CHAPTER III. BUSH SETTLER.
[Image of page 27]
CHAPTER III.
BUSH SETTLER.
[Part of page 27 omitted as it is in copyright]
In this chapter are passages from his Journal covering the years 1861-62.)
Lord's Day, January 6th, 1861.
The commencement of another year is worthy of a fresh start in my journal. And, oh, that this year my journal may be of some use to me. Let me endeavour to make it so by not neglecting to use it. It must, of course, as hitherto, be of a general sort of thing.
Last Sunday Mr. Norrie preached from "Redeeming the time" etc. Tuesday afternoon down at R's spending New Year's Day. The rest of the week busily employed reaping oats and grass.
[Image of page 28]
Weather very hot. Like rain for the last day or two, but none as yet.
Evening. This afternoon preached from, "I Have Written unto Young Men", etc. A goodly company. After the service I was presented with a beautiful copy of the Bible, as a token of gratitude for my services. I must regard this as in some measure an appreciation of my humble efforts.
Saturday, January 12th, 1861.
Variously employed during this week. A day or two felling bush. We have had very strong winds for some days, accompanied by showers. This afternoon finished stacking oats.
Tuesday, February 5th, 1861.
Have been reaping all this week. Saturday morning, 26th, went to Auckland and arrived there by 10 o'clock. Bought a wheat mill 1 and the articles. Sunday morning heard Mr. Thornton. 2 Spent the remainder of the day visiting. Came back on Monday.
Remainder of the week reaping and stacking. Friday and Saturday carrying up and fixing mill.
Sunday preached from "And Jabez called" etc. Yesterday digging potatoes. Today making a thrashing floor.
A blight has seized cabbages and turnips. Seems to be very prevalent. Very serious matter. Hardly a possibility of raising a good cabbage. What will prove a cure I am at a loss to know.
Marrows and pumpkins growing well. Also mellons. 8 more chickens out -- making 38.
Wednesday, February 27th, 1861.
On Tuesday morning Jane went to town. In the afternoon burnt off.
Not an over excellent burn off -- there having been of late a good deed of wet. Have lately been digging up potatoes and have far more than I anticipated. Hope to have sufficient for the year. Have now got the mill in full operation; in fact, have had it going for some weeks. Hard and tedious work.
Thursday, March 7th, 1861.
Friday evening finished digging potatoes and have about a ton. Saturday went to Drury and met Jane.
Monday burnt off another piece. Tuesday afternoon took a walk round farm. Wednesday sowed turnips, afternoon logging up. Today reflooring thrashing floor.
Friday, March 15th, 1861.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday logging up. Thursday went to Papakura Sale, and a poor one it was. Little bidding. Stayed for quarterly meeting of Ass. Became a member. Stayed at Drury all night. Morning had talk about road.
[Image of page 29]
Bought a cow. Coming along, a Maori tearing away on horseback, rode over the cow. Knocked her down, horse rolled over, and I am afraid he broke his arm. Got home safely, for which I would feel thankful.
Friday, March 29th, 1861.
Sunday before last preached from "Fear of Death". Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday logging. Thursday thrashing and grinding. Friday went to town in a dray. Saturday at Land Office. Sunday heard Mr. T. and evening Mr. Clarke. Monday, church meeting. Tuesday went to a Teetotal service -- went off well. Becoming more popular. Wednesday evening heard Mr. T. Thursday came home.
Saturday, April 27th, 1861.
Showery weather the whole of this week. Spent principally in logging up. Last week sowed some grass seed on bush burn. Mr. R. sowed his grass seed this week.
In regard to health, nothing to complain of, although Nelly has got a slight attack, I think, of measles.
Have got some tolerable savoys 3 in the garden. Turnips are growing pretty well. I have plenty of tomatoes, but do not care very much about them.
Lord's Day, May 12th, 1861.
Last Sunday, owing to heavy rain, had a small congregation. Preached from "Unto you therefore who believe" etc. Nearly the whole of the week has been fine with frosty nights. Four days logging. Friday helping to make a bridge. Saturday thrashing. Today a good congregation preached from "Flee from the wrath to come".
All our children have had an attack of, I think it must be, the chicken pox, and have got over it very well. This cold weather seems to have a good effect upon the appetite, for we can all eat well. My greatest trouble now seems to be how to procure sufficient food to keep us going. I shall be a long way short of having wheat enough for the year, and potatoes may fall short.
Friday, May 17th, 1861.
This week has been very fine. Monday, yesterday and today thrashing. Tuesday and Wednesday logging and lighting fires. I hear there is about to be a flour mill 4 erected at Drury. This gives me more encouragement to grow wheat.
Have had serious thoughts of growing but a little -- enough for the fowls and to have some straw. But if one can get it ground it may be worth while to grow it. It is sufficiently hard work to thrash without having to grind.
Sunday, June 2nd, 1861.
Today preached from "Counting the Cost" to a numerous company. After service had some talk about erecting a meeting house which is much needed.
Saturday, June 8th, 1861.
[Image of page 30]
Have been busy all the week in building a dairy, and putting up partitions -- making a floor etc., so as to make our house a little more comfortable.
Lord's Day Morning, June 9th 1861.
As is my usual custom, I have just been taking a stroll to see how things look -- how the grass is progressing, and so forth. I return well pleased and thankful. The young and tender grass looks well, and promises abundance of feed. What a reward it is for all my toil and diligence, and in a measure care and anxiety, to see the face of the ground assuming such a beautiful green -- to observe no longer nothing but black logs and stumps, but to descry among these the young grass and clover luxuriantly appearing. It is very true that, in the case with some of my neighbours, the caterpillars may come and sweep off all this growth, and leave it bare and black as ever. Of course, I can only hope that such will not be the case. May such a visitation not happen; if it did it would be ruination almost.
Wednesday, July 10th, 1861.
Started off Monday, July 1st, for town, being a fine, frosty morning. Arrived there just before dark, and was tired enough. Attended the church meeting in the evening, at which it was resolved to enlarge the chapel, if sufficient money could be obtained. Tuesday transacting business, evening went to a Teetotal meeting, and heard some capital speeches, though there was a very thin audience owing to the wet. Wednesday and Thursday were both wet. Started home on Friday morning before sunrise, and by much energy, managed to get home the same night.
Lord's Day, July 14th, 1861.
This is truly a rainy season, there hardly being a day when we have not more or less had rain. Friday L. and E. went to town and a soaking day it was -- I was trying my hand at shoemaking, 5 also picking potatoes. Thursday and yesterday making a tie up fence.
Lord's Day, July 28th, 1861.
This is a most delightful morning after a very severe frost. Been looking at my new grass which is looking well and for which I feel thankful, viewing it as a good reward for my labour. I have cause for gratitude; one of my neighbours the other day got severely hurt by the falling of a tree. Happily so far I have received no such accident, though of course in bush work one is exposed to danger. How much caution is needed in this sort of life.
Saturday, August 3rd, 1861.
This week I have been enriched by having another son 6 born. The event occurred on Tuesday morning last, 30th July at 1 o'clock. I am happy to say that all went off well. Both mother and child are doing first rate. So this week I have been acting in the capacity of nurse and cook.
Saturday, September 21st, 1861.
Beautiful growing weather -- showery the last two or three days. I was afraid the clover sowed amongst the wheat was about to be a failure, but today I see most of it springing. Early potatoes looking well. This year have lost none by frost.
[Image of page 31]
After the service on Sunday we came to the resolution of erecting a temporary meeting house, and a committee were appointed to carry it out.
Thursday, October 24th, 1861.
Sunday I commenced a sermon on the "Atonement". A good many showers of late; everything growing well. This morning Mr. R. started for town. Today polling day for Superintendent. 7
Saturday, November 9th, 1861.
Almost 10 days I have spent in assisting to erect a place for a meeting house, 8 but of course, as in all these undertakings, the work falls on one or two, and so it has done in this case. However, we have got a place at last and I suppose we must make use of it to the best advantage.
Lord's Day, November 17th, 1861.
Last Sunday met for the first time in our new meeting house. About 24 present. Preached from "Barnabas and the cause of his joy".
Lord's Day, November 24th, 1861.
All last week in town. Monday evening went to church meeting. Some half dozen candidates for baptism. Mr. Thornton resigned the pastorate.
Saturday, November 30th, 1861.
The time appears to have arrived for the usual visitation of mosquitoes, for here they are in great abundance; and as for the bush, they are annoying enough there, putting one's patience to the test. Commenced on Saturday last to use new potatoes, and they are turning out pretty well, though I do not think kidneys are so productive as the round white ones.
Thursday evening commenced a singing class.
Lord's Day, December 8th, 1861.
Last Tuesday was my birthday and consequently 35 years of my life have passed away. On the same day we met to attend to business in connection with the road -- levied a rate 1/- to the acre, and elected 7 Commissioners. 9
Lord's Day, January 5th, 1862.
I have entered upon another year, and would re-count another year's mercies. How many during the past year have quitted the stage of life, some prepared -- some unprepared. I am still in the land of the living. In regard to health, I have been very well during the year. In regard to work, I have had abundance. In regard to farming operations and prospects, I suppose I am better off than I was last year at this time. I am straitened for money, and could lay it out to advantage, if I had it. But in the lack of it, I suppose I must do as well as I can. In regard to religious matters, I presume it is mainly through my exertions that a meeting house has been built in the district, and I have endeavoured to conduct the services to the best of my ability.
[Image of page 32]
This is a very hot day. Have just had the pleasure of a bathe in the creek. Last few days have been working beneath a burning sun, taking up potatoes. Health of myself and family good. Aunt S. on a visit. Mosquitoes diminishing in number.
Lord's Day, March 2nd, 1862.
Today rather gloomy. Feel tired and weary. Yesterday amongst fire and smoke -- fire made a clean sweep. What was not burnt well last year has gone this -- lost one of my stacks.
Lord's Day, April 6th, 1862.
This is a beautiful morning. Heard the other day from Mary Ann and have got another neice. Yesterday had a visit from a Leeds man 10 -- the first I have seen in Pukekohe.
Lord's Day, April 27th, 1862.
A beautiful day but rather cool. On Friday finished a job that I was glad to see finished -- thrashing wheat. Worked hard to get it done. Last year it was June before I had it sill thrashed and of course lost more than I have this year through rats etc. Yesterday nearly all day on the road. 11
Lord's Day, July 13th, 1862.
Last Lord's Day had the painful task of reading the funeral service over one of our neighbours, 12 who died suddenly after giving birth to a male child. Her body was committed to the dust in sure hope of a glorious resurrection.
On Monday I had to appear at court, having given information against certain parties who have not paid the Road Rate. For the first time in my life I took an oath, and I suppose for two hours stood there questioned and cross questioned. Strange to say judgement was deferred.
Friday evening, August 1st, 1862.
Rain still continues. Lately I have been in town -- was there on a Lord's Day and heard Mr. Cornford 13 and Mr. Warren. Have put in early potatoes -- altogether, perhaps 60 or 70 lbs. My turnips -- sowed I think in March or April -- have done well and are very useful. I have sowed a few more on the surface. Sowed about 1/2 bushel of wheat in the middle of last month, which is now nicely up.
Saturday Evening, Agust 16th, 1862.
Was at Papakura again on the 4th but no judgement was given in our case. I have sowed a bushel of oats and also more potatoes. It is time I had all my potatoes in. Yesterday I bought home a little sow, which weighed 50 lbs. Two pigs were also bought from Natives. Last Sunday the Presbyterians had a rather important day in this district. An elder 14 was ordained and the Lord's Supper administered.
Lord's Day, August 17th, 1862.
This morning, though rather cloudy, is pretty fine. In reflecting on my
[Image of page 33]
health, circumstances, my family, my prospects and so on, I have cause for abundant gratitude. Sometimes I feel troubled and perplexed about temporal affairs -- hardly see the way to prosperity as I might desire -- wonder how this, that and the other thing may succeed; but when I come to reflect properly, and trace the way in which I have been led, have I not good reason still to trust in that Being who has promised never to leave or forsake his people. Amid all my labours, I find little or no time for reading and study, and am making sorry progress in matters of a spiritual nature. I seem to want some stimulant -- something to revive me -- in the shape of Christian sympathy, co-operation and the like. Here I am among those who, though professing to be Christian, are far from being what they ought to be. And though I still continue to conduct the meeting in the district on the Sabbath afternoons, it is manifest that on the part of some there is coldness and want of appreciation of such service. 15 What is there to stimulate me but a stern sense of duty? Having put my shoulder to the wheel, I cannot, without some very good reason, withdraw.
Lord's Day, August 24th, 1862.
For the last few days have had an unpleasant attach of bowel complaint -- for which I took Pulsatilla, but without any beneficial effect. Last night I took a dose of charcoal, and today am somewhat better. Several in the neighbourhood have been unwell -- with a kind of rash all over the body. It is difficult to account for these visitations, but there must be some cause for them. It is in the air, or is it the weather that thus affects people?
Lord's Day, August 31st, 1862.
The last day of another month has arrived. Yesterday I was assisting to fill up a ditch which a person has cut on the road -- disputing as he does the right of road through his property. Have felt much better the last day or two. Got two newspapers from home.
Lord's Day. September 7th, 1862.
On Thursday I was rambling about the country and came across some excellent land. What a pity that so much land is shut up from European settlers.
Friday, September 19th, 1862.
Last Sunday was over at the service conducted by Mr. Roose, 16 on which occasion he read a pretty good sermon on anger. On Tuesday morning I bought a heifer and calf. The weather has been rather showery this week. I have been busy all the week making a pig-proof fence, for my pigs have been a nuisance to one of my neighbours. With the weather we have had of late, the grass is coming on well, and we have more feed for the cattle.
Saturday, September 27th, 1862.
Have, I am glad to say, got in nearly all my potatoes -- those in the garden having got a tolerable dose of manure or bone dust -- some both, while those on bush ground have got nothing. I find a good many of my grafts have taken. Got another addition on Tuesday -- a fine bull calf. I appear, as usual, to be much behind with my bush cutting, having got no more than about an acre down. I must see what I can do next month.
[Image of page 34]
Lord's Day, October 12th, 1862.
Spent last Lord's Day in town, and had the privilege of partaking of the Lord's Supper. In the evening I heard Mr. Davies, one of the Nonconformists. Liked him well. Had the pleasure of attending the Temperance Service while I was in town. Was glad to see a great many young people there, and to hear some pretty good speeches.
Lord's Day, October 19th, 1862.
Now the grass and clover are growing well and looking beautiful and there is abundance of feed. And today is showery -- spring showers -- which watering the earth, maketh it to bring forth. While at Mr. K's wrote two letters on the question of the price of flour, which I see inserted in the papers, but I am doubtful whether they will have the desired effect.
Saturday, November 15th, 1862.
Tuesday week was the day. There was a good muster of all the electors. I was voted in again as a Trustee. Those in fact who were elected were all old hands, though so much fault has been found with them. The next day I was down at Papakura Show; and for such a place there was a very fair turn out. A good many visitors were there. But some of the cattle were not first rate.
Lord's Day, December 7th, 1862.
Last week I have done very little in the shape of work. Last Sunday expected to commence a meeting on the South Road, and went down to Mr. K's on the Saturday evening, but we were disappointed. In the afternoon heard Mr. Will from Otago, whom I liked pretty well. Today we had a sort of Bible Class, there being strong wind and showers. Yesterday brought up a calf. On Wednesday I was 36. How time flies away.
Lord's Day, December 14th, 1862.
Last week variously employed, put in as an experiment more pumpkins, took down a Rata and other trees, etc. etc. etc. Wrote a letter to each of the Newspapers about grass seed etc.
[Image of page 35]
[Page of endnotes]
