & also young cow “Primrose” for the 2nd time we are not sure about her coming round, as she was with the bull months ago & did not come round since. Washed mare’s leg with gum leaf water. Mam & Auntie drove with Eva to township & got at Becketts a bushel of barley instead of a bushel of wheat for seed & two bushels of oats. John got mare shod all round. Finished carting manure from stockyard to front of house. Put broken stones & load of gravel at road culvert beyond road gate. John road up to township at 3 o’clock cricketing & tonight is in Ormondll. about football or something of that sort, with Tiney Olsen, he is also to see Jimmy Arthurs about harrowing in oats & wheat in front. Got in & yarded lambs off Flat & put 204 in Reserve, a few old cull ewes amongst them. Very fine day.
TH 24 This morning Auntie took her departure from Agincourt. Mam went with her & came back by express train. Mustered back, and got in breeding Ewes & rams & put them 232 including rams on Flat. Picked out 45 inferior cull Ewes, are in yards tonight. 204 lambs in Reserve including 5 or 6 old Ewes. Picked 120 two tooth wethers & put them with lambs for the night. Picked out to keep & put on back with lambs 68 good Ewes. Sig[?] & Harold Olsen dipped 105 sheep today.
FR 25 Put all sheep off Reserve out on back, also the mob of good Ewes picked out yesterday 68 Berny Bengtsen Came & bought 40 of the best of the poor culls picked out yesterday and 6 culls picked out from lambs this morning (51) at 8/- per head He paid £3 & will pay the remainder later on. Mowed the grass round greenhouse. Put in Reserve 10 cull ewes very poor & 3 poor lambs. Killed one for dog.
SAT 26 MARCH 1904
Sledged in a little cock of hay which has been on hill alongside the big cock. Huns Mortensen came about dinner time with his lambs to dip, brought them across back section & flat 113 left two weak ones behind. Jimmy Arthurs came at dinner time & I shook oats on lawn nest road, then wheat from middle oak up to Holly tree near house and barley between drain & plantation which I Arthurs harrowed in & crossharrowed with a harrow having bent teeth, He made a good job of it. Paid him 5/=. El paid Skinners bill £1.16.0 The cow “Maffie” came round today. She is too poor to take her to the bull. Mam got a letter from home Devonshire a couple of days ago, from Mrs Lane with her photograph and also that of her husband and son Harry. Another very fine day. Good moon. Took one of our lambs out of Mortensens & put it in Reserve.
SUN 27 John & Freddy Mortensen killed & skinned an old ram which the latter dipped & left behind on back yesterday. Hospital Demonstration at Ormondville today. Dannevirke band went by on big brake with 5 horses. John & other Volunteers were there & amount collected about or over £17=. Flossie, & Harold Olsen in uniform, for tea. Eva & I at home tonight the others in church Hall. Rain set in about 8 o’clock tonight & is still falling. Mam wrote two letters today for friends in Devonshire one for Mrs Lane and one for Mr Warren. & 2 w.papers.
MON 28 A wet morning. Paid F Schmidt for use of bull 2/6 & paid Carl 1/= for bringing box of apples from station. Posted 2 letters & 2 papers to Mam’s friends in Devonshire. Willie B rode up on J Bovairds horse and rode back in afternoon. Attended Factory meeting in V Hall. Williams director resigned. Was nominated with me & 5 others. I got 211 votes. The lowest was 13 votes Top & John at meeting in Church Hall. Re Tableu [tableau].
TU 29 MARCH 1904
Went with Mam & Eva to catch 1st train leaving Ormll. for Napier. Got excurtion [excursion] tickets for Hastings, was met at station by Nellie & driven to Rosebank where we had dinner. The busy time for fruit gathering was over, they were shelling maze [maize].
WED 30 Mr & Mrs Fourneau drove us into Napier & we did some business – got cheque book, left bank pass book in bank, got 1lb prarie [prairie] grass some lucerne seed & a little thousand headed kale to experiment with, paid for it 1/6. Got red coat & red hat for Eva. Got home in time for tea. A fine day & a very nice trip.
TH 31 Some rain fell in the night, but the morning looked well. Mam & I drove Tommy into Napier. Eva preferred to stay with the boys as she saw enough of Napier yesterday. After tea & cake &c we went in a bus up on the Hill and walked through the Cemetery and through the botanical gardens and down to Carlisle St and had more tea cake &c. There were one or two heavy showers during the day. We met Andrew Shugar who is on the staff of the Daily Telegraph. We met Mrs & Miss Mary McNutt in Hastings St. We walked up Roslyn road & paid a visit to Mrs Cumming We started for home at half past four o’clock. and got home before tea. Yesterday in Montague Lascells [Lascelles] Auction room Mr Fourneau bought 5 lbs tea at 1/= per lb and I did likewise. The night was pretty cold driving home. We did not go to bed until after eleven on either night. We had a most enjoyable trip and good weather. Some rain fell here while I was away. John got in some firewood, went to Mr Quintrell’s social to Ormll. on tuesday night, did something to fence the chickens from going on oats in front and bought 5/= worth of cartridges.
GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 1904
1st April Left Rosebank this morning. Mr Fourneau drove me to Hastings and I came on by Special passenger train which came on an hour behind the regular express. Mam & Eva stayed in Rosebank. I came from Ormlle in Nils Thodsen’s buggy. John & Ernest Parsons out shooting. B. Bengtson paid John in my absence £13.3.0 the ballance [balance] of the price of the 40 ewes sold to him.
SAT 2 John walked out to back & shot a hare & then took A Hegh’s filly home to him. We mowed some grass on flat & sledged it in to sheep yards to experiment with a small Sils heap. Dug the remainder of potatoes in garden. Mixed wheat with Murton’s poison dip, boiled it & shook it in front for the small birds as they are numerous on the newly sown grain. Drove John & Top to Ormll to catch express for Hastings Paid Mr Becketts bill tonight £7.9.0 Got demand for Rabbit rates = = 0=7=4
EASTER SUNDAY 3rd Up at 6 o’clock, a very fine morning, milked the six cows. A Kerosene tin chock full held the milk of five. N. Larsen did no go to the Factory this morning. Remained indoors until late in the evening, walked over part of back and over flat. Shoals of birds in front. They pick off the buds & get at the grain underneath. Minahs [mynahs] &c.
MON 4 Had the two cans of milk on road just in time for Mrs Larsen. After getting breakfast, feeding calves fowls & pigs &c it was half past ten o’clock. A few buggy’s & riders went past to the races at Waipukurau. Numerous small birds in front of house pulling up the buds of the oats wheat & barley, and burrowing down for the grain. Had to remain on the ground nearly all day keeping them off. Cut some of the grass along the drain with a reaping hook. Washed the mare’s leg with gum water. Fine day.
TU 5 APRIL 1904
Nearly the whole day trying to keep the birds away from pulling up the young oats and barley. Hans Mortensen & his two boys brought their second lot of sheep across the paddocks to be dipped – after dinner – we dipped 159 and one Ewe died through the effects of the dipping & one ewe was drowned. Got telegram from Mam to say “Meet Seven Train”. Middleton brought it. Met her at Ormll. Steady rain and very dark. H Mortensen’s sheep dipped this afternoon will get a thorough washing. Total number of his dipped 272
WED 6 Steady rain all day long, sometimes very heavy Attended Directors meeting at the office of the Dairy Factory. All Directors present except Dinwiddie from Matamau. Paid £1-9-0 the amount of Mr Campbell’s bill. No poisoned wheat at Road Board office, but Mr Martin had some on hand & gave it to me. Got one gallon of vinegar & tin billy at Becketts. Shook some poisoned wheat in front. George came after dinner, he walked up from Ormond.
TH 7 Rain up till midday. Saw two sparrows fall down from the effects of the poisoned wheat which I shook yesterday, they very soon recovered & flew away, one of them I caught & put in a box & after an hour he flew away as if nothing had happened. Skinned the two Ewes which Mortinsen lost the day before yesterday at the dip. Cut them up & boiled them with a barrow-ful of carrots in the big boiler which I set in its former place. Killed a good turkey gobbler for next Sundays dinner Mr skinner came up & left 2 large loaves.
FR 8 The spotted heifer round again. D O’Hara was riding by & I showed him the 2 heifers, & for £4=10 each
FR 8 APRIL 1904
I sold them to him. He is to take them away on Wednesday next. Picked up old posts & chips alongside 3 rail fence on flat & sledged them in for firewood. Gave the pigs a feed in the middle of the day. Accounts in the “Herald” about floods down Taradale Papakura & Meane [Meeanee] way. Four feet of water on the road. Nelsons had 800 sheep drowned, and others lost also. Damage done at Palmerston thro [through] storms
SAT 9 Wheeled dags into garden and molded [moulded] some cabbages George drove to Ormll & met John & Eva. Carl Schmidt brought a sack of pumpkins in his Coach. John shot a hare. Shifted Ewes & rams off Flat into Ridges & Widerups. Attended meeting of Farmers Union in L Hall. A small attendance.
SUN 10 No milk sent to Factory this morning. Chopped one wing feathers off each turkey. All at home. Mr & Mrs Becket came in the afternoon & went home about seven at night. Fine night.
MON 11 Jimmy Arthurs came with & dipped 223 sheep belonging to N Nicholaisen. I attended a meeting of 4 Directors & Secretary of Factory & had 13 samples or 14, of Matamau milk tested & sent on to Wellington for a like purpose. Eva went to school this morning. Top came home from Rosebank, came from Ormll by coach.
TU 12 George went by first train to Te Aute & saw Charlie & Alice & his sister Sarah happened to be there from Hawera. Killed 2 buff orpington young roosters & John shot 2 quail. We thatched the little haystack on hill. Geo [George] back tonight.
WED 13 D O’Hara took away the 2 heifers & paid £9. cheque A windy day, We did not do much work today. George left today. John drove him to meet express. Sharpened crosscut saw. Eva at school & afterwards at Bonnie Becketts birthday party. John gone up for her at half past six. Mr Watson wool buyer called.
TH 14 APRIL 1904
Another windy day. Repaired small bridge in Reserve. Sledged in a little firewood John burned off 3 or 4 lawyer bushes. Got in “Dalia” from back, she followed Chessie, Rubbed half a pot of blistering ointment around on the lumb [?] on mare’s leg. Revd [Reverend] Lambert called.
FR 15 Land Valuer called to value the sections for Rating purposes. Mowed some in small paddock & sledged it in to make ensilage in sheep yards. Young traveller called selling tinned soapy material to clean clothes, remove stains &c & promises to deliver ½ doz [dozen] cups & saucers on monday next. Gave 2/- to him. Top drove up to P. G Grants twice today for Velvit [velvet?]. Top & Mam Dressmaking these days.
SAT 16 Drove stakes & fixed up wire netting at plantation at garden on Flat. Sledged some hinau posts from scrub where John split them over to gateway at plantation. Mr O Ericksen’s two little girls playing with Eva today. This morning we put out on back, “Lilly” the white heifer in calf & three weaner heifers. There are now on back 11 head of cattle Counting Calves besides Carl Hansen’s year & a half filly & ours of the same age. Gave Mr Beckett tonight 1/= towards the Man o’war ship N.Z. To Dr Barnards 10/=. News of the death of Anton Andersen’s son at Makotuku in a gravel pit. A fall of gravel killed him.
SUN 17 A very fine day. All at home.
MON 18 John & Mam drove up & paid Ericksen’s £ s d 2=16=10 bill & bought a pair of strong boots for John 15/= also flannel &c at P G Grant’s. Attended the monthly meeting of Directors at Factory office. Anton Andersen’s son buried today. Went with Mr Becketts & got from Mrs Webb 5.0.0 & from Miss Patterson another 5.0.0
APRIL 1904
MON 18 towards purchase of Gospel Hall in Norsewood John & Christian Jensen took Filly today up to Carl Schmidt to be broken in. Paid 10/- to Mr Beckett towards Dr Barnardo’s Fund. Sent John’s Insurance money today 1.17.10
TU 19 Repairing fences – Back – Widerups. John got 2 teal duck on far pond, caught one & shot one. Made fires at big logs at 3 gateways. Mrs A Olsen called at night for subscription or something for Lutheran tea meeting Mam gave a coin.
WED 20 All but John went to show at Hastings in 1st train. A very fine day. S McGreevey paid £ s d 1.15.0 for the dipping of his sheep last season and N Nicholaisen paid me for dipping his, 15/6. Arrived in Hastings or rather on show ground after 12 o’clock. Had lunch with the Fourneaus. Top is staying for the night with them. After saying good bue [goodbye] to Mr & Mrs Fourneau we came away as the train left a few minutes after 3 o’clock & arrived in Ormll at 7. John met us with buggy.
TH 21 Some rain fell today. John went to Ormll with dray for the 4 sacks of potatoes sent from Rosebank but they were not there, he rode the mare back & left the dray & harness at Ormll. We strained up some wires & put in a few posts, back – Widerups John drove to Ormll met the 7 o’clock train & brought Top. News tonight that an accident has occurred between Norsewood & Matamau where a motor car met a horse & trap driven by some girls. The horse took fright, the trap capsized & a little girl killed.
FR 22 Got Factory cheque this morning £1.16.8 after deducting butter &c. John got up the 4 sacks potatoes, paid 3/9. Strained up some wires. Sent to Collier Wanganui Registered letter with £2. Left with P G Grant introductory note for Mr Nordbye for Mr Fourneau, also donation for Cricket club – 10/=.
SAT 23 APRIL 1904
Did some work to fence, but rain came on and we had to come home. Got in sheep off Reserve and killed Ewe for the dogs. John brought home small pig yesterday from Hegh’s, one instead of the small pig which Hegh took from here some months ago. Mrs Webb received from Napier & sent to Mr Beckett the following cheques. Thos. Tanner £ s d 3.3.0 F. W. Williams (Williams & Kettle.) Cheque 10.0.0 and one from I. H. Coleman = 5.0.0 towards the purchase of gospel Hall. Tonight there is a tea meeting in the Lutheran Hall.
SUN 24 All at home except John who went away for ferns & spent the day at Mr A Olsen’s. Harold came back with him at night. Intended to go to Church with mam but showers prevented us.
MON 25 Drove Mam to catch the 1st train at Ormondll. for Hastings & from there to Rosebank, to stay at Fourneaus for 6 months. Heavy rain last night & this morning. It cleared up & was afterwards a fine day. Picked up a Salvation Army Woman, Mrs Cook & her baby at Ormll. railway station & took her back here and John drove her to Township. Borrowed a big glass bottle from Mr Skinner to be used at the Childrens concert. Mam was not at all well last night, and was not in good trim for travelling or staying away from home just now. Did a little to fence in the afternoon. Sent the cheques to Bank. At night went to Social at Lutheran Hall, held on the departure of Messrs Nordbye & Andersen to Europe. The Hall full. There was a school Committee election, did not go. Hans Mortensen paid me a pound for the dipping of his sheep. Eva home from school today.
TU 26 APRIL 1904
Top & John drove down to Ormondville to meet express train & see Mr & Mrs Fourneau on their journey to Wellington to go home by the steamer Authenic [Athenic]. Willie goes with them as far as Wellington. A very fine day. Three or four Vehicles go past to Ormll with Messrs Nordbye & Andersen going away today. Cleaned up & tidied the buggy shed and spread out the 4 sacks of potatoes also did some work at the fence. John took home Willie Torkelsen’s gun tonight. Eva at school today all right again. A Sugden brought bag sugar, box soap, macaroni.
WED 27 Worked at 3 gateways. Put in hinau strainer. Dug out old Rimu strainer which was put in, in June 1886 by August Schaw and me. Mowed some long grass at stockyard, ridges side & put on top of Ensilage stack. A very cold afternoon.
TH 28 Finished at 3 gateways & worked down the fence putting in posts &c. John made mouth piece & fixed up a representation baby-bottle. Received a demand for 5/- from “Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation Limited”. District Office Napier. District Manager – John Parker. Re D. H. Potts.
FR 29 Split some swingers on back & worked at fence between Eva’s gateway & precepice [precipice]. Willy Fourneau came to Ormll from Wellington by express John met him. All went to school Concert. A beautiful moonlit night. The Town Hall packed.
SAT 30 Sledged boards &c into old sheep yards to make temporary pig-stye [pigsty]. Got in reserve sheep dagged them & killed one for dog or pigs. John gave to J Neal 17/6 to pay a debt to C C Smith for fishing rod which he bought off him more than a year ago. Eva at the school concert tonight again. John Willie & Top went. Letter from Mam. Top paid Skinners bill 10/= This has been a good month. Plenty grass in all paddocks.
SUN 1st MAY 1904
All at home in the forenoon. Flossie came down & had dinner here, after church. In the afternoon Top Eva John Willy & Flossie went in the buggy to Browns mill. John drove fast over some rough ground & broke the back part of the buggy. The leaves are yellow on the poplars and have mostly fallen off. They are green on Elms & oaks. Milked three cows this morning, a small bucket-ful [bucketful]
MON 2nd Drove Eva as far as Olivers on her way to school. Showed the buggy to J Collinge & A Collins. Received on last saturday night from Mr Beckett, a cheque for £5.0.0 donated by Mr W Nelson Tomoana, for the purchase of Gospel Hall. Erected temporary pig house for one of the pigs, whilst the other is being fattened. John filled the boiler with turnips carrots and a sheep for the pig we are about to fatten. John drove Willie Fourneau to meet the express at Ormondll. Filled up sheep return = 600. Filled up a return of cattle in my possession = 17. Hans Mortensen came over to enquire about a turkey gobbler, on behalf of a Mrs Touhy [?] of Takapau. Mrs Becket sent Top & I an invitation to go up tomorrow evening. Another very fine day.
TU 3 John washed the buggy this morning & took it up to A Collins to repair. He got a shoe put on his nag. We did not send any milk to Factory this morning, Not having any to speak of. Milked only 3 cows. Got in Ewes off Flat dagged them & took out the 4 rams. Put Ewes 228 on ridges [?] Put rams & 2 or 3 weak lambs on Reserve. Sugden brought sack pollard & bushel of oats. We have one pig shut up to fatten. Sent to Thos [Thomas] Horton £1-0-0 for fruit trees, strawberry plants &c. At night Top & I went up at 7.30 to Mr Becketts & spent the evening left at 12. Mr & Mrs Watson the 2 Miss Learmonts.
WED 4 MAY 1904
Sent some milk to Factory this morning. Milked the 6 cows, but will not milk Buttercup again John went away this morning with Willy Torkelson [Torkilsen] beyond Ngamoko to shoot. They shot a pheasant each and some quail. Worked at fence at Precipice. Returned number of sheep as 225 Breeding Ewes. 105 wethers. 96 dry Ewes 170 lambs 4 rams. Letter from Cotterill & Humphries, Re insurance 5/=
TH 5 White frost this morning. Put potatoes which were spread out on buggy floor into boxes, & pollard Improved sheep track at precipice & worked at fence. John gone to Ormondlle tonight to drill. Fine day.
FR 6 White frost this morning. Worked at fence at the garden plantation. Eva got a letter from her mother.
SAT 7 Put all cows on flat this morning, they are on the flat tonight and also the mare. Put “Buttercup” on the back this morning. There was a hare caught in the trap last night at the top garden but pulled off one of the jaws of the trap and got away. Eva found a Ewe dead today on the ridges. Skinned her & sledged her home, died from diahrea [diarrhoea]. Working at the fence at plantation gateway. Dipped the red pig & the little one & let them run about together. The cats killed a rat under the house today. He has been on the ceiling & inside the lining for some weeks. A white frost this morning again.
SUN 8 Top Eva & John at church. J Hutt conducted the service. I stayed at home. Ernest Parsons for dinner.
MON 9 Filled boiler with carrots & Mutton & boiled for pigs. Did some work at fence. Rode to cattle sale at Frank Smiths. Bought a cow. “May” which is supposed to calve in spring, for £7.5 and two young cows lately calved at Fineen’s for £7.15 for one & 7 for Roany each drove them with others as far as Scotts tonight & left them there. Scott bought 4 of Fineen’s. We drove all together.
TU 10 MAY 1904
Rode up to Scott’s (at C E Pettersens place). and drove home our three cows “May” bought at Costers sale (Frank Smiths) John walked up and helped me get them home, “Violet” and “Roany” bought at Finsein’s, paid for 7-15 for Violet 7-5 0 Dinner at 12 John went to repair fence & I went with mare & dray up to Finsein’s & brough [brought] home my two bull calves which went with the 2 cows and a grindstone I carted to Becketts for Scott. A letter from Mam for one of us to go to her with some clothing tomorrow. John milked the two new cows tonight and says they are very easy to milk. He and Gerty are gone to a meeting tonight at the Church Hall. Edwin Hansen swept two of our chimneys today. Paid him 2/=
WED 11 John rode to Ormondll & paid Sugden £2= the amount of his bill & brought back £3 out of a £5 cheque (W Nelson). Went to Ormondville by coach & got excursion ticket 4/6 to Hastings, return and I went on to Tomoana [?] & walked to Fourneaus. John Top & Mrs Beckett went to Ormondville to Bishop Ridleys lecture & left Eva at Becketts until they came back.
TH 12 I and Mam drove from Rosebank to Napier, a very fine day. Paid 5/= Mortgage Insurance Bought ring, greenstone, spectacles &c. Walked up to Mr Westall’s & stayed half an hour. Met Mrs F McNutt. Left for home at 3 o’clock. Nice drive.
FR 13 Left Rosebank at 8 o’clock in gig with Tommy. Mam came to Hastings & brought back the horse & gig. A cold drive. Brought back apples & wallnuts [walnuts]. Came up in coach. Heard of Torkelsens Bakehouse, sheds &c being burnt down with contents, two bycakels [bicycles], two sets of harness, a dressed pig, tools &c altogether a heavy loss [occurred 12 May 1904]. Did a little to fence with John after coming home. Showers.
SAT 14 MAY 1904
Got in back sheep, two weak hoggs left behind. “Spot” ran home, will not work much. there is something wrong with him, he lasts [?] all right. troublesome to get in the sheep without him. Picked out the poorest lambs & put on reserve 22 & three small lambs there now makes 25 besides the 4 lincoln rams. Dagged & put on back 376 this includes the two that stayed behind today. There is plenty of grass on back and in all paddocks The back sheep are all sound & in good condition except about 30 lambs, 22 of which we put in the Reserve today. Abraham & Williams’ account was in the house when I came home. The cow Violet £7-15 “May” bought at Costers sale £7-5. Roaney [?] £7=0. Gilbert McLeod paid for his dipping 14/= today. Number of sheep dipped 672 and 40 of this number sold to B Bengsten. 1 Ewe died and 1 wether died, but two weak lambs belonging to H Mortensen taken their place to make up the number now = 632
SUN 15 All at home. Mr Martin called & paid 5/= the ballance of Riddell’s 10/= church subscription Edy also & a young lady visitor. John gone to church tonight – Wesleyan. The two new cows “Violet” & “Roany” give about a small bucketful of milk between them. They do not seem to be any better than my own cows. They are quiet & easily milked.
MON 16 Sent a full can of milk to Factory this morning Rode up and voted for three members of R Board. Received from Mr Beckett a cheque for £10-0-8 donated by J. N. Williams to Church purchasing fund. Sent it to Union Bank to be placed to my account. Also sent my Rabbit rates = 7/4 to E Gilbertson. Waipukurau. Did some work to fence. John sledged in some firewood. Top washed early. Eva lost a purse & 1/5 or so coming from school, it was pilfered by other school children. John at Wesley children’s social in Luther Hall.
TH 17 MAY 1904
John took cow “Roany” to Hegh’s bull. Boiled carrots for the pig we are fattening. Sledged in firewood & worked at fence. John & Top gone tonight to a meeting at Church Hall. Eva started to write a letter to her mother but got tired of it and did not finish. She is now asleep.
WED 18 Sent another full can of milk to Factory this morning and had some good milk left for calves and dog. Eva finished her letter & posted it to her mother. Levelling ground along by Yew tree. Attended meeting of Directors at Factory at 11.30. Boiled carrots in big boiler for pigs. Poor “Jigger” had one of his paws caught in the trap last night where it was set at the carrots. He has been lying down sleeping on a sack all day. His front paw is bruised & swollen John got in some firewood & went to a football match in Ormondll. Did a little work at fence.
TH 19 Cows on flat for a few days. A lot of good feed on it which wants eating down. Worked at fence John took mare up for buggy and had to wait until dark before it was finished. A Collins promised to have it done yesterday. John at drill at Ormond. Yesterday at Factory I got two milk testing bottles. I put a little milk night & morning from each cow – Violet & Roaney – into these bottles for the purpose of testing their milk. Another very fine day.
FR 20 Up early. Left here for Dannevirk at 9.30 in buggy. John took his gun to get nipple removed & a new one put in, got this done for 2/6 arrived in Dannevirk after two hours driving. Stock sale on. Lambs medium fetched 11/6 Ewes in lamb fetched 17/6 and 15/. Young cattle also fetched big prices. Bought at Baraud [Barraud] & Abraham’s for 13/6 a sack of fowl wheat. Adze & handle at Gordons 7/= Paid A McKenzie for 3 cows bought at Ngamoko Sale £22-4 [?] & received his cheque for £2 making mine £ s d 24.3.0
SAT 21 MAY 1904
Sent a full can of milk to Factory. Cheque £ s d 0-19-11 received for last month. Test 4.3 – 4.4 – 4.5. 10/= worth of butter received. Sledged in a weak lamb from back, gave it a bottle of milk & let it go in front. Killed the black pig this afternoon. He seems to be over two hundred weight. Poor Eva is troubled tonight as well as last night with a tooth aching. Turkold Olson [Torkel Olsen] an old settler died suddenly today.
SUN 22 Walked all round back today, could not see a weak lamb which we left behind yesterday week. Fence must be repaired between me and Mathesen and a log lying close to the fence at Fred Schmidts corner must be burned away, also a log which has rolled on to Fred Schmidts wires from my side must be burned off. Afternoon visitors, Edy Martin & Fred & Miss Linton – Marton. After tea all went to Church but Eva & me.
MON 23 Worked about the place until dinnertime. Afternoon worked at fence. Forenoon shifted Ewes from Widerups & ridges on to Flat. Got in lamb off Reserve & put 3 of the weakest on lawn with the other weak lamb. Four on the oats now. Put 21 into stockyard & oak plantation. At night attended Horticultural meeting in the Library. Young ladies in Town Hall preparing for next Friday nights tableau. Showers tonight.
TU 24 Empire day. No work done today. Met Mam at Ormondlle express Also Nellie & Pop. a basket of theirs went on in Guards Van. Not much rain during the day. In the afternoon drove to town Hall & brought up mantelshelf & a bit of [?]canthing helped Mr Beckett to put up wings &c to represent a kitchen. A good many in Hall, a good rehearsal Heavy rain. Went into Mr P. G. Grants, had cake and coffee & borrowed a coat, nearly 11 when I got home. Sent ½ years interest to Cotterill & Humphries £7-2-6
WED 25 MAY 1904
A thorough wet day. John drove Eva to school. I went to Becketts & gave cheque £ s d 40.4.0 payable to E. H. Lee Waipawa for the purchase of gospel Hall. Mr Beckett to send the balance Rain & accounts of floods in South Island.
TH 26 Rain & wind all last night & this morning The weak hogget died in front of house last night. The contents of intestines quite black and numerous small white worms in it. The lamb was in good condition & plenty of inside fat. Sent 2 bottles of milk to Factory to be tested. One of Violets milk & one from Roanie. Sent £2.1.0 to Union Bank to be put to my account £1.1.0 a cheque of Kinross White & one cheque for £1.0.0 drawn by Mrs Webb, total £2.1.0 John drove Eva up to school this rough morning, & sledged in some firewood. At night went to Tableau rehearsal in Hall. John Top & Eva drove up in buggy. Mam Pop & Nellie stayed at home. Watery night.
FR 27 A showery sort of day. Not much rain fell. John took up firewood to town Hall. I shifted a heap of dags at end of big shed Roads muddy. Some rain fell just as we were about to start in the buggy for the Hall. Rain poured in Ormondville. It is not a favourable night It turned out to be a fine night after 8 o’clock. The Tableau’s were splendid. John Fred Martin & Jimmy Hutchinson – 3 diagrams Top & 2 others 3 graces, all items good. I took the chair. Mr Slade singer did not come. A dance afterwards 1/= to be paid by gentlemen
SAT 28 Did not do much work today. Ground very wet John went up to Hall & lit fire to warm washing up water. I drove Mam up & she & Mrs Beckett washed up. Carried some seats back to Gospel Hall. Miss Hill gave me a pound on Friday night for Church.
SUN 29 May 1904
All at home in the forenoon. A Turkey for dinner. John drove the girls to Waikopiro, to Mrs Lucas’s. In the afternoon Flossie came, Mr & Mrs Grant, Mavis & Alf Neal. At night all went to Wesleyan Church but Eva & me. A few light showers. A cold night.
MON 30 John got a horse from Carl Schmidt & drove the girls to Dannevirk. He got his gun fixed up. A fine day. They got home before dark. Boiled some dogs meat in big boiler. A Mr Touhy from Takapau came & got one of the turkeys for 5/=. Did some work at fence. Split a small Totara log near fence & put in some totara posts on side of hill over Rabbit gully. Set 2 traps in my garden for hares. A surprise party came tonight a little before 8. A calm moonlit night, frosty. They left about 12. John took Carl’s horse home & paid him 6/=
TU 31 The girls drove up to Ranges & walked a mile or so along mountain road when rain set in. It turned out to be a rough wet miserable afternoon. We did some work at fence before the rain set in. Put the dryed [dried] off cows – four out on back this morning. They all have been running on the Flat for the last fortnight, as there is a lot of rough feed there. Maffie is very poor, looks as if she will not get over the winter. Put her, Strawberry, Wildy and May, the red cow I bought at Costers sale, into back sec. [section] today. Have 3 lambs & 2 calves on hill. Plenty of grass on hill just now, and a stack of hay thatched. This has been a good month until lately. has been like winter today.
WED 1st June 1904
A rough day. Heavy showers & windy. No work done today. Attended meeting of Directors at Factory Office Nellie & Pop went home by express. Top drove them to Ormll. John got in two dray loads of firewood off flat. & shot two quails. Sent letter & return asked for to commissioner of Land and Income Tax Wellington.
TH 2 A breezy sort of day. John at Drill at Ormondll tonight. Rode the nag which he is grazing for Hegh. Top met Alice at 7 train. Worked at fence & split some posts. Sent list of those who have donated sums of money to purchase Gospel Hall, to Mr Hunter Porangahou [Porangahau] Mr F Martin called about renewing insurance on furniture. Paid Mr Skinners bill 12/=.
FR 3 A very rough day. Top drove Alice to catch 9.30 train for Palmerston. John met Henry & Alfy at train (express) Got tests of the 2 cows Roany 3.7 The test of Violet is 5.2 Eva at home from school A holiday today, Prince of Wales day. John at football
SAT 4 Another rough day. Cold & heavy showers. Cleaned up shed, tidied up straw &c. Drove up to Norsewood & met I[?] O’Hara & we drove on to Matamau as Delegates to meet settlers there – milk suppliers – with the view of closing Creamery there for the winter as the supply of milk does not warrant the expense of running the Creamery any longer. Met 3 settlers. Young Bouden. Messrs Halliburton & Dinwiddie. It was agreed not to run the concern after today but if the settlers agreed among themselves to take their milk to Norsewood an extra penny per lb for butter fat would be allowed them for carriage It did not rain on us coming home. I am requested to meet Mr McCurdie at Ormll on Thursday evening, as he is coming by [?] train.
SUN 5 JUNE 1904
John & the two boys drove up towards mountains & W Torkelsen went with them. They brought back a few pheasant caught by a dog, some Ku Ka’s &c Tonight they with Top are gone to Wesleyan Church. I walked over to J Neal’s & back. He was not at home.
MON 6 John carted in load of matai backlogs. In the forenoon got in & made a start to crutch. 80 Ewes done today, amongst them 2 wethers. J Neal came at dinner time. He also is dissatisfied about his land valuation. The Ewes on flat, as we crutch them, we let them go on ridges. They are all good Ewes, look well, are well wooled and are in good condition. Have in shed tonight 53. Henry shot a good hare today on ridges.
TU 7 Started early to crutch the Ewes in shed. Finished the Ewes & all are in Ridges & Widerups. Got in the 4 rams & 21 small hoggs. off reserve and crutched & put them back. Killed a small crawler for “Spot”. Mam went by 1st train to see doctor Ross Waipawa. Came back by Palmerston train to Ormll and home by coach. Top at Lawn Tennis Mutiny in Library tonight. The 3 boys went up with her. Grand day.
WED 8 Worked about the place. The boys Hen & Alphy and Top drove to Waikopiro. Rees Watkins came up by coach and is staying here tonight. Alick Hegh called a few days ago & left us his chaff cutter
TH 9 Drove up with Mr Watkins to Norsewood & got from Miss Learmont some blue papers to object to Land Valuation. Paid 19/6 to Mr Martin for Furniture Insurance. Gave him a Three pound cheque & he gave me as change two Pounds. Got donation of £5 from Mr Hunter for purchase of Gospel Hall. Bought mousetrap & staples at Ericksens & caught 4 mice. Mr Watkins came to Ormll with me in buggy when I went to meet Mr McCurdy, Organiser Farmers Union
TH 9 JUNE 1904
Mr Watkins distributed leaflets, & acted as Commercial traveller for a New Plymouth chemist – Sykes & went in express towards Napier. Mr McCurdy came from Dannevirke by the 5.30 train had tea here & delivered an address to a small audience in Lutheran Hall, stayed at Becketts. A man in Waikopiro, Arthur Elliott, thrown from his horse at Mangaiangiora [Mangorangiora] bridge, found unconscious and died, carried to Ormondll Hotel.
FR 10 Henry, Alphy & Top drove Chessy to Dannevirk. Home by 4 P.M. Sawed & split battens on back White frost this morning. A very fine day.
SAT 11 Mam and the two boys went back to Rosebank by express train. Split some posts & battens, laid them & stapled on most of the battens Top got buggy lamp repaired for 2/= yesterday, Danevirk
SUN 12 Dull day all at home. I & Top Wesley church Yesterday we put in a trench the trees sent by J Horton Pahiatua 6 gooseberry bushes, 7 others & six very small strawberry plants, this was a pounds worth
MON 13 A thorough wet day. John drove Eva to school She bought this evening a letter from Alice & a present in the shape of a silk handkerchief. W Torkelsen brought tonight a bagful of strawberry plants.
TU 14 Put in the strawberry plants which Willy Torkelsen brought last night. John drove Eva to school. Worked after dinner at fence. A box of apples from Agincourt left at gate by C Schmidts express John & G. in Town Hall tonight with many others practicing for an operatic play. Home at 11PM.
WED 15 A wet morning, heavy rain. Drove Eva up up to school. Got at Factory butter 2 lbs Sent by Carl the box of apples which came from Agincourt yesterday. Sold crutchings to Mr Watson at 4 ¾ per lb black fleeces included. Good fleeces 7 per lb. Small bundle skins 4. to be delivered […]
WED 15 JUNE 1904
A letter from Mam today. John at Ormll Football A letter from Mr Rees Watkins to forward his letters to Napier. Wool buyers address. Mr F A H Watson Buyer of wool & Skins. Karamu Road Hastings Dug out Prickly Accacia & planted it on the side of the road near the bridge. Am told it throws up too many suckers. Agreed to let Mr Watson have crutchings
TH 16 Eva’s Birthday. Seven years old today. She has received some Birthday presents. Walked to school. Sharpened cross cut. Sawed some firewood with John on flat. Drove up to Becketts and to Factory. No letters for Mr Watkins at either P.O. Stopped the coach twice to see if Mr Brodie Vet. Surgeon was inside. He did not come. John at drill
FR 17 Word sent me that Mr Brodie, Veterinary Surgeon and Organiser of Farmers Union was in Norsewood. Drove up & found that Anton Christophersen was about to drive him up to Ngamoko to see two of their bullocks whose jaws are swollen, he is also to see a cow belonging to I O’Hara and one belonging to Alfred Olsen with a sore eye. Took his horse home here. Worked a short time at fence, too much rain. At night there was a good muster of settlers in the Lutheran Hall. Mr Brodie gave a lecture on disease of cows, after the lecture coffee & sandwiches and 15 or 16 joined the Union. Mr Brodie slept here
SAT 18 Up at daylight or before & got breakfast for Mr Brodie. He rode up to Magnusen’s to see a horse of his which is ailing also an animal of H Mortensen’s & a cow of Dunnage’s & one of Hell’s. He enrolled 3 members at that end this morning. Arthur Olsen Hill & Dunnage. He left here for Ormondville at dinner time. John did not ask him to come in & have dinner. I was at a meeting of Directors at Factory. Cold showers. John pruning fruit trees. Sent no milk today. Only 3 times a week now.
SUN 19 JUNE 1904
Walked over to J Neals, got there at 11 left at 3pm Found a ewe dead on ridges lying down in a natural way, much swollen. Skinned it. John filled shed with sheep got in off back. A fine day but like a change tonight. John & Top at church in Gospel Hall.
MON 20 Crutched the sheep in shed last night 94 and then mustered back and put in shed 107 the others on flat, the hurl at 3 gateways open to let the crutched sheep go off ridges on to back. Two daggy weak hoggs I carried to fence & put them across on to flat. Attended a small meeting in Gospel Hall to square up about proceeds of entertainment (Tableau) re purchase of church organ After deducting all expenses including 21/= for rent of hall, there is a balance of £5.17.9 out of which is to be sent to Mr Quintrell =£5. A letter from Mam today. A dull calm day.
TU 21 A shower this morning. Crutched the sheep in the shed & put them through ridges on to back. Got in another mob of 106 Put a weak hogget on hill & one in reserve. Skinned a hogget found dead on flat. John & Top walked up to Hall. The Play “Pinafore” to be continued
WED 22 Crutched the sheep in shed last night. Had them out before dinner time. Very hard frost last night. Heavy drops coming down in shed through iron roof. Got Factory cheque £1.6.4 Drove Eva & Top to station. Got them excursion ticket. Got in remainder of sheep off flat & put in shed 65 and a weak one which John wheeled in off Flat, 66. A fine day after the frost. Freezing tonight. John has brought home a single barrelled breach loader which he is buying or swapping with Willy Hopkins for a fishing rod and a pound to boot to go with rod. He has sold his leggings for 3/6. This goes towards price of gun, also a […] to Hegh.
TH 23 JUNE 1904
Hard frost last night. Crutched the remainder of the dry sheep. Put some weak ones in Reserve, also those few on hill. Only the 2 calves on hill now. Skinned the weak hoggt we put in buggy shed last night. John got Hegh’s filly shod today. He tried his new gun & shot a hare. He borrowed a weighing apparatus at Engelbretsen’s to weigh the fleece wool = 73lb nett – We pressed a bale, crutchings below dark wool next and fleece wool on top. Boiled dogs meat in big boiler. The 2 last hoggets that died could have been saved if taken out of the mob on back & put on the oats in front or on the hill a fortnight ago. The 3 weak lambs which I put on the oats a month ago & then on the Hill I crutched today, they are lively & strong, would be dead if left with the others, must divide the back section into three paddocks, one to be kept clean with fresh feed for hoggets to be shifted on to every week or fortnight John at drill tonight at Norsewood. Cloudy night. These are the shortest days in the year. Not much work.
FR 24 John took the bale of wool & bundle of skins (52lbs) to Ormondville. The bale was over 4 cwt. so it could not be weighed at Ormondlle Cleared the ridges & let the Ewes come back from Widerups. The cows on Flat. We send milk 3 times a week now Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. Top came home by last train. John met her with buggy, he is now gone up to Post a letter to F. A. H. Watson about the bale.
SAT 25 A fine day did a little to fence at Gundersen’s end. Drove round to Collect Ministers Stipend Wm. [William] Beckett Martin Cantlay self 10/- each Mrs Hutchinson 5/= Oldenshaw 5/= promised. Riddell promised to leave his at Martins Dunnage not at home. Received Church collections £4.19.9 Paid Tuckwell 2/6 for repairs, also John paid Christian Tostensen 9d and a hare for repairing his boots.
SUN 26 JUNE 1904
A fine calm dull day. Flossie came today & spent the afternoon. Fred Martin also for tea, after which they with John & Top went to Wesleyan Church. Walked across paddocks to Mortensen’s & on to Dunnage’s where Mrs D gave 10/- towards Ministers Stipend fund. Called at Gannaway’s. Mr & Mrs in bed sick. Walked to C C Smith’s & stayed an hour or two, walked across Neal’s land & found two small dogs worrying a wether of theirs which was cast.
MON 27 Walked over to J Neal’s & told him about the 2 dogs worrying his sheep yesterday. He came over & saw the sheep & took it home. John shot 3 ducks on back pond with one shot. Shifted Ewes on to flat. Widerups paddock very dirty. Showery day. Paid Sugden’s bill today = £1.6.6
TU 28 Worked at fence, a fine day. John shot a hare. He & Top going to township tonight – “Pinafore”. They are posting a Registered letter to J Bovaird containing the years Church money for Stipend £ s d 11.14.9
WED 29 Roaney round this morning. John took her to Hegh’s bull but he was at Ellis’s must look out 3 weeks from now. Worked at fence, sawed & split battens enough to finish. Showers. John rode away at dinnertime to play in a football match at Makotuku.
TH 30 Finished stapling on swingers on fence near Gundersens corner. A good fence now from O’Hara’s to Gundersens. Started to repair 2 culverts, one on flat & one at Rabbit gully John took Hegh’s animal home to him as he wants to drive a pair to Takapau, had ridden the mare to Ormondll to drill. A heavy shower fell after dinner as we came home & cut two packs of chaff. The mare will not eat the chaff – not enough oats in it. The sheaves are mostly straw with little oats – [?]. The cows devour the sheaves greedily. A good deal of rain has fallen this month. There is enough feed at present.
FRI 1st JULY 1904
Worked at culvert on dray track on flat put in 2 new Maire sleepers. Repaired culvert at rabbit gully. A fine day, frost last night. John & Top gone to Library – a meeting to start or revive Social Club.
SAT 2 Anniversary of our marriage. Twenty years today. Sawed & split hinau 4 ft slabs for culvert &c Very fine day.
SUN 3 A few nights ago about 10 o’clock I went on front verandah & counted 4 hares on the oats & barley in front next night we set 2 traps & caught one. Last night none came. Today walked over paddocks. Stock look all right. Buttercup springing fast. Plenty grass on back. Front paddocks not bad. On back cattle of all sorts 16 head 2 fillies sheep At home 2 calves two months old& 4 milking cows Tonight John & Top gone to Wesleyan Church. A fine calm night. W Torkelsen came back with them.
MON 4 Tidied up washouse, unearthed a rat but he got away. Finished culvert on flat & put some wide maire slabs across some of the watercources [watercourses]. John sledged in old posts, broken for firewood & carted a load of gravel to be put on track leading up to front & back verandah from farm yard. A second hen, Orpington started to lay yesterday or Saturday. The first to lay was a small black topknot hen and now a Buff Orpington. They get a fair quantity of wheat twice a day besides pickings of meat & a little oats. John & Top gone to upper township to “Pinafore”
TU 5 A very hard frost this morning. John drove me to catch the 1st train. Took ticket 4/8 to Tomoana walked to Rosebank. A very fine day, a frosty night again.
WED 6 Drove with Mam & Eva to Napier, went to Land Office Paid for a plan of Sections with No [number] of chains around area marked – 2/6. Plan to be sent on. Saw Mrs Wallace in Hastings St. Went & saw Mrs Fulford. She looks well & healthy
TH 7 JULY 1904
Started early from Rosebank to Catch Express. Mam & Eva came home. Alphy drove Tommy & the gig back. Called on Mr Watson Karamu Road. Recd [received] £ s d 11.3.7 from him (a cheque) for a bale of crutchings & a bundle of skins (52lbs) The bale weighed cwt qr lbs 4 1. 23 or 25. Fleeces weighed 73 lbs nett. at 7d. No time to cash the cheque, as the express came in as I got it. We got pumpkins from Mrs Fulford, parsnips from Rosebank. In our absence John shot 2 large trout a rabbit & two quail up Ngamoko way. The Piano tuner Mr Pearce came & stayed a long time working at the Piano. Buttercup calved yesterday or today. John got her in & milked her, a heifer calf “Rosebank”, very small & like the mother. Mr A Olsen & W Cantlay called at night & we three walked up to Becketts & met Messrs Wirnch [?] & Campbell & had a talk over the amalgamation of Farmers Union & Social club Messrs O’Hara & Mortensen also present It was agreed to postpone consideration of subject until after McCurdy’s meeting on Thursday night.
FR 8 Drove to Dannevirk in our buggy, Cantlays mare with Cantlay & Beckett, left Norsewood at 8.30 arrived 10.30. Assessment Court did not sit until 2 o’clock. My case was the first called, court crowded. No redress, valuation upheld. I Neal, valuation upheld. C C Smith ditto he had a lawyer employed, this case lasted until half past four, We left then and came home.
SAT 9 Shifted Ewes off Flat on to ridges & Widerups. John got in load of backlogs. Put gravel on walk from back verandah to yard gate. Paid 7-5-0 to Mr P G Grant the amount of his bill out of the cheque received from Mr Watson – 11-3-7 Mam bought a razor &c for John at Mr P G Grants Heavy rain came on & lasted a few hours. At night attended at Factory Office to consider tenders for firewood
SAT 9 JULY 1904
Carl Leopold s d 13=11 per chord lowest accepted. Beckett & another man tendered for 14/3 & 14/6 respectively
SUN 10 All at home. Fine day. Flossy for dinner & tea. Mr Beckett came in the afternoon & waited for tea. All went away together. John Top & Flossy I think to Wesley Church.
MON 11 A dull calm day. Eva started for School after her fortnights holliday [holiday]. John getting firewood. Made a place against fence near stockyard to feed the cows in. We give them 5 o 6 sheaves of oats night & morning, it is nearly all straw, not much ear. Five hens laid today that we know of. Paid Sugden’s bill for last month £1=9=6 Raining tonight & very dark, bad for hoggets.
TU 12 A thorough wet day. Eva at home from school. Gave the cows a good share of oat sheaves & hay.
WED 13 Eva went to school in buggy. Showery day. Got plan of sections from Survey Office, not done right. Michelsen’s Sec traced instead of my own. Sharpened saw. John walked through sheep. He shot a hare on back. Raining at present.
TH 14 Sawing firewood with John. W Thompson came with letter from McCurdy. I drove to Ormll & met him when express train came in. He had tea here, also Edy Watkins came up with coach & had tea here & left her luggage. McCurdy lectured in Lutheran Hall to a good many settlers, there was Coffee & refreshments. Miss Watkins stayed at Martins & McCurdy at Becketts. I drove Eva to school in the morning. I took boiled Corn beef for sandwiches & a sackful of dry firewood for boiling water for coffee.
FR 15 Sawing firewood on flat. Sledged in one load. John shot hare. Mrs Grant & Mavis called. Ella here tonight. A very fine day. John put “Spot” out on back yesterday & walked thro sheep Paid Skinners bill for last month 12/6.
SAT 16 JULY 1904
Drove Mam to catch 1st train. She took with her two hares. Sledged out to far dam three willows & planted them, also two poplars planted at “Poplar culvert” in gully near where back road comes into back section. John shot two hares in O’Hara’s section after milking Paid O’Hara’s butchers bill 5/6. & got shoulder of mutton for 1/6. We pay cash except very seldom. Edy Walkins came back from Martins today. John found foal on back sec. tied up in vines. Must see foals occasionally – ours and Carl Hansen’s, the latter’s not caught in vines so far.
SUN 17 A wet day all at home. At night I. Top & Edy went to Gospel Hall church, but Mr Lambert did not come, so they all went to the Lutheran church.
MON 18 Front paddocks open to Ewes. A very fine day. Castrated the 2 calves on hill & earmark them. John topped some trees & carted away the limbs. Attended a Directors Meeting at Office. Mam sent a coppy [copy] of “Nuggets” to John. He drove Eva & Ella to school this morning Sent quarterly Premium of Johns insurance 1.17.10 to A.B. Gibson, Agent Napier this morning.
TU 19 Carted tops of trees to heap near woolshed, also carted cow manure near gully plantation into stockyard. Edy & Top walked to township and got letters, one from Mam. Showers in the afternoon. Two swaggers are sleeping in big shed tonight. The Revd Mr Lambert called in the forenoon & very much wants me to attend parishioners meeting tomorrow night at Ormondville.
WED 20 John took our can of milk to Factory in buggy & then rode Hegh’s moke to Danevirk to a football match. Put wire netting round haystack on hill to prevent calves from pulling out too much
WED 20 JULY 1904
of it on the lower side. John home at dark. He went up to Mr Becketts with mare & buggy and Mr Mrs & myself drove in to Ormll to Parishioners meeting. We put the mare in Skinners stable & the buggy opposite the stable door. When the meeting was over and we came to harness Chessy the whip was gone out of the buggy. There were 12 members elected on the vestry, Mr Beckett and myself to represent Norsewood. Showers when going in. Fine & moonlight coming home. A young man called late to say that a hare was caught in the trap at the road & cleared it out with it having broken the rope holding it.
TH 21 Carted out on flat some willows & planted them along a gully & carted in firewood Searched over Ridges & Widerups for hare & trap but could not find either. John chopped down 4 large Willows growing on hill just beyond small orchard and near plantation, we dragged them away with Chessy & a bullock chain. Ground saturated some rain nearly every day. John at drill tonight in Ormondlle Edwin Engelbretsen & Freddy Christiansen before the Court today at Ormondlle charged with placing tacks & an obstruction on the road the night before the bike race was run from Woodville to Napier, both confessed guilty. The tacks we [were?] put on the road near first river & an obstruction across road beyond Gollans.
FR 22 A showery day. Received Factory cheque £1.12.8 Topped a few gum trees. At night Top Edy Walkins & self went to Social in Hall on Hill. Games. Cards, reading of poetical pieces Composed by 16 or 20 persons, guessing how many Coffee beans a bottle contained. Refreshments, dancing Home after 12 o’clock. Night fine.
SAT 23 JULY 1904
A showery day. John got mare shod. Chopped down Macracarpa [macrocarpa] tree near garden & dragged it & other limbs on to heap. At night attended Directors meeting at Factory. I shot 2 hares.
SUN 24 All at home. Very fine day. J, G & Edy gone to Wesley Church. Writing a letter to Mam. Also Top is posting one to her tonight. Arrive tuesday
MON 25 Carted cow manure from alonside [alongside] fence of Gully plantation into stockyard. Planted 3 willows up gully in Ridges & walked over back & saw cattle 2 foals &c. No shortage of feed this winter, stock look well& contented. John dug round fruit trees in garden & small orchard. Put a few posts in fence at back of long plantation. John & other boys at football in Norsewood cricket ground. Moonlit.
TU 26 John left here this morning before day light to go pig hunting with W Torkelsen and Pomerantz up toward the ranges, but when he got to Torkelsen’s they were gone. He then went on towards the ranges by himself across [?] Ohu and brought home two pidgeons [pigeons] after being out all day. This has been a perfect day. I dug some near front verandah. A letter for Eva from Mam. John at football on school ground.
WED 27 John took the can of milk to Factory today & then carted down 3 loads of gravel to gate going into buggy yard, I wheeled it from there on to walk coming to front door. Finished levelling in front. John white-leaded some nail heads on roof over from bed-room, & then went shooting with Ernest & Charlie. Tonight J. G. & Edy Watkins gone to surprise party at Toval Torkelsen’s, a beautiful moonlit night. This has been another perfect day. Tiny Olsen came to grief on his bike, broken collar bone & Ole Nordbye’s horse fell on him & hurt him badly.
WED 27 JULY 1904 continued
No surprise party. When J. T. & Edy got up on hill there were told that poor Ole Nordbye was dead. He never gained conscienceness [consciousness]. He was trying to head a beast on the road near their house when pulling up short his horse came down and fell on him He and his sister were both to be at the surprise party tonight. A sad occurrence and his Father away on a visit to Norway. A highly esteemed young fellow was Ole Nordbye.
TH 28 Widened & levelled road at Brown gate cutting. Mr Campbell called about a meeting at Factory tomorrow at 10 o’clock A letter from Mam & one from England for her. Another perfect day. John shot a hare on back & got in small hoggs off reserve 31.
FR 29 Worked at Brown gate cutting. Carted 2 loads of gravel down here for walks to house. Went to the funeral of Ole Nordbye. A large assembly Had afternoon tea at Mr P. G. Grants. A Factory Meeting in the forenoon. A dull calm day, not cold. Miss Cumming took farewell of the children today and left to go to Gisborne. Children gave her a present.
SAT 30 Worked at cutting widening and leveling [levelling]. In the morning bought 1/- worth sausages from D O’Hara’s cart and 3/- worth beef from T Brenkley’s Cart. A very fine day. John carted in 3 loads of good matai firewood off flat and after dinner rode up and got a letter from mother. She is not coming home for a while longer. A little rain in the evening.
SUN 31 Walked over back, found a hogget tied up in the lawyers near scrub. Found a Ewe under a stump on Widerups, dead skinned her, (near 3 gateways) A dull dark day. A good month. Feed fairly good on back. No hoggs dying. Stock not looking bad. W. Torkelsen came from Wesley church with J. T. & Edy. W
MON 1st AUGUST 1904
A fine morning but it turned out a rough wet windy day. John started to chop down lawyers on back, but had to come home wet through. A telegram from Mam to say “Meet last train” I drove to station & brought her home, not raining.
TU 2nd Walked through Ewes on Widerups. John chopping lawyers. Went to Annual Meeting in Town Hall (Factory) Ballance sheet read & 3 directors elected. J O’Hara 274 Painter Olsen 250 James Veale 235 also Gillichan from Matamau 80 & Williams 61 I had dinner at P. G. Grants. Sent Reserve Rent yesterday to Receiver of Land Revenue Napier Cheque £2.0.6 and also a Postal note for 5/= Got the book “Priests & People” from Martin’s & lent same to Mr Beckett. This has been a fine day. Some rain.
WED 3 John took a full can of milk to Factory 99lbs & then sledged in firewood. Went thro’ Ewes. Top & Edy drove up on Hill, brought back Eva. A fall of snow, it is two inches on the ground now, gave cows extra feed We give them, 4 cows two sheaves each night and morning. The mare in dray shed tonight with hay and oats. The letter I sent to Receiver of Land Revenue was returned today as I forgot to put my signature on cheque, was in a hurry to give it to Eva to post.
TH 4 A heavy fall of snow last night & snowing the greater part of the day. The poor sheep can find nothing to eat. All the other animals well enough off, the mare in cart shed with plenty of hay, oats & chaff. John snow-balling in the evening The top township against the lower. Eva at home today Sent the Reserve rent away today. Top drew out of Savings Bank today the sum of £2-10-0 A good deal of snow on the ground today. Poor Kaia Laurvig died yesterday.
AUGUST 1904
FR 5 Snow on the ground all day three or four inches. Mare inside for 3 days. Very big fires this weather, plenty of back logs. John hare shooting. The ewes this evening can get a pick from under and about the logs. F U meeting in L. Hall. Mr Brodie gave a nice address on “Diseases of Horses & Cattle”. in a sideroom [side room], a good fire on Only 10 or 12 people there. He stays in John’s room tonight.
SAT 6 Sawing & chopping gum tree boughs which the weight of the snow broke down. We dragged them on to the road & heaped them near the bridge, after dinner we went through ewes & chopped lawyers & heaped dead wood on them. Mr Brodie rode away this morning. John goes to Factory with the milk three times a week – Monday. Wed and Friday. Paid Mr. Skinner’s bill today for the month past 10/= Paid Secretary of Farmers Union my yearly Sub 12/6 last night after the meeting. This has been a fine sunshiny day, not much snow on ground.
SUN 7 A mild day after the snow, none left except a little in the hallows. J Neale for dinner, he gave me his subscription to Farmers Union 12/6 and 8/= he allowed me for one of my lambs which they took to Ngaparuru [Ngapaeruru] with their sheep in a mistake. Flossie for dinner & tea. Willie Torkelsen for tea and after tea all of them went to Wesley Church. John & Ernest Parsons over at Ellis’s section. Saw a rabbit there but did not get it. After church there came back Willy T. and J Hutchinson
MON 8 John took can to Factory & brought groceries &c at Becketts. Sawed a rata log for firewood Mam Top & Edy Watkins drove up to Hutchinsons E. W. staying there. Walked over back & front sections nothing wrong. A very fine day. Feed fair on back.
TU 9 AUGUST 1904
Sawing firewood in the forenoon. Sledged some home in the afternoon. A very severe earthquake took place in the forenoon, John & I were near a fence on the high peak near my garden. We were standing on the back Section and saw the dead trees shook about & swaying & the tops broken off. The cattle & sheep running about frightened near the scrub, three of our vases knocked down & broken. Mam ran out & fainted near wood gate. Many chimneys in Ormondville knocked down & much damage done. Mr Skinner says most of his goods on shelves were knocked off and all of his big lollie bottles and other large bottles were knocked off the shelves & broken.
WED 10 John took milk to factory & then carted in firewood and gathered up the cow manure along fence & put it in stockyard heap. Paid Mr Beckett £1.6.0 for years insurance in Phoenix Office for house. News of broken chimneys and damage to houses over the greater part of the North Island Miss Edy Watkins came back again this afternoon from Hutchinsons after a day or two’s stay up there. Attended a meeting of Directors at the Factory office. Saw a Ewe on the top part of the ridges lying down with her lamb alongside her, the first of the season. John & Ernest out for the afternoon. They shot 3 hares. Put the small calf on Hill with the other two. The Willow trees are about to, or just sending leaves out
TH 11 Mam went with Carl to catch the 1st train for Waipawa to see Dr Ross. The doctor says she is improving, he gave more medicine & pills She came home by the Palmerston train & up by coach.
TH 11 AUGUST 1904
Worked at 3 rail fence on Hill Orchard today. John drove white heifer out on back & shot 2 quail, tonight he is gone to Ormll. to give up his rifle as the Volunteer branch to which he belongs is about to disband. He gave to Mr P. G. Grant tonight subscription 2/6 for the benefit of Mrs Pawson the widow of the late Pawson, Cricketor [Cricketer] who has been left in poor circumstances, a subscription list is going round and Norsewood cricketers are giving a little. Eva found the 1st lamb today. No others. Went through Ewes. A letter from Pop & Nelly Fourneau. They are all right after the Earthquake fright. Summers day.
FR 12 Finished the 3 rail fence round Hill orchard Planted fruit trees along fence. Apple, Peach, plum &c. John took milk to Factory and got a full can of buttermilk besides skim. Edy Watkins left here by afternoon coach for Napier She came here on the 14th of last month. Tonight in Town Hall there is a strong band called the Austral Guards (Salvation) Band, Willy Torkelson came down and Top is gone away up to the hall with him. John went first by himself. Mam & Eva gone last. A sheepskin buyer called, he is buying for the Loan & Mercantile Co. And I sold him four skins at 4d per lb. The amount he paid me was 9/=
SAT 13 Sawed a rata log near my garden for firewood. Helped Mam & John put in a box border between the two gravel walks leading to front and back door. Another very fine dry day. John saw sheep cattle & the two foals on back.
SUN 14 Through ewes & saw another Ewe & lamb. Top found a Ewe cast on flat near big Willow. John & some more boys went to [?]oare’s old burying ground. Mr & Mrs Beckett came this afternoon. Rain. Top & John at Gospel church.
MON 15 AUGUST 1904
John took can of milk 100lbs to factory Showers fell all through the day. Revd Mr King came in the forenoon & dug out box shrubs and some laurel trees in garden and a few young wattle plants. John took them home for him with mare & dray. One more lamb.
TH 16 Walked through Ewes, a black faced Ewe with twins on Widerups. Only about 5 lambs so far. John split Rata firewood & walked through sheep on back. The oat sheaf fodder about done, gave hay to cows today.
WED 17 John took milk to factory & got can of buttermilk was out shooting all the afternoon with Ernest. Mr Kettle from Napier drove up to see us walked out on the back where John & Guy Callender took him to find me. He could not stay for dinner as he had to be in Waikopiro at Elliotts sale at 12.30, so after having a cup of tea he started for there in an Ormondll gig. A north wind set in in the forenoon and after dinner rain set in & continued. Mam felt bad in the afternoon & went to bed. I went up to the first hotel & got her a bottle of Ushers Whiskey 6/- John & Top gone in the rain to Social, top Hall, in aid of Tennis club. Letters to the Editor of the programme tonight, & crib playing. A couple of Ewes lambed today, a bad night for ‘em. Mam has pains tonight. We are putting hot plates on her. John & Top home late – after one o’clock AM.
TH 18 A very rough windy day. John rode to Ormondll to give up his volunteer Rifle & pay for his uniform (5/-). Attended Directors meeting Mr Nathan a Wellington & Palmerston merchant & butter buyer present. Heavy rain with high wind nearly all day. John saw 3 or 4 newly dropped lambs. Mam is much better today & tonight.
TH 18 AUGUST 1904
Slept in this house for the 1st time 18th Augt. [August] 1891
Paid W M Thompson for J. Neal s d 12-6 as a years subscription to Farmers Union. Mam suffered a great deal of pain tonight We had to use hotplates on her. Very little sleep.
FR 19 Very high wind & rain all last night and high wind all day. John at Factory & got buttermilk. Willy Torkelsen this evening got some young accacias an oak, holly, &c. 15 or 16 ewes with lambs. All of them in shelter and behind logs this morning. None dead. A letter from Rosebank. Mr & Mrs Fourneau sailed for N.Z on the 11th August. All well.
SAT 20 High wind all day long. Mam suffered a fearful lot with pains all night until two o’clock this morning when a premature male child was born, it was alive & very […] we were astonished, never expected anything of the sort. John got up & went over for Mrs Thodsen sen. who came & did everything necessary. Top got up also and got things in readiness. Mam’s agony was over. She felt relieved & much better. After breakfast Mrs Thodsen came over again. About two o’clock or a little before the little one died. I went to Mr Becketts. I met the coach on the road & gave a letter to Carl to post at Ormll to Dr. Ross written by Mam giving particulars of the affair. Mr Beckett advised me to go & see Constable Butler at Ormll. I did so & reported the case to the Constable. A case of oranges came from Montague Lascells by train & coach. John & one of Cantlays boys out hare shooting , they shot four hares. Windy tonight again. Mrs P. G. Grant came today. Also young Mrs Thodsen. Found a single lamb dead in the creek at O’Hara’s corner.
SUN 21 AUGUST 1904
Sheep all right on Widerups. On ridges one two tooth cast with a very big dead lamb alongside her, had to cary [carry] her home & put her in sheep yards, she is all right now. Two dead lambs like twins on flat. Another 2 tooth a good mother had a weak lamb in an exposed place, the lamb too weak to get up or suck, got them home & put the lamb near the fire & gave him cows milk, he is able to drink & knock about. John & I had a job to take a big lamb from a two tooth on flat after dinner, she could not lamb by herself. Got them home to sheep yards, they are all right Very bad weather for lambing this month so far. Mr Thodsen sent for us to help get a newly calved cow out of the creek, she was in a bad place we put the horse on to her and a rope round her neck to hook on to and with help we dragged her out. Top & John at church. This is another showery night. The little stack of hay on hill was blown over last night. More lambs came last night & today than any day or night up to this. Hoping for a good week.
MON 22 Fearful rough weather still. John got 1-6-3 Factory cheque this morning. Put two ewes & a lamb in front on the barley &c. Another ewe a good mother with a small lamb in woolshed tonight. 3 or 4 ewes lambed last night. They are mostly in shelter of logs, behind hills &c. Hail & rain today enough to perish lambs. Letter from Alice & one from Dr Ross saying there is no need of seeing a registrar of births &c. Mrs Randerson called. We picked up a lamb on Widerups & gave it to Albert Gundersen. This has been the worst August I have seen in New Zealand for ewes lambing.
TU 23 AUGUST 1904
Through ewes & lambs, some fresh ones. One ewe with 3 lambs, gave one of them to a Thorestesten boy. John rode to Ormondville & got dog Tweed sent by Charlie from Te Aute. A lecture tonight in Gospel Hall by Mr. Lambert on “Persecutions of Early Christians” John & Top went. This morning I buried the poor little mite in the corner of the new flower garden in front, in the angle between the rows of box. A very fine day this.
WED 24 John took milk to Factory & got buttermilk & Exchanged gander’s with D. O’Hara. After dinner he rode to Makotuku to a football match, home late. I attended a meeting of Directors at Factory to meet Mr Shirley a Government Dairy expert, for the purpose of finding an estimate of the cost of reconstruction. After dinner walked over back, found a sheep tied up in some lawyers in far scrub. Saw the cattle. Enough feed on back. Fine day.
TH 25 Some Ewes lambed last night & today, mostly twins. There are a great many poor looking twins already. This has been a fine day altho [although] some showers fell & saturated the ground again. John rode up to Norsewood & paid at P. Office 12/= sheep-tax. Trimmed & lopped some limbs off trees.
FR 26 A few more fresh ones mostly twins, one dead single lamb, a good big mother standing near it on Ridges. Helped John saw firewood on flat. We also sawed a length of hinau posts. Dug out some carrots in my garden. Too small Mam got up today for a while. Mrs Thodsen Jnr [junior] came.
SAT 27 Found on Widerups a ewe with a dead black lamb & another with a single black. Buried 2 dead lambs found under a log on flat. Took lambs from Ewe & put them in yards, they are all right. Not much work done, heavy spring showers.
SAT 27 AUGUST 1904
John went to Factory & got a can of buttermilk and got in some matai firewood, not a good time to cart firewood, as the ground is saturated and gets too much cut up. John & some small boys made a four-wheeled little cart. Mam up today again – improving. Got half or 3 parts of a sack of pollard & a bushel of wheat at Becketts
SUN 28 A good many lambs came last night. More twins. John had to take a lamb from a young ewe, she could never lamb by herself. We had to get them in she is in a bad way, the lamb is all right. Revd Lambert Called going home from service in Norsewood The two Miss Learmonts called this afternoon Top & Tilly Thodsen went to Wesley church tonight. John & Ernest rode to the mountains or over beyond Gollan’s in the forenoon & after noon on Ellis’s section looking for rabbits. This has been a very fine dry day, also last night no rain fell. The first day & night without rain for weeks. Mam up most of the day. One of my teeth troublesome these 2 days.
MON 29 Found 3 Ewes down near three gateways. One a two tooth ewe down, took away from her a big single lamb dead, took twins from a Ewe lying down and sledged her in, left one lamb with her & John gave the other to Hegh. Found ewe lying against log, with her lamb close by. She took to it at once. Dragged logs with mare to old stockyard bridge. Left mare in Ridges tonight. Mrs Campbell & Milly came this evening, also Mrs P.G. Grant & children A good many lambs came last night and today, more than half the ewes have lambed now. This has been a perfect day. A white frost this morning. Letter from Nellie Fourneau.
TH 30 AUGUST 1904
Not many fresh lambs last night Put two ewes with their lambs on oats. After they are on the oats a day or two, we put them them on the Hill. Placed the logs on the old bridges and carted a couple loads of earth & put it on top of the logs. Went through the Ewes & lambs in the evening again. A beautiful day.
WED 31 Another very fine day. August goes out like a lamb but then has been rough weather. No losses amongst the stock so far. Not a great number of lambs lost as yet and no ewes. There is a Tennis Social in the Town Hall tonight, but none of us is going as Mam is taken bad with pains in her head. From six until after eight o’clock the pains continue and after that there is relief and a good night’s sleep follows.
TH 1st SEPTEMBER 1904
Very few lambs coming now. John carting in firewood off Flat. I went to Directors meeting at factory. There were 2 or 3 offers for the seasons output of butter at 9d per lb. Directors want 9¼, the price is low all over New Zealand and the market is dull in London. Messrs Nathan, Wellington is to have the refusal of the butter and then first offer. We are making up the old bridge at the stockyard. Mam better today. Fine day.
FR 2 John through ewes & lambs & then chopped down some lawyers. Finished old bridge. After dinner sledged in the hay which was on the Hill & was blown over some time ago. The hay shed is full again Very fine weather. Willows half covered with green leaves.
SAT 3 SEPT 1904
Only one or two fresh lambs last night. Made a fire at 3 gateways to burn off some logs and another fire in scrub where we chopped down lawyers and heaped dead wood on them John drove to station & met Alice at 7 train There was a meeting in Library last night on Horticultural affairs. Mr Watson elected President. P.G. Grant. Beckett & self Vice Presidents. News that Mrs McCleary at Waipukurau is dead died 2 days ago. Some spring showers today. The grass is giving some symptoms of growth.
SUN 4 All at home. Very fine day. In the evening Miss Learmont called. At night John & Top went to Wesleyan church. Top came home by herself.
MON 5 Only one or two fresh lambs last night. Sawed the boughs off some trees. Nils Larsen went to the Factory this morning & took our milk. Poor Top went by midday train to Agincourt. John & Alice went to Ormll. with her. After dinner a heavy shower of hail fell – fearful heavy & rain after that, about half past 3 it was fine again, it was quite hot before the hail fell. John at a Cricketors meeting in Library tonight. Mr Beckett sent 50 yards – a bundle – of wire netting today. It requires 70 yards of it to go round my garden to keep out hares.
TU 6 No fresh lambs last night. A very fine day. Made 2 fires near the 3 gateways & sawed a hinau log on back. Mr P. G. Grant called in the morning with subscription list to build a Presbyterian church in Norsewood. Promised 2.2.0 A great many donations of £10. on his list. John drove Alice to catch express going to Pukahou [Pukehou?] and he brought back Gerty Coming from Agincourt. Mrs Beckett & Mrs Watson called in the afternoon. Mam got a letter from Mrs Willy Stirruck. A good growing day.
WED 7 SEPT 1904
John went to factory with Nils Larsen this morning & got a can of buttermilk I went through all ewes & lambs. Two fresh ones – singles. The grass giving symptoms of growth. Logged up some with mare on Neals track, back. After dinner rain. John went shooting with Ernest, shot 2 rabbits on McLeods. Miss Learmont called at tea time & kindly handed Mam £20. out of the Savings Bank Money, thus saving Mam the journey of going to Post Office as she is not yet strong. Flossie & her 2 sisters called. John & Ernest fishing for eels in the creek tonight. This has been another very good growing day.
TH 8 John & Ernest last night caught a large eel & a trout. Did not notice any fresh lambs. Put in a row of peas, a row of potatoes and a row of carrots in top garden, John digging out small carrots for the pigs. The carrots grown in top garden very small, as they were not thinned nor were the weeds taken out. We carted up two small loads of manure for vegetables and used some of it. Mam walked over today to Thodsens and made Mrs Thodsen sen. [senior] take £1- for what she did for mam some time ago in the middle of a rough night and also the following day. She did not want to accept anything.
FR 9 Found a ewe cast in Widerups after lambing The lamb was dead and very large, the ewe could not stand. John & I wheeled her into woolshed after dinner, gave her grass, no other fresh lambs. The grass growing and the sheep beginning to scour. Dragged some logs together on back after dinner. Rain came on, heavy rain, the ground sodden. John got rooster at D O’Hara’s. Ground too wet to put in vegetables.
SAT 10 SEPT 1904
A lot of rain fell last night & today is wet & sloppy, heavy showers, the ground sodden. Cleaned up shed, took out chaff &c The Ewe which we wheeled in yesterday & put in shed last night is on her legs today & feeding. I put her in the oak plantation this afternoon. 5 or 6 Ewes lambs last night & this morning, one with twins on Widerups. John shot a hare for dogs on back. A strange black dog on Widerups amongst Ewes & lambs, we chased him in the direction of Hans Mortensen’s. Paid Skinner 10/= for his last months bread. At night attended a Directors meeting at Factory. Paid N Larsen 12/= He is now paid up to the 1st September.
SUN 11 A very fine day. After dinner walked over to H Mortensens No one at home only the children. Walked round to C C Smiths, stayed a few hours & home across the Paddocks. N Torkelsen called. Flossie stayed for tea & we all drove to Church. Used the buggy lamps
MON 12 In the forenoon worked on back getting stringers &c for culvert at Poplar gully. J Neal came at dinner time & afterwards came out on back and we made a swap. He gave me a cow & calf for two steers. We got the cow home & milked her & took the calf away. El paid £8- to Mr Beckett the amount of his bill. Ada must have called when no one was home, for Cecil’s Photo was left on the kitchen table. This has been a fine day.
TU 13 One or two fresh lambs last night, singles. The new cow does not give much milk. She is timid. Mam & Top drove to Ada’s in the forenoon. They were back before dinner. John & I worked at culvert near back road. Put stringers across &c. John shot two hares late this afternoon in reserve. This has been another good day. The ground is drying up fast. The grass is coming on.
WED 14 SEPT 1904
The new cow gave such a small quantity of milk this morning again, that we let her go with her calf, after castrating the latter. John & I worked in the garden today. I put in a long row of peas and some beans, also a few potatoes, afterwards John & Ernest went out with the two dogs & shot 2 hares. Mam Top & I drove up to Lawn Tennis Social at night & left for home about 12 o’clock. Fine day & a good nights amusement. Mr Brodie Vet surgeon did not come owing to sickness. Several Makotuku settlers showed up – C C Smith, J Neal &c.
TH 15 Mam went to Papakura or Rosebank by the 1st train, Top drove her. Planted wattle in corner plantation & one in top garden. John took a dead lamb from ewe on flat He cleared round gooseberry bushes in garden and grubbed out some of them. Attended meeting in Hall at 11.30. Business not finished until about 3 o’clock. Reconstruction of Factory Carried to be done in the Winter of 1905. Put in a few potatoes in garden. John shot another hare this evening
FR 16 One fresh lamb last night. John found a dead lamb on flat – a fresh one, another dead one yesterday, buried both. Rain set in before dinner & stopped work in the garden. Shook some manger seed & raked it on 3 patches near 3 gateways. I got 5 lbs nails at Becketts. 4 inch 3 inch 2½ inch 2 and 1 inch, one pound of each also an Auckland Weekly news. Eva tonight wrote a letter to her mother. Raining hard now.
SAT 17 Ground too wet to do anything in garden. Went out to back, sawed & split some hinau slabs for culvert. At night went with John to Wesleyan tea meeting. The 25th anniversary of the opening of Wesley church. Bought 2 tickets for I & T to go to the Pawson Concert on Wednesday next.
SEPT 1904
SUN 18 One fresh lamb last night. Warm forenoon Flossie for dinner & after tea went with I & G to church (WESLEY). Walked across to J Neals. Paid £1to him which I pay annually for a bit of land along the face of our boundary, it is mostly slips. The evening turned out cold, it is raining at present.
MON 19 No fresh lambs. Went out to back road and put logs & limbs in heaps with mare, between the back road & culvert. John then went on to Widerups getting firewood, but whilst out on back dragged hinau slabs to culvert. I went to Directors meeting which began at half past eleven. A very fine day. In the afternoon went and worked at culvert. John shot two more hares. He is in Lutheran Hall tonight at a meeting connected with cricketing. Nice feed in paddocks for stock. I am going to write a letter to Mam. Today in Factory Office I paid W M Thompson 4/10 and this amount with Factory bonus, & interest and previously paid up shares gives me 8 fully paid up shares. John home from meeting at 9.30
TH 20 Did not go through Ewes & lambs this morning. Two wild ducks lit on dam up the gully this morning and John shot both with one shot. He has been splitting matai firewood on Widerups & wheeling stones off oats. Eva posted a letter & a paper to her mother. Finished the culvert & put in onions in garden (seed) and wheeled 2 or 3 barrow loads of manure on to bed also put in some potatoes. A beautiful day.
WED 21 Put in some lettuce seed & some potatoes. One Ewe with twins on flat. Went out to back with John & mare & did a little before dinner, heavy rain set in Mr W M Thomsen’s boy came with Factory cheque to be signed. Top & John at Pawsons Benefit cricket concert in Hall. A beautiful evening. Freed hoggt. in Reserve lawyers.
TH 22 SEPT 1904
Heavy rain last night. Heard youngsters come in from concert late last night or early this morning. John got can of buttermilk at factory & £1.5.4 Factory cheque, Test 3.8 and 3.7 and the last 3.6 very poor cows, not worth their keep, must fatten them & not take them to bull again. Heavy rain fell today. Started to make a heavy 9 ft gate in woolshed. John paid Carl Schmidt – 4/4 for paying at station & carriage of case of oranges & bundle of trees from Ormondville. His teeth are very troublesome today & yesterday. Eva has a slight cold.
FR 23 No fresh lambs this morning. Went out on back with mare & dragged some logs together at dinner time sledged home 4 hinau posts. In the afternoon sawed a passage through on track. Another very heavy shower about 5 o’clock. Gave the 3 calves on hill a small bundle of hay & they enjoyed it. The remains of the little stack is done, that is the portion we left after carting or rather sledging in the main part, or best of it. A letter from Mam tonight, the first one since she went to Rosebank a week ago yesterday. A Horticultural meeting in the Library tonight I believe. Continuous heavy showers. Found a good sized lamb dead up the gully this evening. Diarrhoea seems to be the cause. Do not know whether he was a twin lamb or single.
SAT 24 A wet day. Finished the making of a 9 ft gate in woolshed today & swept out shed & left it clean. Skinned the big lamb found dead yesterday. A very small ball of matted wool in the stomach. John found a ewe cast in Widerups He posted a letter this morning to his mother.
SUN 28 Light rain last night & this morn. Ground muddy. John & Ernest out hare hunting. G & Eva at afternoon Church. Flossie came back with them. Wild duck stuffed for dinner.
MON 26 SEPT 1904
Fenced Poplars (2) at hinau culvert near back road. John sledged in some firewood and made a dog kennel. We sawed a couple of logs on back. No lambs coming. White frost this morning Sent letter & paper to Mam this morning. Eva posted one of hers yesterday. Tonight went to hear a lecture delivered by Mr Izitt in Town Hall, a good lecture Audience not large. A fine dry day.
TU 27 Worked all day in the garden. Put in potatoes a few beet seed & a few mangel [mangold] seeds. John got a can of buttermilk this morning. Pulled carrots & mangels & pitted them in garden. Tilly & Mary came over tonight for a while.
WED 28 A very fine day. Prepared old yards for docking. Yards & surroundings at woolshed too wet & muddy. Found Ewe lying dead in water in gully on flat, Continuation of Rabbit gully. She seems to have fallen off a log when crossing. This is the first Ewe we have lost since lambing commenced. Got in Flat Ewes & lambs, docked 46 EWE 46 WET lambs, 99 ewes. Then got in off ridges 57 EWES & docked 52 lambs 30 WET 22 EWE lambs & put back. Found a good sized lamb on flat with swollen knees, he cannot stand, also a small motherless one had to kill both. Oliver Christophersen called and he John & Ernest went hunting in the evening. Mrs Randerson & Flossie called in the afternoon the latter stopped for tea also Ernest & for fishing.
TH 29 Carted in the dead ewe off flat & skinned her & boiled her for pigs or hens. Put Ewes & lambs off ridges on to flat & got in those off Widerups 65 Ewes & 70 lambs 38W 32E total lambs 214 and 219 EWES. 2 wethers amongst them 221 I make them 5 or 6 ewes short. Put with ram 230 Ewes, there may have been 9[?] wethers amongst [?]
TH 29 SEPT 1904
Did some weeding in garden after docking, John carted in some rimu firewood to be used under boiler to boil the sheep, and carted old gooseberry bushes & limbs to brush heap at Woolshed. Eva got a letter from mother, comes home tomorrow by express. Another very fine day.
FR 30 Rain last night. A good deal of rain fell this forenoon. No work can be done outside. John got a set of shoes on mare & tidied up the washouse. I drove in to meet mam at the station, she came by the express with her many kits parcels & portmanteaus and presents from Mr & Mrs Fourneau who arrived home in good health after a successful voyage out & a pleasant experience in the Old Country. John & Gerty have received an invitation from Mr Beckett to spend the evening at their place, both are going. Mr B. Home from the Synod. Some thunder today and soft rain. A good growing day. It was lucky that we docked yesterday & the day before. The yards are now wet again. This morning I opened the two hurdles between the ridges and Widerups and also the hurdle between flat and ridges and all the front paddocks are now open to the Ewes & lambs. During her last absence Mam on two occasions went to the chemist in Hastings Mr Bates and got most of her teeth extracted. At a future time he will draw the remainder. He injected a fluid round the tooth before drawing it, and she suffered little or no pain – nothing to speak of. His charges are very moderate. On the whole this has been a good month, an early spring, and at present there is good picking for stock, especially on back section. 3 ewes died since rams put in. One fair hoggt & 2 or 3 scrags died. No sheep died this season to speak off [of].
SAT 1st OCTOBER 1904
Went out to Poplar track & logged up with mare & rolled logs together. Came home at half past ten & got ready to go to Norsewood. I to Factory meeting, when it was agreed to pay 8d per lb for butter fat for the month & other business. Mam Eva & John drove to P. G Grants to buy a suit for John which came to £2-19-6 Left the township at 1 o’clock & got home before the heavy rain came down. It rained very hard during the afternoon, not a cold rain.
SUN 2 Nils Larsen was in the yard with his waggon this morning before we finished milking. This is the first sunday Nils went to factory this season. We all have been inside today. It has been a coldish day & wet. No one called. Vegetables very backward in garden this season. The only thing showing up as yet is a row of peas.
MON 3 Thirty One years today since I landed in Wellington Walked over Flat & found a Ewe with a young lamb, one since they were docked, 215 now. Walked over back with John & we found the white heifer “Lilly” & her young calf. heifer like herself. Got them home & Gertie helped John to drag her into the bale with a rope, we milked her & took away the calf. She does not trouble about loosing the calf. She is very quiet. Gerty & Eva have shifted out of their small bedroom & taken possession of the front room. After dinner went out again on back & sawed some hinau logs for posts – on back track. Much rain fell. We saw Fred Schmidts bull with our heifers on back One of them round, I think “Stars” heifer. Tonight John has gone to Norsewood to a Cricketers meeting. The night is calm & cloudless after the rain We are afraid it will freeze & destroy 2 trees in bloom
TU 4 OCTOBER 1904
Put the cow & her calf out on back Sec. also the two steers. Found a big docked lamb dead in creek under a culvert in the water. When skinned & opened, dirt and some wool was in the second stomach. F Schmidt Came on back sec with his dogs & took away his bull. Sawed split & trimmed some hinau posts. John sledged in firewood off Widerups. This has been a very fine day nice feed about.
WED 5 Took “Buttercup” to Hegh’s bull and then went out on back with Carl Hansen and got in the 2 fillies & helped him take his home. He paid for paddocking £ s d 1.11.0 We worked in the garden until dinner time Put in 2 rows of parsnip seed, & rows potatoes. Mrs Hegg and her daughter Pattie called in the evening or rather afternoon. John went Cricketing this afternoon and at present he & the Parson boys are having tea after doing some fishing & they intend to do more tonight. We got the heifer in the bale tonight without roping her.
TH 6 John finished picking off the stones in barley oats & wheat in front and wheeled out weeds & Couch grass out of garden, split hinau posts & walked over part of back. He is gone with his boots to Christian Tostesen tonight to be half soled. Today put in more potatoes, mangolds, beet Carrots and a row of Maize. Stirred around strawberries & put a little manure around them. John wheeled a couple of barrow-loads of manure into garden, I wheeled one barrow-load from under outside battens of woolshed. Mam busy with her flowers, weeding & planting. Paid Skinner 10/- for last months bread. Today has been windy. The heifer goes into bale without much trouble. The young calf takes her milk quite easily.
FR 7 OCT 1904
John white-washed kitchen, his mother went to Mr Becketts for paint brushes and ________ I walked over paddocks & found a big dead lamb, & a good mother along side with plenty milk. Got her in, also a Ewe with twins. Put the skin of the dead lamb on a twin & the ewe took to it at once. The big wether lamb looked as if he died from the effects of Castration, altho there was a little dirt and wool in the second stomach. Heavy rain in the morning & forenoon. Fine and calm now. John torching & fishing with other boys.
SAT 8 Docked two lambs yesterday, a Ewe & a wether lamb these two make up for two deaths. Today logged up on back road track during the forenoon. John tried on two suits of clothes which Mr Grant sent him as the previous suit was too small. One suit fits all right & he keeps it, the other one Mam takes back. The price is £2.15.0 of the suit which he keeps. He started this afternoon to cut down the laurel hedge, with a bill-hook. The day before yesterday, a goose & four goslings made their appearance near woolshed. Boiled a lamb for dogs in big boiler. A very fine day & night.
SUN 9 Walked over back. Sheep rubbing & scratching against everything they come in, contact with, under limbs against logs and fences, they are very much troubled with ticks, also the lambs. The dip “Littles Non Poisonous Dip” was not good enough. Gay Martin called in the forenoon. John & Willy Torkelsen drove to Kopua to see some cricketers. Afternoon Mr & Mrs Beckett called, did not wait for tea. Also Mr & Mrs P. G Grant & children Milly & Sivie Ericksen & Alf Neal for tea & then we all went to the various churches. After church Willy Torkelsen & Ernest came down. This has been a very fine day. The grass is not coming on quick.
MON 10 OCT 1904
Worked on back in the forenoon. John laid posts & rails at dam to fence 3 willows from Cattle knocking them about. We also dragged some logs together with mare. Afternoon John was Clipping laurel hedge & I put in a row of peas in the garden also some carrots, Mrs Callender came Collecting for Moarii [Maori?] Mission. Mum gave her 2/6 A lawn Tennis meeting tonight Gerty & John must go up to Library. It is windy tonight.
TU 11 Sawed & put a few logs together on back & then put in 8 posts round the 3 willows at dam. Soft rain fell after dinner. Did not do much in garden, put in a few maize seed in far sheltry Corner of garden. Put 3 rings in Tamworth pigs nose, as she was rooting under fence in pig paddock. Mam & Top drove up town & drew out £5 from Savgs Bank. Gave Mr Beckett 2/6 to be sent with his subscription to Mrs Webb at Ormondville as she has started a Subscription for the purpose of presenting a Bible or something of that sort to Mr J Hutt, Lay Reader. Sent the following advertisement to Danevirk Advocate per Mr Callender. For Sale. Four Waverly Lincoln rams. Six tooth. Price two guineas each in the wool Apply S. Bra’n. [Brabazon] South Norsewood. To appear 6 times. It is in the paper now, was sent on Saturday last.
WED 12 Finished the fencing of the 3 willows at dam then rain came on and continued all day. John & another went with a bush waggon and brought from Gollan’s bush 4 logs to be chopped in Hall tonight by local axemen at the Social to be held in aid of the Cricket Club. I drove up with Mam & John but found no one there. A few men coming away from the Hall told us that the Social was postponed. The roads are very muddy. It is like a winters evening.
TH 13 OCT 1904
Very heavy showers last night and all day. John oiled the harness & walked over back, also emptied dip as the creek is up. Put up in girls bedroom a corner Cupboard or place to hang clothes underneath, also a shelf in our bedroom. Rain seems to be general all over.
FR 14 Another thorough wet day. Did a few little jobs inside. Mam complains about a pain in her left side. After tea tonight she took a bad turn. Poor Eva crying. The bad turn soon passed off. Gert & John gone tonight to a birthday party, invited by Miss Learmont. Youngsters brought her a pair of vases, as a birthday offering. She is now 21 years & Postmistress.
SAT 15 Rain today again, light rain most of the day. Walked over back & flat. Found the remains of a sheep on hill opposite Magnusen’s. The fleece will do to go with the pieces. Put up clothes hooks in bedrooms under curtains. Cleaned under & about battens in woolshed. Had a look at cattle. No cow looks as if she will calve for months. This morning got a bag of sugar at Becketts for 11/9 A neck and a shoulder of mutton from O’Hara’s Cart 2/8. We always pay cash for meat, book bread & groceries. The leaves coming out well on Poplars and Elm trees, on Oak tress the old dried leaves of last year are on them still. Willows green. Ash trees bare. Only midling [middling] grass for this time of the year. Our cows do not care very much about hay. We have plenty hay.
SUN 16 All at home, nothing happened today worth mentioning A hogget on the road this morning. John put it back into Reserve. A goose which has been sitting up the Creek on “Goose Island” for a few weeks has been flooded & her eggs Spoiled. Creek down today. Arthur Engelbretsen Came with tickets to sell for Lutheran Tea meeting. Mam bought one. Walked with Eva out on back to see thrush’s nest. A perfect day Gert & I gone to Wesy. [Wesleyan] Church. W. T came back with us
MON 17 OCT 1904
John drove Mam to catch the 9.30 train for Agincourt, and afterwards finished cutting down the laurel hedge. Sledged in some hinau posts, also bar Saw wedges &c from back. John sledged in firewood off Widerups and afterwards fired at a rabbit in the Reserve. Opened hurl At Gundersens Corner & put ewes & lambs off flat into Ridges. In the morning mended old bridges by filling with timber the hole that was washed out, and put some gravel on it. John & Ernest fishing tonight.
TU 18 After breakfast got all sheep off back onto Flat & put Ewes & lambs on to back. Attended meeting of Directors at Factory, home about 1 o’clock. Gave Factory milk with a handful of pollard to the young calf at dinner time & some good milk from the cow at night & morning. John drove Gerty to Ormlle. to catch the express for Hastings (& on to Rosebank.) and met Mam & drove her home from Agincourt Mrs Frances not at all well. A sale at Ormondville Wms & Kettle & Rose. Put in a few posts in fence between the flat & ridges. Another perfect day. Plenty sunshine.
WED 19 John rode Chessie to Ormondlle to catch 1st train for Hastings Show. He rode with Ernest and the latter led Chessy back at midday, after he closed the store in Ormondville. He did not take a waterproof coat and heavy rain fell here nearly all day. The new Baker came up with his basket and we took a large loaf. His terms are 6d cash or 7d booked. The bread is very white, clean looking & good to eat. Mam has been painting about dining room & kitchen. I put in some carrot seed before the rain & manured it. Good news from the war these last 3 days. The Russians have been defeated, lost a great number of guns and from 30,000 to 50 or 60,000 slaughtered & driven back by the Japs The Japanese lost heavily, but Russia a great deal more so.
TH 20 OCT 1904
Showers in the forenoon, but it turned out a beautiful day. A few people but not a great many went past to the show. Walked up to Becketts & got a bushel. 4/3 of fowl wheat. Sledged in a few posts & stakes from back. El painted roof of kitchen &c. Eva late home – sewing.
FR 21 Took mare & sledge out to Back & dressed the remaining hinau posts, two stockyard posts amongst them, & raked up chips and sledged in all but 9 posts, they are big & heavy. Saw all the cattle out there – 18 head big & little. The cows very backward in shaping to Spring. We milk only 4 night & morning and get a little more than half a can-ful [can full] for the Factory. Sledged out to my garden a few posts & stakes for wire netting to keep out hares. After tea Mam & Eva drove in to meet John coming home from Show in 7 o’clock train. Train late. They are now gone to Cricketers Social in Hall, Eva & I at home. This has been a perfect day. Calm & very hot.
SAT 22 Dug a bit in garden & put in some carrot seed. Mam & Eva worked at their garden & tonight they are gone to Lutheran Tea Meeting John in bed early tonight, his teeth are aching. Got Factory cheque this morning, amount 17/8. Put in a couple of posts in fence, Flat – Ridges. Put netting round my garden & plantation and planted 3 or 4 young accacia’s instead of the ones the hares ate and destroyed. Drove stakes for netting &c. John washed buggy. Shifted the meat safe over to end of the house. Mam Eva & John drove up and paid Hulena £4.15.0 for chest of drawers for Gerty, she also got a pair of white blankets for Eva, Cricketing (11/6) pants for John & pair of shoes. John walked through dry sheep in front paddocks. A fine cool day.
SUN 23 OCT 1904
A very fine day. Walked over paddocks & round back sec. Saw cattle at Fred Schmidts corner. Bull Schmidts side of fence. None of the cows anywhere near calving. Mam Eva & John drove to afternoon church and at night the 4 of us walked to Wesleyan church, a lady preacher – Miss Hughes conducted the service & preached a good sermon. A very fine night.
MON 24 Some light rain fell in the forenoon. Spent the day in the garden putting in carrots and a few potatoes and manured them. John digging his mother’s side of the garden, and after milking went practicing cricket. He has just come in & says that the new baker’s horse was today frightened at the train in Ormondville and ran away, smashing the cart. This forenoon young Mr Rose from Dannevirke called and we let him book 40 fat ewes for the next Ormlle sale – tomorrow week.
TU 25 A Thorough wet day. Sent Johns £ s d 1.17.10 away today – two one pound notes enclosed with demand. Washed out woolshed floor. Mended mare’s collar. Saw a strange dog in reserve and ran up to Brown gate and heard a dog barking in rushes near big willow tree, went over and found two dogs in the act of worrying a sheep on the ground, they had a quantity of wool pulled out and both ears eaten off. Left the sheep on the ground and with John followed the dogs through Becks and on to the road near Hotel, through township and home to their owners, C Petersen, salvationist. Came home through reserve and found a hoggt cast, dagged & carried it home. Pulled a drowned hoggt out of creek in reserve where I saw one of the dogs. Got home the worried hoggt & put it in sheep yards.
WED 26 OCT 1904
Shifted meatsafe to underneath verandah and put a boarded top on it. Skinned drowned hoggt up the Reserve creek. Fenced the willow at W.C. Mam & Gert did a big heap of washing. John cricketing in the afternoon. A little rain fell today again. At night went to Vestry meeting to Ormondlle Vicarage with Mr Beckett, home late. Sent to Wms & Kettle for 10 bales, twine & £10-0-0 to be placed to my account in Union Bank. Leaves coming out on Oak trees. Elms green also poplars well on, ash trees bare. Good growg [growing] weather
TH 27 John painted meatsafe & cupboards and sledged in some firewood, put foal out on back. Some rain fell today again. Cannot get sheep or yards dry. Did some work in top garden. It is now wire netted all round and hare proof. Hoed up a row of potatoes and put in two rows of carrot seed. There is too much sorrel in it, must lay it down in grass & clover. Great indignation these last 2 or 3 days all over the British Empire at the action of the Russian Baltic Fleet firing on English fishing boats – Killing & wounding some, & sinking some vessels.
FR 28 Rain in torrents nearly the whole day. John painting the underneath part of the iron of front verandah. Some rain came down in front bedroom. I was all day in Cartshed [cart shed] shifting a stack of white pine boards. Some of the boards very much damaged. They were stacked when the timber was green and nothing put between the layers of boards, today I placed strips between the boards. Tonight there was a great conflagration in the direction of Ormondlle the sky was red it looked as if there was a house on fire. John went up to Becketts to enquire, after telephoning they discovered that the cause was some logs burning.
SAT 29 OCT 1904
Creeks up, rain a great part of the day. Made drain from sheep yards across in front of woolshed. John finished painting, went through sheep and shot 2 hares. Hulena sent chest of drawers chairs (4) and small table. Walked up township, got 2 small bottles buldog stout, cheese coffee beans. A.W. News, Union Bank slip acknowledging £10.0.0 placed to my credit by Messrs Wms & Kettle. Tonight sent a letter by John to C Petersen telling him about the damage done by his dogs on tuesday last and asking him to pay for one sheep 14/= & destroy both dogs.
SUN 30 Squally today all at home. After dinner there came Mr & Mrs Beckett and Miss Learmont. They left for home at 9.30 No rain, but cloudy. John went to Wesleyan church. Home at 9.30
MON 31 A little rain last night or this morning. Got in all dry sheep into old yards & picked out 31 fat Ewes & dagged the few requiring it & put them on flat, the others on ridges & Widerups Some very big heavy fat well-wooled ewes amongst the 31. Some of them not near good enough for freezing. Mam got me a bottle of “Allen’s Lung Balsam”. John making a garden up the creek in Reserve. Gave a subscription of 5/= on Mr Becketts list towards a Brass tablet to be placed in Ormondville Church in memory of the late Canon Webb. Received demand for Road Rates from Ericksen today, a rate of 15⁄16 of a penny on £1132 comes to £ s d 4.8.5
1st TU NOVEMBER 1904
The mare foaled last night or this morning. A filly. Took the 31 fat Ewes to Ormll sale. Put a reserve of 18/- on them. They fetched 18/9. A McKenzie – Abraham & Wms bought them. After coming home I got in rams & Reserve hoggts latter in yards, rams in shed. 3 turkeys put in enclosure today to fatten. Harry Monteith Auctioneer sold the fat ewes. Bunny, Auctioneer, was selling for Wms & Kettle.
WED 2 NOV 1904
We dagged & shore the 4 rams and 30 hoggets today. The small hogg’ts in reserve are all healthy and strong but light fleeces, rams in good condition Mam & Gerty gone tonight to Choir practice in Church This day has been windy, but fairly calm at present.
TH 3 After breakfast got in all sheep of Widerups & ridges and started to dag them, light rain came on & we put 27 in shed & shore & put them on ridges the woolly ones on Flat, not so many ticks as I expected. Got sheep cheque from W Rose £27-17-9 for the 31 fat Ewes. Amongst the 27 shorn today – 12 4 tooth wethers & a few good Ewes. Mam today went to see Mrs Mulholland about annual church Tea meeting. Very high wind last night. An elm tree broken off at ground & blown over in buggy yard. Not very much rain fell today.
FR 4 A good many vehicles went past this morn for Palmerston Show – the People’s Day. John & Gerty went with Mr Beckett in his gig. Shore 2 hoggets & killed a poor wether for dog. Dug a bit in my garden & put in cow grass and raked in some lucerne. Sent cheque 27-17-9 to Union Bank this morning. Walked over part of Back & saw most of the cattle. Strawberry is only beginning to spring. A good day for the show. News came last night that poor Anton Andersen died. He has been ailing for a long time.
SAT 5 John drove mam Eva & I to Ormondville with Chessy to catch 1st train for Hastings The fare was 4/6 return. Mam had the whole of her remaining teeth drawn by Mr Bates. On arriving in Hastings we went & had lunch at Sterricks. We came home by the late train & arrived in Ormondlle after 7 o’clock. We had a very fine day. The mare went in the buggy all right five days after foaling.
SUN 6 NOV 1904
Another fine day. Touhy the ranger paid a visit to John & Ernest over at the creek in Tucks. All of us went to church at night. Very windy.
MON 7 Sent letter to J Howse to come here on the 9th with his Entice. John got in sheep and we dagged them until a shower came on We then put 60 in shed & shore until 4 o’clock = 30 of them, the other half in shed tonight. John went cricketing at 5 o’clock. We heard a dog barking out on back & we saw the ewes & lambs running so I went out & beyond the far scrub I found a Ewe cast & her lamb standing by her. I also saw a dog running & smelling about – a thickset sporting-looking dog, liver colour body, white round the neck & chest, he went in the direction of Magnusen’s. A letter from C. E. Pedersen agreeing to pay for damage to sheep done on the 25th of last month when he gets his pay. A letter from Agincourt asking Mam to go up for a while as Mrs Frances is still sick. A letter from the Union Bank acknowledging the sum of 27-17-9 less 9d exchange to put to my account.
TU 8 We shore today, besides dagging some 42 and put some dagged ones back on flat. 30 in shed tonight. John gone cricketing. Gerty went practicing tennis. Mam & her went to a Ladies Church meeting this afternoon at Miss Learmonts. Hoed up some potatoes in garden and put in two short rows of mangold seed. The carrot seed has not showed up yet. Think it wont grow.
WED 9 Shore the sheep in the shed last night, 30. Some heavy showers fell today. Norsewood won cricket match with Ormll poor play on both side. Put mare to Howse’s Entice in shed paddock. Found 2 dead ewes on back, skinned one. Mam Gert & John at Cricket social tonight. Shorn now 4 rams 159 sheep.
TH 10 NOV 1904
Put in cabbage plants & put in a few in top garden also. Shook in some turnip seed. John sledged in firewood & got in 50 sheep & dagged them. Shore 20 of them. In shed tonight. 30
FR 11 Shore the sheep in shed last night = 30 & John got in 55 & dagged them & we shore 25 = of them and put 30 in the shed tonight. Gave £3-11-0 cheque to Mam to pay Hulena’s bill £ s d 2-11-0= and get some change. Pulled the wool off a dead ewe on back. A goose sitting on 5 eggs alongside sheepyards came off this morning with one gosling. This has been another very fine shearing day.
SAT 12 Shore the 30 in shed last night & 15 others. 45 John got in the lot, 95, off Flat & dagged them and put back 80. We knocked off between half past 3 and 4 o’clock. Weighed some of the fleeces – a few of the wethers weighed 11½ lbs besides belly wool, weighed one ewe’s fleece 10 lb. Many of the wethers fleeces weigh 11 lb nett. Many of the hoggets fleeces are matted. We are not skirting the fleeces. Many of the fleeces – most of them – are discoloured from rubbing under burnt limbs & logs and they are broken on the back. Three little girls have been here today with Eva. Bonnie Ella & Olive Nordbye. Mam went up to O Ericksens’s & paid his bill £ s d 3-17-9. Rain set in at 6 o’clock from the west. Raining now.
SUN 13 Last night was a nasty cold windy rainy rough night. Very rough on the poor freshly shorn sheep. Windy all day but not so cold as last night. John walked over Gundersen’s end of back. I walked over the other end. Brought back a sheep skin. Only John gone church tonight.
MON 14 A showery cold miserable day. Mam did not go to Agincourt, the day too rough. We pressed No. 1 bale 84 fleeces mostly hoggets & matted. No 2 = 64 No 3 = 66 No 4 = 66 Mr Brodie came & had tea & stayed for the night. Went with him to Hall & to Factory where medicine bottle was opened.
TU 15 NOV 1904
John found a hoggt cast on Flat. He drove mam to catch the 9.15 train for Agincourt. Mr Brodie went up to township. Windy day with some showers. Got package of peas at Becketts. Sewed the fourth bale of Wool & branded them, only one fleece in shed now except the four coloured ones. John dug a bit in garden. He got a letter from Charley at Te Aute to say he (Charley) took only one coat away from Palmerston. John’s coat & Mr Becketts were in one parcel & left in the cloak or parcel room on show day & John’s coat is gone. Another severe night on shorn sheep. Tonight a meeting is to be held in Library for the purpose of getting up a social in aid of C Olsen’s family. The mother very bad for some time past, gone to Waipukurau hospital today where one of her children is already. Neighbours have taken the other children. John is to be at the meeting in library tonight. Windy & rough.
WED 16 Another rough day. Went through shorn sheep none dead, they are behind longs & stumps & under banks. John got sticks & stuck the peas. Put in some of our own cabbage plants here & a row of peas in top garden Got a post card from Mr Fourneau wishing many returns of yesterday, his birthday also. A letter from Commissioner of Land & Income tax demanding Land tax on £212 after £500 exemption and mortgage of £300. The tax is 1d in the £. Amount comes to 17/8. Eva got ½ holiday from school, bits of sport at Ormondlle
TH 17 Sent Postcard to Rosebank. Mowed some grass round house. Sharpened cross-cut. John went over back & after dinner got in 49 sheep off flat. We shore 26 of them & put 23 in shed tonight.
FR 18 Up early & shore the sheep in shed & got in remainder 31 and finished dry sheep today 360. Went to factory meeting 11.30 Paid J Collinge’s bill £ s d 1.6.0 A Collins 7/6 Land Tax 17/8. Amongst the dry sheep there are 11 4 tooth wethers.
SAT 19 NOV 1904 £ s d
A rough forenoon, wind & rain. Put in a bale 63 fleeces did not press it, as it will hold more. Put Ewes & lambs off back on to Flat. Put shorn sheep on back. Top met Mam with buggy, coming from Agincourt. She brought cabbage plants & I put some in. We got up yesterday from Ormondlle flower roots from Mr Weightman – Dahlias – mam put them in today. Sent to Sec Farmers Union Hastings (Frazer) 10/=. All but me in Norsewood tonight. Fine & moonlight.
SUN 20 Walked over back with Eva. We found “May” the cow with a young calf in scrub. Brought her home & John milked her. She gave a lot of milk & did not trouble much about taking away the calf. Eva took home a thrush’s nest with 4 eggs in it, a fifth egg got broken. Gerty went in Mr Becketts express to Ormondville church to witness a confirmation service. 20 were confirmed & the church full. All of us went to Norsewood Church at 2.30 The Bishop preached, after the service we stayed for tea at Mr P. G Grants. John came home & milked &c. We all went to Presbyterian church in the school from Grants. John top went to Wesleyan. W.T came home with Gerty.
MON 21 Sent cheque by Eva to Mr P. G. Grant 4-2-6 for £2 got yesterday from Mr Grant & 2-2-0 as a subscription to New Presbyterian Church. Put in some seeds in garden where the early seeds did not grow. Put in parsnip, carrot & a few mangold seeds. After dinner got in some Ewes & lambs. & had time to put into shed only 19 Ewes. when heavy rain came on and continued for a long time. There was no time to dag the Ewes. A lamb had a hip broken & I killed it for mutton. Gerty has a letter from Mrs Barker – Kaikora. Gave the young calf a drink […] evening.
TU 22 NOV 1904
Got Factory cheque this morning £ s d 1-13-1 Gerty drove mam to catch 9.15 train for Agincourt. Shore the 19 Ewes in shed last night & let them go back on Flat. John sledged in a load of firewood We pressed Bale No 5 & put in it 70 fleeces. A letter from a Pahiatua wool buyer offering 7½ per lb for the wool. Put in more mangold & carrot seed in the garden where the first lot did not grow. Opened out the pit in the garden where the carrots were pitted, but they are all rotten & useless. John went cricketing this evening & Top at lawn Tennis. W T came back with Top & Ernest came with John. Tilly here too. Eva passed in all subjects today at the examination.
WED 23 Sent cheque to Cotterill & Humphries 7-2-6 as ½ years int. [interest] John W & T Torkilsen went in our buggy to Ormondville en route to Waipukurau to a cricket match. Norsewood won by 6 wicketts [wickets]. Gerty brought back the buggy. Put in a few cabbage plants & shook & raked in a few cabbage seeds. Cut & mowed some of the long grass near green house. After dinner got in & dagged 38 Ewes. A lamb got his hoof down between the battens & in twisting round broke or disjointed his hip, must kill him tomorrow. Top got the cows home & milked two of them. A very fine warm day & a beautiful calm moonlit night. Top drove to the station & met the Cricketers. Willy Torkilsen & Oliver Ericksen for tea. In shed tonight 22 Ewes, the remainder – 16 in yard. The cow “May” has turned out much better than we expected. She is very quiet, easy to milk & gives a good quantity
TH 24 Shore today 53 Ewes, good heavy fleeces. One 12 lbs In shed tonight 20 Ewes. A Mr Falk, Temperance organiser called, gave him 5/- out of factory cheque. He was short 1/6 of change, gave it to him. Mam came home from Agincourt. Skinned lamb. John shore a cast Ewe on flat, a weak one.
FR 25 NOV 1904
Shore today 41. Knocked off early. All hands drove in the evening to the social. Over 8£ was taken. Left for home after one o’clock. A beautiful calm moonlit night.
SAT 26 This morning Man & Top went in 1st train to Kaikora & went from there in a Spring cart out to Mr Barkers. After staying the for an hour or two came away again. I and Eva met them at station with buggy another very fine shearing day. Shore 40 and knocked off early. A sheep buyer came Mr Allsworth The ewes today again cut heavy fleeces, 9 to 12 lbs. and clean. Eva slept until 10 o’clock this morning.
SUN 27 Walked over back with Eva. A very fine day At night John & Top went to Wesley church and Jimmy Hutchinson came back with them.
MON 28 Got in all the Ewes & lambs before breakfast and put them through the race = 60 Ewes & one hogget. Shore 41 and in shed now 20. Found a good shorn Ewe dead on flat and her lamb standing alongside her. Skinned the Ewe this evening, she is in prime condition. Top at Lawn tennis & John at cricket this evening
TU 29 Shore the last 20. One wether amongst them Pressed Bale No 6 = 60 fleeces No 7 = 58 Put all Ewes & lambs off flat on to ridges & Widerups. We have lost one wether, he has been with the Ewes & lambs all spring & was crutched with the Ewes. I also make the number of Ewes short by 9. There were 228 ewes when the rams were taken out & 213 shorn. 6 I found dead. One four tooth wether – marked is gone. If I find the marked wether dead or alive later on I will mark it here:
WED 30 NOV 1904
Cricket match today. Norsewood 105. Dannevirk 104. Pressed Bale No 8 = 54 fleeces No 9 = 56 and 9 coloured fleeces were put on top of No 10 containing pieces at bottom, next bellies (the bulk.) 9 fleeces on top
TH 1st December 1904
John got Nils Larsen’s mare & bush waggon & took 3 bales to Ormondlle Our mare & foal got out on road & ran up German line as far as Fireaband’s [Feierabend’s]. Thunder in the afternoon & terific [terrific] heavy shower. It was a wet afternoon John could not go with a second load of wool, owing to the rain. He had a tooth drawn by a dentist who visits Norsewood weekly – stays at top hotel – Johansens he charged 5/- for injecting fluid round tooth & pulling. John then took Larsens waggon home to him. Eva today bought a new 2nd standard reading book – 1/1.
FR 2nd DECEMBER 1904
John made two trips to Ormondlle with 6 bales today with Nils Larsens bush waggon & got in a bit firewood in the evening. Mr Currick called about Littles Dip. Ordered 2 cases of powder dip to be sent through Mr Beckett agent. A watchmaker from Danevirk, Woods – called. Mrs Thodsen & children & two nieces from Palmerston called. Mrs Collins called about a surprise party to be held at T Turkelsen’s. We are unable to go. Went out on back, saw 17 head of cattle. Hoed up some potatoes in garden & put lime round cabbage plants, many slugs. Hot forenoon, a little rain fell. John paid Mr Callender for advertising 4 rams in Advocate 6/-
SAT 3 John took the last bale of wool to Ormondlle in Nils Larsens bush waggon. Nils took the milk to factory in his express. We have more skim milk than we can use. We have over a can of milk for the factory. Mam makes butter. The wool went to Napier today. John consigned it. Sent letter of description & to Wms & Kettle. Did some weeding in top garden. John drove mam to Mrs Friis’. Boiled mutton & mangolds for turkeys. A very fine day.
SUN 4 Drove to Ormll church with Mr Beckett in his gig & with his mare. at night went to church – all hands – Alf Neal for tea. W Torkelsen in the evening & at night, also Ernest.
MON 5 DECEMBER 1904 £ S d
John helped Mr & Mrs Thodsen take a cow down the road to Fred Schmidts, with a halter. A rough cold squally day. Started to make a gate in woolshed. Arthur Sugden called and I paid his bill 2-5-1 I gave him a cheque for £ s d 3-5-1 & he gave me a pound note News tonight that poor Johnston died today in the Asylum.
TU 6 A squally miserable day, much rain fell in the evening. Cut some grass along by Wellingtonia, John put in seeds & potatoes in his garden, and sledged in a good load of matai. Top got a letter from Mrs Barker. She need not go there. Cold wet night
WED 7 Drove some of the cricketers to Station – 2 Torkelsen’s J Collinge & John, they were beaten by 13 runs, and only had 36 to beat in the 1st innings. Showers all day. Did a little work in shed. Made scarecrow & stuck it up in barley to keep the sparrows away. Got some groceries at Sugden’s this morning. Mr T Torkelsen & Willy for tea tonight, after coming up in the buggy from railway station. Got wool weight “Rooney” came round today, there is a bull with her a strange animal, must have jumped fence There is a bill from that wretched doctor in Waipawa Ross for £1-5-0. He should be prosicuted [prosecuted] for malpractice.
TH 8 Got in Reserve sheep 4 rams & 27 hoggets and put out all Ewes & lambs in Reserve after dagging the lambs – 209. Put the 27 hoggs on back & put 4 rams on Ridges. Got in the 3 heifers off back & put them on Reserve with cows. Ticey Beck came & took the bull away. Mrs Beckett went to the Hospital yesterday.
FR 9 Mam took Chessy to Collings & got shoes on her. John cut grass along road fence & at Greenhouse I mowed plantation at top garden and after dinner went to poor Johnston’s funeral. A hot day. Arthur Sugden went to Ngamoko for some small pigs he got three & I got one from him. He took 2 to Ormondlle. Mam & Gert drove to Mrs Hutchinsons & on to F Smiths.
SAT 10 DEC 1904
Drove the 3 red heifers to Hegh’s the bull at Ellis’s Had to drive them home against & then over to Becks and left them there. Got in and shore 22 lambs, too many ticks on them. Littles Non Poisonous dip no good to keep sheep free from ticks. Some light rain came on. After tea walked up to Ericksens & bought a pair of Sunday boots 17/6 a pair Do for John 9/. also 2 hooks to keep casements open. Called at Randerson’s to say good-bye, they are leaving for the South Island on Monday. Mr Randerson & Claude have done well in the south since they went there. Received 10/= from Mr Cantlay instead of a 10/= subscription which I paid towards ministers stipend for him 6 months ago.
SUN 11 Walked with Eva over paddocks. She found a thrush’s nest with 4 Eggs in it. She took away two of them John went to Manawatu with Ernest to fish. After dinner C C Smith, Ada & 3 children came. Also for tea Esther, she, Gert & John gone to Wesley church.
MON 12 Mowed some in hay paddock John got in some firewood. Went by coach to catch train & on to Te Aute. Stayed at F McNutts tonight. Ellis or McKenzie the supposed murderer was taken to Wellington
TU 13 Arrived in Napier about 10 o’clock. Bought a watch chain & greenstone for John and a book Tom Browns Schooldays. Two brooches for Gert & Mam. Nuggets & fruit for Eva. Spectacles for self. Went in Bus with James Thompson to spit. saw wool in store & reserve prices, 9¼ fleece 6½ Bellies […] &c. At 4 o’clock went out to Clive from Farndon with Ian Thompson & stayed at his place tonight.
WED 14 Left Farndon by 8.15 train for Napier. English buyers very eager to buy. Great excitement among them for good lots. Mine fetched 10d. Bellies &c 6¾. Went out in Harts coach to Pakowhai to Rosebank. Rough day. Mr Fourneau has a touch of Sciatica. Boys making hay. Went down & saw the old people & Mr & Mrs Fulford.
TH 15 DEC 1904
Mr Fourneau after dinner drove me to Hastings to catch 3.5 train. He put in a sack for me, cabbages, lettuce, peas, new potatoes & a ham. Saw Dan O’Reilly Came back with J Neil, McGreevey and Jack Storah [?] got in train at Takapau. Gert & Eva met me.
FR 16 The school children between Woodville & Spit with their parents & teachers met at Waipukurau & had sports drill &c &c. All went from here except me. I drove them down & met them at 7.30 Windy & some rain. Not a day for hay making, but it kept fine until evening. Saw a duck today with 2 little ones. She had seven yesterday – lost 5. A hen bought out 4 chicks today. Rain & wind tonight. Carl Schmidt agrees to keep “Dahlia” for £25 cash, me allowing him £2 for breaking her in – equal to £27.
SAT 17 A rough showery squally day. Shifted Ewes & lambs out of Reserve into flat. Alf Neal called to see the 4 rams, offered them to him £ six He must take a week to make up his mind Gerty gone in 4.30 train to Agincourt. Mam & Eva drove
SUN 18 Walked over back with Eva. A fine day. Blowey [blowy]. Went to 2.30 church. Mr Lambert preached.
MON 19 A dull cloudy calm peculiar morning. Mam up at 4 AM to wash. John & I at half past. Milked early. John went at the hay to turn it. Light rain came on & we got in 79 lambs, shore 66 of them, 13 in the shed tonight, could have shorn the 79 only I went to Directors meeting at Factory. High wind most of the day & tonight. Can do nothing with hay.
TU 20 Shore the 13 before breakfast John milked & fed &c. Got in all sheep of [off] ridges & ran [?] off 71 lambs & shore them. Light rain came on & we could not get in the remainder. Spot refused to work. Paid 6/= to lemonade man for case of mixed drinks. Letter from Gert Agincourt.
WED 21 DEC 1904
“Spot” refused to bring in the cows this morning, he wandered along the road to Ormondlle John picked him up at J Brown’s & tied him up to the buggy & brought him home. Mam went to Waipukurau hospital & saw Mrs Beckett & came home by 7 o’clock train. Mr Beckett called tonight. We carted in the hay, dry, this forenoon. A letter from Dr Barnards acknowledging anual [annual] 10/=
TH 22 Got Factory cheque this morning 2.12.10 Two of the 5 cows do not give much milk. They calved last May. One, “Buttercup” calved in July – 7th “Lilly” calved 3rd October & “May” Nov 20. A poor cheque for 5 cows, we may reckon them 4 cows. We got 8 lbs of butter & 6d worth of cream during the month. Mrs Sharp sent her boy for 2 geese. He paid 6/= for them. We killed 2 gobblers this morning John plucked & cleaned them out. We tried this morning to get in the sheep off flat but “Spot” would not work, then rain came on & continued nearly all day. Mr Ericksens 2 little girls, Hilda & Olva here today playing with Eva. John sledged in a load of firewood. I did some weeding in garden.
FR 23 I walked over to Becks & brought home the 3 heifers & paid Ticey 10/= “Pet” was served on 22nd Stars heifer on 21st & “Lively” on the 10th John rode to Ormondvill & sent a dressed turkey to Rosebank by 1st train. He called at Bengstens & bespoke a […] a week old for 10/= We got in the ewes & lambs & finished shearing them & put them on ridges & Widerups, left 2 woolly ones to be killed later on. Charley came by midday coach. Gert by late train & last coach. Received from Carl Schmidt £25.0.0 for “Dahlia”. 3 year old mare. Top brought me a silver locket for watch chain at Woodville. Killed a very good lamb this evening. This has been a splendid day.
SAT 24 DEC 1904
Gave half a lamb to Nils Larsen & a quarter to Mrs Thodsen. Mowed the remaining grass at my garden and in Oak plantation. John mowed some in gully plantation. After tea all except Mam went to township on hill. Crowds moving about. A very fine day & night. I came home early. Mam put in Savings Bank in Norsewood today £25. Eva also put 10/= in Bank making for her £2. For Mam £50. Charley Gerty Eva & John got home about 10.30 About half past 12 we were wakened by a number of Carollers from township who played some nice music at front verandah. There seemed to be 10 or a dozen of them. John gave 5/.
SUN 25 Xmas day A beautiful hot typical xmas day. Eva & I went for a walk, going over flat we found a larks nest with 2 young ones. We went over back & had a rest now & then & a drink of ginger ale out of a bottle which Eva brought. We saw the cows which are springing & got home at 10.30. Nils Larsen called for the can of milk before we were up & took last nights to factory. We kept the mornings milk. Our xmas turkey was nicely cooked for dinner & was tender, nuts & fruit was very nice. Tonight all gone to church except me. Fine night.
MON 26 Mrs Nils Thodsen has been sick for a few days. Dr Tirnple [?] saw her last Saturday but did not know what to make of the case So this forenoon she sent for Mam who advised her to go to the hospital, which she did with Nils & Mam accompanying her. They returned by the 7 o’clock train. Mam Top & John gone to ball on hill where the Wesleyans have a “service of Song”. Today John was at Wesley’n picnic at Gallons Charley went in coach to catch 4.30 or 5 o’clock train. This has been a very hot day. We did no work.
TU 27 DEC 1904
Mowed some on Hill. John mowed in gully plantation & turned what was mowed last week. A hot day. Put all empty bottles in 2 cases = 92. Sports in O’ville none of us went. Mam drove round & got 4 loaves from Baker Hardy & 4 from Skinner & meat from D O’Hara for Tea meeting.
WED 28 Carted in all the made up hay from my garden & oak plantation. Heavy rain set in at 3 PM & continues all this evening. Ella here tonight. 2 little girls – Wilkins & 2 miss Shugars went home in coach after the rain set in, also Tilly Thodsen Esther & 3 little ones. John had a letter from Carl Engelbretsen in Auckland.
TH 29 Rain the greater part of the day. Nailed up some pictures in Woolshed & pressed a bale of lambs wool & branded it No. 11. Mr Brodie here tonight. Was in Lutheran Hall, but very few members turned up. “May” was round today. Did not know where to take her. A Hegh called tonight to see Brodie & joined Union Mulholland called with Hegh, wants a black lamb.
FR 30 Went with Brodie to Torkelsens [Torkilsens] to see a lame cow and from there in a spring cart to see a lame horse at McRoberts. We were driven back to Factory. John got meat at D O’Hara’s for sandwitches [sandwiches]. We split a great number of pea sticks and stuck the peas. Ella went to see her Aunt & Uncle & stayed at home. Edy Martin called. A very fine day.
SAT 31 John turned the hay on Hill. I walked out on back & found that the 2 cows had calved – Strawberry & Primrose. The latter has a nice coloured heifer calf. Strawberry’s is a bull calf. In the afternoon the others went to Hall getting ready for the tea meeting I got in some of the sheep & killed a woolley lamb. Was doorkeeper at the Hall. A good crowd took, 10-5-7 Paid Brieske £1-1-0 for the Hall. About £9 clear. a stormy night. Saw Mrs Mulholland home to her gate at 12. On the whole this has been a successful year. Receipts £351=
SUN 1st JAN 1905
A fearful rough morning. Torrents of rain & high wind. All sorts of stock seeking for shelter. None of us went from the house. Walter Tilly & Ester [Esther] came after tea & stayed the evening. Not quite so rough now.
MON 2 Drove up to Town Hall & took our things away. Paid 2/6 to Carl Schmidt for chaff which he lent for using in Hall as a substitute for bran for diving for articles, some sawdust got mixed with it & made it unfit for horses to eat. Norsewood tennis players go to Dannevirk to play & got beaten. A rough day for it. Windy but dry. Sent 2 cans of milk to factory today. Mam & the 2 girls gone by midday train, the girls to Rosebank. Mam to Waipukurau Hospital to see Mrs Beckett & Mrs Thodsen, both improving. I went to meet 7 o’clock train but owing to the races down country the train did not come in to Ormondll until 9.25 A long time to wait. Vivian Parsons is staying here tonight with John. A thorough winter night.
TU 3 At home. Did a little in garden. Blowing nearly all day. Settled with Nils Larsen for carrying milk. It came to 12/= two half lambs deducted 8/= Paid 4/=
WED 4 A fine day, a bit breezy, turned raked & cocked the bit of hay on hill. John with Ernest fishing in Tucks creek. The latter has a licence. He caught 3 or 4 trout today. Fitzgerald’s Circus in Ormondll tonight. John rode down with Ernest A good many vehicles have gone past from Norsewood
TH 5 Another fine day. Went out on back & found “Star” with a young wild calf. Had some trouble in getting them in as the calf seemed to be a week or more old. We had to catch tie & sledge him home. We cut the barley in front with reap hooks.
FR 6 John mowed the corner plantation & after dinner went with Ernest & Cyril fishing. Ernest brought us 5 trout today. We had fish for tea. Light rain John shot a rabbit yesterday in Reserve.
FR 6 JAN 1905
Received Williams & Kettle cheque today for 10 bales of wool. After deducting for wool packs & twine & £10 advance £ s d 166.5.10 of a ballance was sent to me. £ s d 177.12.8 was the nett amount of the 10 bales. Paid Mr Grants bill, amount 20.2.5 less a pound allowed for discount. Gave cheque 25.0.0 Paid A Hulena for Eva’s bedstead, wire mattrass [mattress] &c 4.12.0 Mirror & mattrass previously purchased, included. Light rain this evening. The boys fishing tonight.
SAT 7 John & Cyril took “Lilly” to Hegh’s bull. Ernest came down & the 3 boys have been fishing and shooting all day – shot 4 hares. I walked over & around back – did some stapling. Saw a rabbit at the edge of scrub opposite Eva’s gateway. Sent cheque to Union Bank. To bear interest, £100 for year the remainder to be placed to current acct [account] 66.5.10 Mam sent a letter to Gerty at Rosebank.
SUN 8 All at home except Eva & Top. Ernest & John went to Wesleyan church at night. I wrote to Eva. Rain. John paid Palle Jensen for black currants 5/=.
MON 9 A note from W. B Thomson asking me to go as a delegate to Waipukurau. (Farmers Union) with A Olsen on Wednesday next. Walked up to township & paid 5/= to Christian for mending boots and left him another pair to half sole. A fine day. John out with the boys. They shot 2 hares. A letter from Gerty. Killed a lamb.
TU 10 Cut up lamb. John (& Ernest) rode to Ormondville & sent ½ lamb to Rosebank by 1st train. Freight 1/6. Sledged in all hay & put it in hay shed, which is now full. put the barley into sacks & put them in wool-shed. tied only a few sheaves & made a stuck. Ernest caught a few trout. A letter from Eva & one from Union Bank. stating that they have placed to my credit-£100 bearing interest at 3½ per cent for a year. I thought they allowed 4%. One from Dinwiddie Walker & Co. for £ s d 1-6-0 Subn [subscription] for “Herald” for ensuing year. Sugdens bill for 3-5-6
WED 11 JAN 1905
Went by 1st train to Waipukurau. 4/= paid for return ticket. Meeting of Farmers Delegates in County Council Chambers. Between 15 & 20 members Subjects dealt with – Freehold v Leasehold. Anths[?] Dinner in Hotel 2/= Left before meeting was over to catch 2.50 train. Came home in coach. John working at Fred Schmidt’s getting in his hay.
TH 12 Some light rain last night & this forenoon. Thinned & took weeds out from carrots in top garden. Young Mr Monteith representing Wms & Kettle called. John dragged in a heavy hinau gatepost for new gate going out to road from yard. Sent £ s d 1-6-0 cheque to Dinwiddie Walker & Co. Dug a few potatoes in top garden, good size. A fine calm afternoon.
FR 13 John took a bale of lambs wool & bundle skins – 9, one of them a very small lamb skin, young 2 cases of empty bottles (92) to Robjohns & Sons. Dressed hinau gatepost & dug hole. Put a wire across oats in front of house & tied 4 kerosene tins on it.
SAT 14 Put in and rammed hinau gatepost. Sledged one load of firewood off Widerups. John all day helping Fred Schmidt get in some hay and head his stack. Mam milked some of the cows. John paid Christian 4/6 for half soling my boots. At night the 3 of us and Esther went to township & to Library. Another fine hot day.
SUN 15 Another hot day. The 3 of us went to church at 2.30 No one came today, only Ernest for tea.
MON 16 Carted the heap of boards that was lying by the side of the buggy shed, and stacked them in cart shed. Found underneath them nine broken eggshells taken there by rats & broken & eaten. Drove up to township & paid £11-17-8 amount of Mr Beckett bill. Gave him cheque for £18. Got letter & photo from Eva & sent her a letter. Warm day.
TU 17 JAN 1905
Finished the new middle gate. Mam went to the Waipukurau Hospital to see Mrs Beckett and Mrs Thodsen, came home by 7 o’clock train. I walked up with the tea-meeting money £ s d 8-18-1 after deducting expenses, Only Messrs Martin & Beckett attended. Three pounds to be sent to Mr Quintrell the amount owing to him for Church Organ. £3 each was given to Mr Beckett & me being part of the money (£5 each) which we advanced to purchase the organ. Mr Beckett came down to enquire about Mrs B. John when in Ormondlle today paid Sugdens bill 3-5-6
WED 18 John mowed a bit on Hill & sledged in firewood Put tar on top of 2 hinau gateposts, the middle and road posts & covered tops, one with a board and one with tin. John took May to Hegh’s bull and after tea went to township. Breezy today & a great deal of smoke about. Attended a meeting of Directors at Factory.
TH 19 Worked most of the day at stockyard. A Windy day. The 3 of us went at night to see Steel-Paine family Sent John’s insurance money to Gibson £1-17-10
FR 20 Drove up on Hill. Bought 2/6 hat for me & 4/6 straw hat for John. Left buggy at J Collinge’s for new tires to be put on. Worked at the hay on hill. A warm day. John wrote a letter to Gerty at Rosebank. I dig some potatoes in garden nearly every day, they are first class. We had green peas two days ago for the 1st time this year.
SAT 21 Got Factory cheque this morning £3-0-11 and 12 lbs butter. Leonard Wills walked up here today. A letter from Mrs Webb to mam re “Garden Party” Mr Golden jun [junior] delivered Photos of Norsed [Norsewood] Cricketers 2/= to John. Cut a little of the oats, not quite ripe yet. Mowed a little on Hill & put together the dryest [driest] of the hay.
SUN 22 After dinner drove round the block in Mr Grants gig called at C C Smith’s but did not stop. they were about to go to Ormll to get their baby christened
MON 23 JAN 1905
Finished making up the hay on hill. Cut some of the oats in front. A sale in Ormondlle Mr & Mrs Webber drove past, was speaking to them. A letter from Gertie, coming home on Wed. Evening Attended a meeting of Horticultural society in Library at night. Another fine hot day.
TH 24 Sledged in the hay off the hill nice & dry. Put one load in hay shed & remainder on battens in woolshed. Tied & stooked oats that was cut. Ella Grant & Mavis here and a little girl named George. Miss Hogg came in the afternoon. Mam drove them all home after tea. John went up to practice after milking. Received from Robjohns & sons 4/8 for empty bottles returned to them on the 13th inst Another fine hot day. bottles broken in transit
WED 25 Cleared away some rubbishy growth in front. Dug some good potatoes in top garden. After dinner drove up to see cricket match Norsewood v Waipukurau but the latter team did not come for some unknown reason. A garden party at J Bovairds place to raise funds for the purpose of building & repairing chimneys at the parsonage knocked about by the late earthquake. The 2nd wool sale of the season today in Napier. Some rain fell this evening John drove to Ormll & met Gerty & Eva coming home from Rosebank after 3 weeks holliday.
TH 26 Forked a lot of sow thistles weeds & rubbish across fence to pigs. Mr Ellis called to see about buying sheep. Sawed log for rails on back sec. Rain came on & continued all the evening. Mr Henry Grant Miss Grant & Mrs Grant Ella & Mavis drove down & stayed an hour or two.
FR 27 JAN 1905
Mam drove up for Ella and the lot of them went in the gig – Gerty Eva Minny too – all went to catch 20 to 10 train at Ormondlle for Agincourt. Sawed & blasted a good rimu log for rails, on back. Mam took the gig back here, the others went on. John rode up this even to practice
SAT 28 Rain a great part of the day. Made a mall. John shifted the slabs out of milking bale there was a bad smell from them. Chessy ran away with the sledge. & smashed it up, the foal pulled the winkers off her head. J Neal took away the 4 rams, paid £5 and will send the other pound. Last night got Wms & Kettle’s letter to say the bale of lambs wool fetched 9¼ per lb. Also a letter from C C Smith to say Cornford a Longburn buyer offers 17/= a head for wethers & maiden Ewes, 15/= for fat Ewes & 16/6 for average sheep &c – & asking up to come over on sunday. This morning I wrote A McKenzie buyer for Abraham & Williams offering them to him at the same figure any time next week.
SUN 29 At home. Rain all day & is raining now, (light)
MON 30 Made a sledge for mare to drag in firewood &c posts, rails &c John whecled [?] in earth &c into cowbale instead of the slabs he pulled out. He also sledged in a load of rails from back. Put up a panel or more of stockyard fence. A letter from Top at Agincourt & one from A McKenzie sheep buyer for Abraham & Williams Dannevirke.
TU 31 Got in Ewes & lambs. picked out & put in Reserve 27 ewes & 1 wether. Put back on ridges 398 all told Got in dry sheep off back & put them on flat. Sent 5/= by G Calender to Mrs Webb towards Garden Party funds. Mrs D Grants father buried today. Skinned poor Ewe for dog & salted pelt. Some of our lambs on D O’Hara’s section
WED 1st FEBRUARY 1905
Light rain up to 10 or 11 o’clock. Got in mixed sheep off flat & dagged until dinner time. Soon after one o’clock A McKenzie came & picked fat wethers (some maiden Ewes included) 119 & ewes, 44. There is a drop in the price of ¼ per lb He picked a total of 163 fat sheep and agreed to get for me the highest price going. We put on flat 215 young sheep, nearly all two tooth Ewes & wethers and with 402 Ewes & lambs makes 617 after the fats are gone. Mrs Collinge & 2 children called. Ernest for tea.
TH 2 Mowing reaping & tying the oats in front. John put all ewes & lambs off ridges & widerups on to back. The 163 fat sheep in shed paddock still.
FR 3 Stooked the oats in front all of it is cut & tied Did some work at stockyard. John sledged in some rails. John got in & dagged the 215 sheep off Flat (2 of them lambs) & put them on Ridges & Widerups & put the 163 fat sheep on Flat. Hot day.
SAT 4 After breakfast went up to township & paid 10/6 to saddler for whip & mending britching. Sent telegram & letter to A McKenzie re fat sheep – to the effect that I turned them out and did not expect him to send for them. Finished working at Stockyard & then sledged & put in woolshed a sledge load of oats. Mam went by coach & rail to Dannevirk & got at chemists a tonic for Eva. Met & came back with youngsters from Agincourt. John met them at Rail” [Railway] Station John & Mr Thodsen led Hegh’s bull into Reserve to one of our cows but the one which I thought required the bull did not just then. Fred Schmidt’s bull gored & killed a mare in Engelbretsens paddock. Tiny Olsen came here for donation for Cricket gave 10/-
SUN 5 FEB 1905
Walked over to Hulena’s & got there about 9 o’clock. We drove to Potts at Takapau in quest of Lincoln rams I wanted 4 or 5 & Hulena 3. Potts had none nor Hobson Polson Prescott or Ellis. Went to Sander’s & he had 5 two tooths to spare out of 15 which he bought at Hastings ram fair, price £ s 4.4 each. We saw the rams – Reid’s from South Island. Mr Sander kindly agreed to let me have 4 rams & Hulena 2 any time between now & putting the rams out with the ewes. He will give us a run out. After I left for Hulena’s & John for somewhere else a Drover from Dannevirke came for the fat sheep (H Brooker) with a note from A McKenzie to pay Please let bearer have sheep, price 17/= for wethers and 15/= for ewes, viz 44 Ewes at 15/=119 wethers at 17/= Mam delivered sheep & got an acknowledgement from Drover. Mr Grant & Miss Grant called and left Mavis. Flossie here this afternoon. She & Mam John & Mavis gone to Church tonight. Mavis cried for having to go away from here. Mam carried her.
MON 6 School commenced today. Eva Ella & Minny went to school from here this morning. Pulled down part of old sheep yard & sledged in rails from beyond 3 gateways. Rain fell at midday. At night walked up to Library to attend Horticultural meeting & a meeting was in contemplation for getting up a social for Tiny Olsen on his departure for a Gisborne School in a few days. I waited until 10 minutes past 8 and then came home as no one turned up.
TU 7 John pulled down remainder of old sheep fence & dug post holes for new fence. Drove with Mam in gig to CC Smith’s got home for dinner. Paid Skinner 6/= Sledged in load of Hinau posts. John practicing cricket.
WED 8 FEB 1905
Mam went to Dannevirk this morning with Cricketers. An unlucky day. Norsewood lost by one run & John slipped, fell and had his collar bone broken, was taken to Dr McKay had it set & is to stay at Benzie’s boarding house for 3or 4 days. At night went to Social got up for Tiny Olsen on his departure for Gisborne school. Worked at sheep yard fence at home Mrs Wallace from Waikopiro called. Star round today but could not take her.
TH 9 Worked at sheep yard fence. Gert went to Dannevirk to see John. Collar bone break painful all last night, got no sleep. Not so much pain today. Lying on a hard bed. She came home by express & coach. Went to sale at Ngamoko. Cheque for fat sheep – 44 Ewes at 15/- 1/6 wethers 17/- 3 maiden Ewes 17/. Total for 163 fats 134.3.0 At night went to Becketts. Cards &c others there.
FR 10 After breakfast took the bull from Thodsen’s to “Lilly” in Reserve, and after service led him back again. Sledged in the stooks of oats in front. Mam stacked them up in woolshed. Got in sledge load of firewood off reserve A Longburn man called about fat sheep.
SAT 11 Reaping the wheat in front of house, nearly one half of it oats self sown. Top drove mam to catch the train at Ormlle but was late. Then drove up to Makotuku to catch it there or wait for next train but discovered that she was minus her bag and five pounds, drove back home and met coach, asked Carl if he saw it, came to house & found it lying on flour box, drove back & went in express to Dannevirk, paid Dr McKay’s bill £ s d 2.2.0 & Menzies 15/= and brought John home Letter from Arthur Hunt offering to keep a pup for us or give one 3 months old or send up an old dog.
SUN 12 FEB 1905
Walked out over back with youngsters & had pic nic in a shady place. Found the birds nest, young ones, or eggs gone, wings & remains of old bird in nest, the next was visited by cat or nightly prowler. Hot day. A good many people came in the afternoon. Mam went to Waipukurau Hospital with Mr Beckett & Gerald. Mrs Beckett up & doing well. Got home here about 10 o’clock. Nils Thodsen called
MON 13 Mr Lucas from Waikopiro came about 10 o’clock & I drove him round to judge 8 gardens for a prize of £3.3.0 Mr Arny Olsen 3 line 1st prize Mrs Friis 2nd £1-1 Mrs Harris Highly Commended got home at 2.30. At night attended meeting of Horticultural Society in Library. Hot day.
TU 14 Cut a bit in front & went to Ormondll to meet Alf Bunt who came in the 12.30 from Dannevirk Went to J Howse’s & paid for Entire’s service 2=10.0 Picked up a Mr Gibb at railway station, a commercial traveller & drove him this far, he had dinner with us & then went on to Township. I Neal called & paid £7 ballance of money for 4 rams. Tied & stook in front.
WED 15 Got Mr Becketts grey mare & drove to Takapau sports with Mam & Gerty. Met the Fourneau 3 boys & 2 girls. Nelly came back with us. When we got home Eva had the cows bailed up & 3 of them milked. A calm cloudy day.
TH 16 Busy getting tools &c together for boys competition tomorrow. Took them to schoolhouse numbered them up to 27 & hung them up Got cheque for bale of lambs wool £17 6 7
FR 17 SHOW DAY Took up exhibit for producing Butter Fat Got 1st prize. Maize, 3 stalks, lucerne, clovers &c. Crushed barley ensilage bucket of water &c. Mam 1st prize for basket flowers &c John 1st Hollyhocks Got T Barclay to put a set of shoes on mare Jessy Ferguson, Te Aute came here last night.
SAT 18 FEB 1905 £ S d
Drove up to school with John & Alf. also Mr Engelbretsen. They bought back their exhibits, tools &c. Paid 2-4-6 J Colling’s bill. Paid T Barclay – 6.5 for shoeing mare. Helped to clean out school. Paid Mr Martin yesterday donation of 10-6 Attended meeting of Directors at Factory. Nelly Fourneau went home this afternoon by express, which was an hour late. John gone tonight to see Montgomery’s Show. Olga & Hilda Ericksen here today playing with Eva & Minnie
SUN 19 Put the two tooth sheep running on the ridges & Widerups on to back. Two sheep on O’Hara’s gave a lot of trouble, came across ridges & could only get one of them out after they seperated [separated]. Mr & Miss Grant & Mavis called & stayed only a short time. Mr Grey & Miss Randerson spent the afternoon & after tea all went to church but Alf, the 2 children & me.
MON 20 Sledged in some firewood. Reaped remainder of wheat in front. Another fine hot day. Walked over back and saw the filly &c. Sent letter to C. E. Pedersen drawing his attention to nonfulfilment [non-fulfilment] of promise to pay for a sheep destroyed by his dogs here last November.
TU 21 Got in the last bit of crop from front. Emptied & cleaned out the box at spring Mr Watson wool-buyer called. Campbell Factory Manager called to ask me to go to Makotuku in the morning for samples of milk. Sent letter to Williams & Kettle about a bundle of skins.
WED 22 Milked Buttercup & then road to Makotuku Creamery & got 24 samples of milk, one out of each settlers, which came to Norsewood under lock & key & was tested in the presence of several Makotuku settlers & the creamery Manager
WED 22 FEB 1905 £ S d
Norsewood cricketers with John & buggy went to Dannevirk this morning. Factory cheque 6-1-11 received this morning. John Alf & W Torkelsen got home here between 10 and 11 o’clock. Norsewood won the match 100 runs. Dannevirk less than 60.
TH 23 Small white heifer taken today to F Schmidts bull. Dragged 2 strainers with mare to Reserve–Flat fence, dug strainer hole at Becks fence Mr P.G. Grant & family gone away with coach & train to take their holiday in South Island. Mrs Beckett called.
FR 24 Put in 2 strainers, Reserve–Flat. Youngsters at a Birthday Party tonight. Gerald Becketts. Mam & Miss Ferguson drove to Hill. R. Rates 4-8-5 Paid out of Factory cheque. A fine hot day.
SAT 25 Miss Ferguson went back to Te Aute by 1st train. Mam drove her. Worked at fence Reserve–Flat We have enquired from many people about finding a suitable lad for Sam McNut but without success. We have allowed all hens ducks & turkeys to go on stubbles in front. No hens laying. John cut the cocksfoot in stockyard plantation
SUN 26 All at home. After dinner Miss Nelly Martin Flossie, Milly & Sivvy Ericksen Middleton & Bonnie came & stayed for tea. All gone to church but Eva Minny & myself. Another fine dry cool day.
MON 27 Mam & John went by express to Agincourt & Alf to Dannevirk. John stays there to see a cricket match & goes on by late train. Worked at fence Very heavy rain fell tonight, tank was nearly empty.
TU 28 Wrote S McNutt. Sent Pass Book & cheque 17-6-7 to Union Bank & asked for cheque book to be sent to me. Top lodged in P.O. Savings Bank, Norsewood 50-0-0 Worked at Fence. Rain fell today & is raining now. Star gave symptoms of being round today. Too wet and tool late to take her away tonight.
WED 1st MARCH 1905 £ s d
Gertie’s birthday. Twenty years of age today. Many happy returns of the day. She has milked four cows this morning and this evening in the rain cooked the meals. Chopped wood, fed the calves, went up to township and when the coach came in got a letter & photo’s from pakowhai & a vase from Rosebank & a letter this evening from George. She is at present playing the piana. It has rained in torrents this afternoon, is at it now. Finished digging post holes in reserve fence Sledged two loads of posts to fence from back & some battens. Minny’s Mother & father came home today, she is with them tonight.
TH 2 Sledged posts from back to fence. Sawed overhanging limbs of accacia near firewood. Rain. Top met Mam & John coming home from Agincourt, with buggy at Railway Station They brought a box of plums home with them. At night a small meeting of Farmers Union Members met Mr Brodie at Lutheran Hall. He is staying here tonight. Sent to Union Bank 1-3-9
FR 3 Mam drove Eva to school & bought her a pair of boots at Ericksens – 9/= John & I drove to Mr Sanders at Kopua & got four two tooth Lincoln rams & one old Romney ram 10/= & two Lincolns for Hulena. The Lincolns are 4 guineas each. I gave cheque for the lot 25-14-0 Put the 5 rams on Hill. Miss Dora Webb and Mrs Callender called. John gone to Wahls for his gun.
SAT 4 Finished putting in posts in reserve fence & strained the wires. Eva at Ericksens today John & Gerty washed the buggy. Went up to Becketts to enquire about Dip. It has not come. One of Mathiesen’s sons called to say that 3 of our sheep at their place.
SUN 5 MARCH 1905
All at home. John road to Mathiesen’s & brought back a ewe and two lambs of ours. Eva went to Lutheran Sunday school, afterwards came with me out on back. She rode.
MON 6 Went to back & sawed & split battens for fence sledged home & put them on. Strained the wires on Reserve flat-shed paddock. Rain came on & lasted for an hour or two.
TU 7 Sawed & split rimu posts & swingers on back sledged them in & worked at fence – Reserve flat – shed paddock. Sent 3-13- cheque, crossed, to Clerk County Co. Waipawa as rates. Mam & Gerty drove up Ngamoko, got 9/= on behalf of Church requirements. Littles Powder Dip did not come, Mam wired to Williams & Kettle to send 2 cases of Cowpers Dip. Attended Horticultural meeting in Library. Very fine weather set in now.
WED 8 Finished Reserve fence. John making waterproof draining pen at dip. Mam & Gerty drove Garfield way & collected 6/= They took some cakes to Tennis people – a match is being played between Norsewood & Ormondville. A social tonight for Tennis players. I am going up with Mam.
TH 9 Mustered back section. John went to Mathiesen’s & told them we would have all sheep in yard today. Picked out the best of the ewes for breeding & put the rams with them. Put 403 mixed sheep in reserve this evening. The ewes & rams in yard tonight. Got up 2 cases of coopers Dip. Littles Dip did not get here as I expected, so I got Coopers Harold Olsen called tonight about dipping.
FR 10 Dipped & put on Ridges & Widerups 221 Ewes & 4 rams Lincoln 2 tooth rams. In yards tonight 47 older ewes with a Romney ram. Mixed ones in reserve A good hot day for dipping. We like the appearance of Coopers dip. Miss Sorensen & Mesdames Oliver Torkelsen Mrs Thodsen called.
SAT 11 MARCH 1905
Dipped 47 ewes 1 w lamb, 1 Rom ram and put them on Ridges. Dipped A Olsens 184 14/6 John fired a shot at a rabbit on the back, did not get it. Gerty & Eva gone to Agincourt this afternoon, Mam drove them. Poor Eva is taking a dislike to School. She gets punished & threatened for trifles. Mam is going to bring it under Mr Watson’s notice tonight. Mary Brabazon succeeds Miss Grant in the Ormondville school. Another very good dipping day.
SUN 12 John went away fishing with Willy Torkelsen they brought a bundle here & had tea before milking. Drove mam to Church, not many. Drove down to Nicholls’s no one at home. Tom went to the Hospital yesterday with a sore leg. We milked only 4 cows this evening. They are not giving much milk now. We will continue to milk 8 in the morning for some time longer. John & mam gone to one of the other churches tonight Put 100 gal’s water in the dip before breakfast.
MON 13 A fog this morning, heavy clouds, rain came on at intervals. Adjusted the iron on the roof of cow-shed & put up a piece of spouting threshed some barley and other sheaves in shed. John went out on back & saw a rabbit mam did a big washing & got the clothes dry. John gone to Army harvest-festival.
TU 14 Put in some new rails in old sheep yard fences. Thrashed remainder of bit of barley shifter all sheep off reserve into flat. Rain nearly all day. John met Gert and Eva coming home by express from Agincourt.
WED 15 John drove Eva to school & got show prize money from Mr Martin. Did a little thrashing Young Mr Rose called. John Ernest & Cyril shot 2 hares. Eva got letter from A Hunt. Light rain today.
TH 16 MARCH 1905
Formed remainder of path coming up to back verandah and carted a few loads of gravel to put on it. Mam took Gerty & John to Mr Cooper & had their teeth examined. Only a few showers today. A good many mushrooms now.
FR 17 Hulena & 2 sons came and dipped 496 sheep many lambs amongst them. He got away from here about 3 o’clock. Is to pay 10-8-0 Eight guineas for 2 lincoln rams which I paid to Mr Saunders on behalf of Hulena & for dipping £2 A fine cool day. John shot a hare & a rabbit on the back. Mam got a home letter from an Uncle.
SAT 18 Got in the mixed sheep off Flat & dipped 342 & put them on flat again. Attended meeting of Directors at Factory. At night attended Harvest Festival – Wesleyan – in town hall. Had charge of Sheep in the guessing competition. Weight 57lbs. P Beck guessed the weight. A beautiful calm cool day.
SUN 19 John went to 2nd river fishing with Ernest & Willy Torkelsen, they caught a good many, gave him 5. All had a late dinner here. Mam & Eva drove to the mountains & walked to end of road. Last night all of us went to the tea meeting. Mam & Eva stayed at home tonight, the other 3 of us went to Wesleyan church which was nicely decorated and a good & appropriate sermon preached. Messrs Gray & Jimmy Hutchinson here tonight.
MON 20 Took “Star” to Alick Hegh’s bull & left her until evening. Put up wire netting in front of house & let the 3 pigs run over stubbles. John got in the 14 head of cattle from back this morning and we put a mixture of Littles Non Poisonous dip on one or two of them which had ring worm on them & put them back again. There are 14 head about here, total 28. John practicing at cricket this evening. G. McLeod called about Dip.
TU 21 MARCH 1905
Took “Lilly” to Hegh’s bull. G McLeod came & dipped 59 sheep. Paid 4/6. Dug the potatoes in the garden, a good crop. John wheeled them into Buggy shed. Mam & Gerty drove over to Ada’s. A letter from A Bunt, hardly legible, to Gerty. An old lady from down the road called about a Lutheran tea meeting to be held next Saturday but Mrs Magnusen called yesterday & Mam gave her 2/6
WED 22 Got in sheep off flat & picked out 2 black lambs & a few weak ones. Got Factory cheque £5-0-3 highest test 3.8 Put dry sheep on to back Dug the remainder of the potatoes. very good ones in a couple of drills in my garden. The pigs got underneath the netting in front of the house and I shut them up. Top & John drove to Ormondlle to see a cricket match played between ladies & Gents in skirts, former won. Sent an order to Wms & Kettle for paint oil &c &c.
TH 23 John went up to Dentist Cooper at Crown Hotel & had one or two teeth stopped &c must go again next visit, no time to get any more done to them today. Sold 2 black woolly lambs for 6/= each to Mulholland. Worked at footpath in front of house. Mam digging for flowers at yew tree
FR 24 Carted a couple loads gravel to footpaths leading to front & back doors. Finished the footpaths. John rode round to some of the Parishiners & got subscriptions to Ministers Stipend
SAT 25 Sledged away straw stubbles & rubbish from front of house to bough-hole. Sawed a totara log in bed of creek for a gatepost. Mam John & I went to Lutheran tea meeting Top & Eva stayed at home. A big gathering Bush scenes & pictures of religious subjects shown.
SUN 26 MARCH 1905
Flossie here today. Mr & Mrs Beckett for tea. John away fishing. Allan Grant with him for tea All hands at church tonight. Good congregation
MON 27 Paid Mrs F Schmidt 2/6 for one of our cows which was with her bull. B Bengtsen came & dipped 88 mostly lambs. One fat big ewe died, he got it carried home on a timber waggon. Went with Top to Library at night, a meeting to form a Golf Club &c &c. Dog Tax Collector Douglas registered “Spot” & “Ugly”. John paid him 5/- Killed lamb for dogs on Saturday.
TU 28 John went to Railway Station with buggy & got 1 cwt oxide of iron 18/= 28 Tbs wh. lead 8-2 One drum raw oil 16/8 one of boiled oil 17/1 one 6 or 8 oz paint brush 7/6= 8-17-5 total including 2 cases Coopers Dip. besides the railway freight – 4/8 for dip and 8/= today for oil & paint. Attended Directors meeting at Factory to meet Mr Percival & arrange about reconstruction. John started to paint roof of house.
WED 29 Rain last night, steady, continued all night. Sent cheque to Wms & Kettle amount 8-17-5 Bought the timber left after show for 7/6 from Mr Martin, carted home half of it. Cricket match between Norsewood & Dannevirk. Former won easily
TH 30 Rain last night & this morning. John at Dentist’s. Hans Mortensen came across paddocks with part of his flock & we dipped them – 245 dry sheep John did some painting on roof. The weather took up Mr P. G. Grant & Ella came home in coach.
FR 31 Wheeled dags into garden. John painting end of house. Ella came down here with Eva from school. One of the breeding Ewes had her bearing out. Put them 275 all told in yard, put the bearing back & stiched [stitched] the wool, raddled blue on back. A good dry month, plenty of feed in all paddocks.
SAT 1st APRIL 1905
Went with mare & dray to school & took away the remainder of the timber. Paid 7/= to Carl Schmidt for carriage of dip & paying 4/8 freight on it. Gave a donation of 10/= and also Mr P. G. Grant gave 10/= to Dr Barnardo’s fund Left the money with Mr Beckett, who gave 10/= also Hans Mortensen came across with 2 lots of sheep & finished dipping, total number 465, Paid 36/= Eva & Ella went to a pic nic this morning, at Rev Pettersen’s – Lutheran Sunday School children
SUN 2 John away all day on the Manawatu fishing with Ernest & Willy Torkelsen, brought home some. Hans Mortensen came across with a big pet lamb to dip. Mr a. G. Grant for dinner and spent the evening until church time. We with Mam & Ella walked over to back Section. At night went with Gerty to Lutheran church.
MON 3 Very high wind. Fire & smoke, dense westward Willy Torkelsen & Ernest came down here expecting the fire was hereabouts. They with John went out to the hills on back and saw fire & smoke in Painter Olsen’s but none beyond Thick smoke about Gundrie’s. We cleaned out the tank & spout leading to it, and heavy rain coming on a good deal of water is in the tank now.
TU 4 A beautiful day after the storm yesterday. False News of W M Thomsen’s chimney being blown down also one of A. B. Hansen’s. Many houses burned in Matamau & three sawmils [sawmills]. The express train took away many people from Matamau Flag Station who were suffering from the effects of the fire & smoke. Paid Nils Larsen this morning for milk carrying £1. Send since last sunday morning only one can Milking 3 cows at night. John painting house He Mam & Gert at an entertainment in Hall tonight. Eva & Ella at a Party at Ericksens after school – Baby’s Birthday.
WED 5 APRIL 1905
Drove up to Matamau town Hall with Gerty & had a look at the place after the fire. Saw where a few houses had been burned down. John on the cricket ground about 10 o’clock. After dinner all hands went up to see match with Waipukurau Two innings played, a close exciting game. Home team won by one run when time – a quarter to five o’clock was called and two wickets to fall. Sent John’s insurance money £ s d 1-17-10 to A. B. Gibson. Alice came by last coach from Woodville.
TH 6 John went to Dentist & had another tooth stopped. I called upon him and had my teeth examined. They require cleaning and 4 ought to be stopped. Mam & Gert drove Alice to catch express. Set fire to heap of boughs & rubbish in hole near woolshed. Set big boiler in its fireplace to boil mangolds carrots &c, tomorrow for pig to fatten for killing.
FR 7 Winnowed a quarter of a sack of barley. Boiled a barrowful of carrots & mangolds for the pig we are going to fatten (Tamworth sow) We separated her from the other two pigs this afternoon. Sharpened the xcut saw. Walked over Widerups and back sec. Plenty of feed everywhere & sheep looking well. John on the roof of house painting. Mrs Toval Torkelsen & her sister Miss Sorensen called.
SAT 8 Mam working amongst the flowers. John did some painting on roof but some of it got washed off in the afternoon & night as there was some rain. Put two cuts through a matai log on Widerups for firewood, John & Ernest went out for a shot at a hare but did not get anything. Put up a temporary shed for the 2 store pig’s in pig-paddock. Mowed some of the rubbish & weeds & long grass in front along drain & to the right.
SUN 9 APRIL 1905
John walked to Jimmy Arthur’s to see if he would come & plough the lawn. He cannot come as he is about going to live in Umutoroa [Umutaoroa]. Caught the mare & went out over back with Eva & Ella. All hands at church at 2.30 youngsters at L. Sunday School. Mr Grant came down with us from church & after tea Mam Gert & John went back with him.
MON 10 Sawed & sledged in matai firewood from Widerups. Paid Sugdens bill £6-5-10 Mam was in the buggy about to go to Agincourt when a telegram was put in her hand to say that George was coming by express. She did not go then Went to meet George. John out shooting with Cyril & Ernest. Not home in time to milk any cows tonight.
TU 11 John painted front roof of house & some of back verandah roof. Boiled mangolds &c. for pig. Mowed some of the rubbish in front Mrs Oldershaw & her two girls called. She took home two or three young accacias to try & grow them.
WED 12 John painting ends of house & tonight rides to a Wesleyan Social at Makotuku. Mam Gert & George went by 1st train to Hastings Autumn Show. Eva & Ella at Mr Grants tonight. Finished mowing the high stubles rubbish & weeds in front. Old George Grace called this evening. He sleeps in the woolshed tonight.
TH 13 Inside most of the day keeping house. John with the Dentist, got another tooth stopped. John met Mam Gert & George coming home from the show by last train. Windy most of the day.
FR 14 Shifted Ewes & rams off flat on to Ridges & Widerups All hands with George dragged a bit totara strainer up out of creek opposite woolshed & another one out of gully on the back with the mare. El drove up & brought down Ella
SAT 15 APRIL 1905
Drove 2 dry cows “Violet” & “Rooney” and five weaners, (2 of them good sized heifers which have been weaned a few months) on to back. George John myself, it required the three of us. Sledged a strainer from my garden to the laurel hedge across stubles in front and laid it near where the broken strainer is. Burned some heaps of stubbles & rubbish in front & sledged away some of it. Olga & Hildah Ericksen with Eva & Ella today. Mrs King Mrs L Andersen & children called this afternoon. John finished the red painting of house. George made a small reservoir up at the spring.
SUN 16 Drove down to Ormondll church by myself. A tablet was unveiled by Canon Eccles in memory of the late Canon Webb. A big congregation. A shower or two fell whilst coming home. We had a goose for dinner. Mr Grant called in the forenoon & took Eva & Ella in the gig with him over to Mr Pettersens near Smiths Siding. Brought them back here before tea. After tea took Mam to church in the gig. George John & Gerty gone to church tonight. Carl Hansen came today with his foal & it with our foal & filly was put on the back. We have only one calf on the hill to feed now with milk & pollard once a day. News today of the end of poor old Mrs Schaare.
MON 17 A thorough wet day. Boiled carrots in washhouse for fat pig. Drove round to Schaare’s to the funeral of Mrs Schaare’s Sen. Raining all the time
TU 18 Another wet forenoon. John washed harness in Wash-house. We boiled carrots & mangolds for pig. Eva & Ella did not go to school today. Attended a meeting – the usual monthly – of Directors at Factory. M Ewen & Co of Wellington gets the contract of supplying & erecting machinery in New Factory £480. Mr McGowan their representative present.
WED 19 APRIL 1905
Sharpened & set cross cut saw. Sawed some firewood on Widerups. Got down carrots from top Garden & boiled them for pig. John cleaned & oiled the harness. Ella not well today, did not go to school.
TH 20 Boiled more carrots for pig. Got 4=6=8 Factory cheque this morning. Test 3-9 John with dentist today again. Went to D. O’Hara’s house & he promised to come on Monday next & kill our fat pig. Berny Bengtsen promised to come & plough the stubbles (lawn) in front of house. Got the factory cheque cashed in the Bank & got 2 postal notes for 6/= to pay rabbit rates. Ella at home from school today. Heavy rain all the afternoon. Eva rode the mare home from school.
FR 21 (GOOD) Carried down from top garden & boiled carrots for pig. Ormondville school boys & Norsewood Ditto played football at N.Wood the former won by 18 points to nil. John was referree [referee]. Messrs C. E. Pettersen, Beckett & Campbell came down here in the afternoon & we played a game of Golf on flat. Mr P. G Grant came after tea. Ella much improved. Poor Eva sick all day. Did not eat any.
SAT 22 Boiled more carrots for pig. A cricket match was played between High School Boys & Norsewood. Latter won. Alf Bunt walked up from Ormondville, he & George Beckett & Campbell played Golf on flat. Mr Hulena gave me a cheque for the sum of 11-14-3 in payment for 2 rams & dipping 10-8 I owe him £1-6-3. Mrs Grant & Mavis arrived from Wellington. Mam got a new suit for John at Mr Grants. Poor Eva sick in bed all day. John & George got some banana’s for her tonight. Ella at home tonight John killed two of the ducks.
SUN 23 APRIL 1905 EASTER
Poor Eva sick in bed all day. There are signs of measles coming out. Went to church in the afternoon with Gerty. John & A Bunt went at night to the Lutheran church. Mam with Eva day & night. I sleep on dining room sofa. Mrs P. G Grant called this afternoon. Mr Lambert had only 5 of a congregation this afternoon, besides Miss Dora Webb who drove him out. A little white frost this morning. Sent a return of land & valuation to Wellington Sent to Gilbertson Rabbit rate 6/3. Sent to Dr Ross the man who made such a dreadful mistake in Mam’s case last August when he treated her for what he considered “Change of Life” and when his treatment brought on a premature birth, – He sent in his bill twice for 25/= I sent him a cheque for the amount.
MON 24 The white heifer was in the creek this morning and John & George had to chop a log out of the road to get her out. Sledged in 2 loads of firewood & some rimu to put under the big boiler. George & Gerty at Golf. Alf Bunt walked to Ormondville to catch the first train going to Dannevirke. D O’Hara & his son Johnny came in the afternoon & we killed the big fat pig. Dave made a splendid job of it & only charged a couple of bob (2/6). Mr & Mrs Beckett came on to golf ground Mr & Miss Campbell W Torkelsen & a lot of youngsters. A very fine day. Mrs Grant called to see Eva. Poor Eva better today. A rash has come out over her body. She ate a little.
TU 25 Mam drove George down to catch 1st train for Napier. We cut up & salted pig. Drove up with Mr Brodie & others to witness washing out a cow as a preventative against contagious abortion Afterwards drove Mr B to station. Eva better.
WED 26 APRIL 1905
Sledged up to blackberry clusters in reserve 3 drums of liquod [liquid] which was left after sheep dipping and sprayed the blackberry bushes. Sawed some matai for firewood. George came back by midday coach He is laid up with measels [measles], has not eaten anything for 2 days. He wired to Breakwell the manager at the camp near Shannon. Eva up today, lying on a sofa in dining room most of the day, easts [eats] only very little as yet.
TH 27 The smallest of the 2 pigs found dead in the pig paddock this morning, very much swollen as if poisoned, the marks of teeth were plainly visible on his fore are as if bitten, nothing to bite him except the other pig. John and I went to dentist, he was too busy to do mine he stopped one for John. Walked to Makotuku & took train to Dannevirke, stayed at Benzie’s Next morning went on to Papatoiwa, Agincourt.
FR 28 Saw Mr Francis, poor Mrs too ill in bed. Came back to Dannevirk, bought fruit for Eva & a “Nuggets” book. Walked from Ormondlle
SAT 29 John sledged in a good bit of firewood we sledged in a load of hay from Wool-shed over to cart shed. George has still a bad turn with measels, Eva a little better.
SUN 30 Walked over back, saw cattle & horses, saw plenty of feed on back and the sheep all looked well. The young cattle which were troubled with ringworm have got rid of it since we threw the dip on them. “Pet” has a big patch of it on her forehead, must dress it. Arthur Hunt drove up in his gig, came from Waipukurau today. This has been a splendid month
MON 1 MAY 1905
John went away towards the mountains early this morning to shoot along with Willy Torkilsen. He shot a pigeon. W. T nothing. An unlucky day. Arthur & Mam out on back mushrooming saw a sheep with blood on it & told me. I went out and we found several worried. Drove them all home & yarded them – all but 3 which were unable to walk. Picked out 8 which were badly bitten – all have their tails broken & badly torn, and part of the inside exposed. one has the gut torn out, crutched & tarred 3 or four. All the back sheep in yards tonight. John went to D O’Hara’s to know if he will take them. He will see them tomorrow. I walked to H Mortensens. C. E Peddersen [Pedersen] sent me 14/= this morning for a sheep which his dogs killed last October. George & Eva better today.
TU 2 Up early this morning & went out on back with Gun. Walked over to Neal’s & saw 3 of his sheep dead & some bitten. He came back over the paddocks with me & we saw some more worried. John and Arthur sledged in 4 hoggets, two of them dead, total 12 killed & bitten. I cut the throats of 2 to put them out of pain. I skinned 4 & am doctoring 8. Laid four poisoned bates on back Section. Berny Bengtsen ploughing in front. Put all mixed sheep on flat this morn
WED 3 Went by 1st train to see cricket match Norsewood v Dannevirke played at Waipukurau. D. in first made 32 N.W. Made 69. Second innings D made 76 next. N. only made 17 for 9 wickets when time was called, that was at 5 o’clock, players Complained of the light being bad after 4.30. Could not leave Waipuk [Waipukurau] until 8 o’clock train being late. Races on.
TH 4 MAY 1905
Went up to Dentist this morning and heard that the dogs which worried the sheep were found at Makotuku. One of them belonged to Carmichael & one is owned by young Pike. J Neal has both of them in his shed tied up waiting for developments. He came over to tell me & to ask me to go over & see his sheep after Coming from Dentist Had mare shod & went to Dentist. He cleaned my teeth & I am to go to him again next thursday Walked over to Neals & witnessed the carcasses of eight and counted 16 bitten sheep, some of which will succumb. Gerty & A drove to Waikopiro. B Bengtsen finished harrowing in front
FR 5 Shifted ewes on to Flat. Doctored the seven worried sheep (one of them on O’Hara’s.) Put the 7 in reserve & left the other one on Widerups. John & I levelling the ground in front. Arthur George & Eva went for a drive in his gig (& horse)
SAT 6 Finished levelling in front. Mixed a sack of rye grasseed with other seeds & shook seed in front. John bush harrowed it. Eva agrees to keep fowls off it with the aid of the pups for the sum of 3d per day. The cow “Buttercup” put out on back today A man called selling baby ointment. An insurance agent called. Mam & Co playing Golf. Mam paid Mr Becketts bill today – £5-5-2
SUN 7 Walked over to J Neal’s, met Painter Olsen and Hans Mortensen. J Neal showed us the carcasses of the two dogs which he shot this morning. (Sent no milk today) The owner Johny Carmichael agrees to pay the damages as agreed by J Neal & the owners. In consequence of the dogs being destroyed we agree to take half the value of the sheep. John & Arthur drove up to Mountains. Mam Gert & A at Lutheran Church.
MON 8 MAY 1905
John & Arthur drove up to the mountains this morning to shoot, got home at 3 PM. No game. Sledged the hay from woolshed pens over to hay shed & cleaned up shed. Put Ewes on to ridges & got in a cut of dry sheep from back. Put into shed tonight 58. Sent no milk to factory yesterday.
TU 9 Crutched today & put on back 98. & 4 = 102 found 2 more bitten sheep, maggotty [maggoty], washed and dressed them with Kerosene, dip & tar. Put them with the others in Reserve. John & Arthur mustered back & we counted them 225 & one old Ewe left behind. The crutched sheep 102 put out on back. John & Arthur dagged & put in shed tonight 41. No weak lambs this year so far. Hung two sides of bacon. George painting under the front verandah. No milk sent to Factory.
WED 10 John & Arthur finished dagging the dry sheep, and then helped me to crutch. About 98 more to be done now. 42 in the shed tonight John at a cricket meeting tonight. Getting up a Social on behalf of Cricket Club. George Painting. Every day fine now. Grand weather for Crutching
TH 11 Crutched some before breakfast, afterwards went to Dentist & had a continuation of teeth cleaning. Arthur & John finished crutching the dry sheep & put them on back. Got in Ewes & rams all told counted 278. Put the 5 rams & one bitten sheep into reserve. Put 71 Ewes & 1 lamb into shed tonight to be crutched tomorrow. We picked out the oldest of the ewes to lamb on back Sec. Put 200 Ewes back on ridges to lamb in front paddocks. All are dagged & look well. Spot refused to work today. Gerty went to Dentist today. Letter from Mr Frances. John gone in late train to Agincourt to bring the cow tomorrow. Took £6-10 to pay for cow.
FR 12 MAY 1905
Crutched the Ewes in shed last night 70 and put them in Back Sec. Telegram from John at Agincourt to “meet Palmerston train”. Arthur met him, he brought shrubs, fruit & canery [canary] in cage. The cow is to be driven by Mr Smart with 60 or more others through Norsewood to Waipawa & John could not drive them on foot, so he came home again today by train. Tonight he is at Cricketers Social in Hall. The rest of us are at home. It has rained a good drop this afternoon, but is fine now, and moonlight. On back no according to our counting 398 all total.
SAT 13 Got in the 10 bitten sheep & examined them Put some more dip & tar on the bites. John sledged in a bit of firewood out of reserve. He & Arthur played Golf on flat. Raked & shook a little grasseed on two burnt patches.
SUN 14 A great number of small birds on the grass-seed sown in front of house. Made up some poisoned wheat & shook it for them. Used bluestone & a box of matched [matches] in which the wheat was soaked. Drove round block with Mam & George, home along German line, paid 1-6-3 to Mrs Hulena as change owing to them. Arthur Eva & Gerty drove out also. Messrs Smart & Borlase came about 3 o’clock with their young cattle on their way to Lindsay Settlement & put them in Reserve, they brought the cow “Daisy” which John went up for & paid Mr Frances £ s 6.10 for. They are staying here tonight. Dry weather.
MON 15 Mam up at 5 o’clock & got breakfast for smart & Borlase. They went away with their cattle about 7 o’clock. Arthur went away in his gig after breakfast. Took home a hen & eleven chicks. John & I put in 2 strainers at Laurel fence. At night Mrs Beckett & Susy came.
TU 16 MAY 1905
Started for Dannevirk about 9.30 with Mam Eva George & Gerty. George drove “Moses” Carl Schmidts trap horse. It was nearly 12 o’clock when we arrived. A fine day for outing. Got home at 4.30. With Mam spent the evening & had tea at Becketts. Mrs Beckett Sen. there.
WED 17 Put in strainer & bored at end of the long plantation gateway. George & Mam dug about the flowers. John sledged manure to them & then went to Manawatu with W Torkelsen to shoot game, came back empty. Revd Mr Lambert came here & walked to Ormondlle Constant rain all the afternoon and at present. Mr Watson called & bought the crutchings and 8 skins & pelts at 5½ per lb. George & I pressed it. It is only a light bale. 200 ewes to be crutched yet. John shifted the 200 Ewes on to flat.
TH 18 Milked the 6 cows this morning None milked last night or tonight. Went to Dentist this morning. He operated on three teeth. Then attended meeting of Directors. John greased dray axel & took the bale of crutchings to railway station. Cheque 5=44=7 received from Mr Watson. Tare 2lbs draft 2lbs & 10lbs deducted for weight of bale. A great deal of rain fell today. John shot 4 quail. Mam wrote to Fourneau’s about potatoes. Hans Nordbye’s little girl Olive was buried today. Gave oats to cows tonight.
FR 19 Another wet day. John sledged in 2 loads wood did not get anything to shoot at. A Book Canvasser called with a £1=17=6 penny book on Stock ailments, did not buy. Boiled wheat in bluestone & a box of matches thrown in & shook it in front to see if it would poison the small birds John caught a goose & we killed it.
SAT 20 MAY 1905
John made a temporary horse at the firewood heap to saw wood on & plucked & cleaned the goose, also got in the 10 worried sheep out of Reserve & put more dip on them, they appear to be improving. Finished boring the strainers at long plantation gateway. Washed & hung 2 shoulders & 2 hams, bacon George got Watsons cheque changed at Becketts. Mrs P. G Grant & 2 children called this afternoon. Mam Gerty & John gone tonight to town Hall to see a play. Dull calm night.
SUN 21 A dull calm day. Walked over back, found a small hogget dead on rough face on back, skinned it, saw 3 dead hawks near bait Goose for dinner. John gone to Wesleyan church.
MON 22 Received Factory cheque £2=5=6 besides 17lbs butter. A thorough wet day. The Creek above old gum stringers but not up to present bridge. Raining at present. No one could go far from house today. John rode out to back & brought in the skin & carcase of hoggt. Ugly in buggy shed on battens tonight. Eva gave a performance on the dining room table, sang and danced, there was a charge of 3ᵈ each to see her. George door keeper
TU 23 No rain to speak of today. Sharpened xcut. John took out old broken posts from the laurel hedge fence. Yesterday he killed a young rabbit with Spot on back. J Neal came over & paid me 30/- on account He gave me a pound for Hans Mortensen & 10/- each for Painter Olsen & his son Harold. He will pay us the remainder when he gets it from Carmichael A letter from G Francis Levin. They are settled there for the present. Miss N Martin came to see Eva. Mrs I. D. Watson has a daughter.
WED 24 MAY 1905
EMPIRE DAY
Another wet showery day. Sent £ s d 7.7.6 cheque to Cotterill & Humphries. A Sugden delivered a small sack of fowl wheat – 3½ bushels or so and a few other things. John out shooting today. Only brought home a quail. Mam sent letter to Mr Francis Levin. John pulled out all broken & bad posts out of fence – Ridges – Widerups. The night is cold, dark & wet. Gave the 6 cows a few sheaves of oats Put chessie in stockyard & oak plantation.
TH 25 Attended meeting of 4 members of Building Com [Committee] at Factory to consider tenders for carting gravel boulders sand &c. Went on to O’Hara’s sale (Davids) Nordbyes bought the Homestead (& business) for £22 per acre. I bought Christiansen’s Section of 18 acres at £14 per acre. It was run up to £13 or £13 ten shillings per acre. Gerty with Dentist getting her teeth seen to. He had no time to see to mine. I Paid to H Mortensen one pound as an instalment of sheep-worrying money and a pound to Painter Olsen, one half to be given to Harold for following the 2 dogs home. A showery day.
FR 26 Sawing a hinau log in Reserve for posts rain came on & stopped us. Before the rain we got in the worried sheep off Reserve and put bluestone & dip on their wounds which are healing. Eva put 5/= in P.O Saving Bank. Mam & Gerty gave notice to draw out £50 each.
SAT 27 Sawing hinau log in Reserve, finished it. John knocked cage over & the canary got out. Attended a special meeting of directors at Factory to consider an offer from Mr Christophersen to buy front site for Factory for £80. Offered £50 & road leading up to present Factory. After discussion gave £80 Painter Olsen taking £30 worth of shares. Very fine day. John caught & killed small rooster yesterday.
SUN 28 MAY 1905
A very fine day, a slight touch of frost this morning. Eggs & bacon for breakfast. Preserved eggs very good. Walked a little way over back. Saw on uncrutched one lamb or hoggt on ridges with another crutched one. Plenty of feed on back. Miss Randerson for tea & then all but Eva & I went to Wesleyan church. In the afternoon all but myself went to English church. Yesterday Mam & Gerty laid down matting on the floor – the length of.
MON 29 Sawed a matai log in Reserve for firewood Put stays to 3 strainers & strained wires at laurel hedge. Mr Brodie came up in the coach at mid-day & had lunch with us. Mam & Gerty Eva & George drove up to P.O & drew out £100.
TU 30 Ewes shifted from flat on to Ridges & Widerups John split firewood in Reserve & dug out strainer near laurels. Four of us drove in to Dannevirk – Mam Gerty George & I. Gerty went to Dentist & got 2 of her teeth stopped. George went on to Shannon after we had dinner. I went to Mr Rose’s office & we telephoned to Mr Blakiston to come to us. We explained to him about the section which I purchased the other day from D O’Hara. We found that there is not 19 acres in it, only a little over 17. I paid over to Blakiston £100 in notes & a cheque for £20 in addition to £26 Deposit I paid at the sale. Blakiston prepares the transfer & sees the thing fixed up. We drove “Chessey” & had a beautiful day, took 2¼ hours to go in. News of difeat [defeat] of Russian navy by Japanese.
WED 31 Helped to lay off site for new Factory with B Gundersen Painter Olsen Cantlay, Campbell & Thomson. Sent away to Union Bank £100 Receipt Fell Totara stump on back & got 12 posts out of it. John shot a hare. Ms Beckett & Gerty playing golf. Steady rain set in.
TH 1st JUNE 1905
Walked up to Dentist & had teeth seen to. Gerty also attended. John went with mare & dray to Ormondville & got 3 sacks of potatoes Railway freight 2/8 we expected 4 sacks Went out on back & dug out totara strainer – one put in 19 years ago by Chas Fritzberg – at the corner Christiansen’s – Fred Schmidt’s, – footed it & put it in the fence in a fresh place, so as to be able to strain three ways, it was too late to finish ramming it. Further news of destruction Russian Navy.
FR 2nd Heavy rain last night & this morning. It turned to snow & there is a heavy fall. Gave plenty of hay to cows in mangers after bailing them up, six of them. Put mare in cartshed & gave her plenty of hay & cut off for her the tops of the oat sheaves, the remainder of the sheaves we gave to the cows. The mare is kept in tonight the cows we let out after giving them plenty food. Eva did not go to school today, too wet in the morning.
SAT 3 Much snow on the ground this morning. Clear sunny forenoon. John drove Mam Gerty & Eva to catch 1st train (twenty minutes to ten) going to Levin, they were late & had to drive home again, drove down & caught the midday train. John & other boys out here hunting, got nothing. The evening turned out cold & showery. Six cows in bales all the evening, gave them plenty fodder. The mare in cartshed, the 2 pups in woolshed. A letter from Union Bank, they have put the £100 at interest to my current account.
SUN 4 A cold showery miserable day. Snow gone. Gave cows plenty of hay & they went in Reserve for awhile but soon came back. Mare in all day. Another fall of snow, began about 3 PM. ground white & very cold tonight. Both of us at home all day.
MON 5 JUNE 1905
A clear sunshiny day, snow on the ground all day. Feeding mare inside. Feeding the six cows on hay. Some parts of the paddocks clear of snow, some places covered tonight. New moon visible. John got a pound of tea at Becketts this morning. He & Ernest out hare shooting the greater part of the day. Brought home 4.
TU 6 Snow gone today except behind the hills. Sledged totara posts over to fence at F Schmidts corner & finished ramming the strainer & fetched home a few backlogs. John drove in to meet express train & bought home Gerty & Eva. Mam staying for a few days at Levin with Mrs Francis. Paid Mr Skinners bill = 8/6. Got 2/= worth of sausage & beef, the latter tough & a very small bit. John at a surprise party last night – Collins’s.
TH 8 XX A thorough wet day. Dentist in Wellington Went to a meeting of Building Committee of Factory Directors. Mr Gaustide there Laid out site of factory once for all. Shifted site 10 feet nearer to the creek.
WED 7 XX John sledged in 2 or 3 loads of firewood After an early dinner we went out to Schmidt’s – O’Hara – Back corner and worked until nearly dark. At night went with John to Tennis Social. “The Little Sentinel” acted. This days doings was omitted on Wednesday night.
FR 9 A very wet forenoon. Creek very high. Did no work today. John posted two letters, one from him to H Fourneau & one from me to Blakiston & Blakiston. John saw & skinned another hoggt on back. He saw one dead yesterday too far gone to skin Put in woolshed 5 chickens that are always at back door. Top drying clothes at fire all day. Eva at home.
SAT 10 JUNE 1905
Did not send milk to factory this morning Sent it only three times this week. Drying off “Daisy” & “May”. We give them a goot [good] bit of hay in the mornings & sheaves of oats at night. Worked at fence today, put in all totara posts. Found the remains of a good sheep in Thrush gully. John skinned a hoggt yesterday. & boiled the meat for dogs. A noxious weeds man called & spoke to Top about removing blackberries on road. Do not know where they are. Top & Eva drove to Ormondlle & met Mam coming back from Levin. John paid Mr Martin yesterday for insurance on Piana & furniture 13/=. Amount insured for £150.
SUN 11 A very fine day. Went with Mam to the morning Service in the new Presbyterian Church. It was the opening ceremony & the church was full. There was a christening, the child of Mr & Mrs Malcolm Makotuku. David James. CC Smith & Ada & Cecil came with us to dinner. At night we went to Church of England service
MON 12 Worked at fence with John. At night went to Presbyterian Tea meeting and from the Hall to the church, both were crowded Ministers of the various denominations spoke on the Pulpit platform and Mr C Hall MHR was also on the platform & said a few words. The ministers were Rev Patterson Comrie Whyte Asher King. Oliver (Methodist) Lambert (English) The Church, Section &c Cost about £500. There remains a debt of about £90. A splendid performance.
TU 13 John Mam & Gerty drove to Dannevirk to see Dentist. He had no time to do anything to John’s. They got home at a quarter past 5, a rough day. Mrs D Grant called. I went out & did a little to fence at Back. John gone tonight to see a Salvation Entertainment.
WED 14 JUNE 1905
Partitioned off a place in buggy shed for Potatoes & spread out three sacks of them. Went out to Back after dinner & made up a couple of fires & sawed off some logs which were too near fence in corner of Back – Schmidt – Mathiesen. Letter from Blakiston & agreement to be signed to mortgage A R P 17:1:26 5/10. This Secn costs £ s d 243.16.4½ besides Legal expenses, Transfer &c &c. £100 of the purchase money remains unpaid for nine months & in the meantime it is under mortgage to W Rose.
TH 15 Went up to the Dentist & underwent the usual. Gerty came after me, about 12 o’clock. John drove Eva up to school & Ernest came back with him & they went away shooting beyond Gundries, all day in the pouring rain. Only got one duck which “spot” caught. Agreement between Rose & me, Re section Signed by Mr Beckett & I & sent to Blakiston. At night went to Vestry meeting, Business squaring up about Tablet in church to Canon Webb’s memory Got home about 10 o’clock. Rode Chessy. Rain.
FR 16 Showers nearly all day. Drove “May” & “Daisy” out on Back. Got for John a one man saw at Mr Becketts. Went out on back after dinner & did a bit of logging up in far corner of Schmidt. Skinned a two tooth wether, dont know the cause of his death. Today is Eva’s 8th Birthday and she has invited a number of little school girls who have come with Birthday presents. They are having a great time tonight, games after the feast – Birthday cake, fruit &c. All told there are 13. John drove them home about half past nine o’clock.
SAT 17 John rode out for carcase of wether & found a dead hoggt fat, dirty fluid in the intestines. Carted cow dung into yard from where cows live. All but me gone to Wesleyan Sunday school social. Full moon, Fine night.
SUN 18 JUNE 1905
All of us & Ella drove to Blairgowrie & had dinner there in the new house. Got home before dark. A dull dark day. Rain begun as we got home. A great deal of rain falling now
MON 19 Mam drove Eva & Ella to school. Raw day. Attended Directors meeting at Factory. No work doing there today by carpenters – too wet. John paid Ericksens bill today 1.19.7 I had a letter from Mr H Sorensen on Saturday night to say he could not find a bed for me at Palmerston on show night as all available beds were bespoke a fortnight ago. We did no work today except John made part of dog kennel.
TU 20 Mam & Gerty drove in to Dannevirk to see Dentist Worked at Back with John, a very fine day. Young Mathiesen came to where I was with his gun & whilst talking a greyhound ran past & through Fred Schmidts Section, After a while a sporting dog came barking through the sheep they running in all directions, we put “spot” on to him and I shot him with Mathiesons gun. John came with my dinner & he & young Mathiesen went after the dog & dispatched him. I Neale came over to where I was working & paid me the ballance £ s d 3-7-0 of sheep worried money paid to him for me. Painter Olsen and Hans Mortensen. For me = 1-19-6 For Olsen 10/= For Mortensen 17/6 after deducting 2/6 each to be given to Harold Olsen for helping to find the dogs. Mam & Gerty got home about 5 o’clock, they left Dannevirk about 3 o’clock.
WED 21 Got Factory Cheque (Butter 9lb) £1=12=9 Split & sledged in two or three loads of firewood Got in some ewes & Crutched 1 lamb & Ewes 51 & put in shed 35. Set a hogget’s broken leg in reserve. Letters from George & Uncle F. Eva at Mr Grants A very windy afternoon. School examination.
TH 22 JUNE 1905
Crutched the 35 sheep in shed & got in 43 more & did them before dinner. Gerty went to Dentist and Eva came home with her before dinner. I went up to Dentist but he had no time to attend to me. John dug away round fruit trees in little Orchard and went golfing on Flat with Mr Beckett Mrs & Miss Campbell Gerty Mam Mrs Grant 2 Misses Martin Got in & put in shed remaining Ewes 73 total 200 besides 2 hoggets. Found dead hoggt on back. John rode to Mortensens & A Olsen’s to give them their sheep worrying money, & send receipts to J Neal.
FR 23 Finished crutching the Ewes before dinner 200 & 2 others amongst them. Got in the back sheep & picked out 49 of the weakest hoggs 340 put back on back sec. The weak ones in shed tonight Charlie came by last coach, has had a months holiday Was in Auckland, Onehunga New Plymouth &c Came now from Palmerston. A very fine day.
SAT 24 Gave doses of oil & turpentine to some of the weak hoggs & put them in Reserve = 54 Another hogg in Reserve with a broken leg. Set it, there are two in reserve now with broken legs. Put 6 more hoggs out on back, 346 there now. Plenty of grass for sheep & cattle, plenty of rough feed. Walked round back & buried remains of 3 baits laid for dogs months ago. John shot a young gander, washed the buggy boiled meat for dogs, played golf & tonight went to some entertainment in Hall. Finished making a kennel for dog “Ugly”. A dull came [calm?] day.
SUN 25 Rain all day. Rev Lambert called. No church He drove as far as Becketts. A very good goose for dinner.
MON 26 Went to Back, sawed a few logs & made fires. John drove Charlie to Ormondll for home Mam sick nearly all last night & today. Started to build stable at end of Cartshed.
TU 27 JUNE 1905
Mam & Gerty drove to Dannevirk to see the Dentist. They got home just about dark. There was a white frost this morning & a very fine day John split firewood on Widerups before dinner & I worked a bit at stable. After dinner went to Back.
WED 28 John drove Eva to school. She is staying at Mr Grants tonight. Very showery day. John repairing fences at O’Hara’s – far Section He is at an entertainment in Hall tonight amateurs playing the “Little Sentinel” in aid of Cricket club. A bad night for it. Heavy showers. Worked at frame of Stable today. Very muddy. Got a bundle of trees & shrubs from Goddards at Havelock yesterday. Too wet to put them in.
TH 29 Gerty went to Dentist first thing when he came & then went in coach to Ormll for Dannevirk I then went to Dentist & stayed with him until half past eleven. John rode to Dunnage’s for Subscription list & two half year’s subscription, but the Dunnage’s were in Pahiatua & will not be back until Friday night or Saturday. Heavy showers all day. No work except carrying in backlogs and burning firewood
FR 30 Another wet day, light rain nearly all day. John drove Eva to school & afterwards nailed up boards in hay shed to prevent cows pulling out hay. After dinner he & mother planted fruit trees, roses & put in 4 camelias in the garden. At one o’clock attended meeting of building committee at Factory. Carpenters not working, too wet. Did some work at stable Mr Cantlay gave ½ yearly subscription to church 10/= This has been the wettest June I have ever seen in New Zealand. There is enough feed for stock. A letter from Mr Francis Levin, he has bought 7½ acres a mile out at £53 per acre, no buildings.
SAT 1st JULY 1905
John put 53 hoggets off Reserve into O’Hara’s this morning, one of the hoggs looked like a little stranger. He then repaired the fence – put in a couple footed posts &c afterwards sledged in 2 loads matai firewood A dull calm day, no rain worked at stable. Winny & Ella playing with Eva. Mavis not well Mam went up to see her, she is better today. John in township tonight, something going in Hall.
SUN 2 walked over part of Back. Set fire to a big log lying across a track, made a fire on the broken part of trunk. Saw cattle, think “Wildy” the fat cow is in calf. Light rain. After dinner drove up to Ngamoko for Church subscriptions got 10/= from Mr Martin, a like amount from Mr Oldershaw. 5/= from Mrs Hutchinson. John had to walk to Dunnage’s for subn papers as they did not leave them at Becketts according to promise, neither did they give any subscription for the past year, only a promise to pay something later on. Misses Randerson & Martin John gone to Church with them tonight. £8-5-0 is the amount collected up till tonight. I am sending a cheque for the amount in the morning At last nights entertainment Professor De Leon & a woman appeared. The thing was a fraud. The man was drunk, the woman tipsy, the audience 30.
MON 3 John pruned the fruit trees, wheeled manure to them &c repaired fence Widerup – O’Hara’s Sent names of subscribers & cheque £8-5-0 to J. H. Bovaird. Pair of white blankets 17/6 for Eva from Mr Grants. Paid Sugden 4-13-3 amount of his bill & got a sack of pollard. Fine day
TU 4 Mam Gert & Eva drove to Dannevirk to see dentist White frost this morn. Fine day, put shingles on stable roof. John wheeled manure into garden & played golf with Milly Campbell & Mr Beckett.
WED 5 JULY 1905
Finished roofing the stable. John sledged in firewood & cleaned up & carted into stockyard cow’s manure from where they lie at night. One shower today.
TH 6 Eva had toothache last night. Today Mam took her to Dentist & had 4 teeth drawn. Gerty had some hers seen to. There was no time for Dentist to do anything to Johns or mine. Sent to Goddard Havelock £1- for trees &c received. Has asked him to send 2/= worth of seed potatoes in lieu of change. Paid Mr Skinners monthly account for bread 6/6. A small brownish hen laid, the 1st this winter Tidied up about stable. After dinner went out & worked on back, split pieces for culvert &c. Mr Beckett for tea & spent the evening. Fine day.
FR 7 Gerty drove Mam to catch ten minutes to 12 o’clock train for Levin. Worked on back, made fires, dragged slabs to make a culvert, with mare, &c Sent cheque for 5-11-4 to Blakiston & Blakiston Dannevirk. Also a P. N. signed in favour of N Rose for £104-13 to be met in 9 months – 15th march 1906. John shot a hare this afternoon. He got a letter from Carl Engelbretson [Engebretsen] yesterday. Mulholland took away his black lamb from here this morning. His other one is amongst Mathieson sheep This has been a very fine day. Ella here tonight.
SAT 8 A wet day, no work done. Paid £9-2-11 (gave cheque £ s d 10-3-0) amount of Mr Becketts bill Sent John Insurance money £1=17=10 Got receipt from I Goddard for £1=00 and from Blakiston & Blakiston for transfer of Sec £ s d 7-14-10 John answered Carl Engebretson’s letter today. Cold night
SUN 9 Dull calm day, walked over back, saw Buttercup her time up today. Eva & Ella went to Sunday School John went at night to church. Hoggt dead in O’Haras.
MON 10 JULY 1905
Nils Larsen did not go to Factory. John drove Eva & Ella to foot of hill on their way to school. Eva staying with Ella tonight. Out on back, put hineau [hinau] stringers across gully with mare & cleared up corner at Schmidts-Mathiesens. Pulled away remaining portions of logs with mare, some on fire & heaped all up on another place. Made up fires & sawed & split hinau stringers for far culvert. A. Engebretsen came with subscription list to get up a testimonial for O Ericksen. Gave them 5/= Mr Brodie came but I did not see him. Skinned a hoggt for dogs. A very fine day. Mulholland look milk can.
TU 11 A very hard frost this morning. Last night very cold. A very fine day. John & Gerty drove to Dannevirk. Mam came by last coach home from Levin. Made up fires on back. Planted A tall poplar in sheep yard. John has got a letter from Alice. Gerty on invitation to Ba Ball.
WED 12 Ora Worked on back sawing stringers & slabs for culverts near Neal’s corner. Hineau logs Made up fires. John shifted Hogg off O’Hara’s into Reserve – 50. Put ewes – 90 on flat, to be left there to lamb. Paid B Bengston [Bengsten] 22/= for ploughing & harrowing lawn, in addition to cost of dipping 88 sheep which comes to 6/6. That is 28/6 is about the price paid for ploughing & harrowing front.
TH 13 A wet day. John drove Mam to dentist & she had a little alteration done to her teeth & they now are comfortable. Also Top had a tooth stopped also Eva had a drive up to school. I went to Dentist after Top & had a tooth stopped. A funeral today Mr Pomeranz sen. A letter yesterday from J.H. Bovaird yesterday acknowledging Church money £18-5-4 Mr Martin sent of this sum offertories – 10=0=4 Raining at present & looks like a continuance.
FR 14 JULY 1905
Light rain in the forenoon. After dinner went out on back & sawed some matai. Walked over back & found “Buttercup” with heifer calf. Drove them home without any trouble & milked cow, she did not trouble at all about the calf. John wounded a hare on Michaelsen’s & “spot” ran him into a stump & at tea time went back & burrowed until he got the hare out. John gone to township tonight to see about a shooting party tomorrow. Trimmed accasia’s [acacia’s] & Elders going to road gate. Ella came home with Eva & has got measles. They are coming out on her quite plainly. Eva has written a letter tonight to Pop Fourneau. We shall milk 5 cows now for a while until we dry off “Primrose”. Mulholland took can this morning He only goes to Factory Mondays & Fridays.
SAT 15 John splitting firewood on back. Made up fires on back. Finished culvert & after dinner Eva rode chessy out on back & we dragged posts to where they are required in Mathiesens fence. Ella in bed all day, ate some toast & tea tonight. Mr H Shukar [Shuker] called after dinner, a letter from H Mam very weak tonight. Gerty & I assisted her to bed. I walked up to Sharps for bottle whiskey.
SUN 16 Walked over back & saw the 2 foals & filly. Rain most of the day. Fed young calf in shed. Mam in bed all day. Feels weak, looks feverish tonight Sent John to Becketts to know if we can wire for doctor to Dannevirk if necessary in the night. He says yes. Mr P. G. Grant came in the evening to see Ella. She has not eaten anything all day. Mr Grant went after tea to see about lighting up the church.
MON 17 Half finished far culvert. Had dinner out there with Eva. She made many fires. Mam up today for a while. John carted in cord of firewood. Mrs Callender called Mr Grant called at night. Ella better. Fine day.
TU 18 JULY 1905
Mr Thompson sent note to say, no meeting at Factory until thursday. Gerty did not go to the Dentist at Dannevirk today, rain & one or two light falls of snow. After dinner went out with John & mare Sawed & dragged stringers to where No. 2 culvert is to be nearly finished the first or furthest one. Ella better. Eva walked up to Mrs Parsons for her music lesson. She does not go to school since Ella got measels. Mam in bed all day, feels somewhat improved. John & Gerty about going tonight to a Party at Painter Olsens, but one of Mr Cantlays boys came to see John about shooting tomorrow & the program was changed Letters tonight from Mr Frances & Nelly Fourneau.
WED 19 John got up at 4 AM had breakfast & went up to Cantlays and with one of the boys went shooting in the bush in the direction of Umutoroa Came home about 8 PM with four pigeons. Just after breakfast Mr G Hunter called. He was driven up by C Leach & H Shukar Did not go nearer township than here. Called at the houses between here & Ormondlle Planted poplar in sheep yards, two there now. Went out on back. Made up fires &c. Mam better today. Suffered terribly last night from head-ache. Mr P. G. Grant called. Ella well
TH 20 Went to Dentist this morning & had teeth rasped &c. Gert went after me but could not get anything done – others before her. Got in back sheep & picked out a small ewe & killed it for home use. Very fine day A meeting of Factory Directors. Mam in bed, only a little better. Got at Sharps two small bottles stout & a small bottle English ale.
FR 21 Sent by Mulholland a good can of milk. Got £1=4=0 Factory Cheque. Worked on back far corner. Mr & Mrs Grant called also Rev Lambert, Mrs Bovaird. Mam up a great part of the day & much better. Wildy has calf.
SAT 22 JULY 1905
Split some slabs for culvert on back and made up fires. Sent cheque £1=18-0 to Colllier & Co Wanganui for piana tuning. An insurance agent came – New York Compan y Mrs P. G. Grant came & had lunch with us. Mr Campbell drove me, painter Olsen & B Gundersen to Matamau to meet milk suppliers there, also J O’Hara & Secretary there Jacob Neilsen & Norman Only 4 or 5 settlers up. We found that the majority had signed to supply Beaity Lang & Co with their milk if that Company would erect Creamery. We called on Mr Hirst on our way home. We think Eva has measels tonight. In bed all day.
SUN 23 Miss McRay called to see patients. Ell up all day Alf Neal came about noon, went to church with John at 2.30 & after tea went with John to another church Mr (Rev) Lambert called on going to Church. Mr & Mrs Grant came in the afternoon. Ella all right. Eva in bed all day, sick sometimes. Mam up all day. Carl Hansen took away his colt & left a filly instead. John went in to see Carl Engebretson
MON 24 Sawed & split slabs near Neals fence for culvert Afternoon dragged same to creek with mare. Eva restless a great part of last night. Her body is almost red & her limbs covered with great red blotches. Mrs Grant & the Misses Martin & Shugar called. A summers day. Very fair feed in paddocks.
TU 25 John drove Gerty to Station going to Dannevirk to Dentist and afterwards wheeled manure into garden. Finished slabbing culvert on back before dinner & afterwards attended Directors meeting at Factory. Mrs Grant here in Gerts absence Eva much better today, was able to eat a little. Paid my insurance on House Gave a cheque for two pounds & got change. This is not due till 1st August. Rough tonight. Wind & rain.
WED 26 JULY 1905
Finished the 3rd culvert at Neals corner. Showery day. Sawed & logged up a passage along near creek near Mathiesens fence. Mam not well today, Kept in bed. Made a few fires on Back. Financial Statement out today. Increase in old age Pensions £81.127. decrease in Government Contribution towards cool storage for dairy produce £5289. Previously £7289. now £2000. Old age pension previously 193.973 now 285.000
TH 27 Mam & Eva bad last night. Eva had ear-ache, put warm olive oil & a little eucalyptus in her ear. it relieved her & then she was troubled with tooth ache. Today she & Mam are better. Went first thing to Dentist & he did some work on my teeth. Gerty went to Dentist but he had no time to do anything to her teeth. Mrs Grant came in forenoon & she & Mr Grant came after tea for a while. Mavis has the measels. Diptheria [Diphtheria] in township, a little girl of Hans Olsen’s died yesterday & another gone to the hospital. Killed for dogs meat one of the hoggs which was worried on 1st May last, a very good sheep it would make Its inside protruded, there is another in a similar condition Thodsens children laid up with measels. Mrs Smith from Hastings called to ask about remidies [remedies] and Mam advised warm water bathing for feet & legs and hot drinks, gave her a little whiskey to take home. Every one is using camphor & sulphur to prevent diptheria
FR 28 Gave one of the Lincoln rams – a very poor one – he was in the yard last night, a dose of raw Linseed oil & turpentine, he hangs about by himself all day & has not eaten any grass. Rain all day. A thorough wet day. Mam & Eva had a good nights rest & are in bed all day. Cows on ridges today. Buttercup in yard shut up tonight with hay in her stall. Mare on Hill No one of us has been out today only John at Thodsens to ask about children. Mr Grant called going to orm
SAT 29 JULY 1905
Another thorough wet day. Mam not so well last night, better today in bed, Eva all right – she stays in bed with her mother. A letter from George. Charlie sent 2 ducks & 2 bakakoes [?] three or 4 days ago. David Hogg came today & bought the crutchings off 200 Ewes at 7d per lb and 8 skins at 6d per lb amount = £6-16-10 the best prices I ever got for wool or skins. Mr Becketts express took wool & skins to Ormondville John wrote to H Fourneau & I enclosed cheque 1-13-0 for 3 sks [sacks] potatoes at 11/- each. The ram we dosed with oil & turpentine has not fed since, gave him oil today. Gave out the last of the oat sheaf buts to cows tonight. The skins weighed 59 lbs and the wool 184 lbs.
SUN 30 Drove to Erick Ericksons & others to know if they would support a creamery at Garfield E Ericksen signed for 16 cows. A B Hansen cannot decide as he is about to lease his farm. Thos Hirst 60. Mrs Andersen 10 Arthur Olsen against A Olsen on Hill satisfied with Crreamery now at Garfield H. P Mortensen will give an answer later on. Mr & Mrs Grant came & stayed a while in the afternoon Mam & Eva got up today but did not leave house Walked amongst Ewes & over part of back. John at Wesleyan Church tonight. Fine day rain tonight
MON 31 Eva had ear-ache last night again, cried a great deal poured warm oil & eucalyptus into her ear & also a roasted onion. She & Mam all right today. The latter went to Mr Grants in coach & came back in same. John went early with Bertie Engebretsen towards hills to shoot. He rode, brought back 5 pigeons & 1 kaka. Ada & Florry came. Signed Factory cheque in favour of Gousted for £20-0-0 Repaired old bridge at firewood. Bored a few posts on back at Mathesen’s boundary to use as footed posts. Repaired 2 broken wires on Mortensens boundary. Not much rain. This month like June has been a wet one.
TU 1st AUGUST 1905
John drove Gerty to station to catch 1st train for Dannevirk & Dentist and then got in firewood. Sent Reserve rent £2-5-6 Attended annual Gen. Meeting of Factory Directors. Five were nominated S.B 182 votes J Neilsen 171 181 Malcolm 129 Forward 40 or 50 A Schaare 30 or 40 Had dinner at Mr Grants. Mrs Grant here today. John shifted 52 hoggs down to O’Hara’s from out of reserve. Fine day. Mam & Eva up & all right.
WED 2 A thorough wet day, big fires. No work done.
TH 3 Another thorough wet day. Went to Dentist & spent the forenoon with him. Gerty afterwards for a short time. Found the ailing Lincoln ram dead in reserve just about hurl. John wheeled him home & skinned him on battens Put the 2 white cows & the weaner heifer out on back must see if they require milking again after some days. Three cows in here now to be fed on hay – Buttercup, Star, & Strawberry. Bought a pair of pants & vest at Mr Grants, 2nd best clothes.
FR 4 Carl Schmidt told Gerty yesterday that Rosacher has a harness horse for sale. John rode up today to see him Did not like his appearance – at Ngamoko Creamery. Rode home on a 3 year old harness horse belonging to Reuben Hutchinson which is for sale – about £14. We put him in buggy & dove [drove] up German Line to Leopolds, turned there & drove home again. He goes all right. He & Chessie on Flat tonight. A thorough wet day.
SAT 5 Another wet day the 4th continuous, ground sodden. No work can be done. Attended Directors meeting at noon. Wired to Beaty Lang & Co. that we would take £600 for Matamau Creamery. They replied offering £500 After discussion we accepted their offer. John found a goose nest with one egg, & found 2 duck eggs yesterday. Only one xbred small hen laying as yet.
SUN 6 AUGUST 1905
Rain all last night, not much fell today. Mr Mrs Grant & Mavis came at 11.30 Mr Grant John & Gerty drove Prince in Mr Grants trap into Ormondville. After tea Ella went home with ‘em. Mr Martin came with a subscription paper to get money to pay for organ & reading desk in church He has collected a great many 5/=s gave him 5/=
MON 7 Had only a small quantity of milk to send to Factory this morning, got no skim milk back. Got in the 2 white cows off back & milked them for the last time this season & put them back again & put “star” out with them, as she is nearly dry. We have only 2 cows in here now – Buttercup & Strawberry. Eva found a Ewe with a lamb on Flat near my garden and another Ewe & lamb near fence on back on “earthquake Hill”, when she went up for cabbage, she also found a goose’s nest with 2 eggs in it. Went through all Ewes & sheep, no more lambs. Brought in xcut saw & sharpened it & spent the afternoon sawing firewood on Flat. Mam, Gerty & Eva went for a drive with new horse. A heavy frost last night, grass white this morning. Fine day.
TU 8 John drove Gerty to railway station on her way to Dentist A fine day. Sledging in firewood. John splitting. Sent Sugden & Sons cheque for £2-0-0 to
pay his bill, which came to £1-7-9 Paid Skinner 8/= the amount of his monthly bill. Mrs & Miss Campbell.
WED 9 Another Ewe and lamb on Flat. Eva saw them first Sledged in two loads of firewood & John sledged home totara posts out of reserve. He went through Ewes & Hoggs in O’Hara’s & over part of Back. Nothing wrong. Pulled scraped & washed & boiled mangolds & turnips for pig, time to fatten him. Only one hen laying yet.
TH 10 Wet forenoon. Went to Dentist. 2 teeth bored & prodded, did not finish. Gert after me. John found twins dead on back, no ewe near them. He got a letter from Arthur Hunt Eva got one from Pop. Nothing yet from Levin & Co. Wellington for skins & crutchings
FR 11 AUG 1905
Sawed & blasted a big log on back for slabs or rails Mr Morgan came across to see Carl Hansen’s filly with a view of buying her. No fresh lambs. Saw Reuben Hutchinson at Factory. Paid him cheque £13. for 3 year old horse “Prince”. Mam Gert & Eva drove as far as Lunds with him today. Mrs D. H. Grant & Miss Learmont came this afternoon. Did not send milk to Factory today. Mulholland called for it, but we had none. Butter made in New Factory today. Frost this morning. A very fine day.
SAT 12 A ewe with single on Flat. John found one cast on Widerups. He got in, killed & skinned a long tail lamb, too poor for our use, only dogs meat, He took the big Buff Orpington Cock away tonight to swap with Willy Wahl for another one. We spent most of the day on George’s track heaping up & burning. Got a good totara strainer & a few house blocks. Eva & Gerty called to see Mrs Beckett tonight. She is in bed & has been for a week or so. A very fine day & moon light. There is fair feed in all paddocks. John has brought the big rooster home again. Wahl wants a hen.
SUN 13 Walked over flat & one end of back. John took the other end & Widerups. Saw black faced Ewe on earthquake hill with good twins. Carl Hansen rode out on back and led his filly home. Milly & Sivvy Ericksen came in the evening & after tea went in buggy to church with the others, all gone but me Willy Wahl came at tea time with an Orpington Rooster, We are to give him a hen in exchange. The willow leaves are just making their appearance. The wattle flowers are only coming out. Late this year.
MON 14 Sent cheque to Mr Grant for clothes – vest & trousers 18/9 A two pound cheque, got in change £1=1=3. Logged up & mad [made] wide tracks beyond big pond. Eva with us. Had dinner out there. One Ewe with lamb on Widerups. John gone to Wahls with Buff Orpington hen
TU 15 AUG 1905
Three Ewes last night & this morning had lambs, one of them we had to get in this morning & take the lamb from her, a big lamb, both are all right one old Ewe left for dogs meat & very poor, had a lamb last night. Washed & boiled carrots for pig. John all day in garden digging. Put in Onion Seed. Gerty went to Dentist in Dannevirk. I shook grasseed on all burnt patches on back. This has been another fine drying day. The 5th fine day. Rain has set in at 7 o’clock, raining hard now. A Mrs Clark called to know if I would “support” an approaching Benedicts Ball. I will not.
WED 16 Went through Ewes. One on flat with twins Worked on back, widening tracks, sawing & putting logs &c together. Jim Neal came over to where we were working & we found a small steer dead in a gully where the bank gave way with him & he fell into a hole. Mrs Thodsen & children & Mrs Cox & child came over. Very fine day. Gerty got an invitation to Benedicts ball.
TH 17 Three singles last night & this morning. Fog this morning & fine growing day. Went to Dentist but he did not finish although I waited until Eleven o’clock. Gerty went to him after me. John shifted hoggs from OHara’s to Reserve 52 and then dug in garden, after tea he took a list of cattle which we are going to offer at a sale, to Fred Schmidts to be sent to Mr Rosa Dannevirk The sale will be held at F Schmidts or at our yards. Mrs & Miss Oliver came this afternoon. Sledged a box full of manure up to my garden. A spring shower. 13 ewes have lambed up to this. Symptoms of grass growing.
FR 18 A Ewe with twins on ridges. John put in peas. Slept in house 18th Aug 1891, for the first time Went to Directors meeting. 3 butter buyers in attendance 10¼ offered by McEwen & Co. Output offered to Nathan 10½ Gerty & Mam at Benedicts Ball tonight. Rain.
SAT 19 AUG 1905
Walked through Ewes & lambs, three Ewes lambed last night. Shook & raked grasseed on burnt patches on back. Went to 12 o’clock Directors meet at Factory. John fenced Walnut tree at sheep yards & we planted in enclosure at tree about 24 seed potatoes. Light rain. It was decided at Meeting today to Open the new Factory on the 31st of this month. Mr Shuker Ormlle called.
SUN 20 One or two lambed last night. One on back. All at home, no one came. In the evening walked across flat & saw two dogs on back Sec. They were after a sheep intending to worry. Saw them just in time, they went towards township along Gundersens fence into Becks, chased his 4 sheep. I ran home for John & gun, buy the time John got up near them they had one of Becks sheep on the ground, he fired but did not get close We followed them home to Alfred Engebretsens The people were not at home but the dogs were under the house. After tea John went to Engebretsen one dog only belonged to him, he thinks the other one belongs to Knutsen. Fine days & nights now.
MON 21 Mam drove Gerty to Ormondlle on her way to dentist We killed the pig before dinner. A very good scald. After dinner I drove to Ngamoko & went to Hutchinson cattle sale, dropping Mam & Eva at Friis’s. Picked them up when coming back. Cows in calf fetched from £4 to £7-10. Sledged totara gatepost to Brown gate Noticed only one fresh lamb today. Feed very fair. John got a set of shoes on “Prince” this afternoon.
TU 22 Through Ewes & lambs, one fresh on Flat. John found 5 or 6 fresh ones on Widerups & ridges. Cut up & salted pig, a good deal of lard. John digging about house. We put in totara post for brown gate to shut against. Eva at school after 5 weeks. The school only opened [?] today. Got David Hogg’s cheque for skins & crutchings £6=16=10
WED 23 AUG 1905
Sledged some gravel to Brown gate. John got in Ewe with a lamb which came yesterday & this morning the Ewe had not cleaned. We gave her a dose of Sykes drench which put her right. Edwin Hansen swept or rather scraped with a hoe the 3 chimneys. Paid him 3/= Went to Dentist and I think he finished stopping my teeth. Paid him £10 cheque on account, this is the second ten pounds Changed a cheque at Becketts for £2-1-6 Sent to Union bank & Hogg’s cheque 6-16-10 got the last seasons Factory cheque 1-6-2 Sent Union Bank Pass Book to Manager Napier Mam Mrs A Olsen Mrs […] Mrs Thomson met at Mrs Campbell’s to arrange about nest thursday’s business – Opening of Factory. Eva brought in nine eggs today. Some geese, a duck & 4 hens are laying
TH 24 John saw 11 fresh lambs on his beat today, some Ewes have twins. A slight fall of snow last night, ground white this morning, it disappeared before dinner. A meeting of directors to consider offers for seasons output. Nathan’s offer accepted – 10¼ FOB Wellington Steamer. Gerty John & Milly Campbell Golfing this afternoon. John & Mam painting the facings of house green. Cleaned & swept out woolshed & sharpened xcut. Gerty with Dentist today, will finish next visit. Salted & turned bacon today. Want to get 2 little pigs.
FR 25 A good many lambed last night. John found a Ewe with a dead lamb & I picked up a motherless lamb, which we put on the Ewe we got in & she soon took Got in a poor ewe & killed it for the dogs. Made gate & hung it at firewood. Took away 3 panel of fence going to firewood gate. Mam & John painting facings of house green. At 7.30 PM attended Directors meeting to sign papers transferring Matamau Creamery to Beaty, Lang & Co & drew program for Opening of Factory.
SAT 26 AUG 1905
A great deal of rain fell last night, no deaths Mam & John drove to Mr Grants, the latter got 2 pairs of tweed trousers for £1-0-0. Yesterday Mr Hulena biked down & took the measure of a pane of glass & Mam put it in yesterday after coming from Leonard Andersen’s. Had to get in a 2 tooth black faced ewe off flat, she would not take to her lamb, have her penned with lamb in shed tonight. Gerty Eva & Ella walked up to top township tonight. A dull calm day.
SUN 27 Several fresh ones last night & this morning, got in two, took the lamb from one, both all right now All went to afternoon church but me. A very fine day.
MON 28 Found a 2 tooth Ewe cast on flat after lambing. A pair of twins with her, put one of them on a Ewe that had a dead lamb on Widerups, put her & her lamb on Hill. At night went up, but no meetg [meeting] of Horticulture [?]
TU 29 Got in 17 head of cattle off back yesterday & put them in reserve & got them into sheep yards today. F Schmidt brought up his mob & Benbow brought some Fred Schmidts cows were first put up and all sold under the hammer at fair prices. Our dry cows 7 & young calf included with her mother Wildy fetched £2-18-6 each 5 steers £2=8 each One heifer £2-0-0 two little steers 8/= each Side saddle £1- I bought one springer for £7-0-0 everything put up was bid for 2 horses sold also harness, tip dray passed in, reserve was 12£. over 11£ bid all cattle sold, the Auctioneer R. Roach well satisfied also the sellers. I should have put the heavy harness with the dray when offered for sale, will do so next time J Neale when coming to the sale picked up a Ewe cast on ridges with twins, one dead. Ewe & lamb all right now. A summer day. F Schmidt supplied beer Whiskey & sandwiches. R Roach, Barton (clerk) young Monteith, F Schmidt here for dinner.
WED 30 AUG 1905
Several fresh lambs this morning in all paddock [paddocks] Had to get in 3 of John’s Ewes & put them right. The two Augustine’s came for their cows & took away 12 head. Jim Neal took away his 12 calves across the paddocks. John got the shoes removed on Carl Hansen’s mare & then helped the other young fellows to decorate in front of the factory for tomorrow’s opening. Ewes & lambs all right so far except one ailing lamb that cannot suck its mother, Gerty gave it castor oil. Mr & Mrs Tuohy from Takapau came at dinnertime & bought the big Gobbler, paid 7/= Today Sugden’s express & load of chaff was capsized in or near the cutting when meeting a Motor car. Alfred Engebrestsen [Engebretsen] bought the 7 cows & calf which we sold yesterday, from W Beck & leaves them here for a week. Farmers Union Meeting at 1 PM in Lutheran Hall.
TH 31 John drove Mam up to Town hall at 9 PM. Brought up with them in buggy some greenery & flowers. Tables laid, other ladies cutting up provisions. I helped to put up Flags across road & in other places about Factory. Came home at 10.30 & changed, John also, Gerty with Dentist Went back. Saw Mr Hunter at top hotel, H Shukar & C Leach with him. Came down to Junction hotel & had lunch with visitors & then went to opening Ceremony Spoke on platform after Pastor Rice, Mr Paul, C Hall MHR & G. Hunter. Mam in Hall attending to Childrens lunch. All schoolchildren entertained. A Social at night free. Also afternoon tea, but too many took advantage of it. Big crowd at night, some songs & addresses. Mr Hall Watson & I spoke. Dancing started about 10.PM and continued until 3 in the morning. Rain came on in the night & continued. We drove home, but did not get wet. A beautiful day for opening the Factory. A great many people about.
FRI 1st SEPTEMBER 1905
A good many lambs coming now. The thick of the lambing over. Found a dead lamb in creek on flat, put the skin on a twin, the Ewe took at once did the same with another Ewe, both very fond of their adopted lambs. Got ewe in of [off] the back & took the lamb from her, she would have died I think Found a splendid Ewe dead on back, the first She died in the act of lambing, pulled the wool off her & buried her. Found another two tooth in the act of lambing, cast, took away lamb and brought her home in the wheelbarrow. She is in the woolshed not able to stand. The Directors got an invitation to meet builders & Engineers at Sharps Hotel at 8 PM. a farewell affair. Messrs O’Hara Veal Cantlay myself went, also Christophersen Sen & Alick Hegh. We met Messrs Gausted builders. Curtain Bros. Shar, Makotuku Creamery Manager & young Many toasts proposed &c songs, left at 10.30 or so.
SAT 2 Not many lambs coming now. John shifted the hoggets off Reserve yesterday on to O’Hara’s. Yesterday morning he & Mam went to Hall & cleared up everything & John took home vases plates &c to the owners. At night attended special meeting at Factory to open tenders for painting it & Ngamoko creamery. S. Olsen 18.6.1 accepted. E.G. Scott £28.10. both 5d per foot for spouting John at meeting in Library – business Bachelor’s Ball. A letter & cheque from N Rose proceeds of cattle 28.18.6 They omitted to add the price of side saddle = £1꞊0꞊0
SUN 3 All over paddocks. Drove with Mam to River beyond Gundries, Mam got a little sand. Little horse very weak.
MON 4 Much rain last night & today. Went to Factory and got 100 bricks & 20 fire bricks. Ewe in shed died. Found another sick on flat with a good big lamb near her. She died & John gave the lamb to Mrs Mulholland. Gerty John & Mam laid down oil cloth in bed rooms and in dining room on saturday last. Noticed 1 or 2 fresh lambs.
TU 5 SEP 1905 £ s d
A showery day. Only one fresh lamb on flat Gerty went to Dentist in Dannevirk. Went to Ellis’s sale. Bought black cow “Mealy” 4-17-6 Bought trowel, shovel, spade, hoe, 2 traps for 7/- Gave cheque drawn in favour of Wms & Kettle for amount. Sent to Bank of Australia cheque for 28-18-6 John got a gobler [gobbler] at Hegh’s. Letter from George. There was a poor sale at Ellis’s. A mud hole. Revd Dean Hovel died suddenly at Webbs yesterday.
WED 6 Saw 3 or 4 fresh lambs this morning. John went to Ellis’ with mare & dray for calf belonging to the black cow which I bought yesterday. She is uneasy, trying to get back home & does not give much milk. Alfred Engebretsen took away his 6 cows & calf off reserve. Paid 3/- for paddocking. John rode up to Friis’ for Cabbage plants & paid for them 2/=. He dug some in garden, is at a Bachelor’s meeting tonight Put in a row of potatoes in top garden, Cut seed, sheep manure. Grass just making start.
TH 7 Saw only one fresh lamb on Flat. A lamb dround [drowned] at spring on hill, put the skin on a twin. Ewe took to it at once. John dug up a patch in garden & put in cabbage plants. He rode up to P Nissen’s to get information about a past Benedicts Ball. He & Harold Olsen here tonight consulting about invitations for a coming Bachelors Ball. They are Secretary’s to the Ball. A fine warm day. Put in a few rows of potatoes & a row of parsnips in top garden. Chessy whilst grazing in garden this evening stood on Eva’s foot. She was near her holding rope Gerty with Dentist at Crown Hotel today. She and Mr Beckett had a round of Golf this afternoon. Only a little musty hay left. Spoke to Inspectory Harvey about cow Maffy.
FR 8 SEP 1905 £ s d
Only two fresh ones this morning. Eva did not go to school today, her foot a bit sore & not a nice morning, some light rain during the day & steady rain tonight. Shook a bit of grasseed on a burnt patch on back. Milked the 2 cows twice today. John has a bad cold, stayed inside. Received Bank Pass Book. ½ yearly acct made up 46-8-11 to my credit. Got demand for Road Rates – – 4-8-5
SAT 9 Thick fog this morning, no fresh lambs. Shoveled [shovelled] heap of manure in stockyard back up against rails. Paid Skinners bill 8/= A great deal of rain fell today. Fine moonlit night Mr H Shuker rode up here to say G.H comes on thursday Attended directors meeting. Transfer of land to Christophersen
SUN 10 Two fresh lambs on ridges. Cow “Brindle” had a bull calf “Bachelor” in reserve. She has very little milk, does not trouble after her calf. Gerty & Eva spent the evening & had tea at Mr O Ericksens. Revd Lambert for tea here, and all went to church. A fine moonlit night. Saw the cattle, filly & foal & sheep on back. The three heifers springing. All stock in good condition.
MON 11 Saw but one Ewe with fresh twins on flat this morn Started to saw log on back for slabs for cow bale, heavy rain fell in the afternoon, ground soaked John sledged in some firewood. Killed little cow’s calf for dogs meat. Oiled heavy harness. Letter from Alice. (Easter Monday mentioned). The grass is shaping a bit. Peas up also turnips, eschallots, &c.
TU 12 Mam & Gerty drove “Prince” in J Collinge’s gig to Dannevirke to Dentist, got 20lbs seed potatoes. only 1 or 2 fresh lambs. John took a lamb from Ewe without Ears, had to get her in. A Hegh got a lamb & one for Elsie Schmidt. Sold dray & harness. Collar britchen & cart saddle at Jn. Hutchinson’s cow sale for £11. in Crown Hotel paddock. Fine day. Heavy rain at night.
WED 13 SEP 1905
Saw 3 or 4 fresh lambs this morning. A fine pair of twins on back. Drove Eva to school. Put the first can of milk of the season on the road for Nils Larsen, it weighed 77lbs. Left part of buggy harness with Mr Wilson to be repaired. Agreed with John Collinge to take his new Bush Waggon for £14. Went with John to saw a log on back for slabs for cow bale. Received invitation card to go to O Ericksen’s social on next Monday night. Letter from Mrs Sturrick. Telegram from Geo Hunter Porangahou [Porangahau] to say he cannot come tomorrow, as he will be in Matamau, & that he will wire later on. Tonight I went to Wesleyan tea meeting. Showery day.
TH 14 Saw one or two fresh lambs this morning. Split a log for slabs for cow bale & sledged them down to stockyard. Gerty with Dentist. Golf players at work on flat. Mr Heskith called as Agent for the paper “New Zealand Farmer”. Agreed to take this monthly paper from 1st Oct 1905 The subscription yearly is 10/= paid in advance. Mr Shukar drove Mr G Hunter up here from Ormondlle He is at Crown Hotel. I walked up to see him after tea & we went into Martins. & Shugars & down to Hans Nordbyes as it was a beautiful moonlit night. We called at To[…] Torkelsen’s, no one at home, we went & stayed a while at Mr & Mrs Torkelsen’s. only those 2 at home.
FR 15 Round Ewes & over most of back. Saw two fresh lambs. Mr Beckett sent his grey mare and harness down here & I went up with buggy. & drove Mr Hunter up Ngamoko way & round home by Engn Swainsen. Got sack chaff & bushel of oats at Becketts. Gave grey mare a feed tonight.
SAT 16 Mam & John cleaning paths. Drove up to township Mr Hunter saw people lower town & drove him to catch express to Wellington. Paid Sugdens bill £2-15-10 I got 3 sacks chaff from Fred Smith. No very fresh lambs.
SUN 17 SEP 1905
Paid in advance for “Farmer” (Monthly paper) yesterday 10/= Found ewe on flat cast, with new born twins one dead, got her round all right, after tying her legs & leaving her with her lamb for ½ an hour J Collinge put his black filly on the back to be left until her gets her broken in Harold Olsen drove down with his father, he is breaking in a good looking 3 year old filly, half draft. His father Painter Olsen had a long talk with me over Mr Hunters chances. Gave mare & horse a feed each up on Flat.
MON 18 Laid slabs in cow-bale. Attended Directors Meeting at the usual time 12 o’clock. At night went to O Ericksen’s Social with Mam & John. Home at two in the morning. Raining all night.
TU 19 Gerty walked to Ormondville on her way to Dentist at Dannevirk. Harness with Mr Wilson saddler to be repaired. Mr Harvey & Dr Stapley, Stock Inspector, & Government Veterinary Surgeon (the latter) came to see a very poor cow of ours. She is only skin & bone – Maffy -. They shot her, skinned & opened her. Her bones are too thin. She is a waster, lungs sound, no disease except at the hip joint there was a sort of bony tumour. They allow a pound for her. They value her at two pounds. John boils the meat for dogs & hens. Paid Beckett £6-12-6 the amount of his bill. Mam paid Mr Martin 15/7 the amount of his bill. Got harness from Mr Wilson it is repaired. Walked up to Parsons with umbrella & coat for Eva. She was getting her music lesson and it was raining hard. Gerty got a tin of condition powder from Chemist in Dannevirk 2/6. We want to give it to the little horse “Prince” in his food. He looks poor & his coat is rough. It is raining hard now & has been all the afternoon. It is a bad night for stock. The grass was coming on nicely before this rain.
WED 20 SEP 1905
Last night was cold rough & raining hard. No fresh lambs. Lambing about finished. Shifted two dog-kennels, greased buggy-axels. Willy & Ella came from Ormondville in coach & went back in Evening coach. Walked over back & front paddocks. Flossy & 2 Miss Martins called. John at meeting of Bachelors tonight. Eva did not go to school today. Salted hide on battons [battens]. A cold wintry day. We give horses a feed of chaff with oats in it every day. A spoonful of Condition powders mixed in it
TH 21 One fresh lamb on flat. Nils Larsen goes every day now to factory. John shifted the 51 hoggets from O’Hara’s to Reserve. He played Golf in the afternoon with Mr Beckett. My teeth in one part of gum being a bit troublesome at times I went to Dentist, he did a little to them. Gerty went also to get the finishing touch on hers. Finished slabbing the cow-bale. John at Cricketers Meeting. Painter Olsen called & paid for dipping £1-1-6
FR 22 Went out to Back & took our dinners. Dragged posts with mare along by creek at Mathiesens fence. Sawed & logged up some on back on two or 3 places, to make wide passages. Had a box to feed mare in. Shook a bit of grasseed on a few burnt patches. Mam & Gerty went for a drive to Torkelsen’s. A dry day. Ella & Mavis here tonight. No fresh lambs to be seen.
SAT 23 No work done today. Very heavy rain last night & the greater part of today. John hair-shooting [hare-shooting] with Ernest. Mrs Grant came for Mavis & had afternoon tea, also W Torkelsen, who took away a root of flowers. Shook manger seed on a patch on back. Found a good sized dead lamb at totara tree on Widerups. Gave the horses their feeds with Condition powders. The grass is not gaining in from paddocks, too much rain.
SUN 24 SEP 1905
A fine day sheep seem to have finished lambing. All went to 2.30 church & had tea at Mr Grants and at night went to Presbyterian Church. A dark night. John came home & milked the 3 cows, fed calves & dogs &c
MON 25 Sawing & splitting firewood in reserve. Sledged in 3 loads. A box of flowers from Alice. C Schmidt left 2 casks of cement a buggy shed door. He had 2 others on his dray for Ngamoko Creamery. John helping to decorate hall tonight
TU 26 Found one of the 3 heifers on back with a calf this morning. She must have calved two or 3 days ago. Heifer “Lively” went into bail [bale] quite easily. One of our best springers “Star” slipped her calf when six months gone. It must have happened a couple of days ago. She has not cleaned as yet. Gave her a half package of Sykes drench in a bottle of gruel. She gives a little milk. John shifted the hoggets. 51 from Reserve to O’Hara’s Got a sack of oats for horses at Becketts 12/= A cold squally day, gave horses good feeds of oats & Condition powder. Got my watch from Gausted, paid 4/= Saw a ewe on back today with a fresh pair of twins Mam & Gerty drove up to Mrs Parsons & met Eva after she had her music lesson. John helping in Hall tonight
WED 27 Met Mr Hunter & C Leach at Road gate, had a ride up with them to Junction Hotel. Leach drove him to Schaw’s & Painter Olsen drove him to see many settlers at Garfield end. Mam Gerty & John helped to lay tables &c in Hall for Bachelors Ball. The evening was fearful rough, heavy showers, cold & high wind. Cow “Star” has not cleaned as yet. Eva at Mr Grants tonight. All hands drove up at 7.30 not raining then. I went into Mr Grants shop & he took my measure for a suit of clothes. I came home from hall at 12 o’clock. The others stayed until about 3 AM.
TH 28 SEP 1905
Walked over paddocks. Saw the springing heifers in Neals corner. A fresh lamb in Widerups. A windy miserable day. Mam, I, & Gerty drove up to hall & arranged things after the ball, others there to help. We give the mare, now heavy in foal, & the horse a good feed of oats & chaff every day, also Condition powders mixed with it. No work done today to speak of. Sharpened xcut. Grass not making much headway, too much rain, wind, & cold. John troubled with toothache.
FR 29 Very rough cold weather. A heavy shower of hail before breakfast. A fall of snow after. Eva did not go to school, it was too rough. The snow soon disappeared & a nice day followed Sledged in firewood off back sec. John’s tooth is aching badly. must have it out. Painter Olsen came after tea & stayed a while. Mam has a heavy cold & cough’s a good deal.
SAT 30 John rode “prince” to Dannevirk & had his acking [aching] tooth pulled by Mr Prichard. (Mr Cowper away) He suffered a good deal whilst the stump was being drawn. Sledged in more firewood off back & sledged up manure to top garden. Mowed away some grass for cows & put in a few drills of potatoes. A Ewe with twins on flat & one or two ewes with very young lambs. A canvassing photographer came from Dannevirk. Mam gave him an order for photos, a pounds worth Got four more sacks of chaff from Fred Schmidt yesterday this makes 7 = a pounds worth. He paid John 7/= out of 12/= which he owed him. Montgomery’s show is in the Town Hall tonight & All are gone up there except me. This has been a very fine day. Buttercup round. Yards too wet & muddy to dock. Lambs fit now. Would like to shift them to back. No sheep died this winter to speak of. Skinned 3 ewes during the lambing.
Receipts for 1905 £ s d
Jan’y. 6 Williams & Kettles cheque for 10 bales wool 177-12-
Jan’y. 24 From Robjohns & Co 2 cases empty bottles 4 –
Feb’y. 9 cheque from Abraham Williams for 116 W 3 M E at 17/= and 44 fat ewes at 15/= 134-3-0
Feb’y. 15 One bale of Lambs wool 17-6-[?]
Jan’y. 28 Four Lincoln rams to Neal Bros. 6.- –
March 23 Two black lambs to Mulholland – 12.-
May 18 A light bale of crutchings & 8 skins to Mr Watson at 5½ per lb 5=14=7
June 22 For sheep worried & killed by Carmichael’s dogs 3-12-0
Aug 22 From D Hogg for skins & Crutchings 6-16-10
Sep’r. 2 W Rose cheque for cattle sold 28-18-6
Sep’r. 6 A Engebretsen weeks paddock[?] cattle – 3 –
Aug 30 Mrs Touhy for turkey gobbler – 7 –
Sep’r. 15 W. Rose Sale of dray & harness. 10-9-0
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Description
Surnames in this diary –
Abraham, Aldsworth, Allsworth, Amundsen, Andersen, Arthur, Arthurs, Banagher, Barclay, Barker, Barnard, Barnardo, Barraud, Barton, Bates, Beacroft, Beck, Becket, Beckett, Belmont, Bengsten, Benzie, Blakiston, Borlase, Bouden, Bovaird, Brabazon, Brenkley, Brieske, Briske, Brodie, Brooker, Brown, Bunt, Burton, Butler, Callander, Callender, Campbell, Cantlay, Carlisle, Carlson, Carmichael, Christiansen, Christophersen, Clarke, Coghill, Colletts, Collinge, Collins, Cook, Cooper, Cornford, Coster, Cotterill, Cowper, Cox, Cumming, Cummings, Currick, Davis, Dinwiddie, Dobson, Douglas, Dunnage, Dunnager, Dunning, Elliott, Ellis, Engebretsen, Ericksen, Ewen, Falk, Ferguson, Finsein, Feierabend, Fitzgerald, Forbes, Fourneau, Frances, Francis, Friis, Fritzberg, Fulford, Gannaway, Garry, Gausted, Gaustide, Gertrude, Gibb, Gibson, Gilbertson, Gillichan, Goddard, Gollam, Gollan, Gorden, Gordon, Gousted, Grace, Grant, Gray, Gribble, Gundersen, Hall, Halliburton, Hansen, Hardy, Harris, Harvey, Hegh, Heskith, Hill, Hirst, Hobbs, Hobson, Hogg, Home, Hopkins, Horton, Hoskings, Howes, Howse, Hughes, Hulena, Humphrey, Humphries, Hunt, Hunter, Hutchinson, Hutt, Hyde, Izitt, James, Jansen, Jensen, Jessop, Johnston, King, Lambert, Lane, Lang, Larsen, Lascelles, Laurvig, Leach, Learmont, Leon, Leopold, Levin, Linton, Lucas, Malcolm, Martin, Mathesen, Mathiesen, Mathieson, McCleary, McCurdie, McCurdy, McEwen, McGavin, McGowan, McGreevey, McGreevy, McKay, McKenzie, McLean, McLeod, McNutt, McRay, McRoberts, Menzie, Michaelsen, Michelsen, Middleton, Monteith, Montgomery, Mortensen, Mortinsen, Mulholland, Nathan, Neal, Neale, Neil, Neilsen, Neilson, Nelson, Nicholaisen, Nicholls, Nissen, Nordbye, O’Hara, Oldershaw, Oliver, Olsen, O’Reilly, Parker, Parsons, Patterson, Paul, Pawson, Pearce, Pedersen, Percival, Petersen, Pettersen, Polhill, Polson, Pomerantz, Pomeranz, Potts, Prentiss, Prescott, Quintrell, Randerson, Reid, Rice, Riddell, Ridley, Robinson, Robjohn, Rosa, Rosacher, Rose, Ross, Russel, Russell, Sander, Schaare, Schaw, Schmidt, Scott, Seddon, Sharp, Shirley, Shuker, Skinner, Slade, Smart, Smith, Sorensen, Spackman, Stapley, Sterrick, Stirruck, Storah, Sturrick, Sugden, Swainsen, Sykes, Tarkelsen, Thodsen, Thompson, Thomsen, Thomson, Thorestesten, Tirnple, Torkilsen, Tostensen, Tostesen, Touhy, Tuck, Tucker, Turkelsen, Turkelson, Veale, Wahl, Walker, Walkins, Wallace, Warren, Watkins, Watson, Webb, Webber, Weightman, Westall, Whitson, Whyte, Wilkins, Williams, Wills, Wilson, Wirnch, Wood, Woods
Format of the original
Hardcover book, handwritten diaryDate published
July 1903 - September 1905Accession number
496745Supporters and sponsors
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