6. The Survey of the Mandeville District
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6
The Survey of the Mandeville District
1st September - 31st December 1849
THE SURVEY of the Canterbury Settlement has begun. Captain Thomas has established his headquarters at Lyttelton. Cass and Scroggs with their respective parties are at work in the Christchurch district. Jollie is working in Lyttelton, and on 1st October starts to lay out the town of Sumner, and Torlesse is about to begin the first of the outlying district surveys. Instead of going to Oxford as expected, he is directed to Mandeville, 1 the coastal district lying between the Ashley and Waimakariri rivers. News from London of the Association's lack of funds has reached Canterbury, and anxiety as to the future becomes increasingly evident in the letters home.
1st September. NE. Very fine. Finished plotting the road line. My men, Diamond, Fitch, Paul Lanjoulan, started with my traps on the donkey for Cass's place at Riccarton.
2nd. Sunday. NE. & NW. Very fine. SW. and shower in evening. I walked out to Riccarton. Found one of Cass's men,
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Mason, very ill with congestion of the brain. Saw Scroggs who returned to Christchurch. At Deans' in the evening.
3rd. SW. Fine. I walked with Cass over the plains fixing on trigonometrical stations, at Courtenay, Papanui Bush, &c. Received Sydney letter from C. G. T., 27th February. Letter from Mr Fox and pamphlet. Bee arrived yesterday with 30 maories and Compton. Sent letters off to C. G. T., Stafford and Lyon...
4th. SW. Very fine. Cass and I put in the first trigonometrical posts, Nos. 10, 12 and 9. Diamond, Fitch, Paul.
5th. NE. Very fine. Put in No. 11 and dug holes for the 2 posts on the Base. Mason went in to fetch boat for his brother--no success. Brought out fruit trees for Deans, &c.
6th. Light SW. Fine. Put the posts at East and West end of the base line and No. 1--plotted on my original sheet. Saw 3 wild dogs yesterday.
7th. Light NE. Fine. Put in post No. 5, Papanui bush, and carried poles towards the Courtenay. Wild dogs at Riccarton. J. Deans caught a boar and poisoned the meat for baits for them.
8th. NE. Very fine. I walked in to Lyttelton to arrange about going to the country, and to procure men. Found &c 2 from Wellington by the Bee.
9th. Sunday. Light SW. Fine. Writing and copying dispatches for Captain Thomas till 3 a.m. Monday morning. I bought a kangaroo dog from the mate of the Bee--£1. &c. of Gollan--3/6.
10th. Heavy NE. Cloudy. Got Wagstaff, Dodds and Beattie, 3 and started for Riccarton with Independent and the donkey. Found Mason dying. Mason died at about 11 p.m.
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SEPTEMBER 1849
11th. NE. Cloudy. I with Diamond and Wagstaff went to Kiapoi to look out for site for a station there. I found a large bed of peat on the R. Courtenay. The rest of my men worked for Cass. Camped in Peter's 4 new house.
12th. NE. Cloudy. NW. rain evening. Exploring Kiapoi: but could not ascertain the boundaries of the native reserve as the men were all absent.
13th. NW. Fine. Returned to Riccarton bringing specimens of peat. Bought a canoe of the natives for £3. Paid natives 2/6 for canoe and 5/- provisions. Wrote official letter to Captain Thomas about discovery of the peat.
14th. NE. Fine. I went on horseback with W. Deans to explore for road to the Courtenay. Sent Wagstaff in with a horse to be shod. Cass took the rest of my men.
15th. SW. Cloudy. I with Fitch, Dodds, Beattie and 5 of Cass's men cutting road to Courtenay--finished to No. 7. 5 Diamond making axe handles.
16th. Sunday. SW. Cloudy and rain. Quiet day at Riccarton. Diamond went to Lyttelton to bring out a horse on Monday, and provisions, as we were out of them.
17th. SW. Showery. I with Wagstaff, Dodds, Beattie and Fitch finished the road to the R. Courtenay. W. Deans was kind enough to point out the best route.
Received English letters by Cornwall up to 14th April. (All Stoke and one from E. W.) Also two extraordinary notes from Captain Thomas which I did not answer. 6
18th. SW. Very fine. I and Cass attempted to observe angles to trig, stations from the base line, but the mirage was so great as to render our attempts useless. I went down in the
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evening to Christchurch to see if a boat had arrived. Scroggs returned with me and dined and slept here. We had discussions about Captain Thomas and resolved to treat him as if he were a madman, and not to (if possible) get offended at anything he did. Men making axe handles.
19th. SW. Very fine. I took the cart with Independent to the River Courtenay with 3 stakes and poles &c. Brought back large specimens of peat. Shot a bullock for Mr Deans. Men cutting road and getting peat.
Riccarton. Sumner Plains.
19th September, 1849.
My dearest mother,
... My plans are now altered. I am going to commence the trigl. survey at Mandeville--over the Wilberforce plains. 7
& Ashley district; and have to-day taken a dray from this to the head of the navigation of the R. Courtenay.
You will excuse my talking about nothing but myself and our movements. But this is the little world we live in and think about. Its politics are already getting boisterous, for I am sorry to say that Captain Thomas is showing evident signs of unfitness for his duties. Independently of obstructing business by his want of method, giving contrary orders, insulting and dissatisfying all his subordinates, 8 both officers and men, there are three main points in which he errs to the probable great disadvantage of the Canterbury Settlement, viz. --
1. He makes enemies all over the country through his allowing private feelings and opinions to interfere with the performance of public business. For instance he refused all invitations to dinner when at Auckland.
2. He is not advancing the Surveys as was intended by the Association. There are only two of us engaged on the trigl. survey which fills in no country. There are now 50,000 acres ready to be surveyed. (14th Oct. There is now one contract surveyor at work.)
3. With very limited funds he is concentrating the whole of his road force upon the line of road from the port to the plains. Now, settlers will probably be out here in a few months, and will be unable to move their goods from the port into the
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SEPTEMBER 1849
country, which disadvantage could be avoided by his in the first place making roads on the plain from points where boats could discharge, viz. the mouth of the Avon and Courtenay (or Waimakariri). The money that is now being expended on works which are necessary enough, but premature, would open out thousands of acres to the settlers. A horse path could be formed over the hills for a trifle--we take loaded horses over now--so that people could ride over the hill, and send their property by boat.
I think he is losing his reason in some measure and we all anticipate his making a precipitate retreat as soon as troubles thicken upon him. 9 I am longing, if only for the sake of the better conduct of the affairs of the settlement, for the arrival of Mr Loyd, 10 the clergyman who is reported to be on his way to this place. You say nothing about him.
Mr Fox appears to be giving Captain Thomas rope, knowing that he cannot influence him or guide him at all. I am very sorry for all this, as though I always thought him a very peculiar man and totally unfit for the agent's business, yet I thought he would manage the surveys well enough. He is entirely attending to the 'public works', as the store, emigration barracks, jetty are called--and does not intend going near the...
[Remainder of letter missing.]
20th. NE. Very fine. Mr Thomas arrived to chain the base line, 11 which was performed by himself, Cass, and me with 4 men. The 2 measurements agreed within 6 inches. Thermometer 60°. 4 men putting up posts, and carrying poles, &c. -- one cutting firewood for Mr Scroggs.
21st. NW. Very fine. Again measured the base line. Thermometer 72°. Agreed within 11 inches with 2nd measurement--accounted for by the difference of temperature. 2 men carting, 1 sawing, 2 cutting firewood and assisting the cook. Mr Thomas slept with us. Scroggs' men's house burnt. Paid Scroggs £1 for 6 bot. brandy.
22nd. NW. Very fine. Making additions, &c. to Jollie's
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connected plan of the Plains. 12 3 men to Lyttelton for things not sent in the boat, 2 carting for Cass. Mr Thomas remained with us. Official letter to Jollie.
23rd. Sunday. NW. Very fine. Mr Thomas returned to Lyttelton. Men returned from Lyttelton.
24th. NE. and SW. Fine. Men started for the Courtenay, Paul remained, Fitch and Wagstaff carting. I packing and weighing, making out quarterly return up to 30th Sept. Kept up till 3 o'clock in morning.
25th. NW. [in] hills. NE. Light shower. I moved to Mandeville with White and Hay as sawyers and 4 men. Fitch and Wagstaff carting. Men camped in maori new house, I in tent.
26th. NE. Fine. 3 men canoeing provisions from Head of navigation of R. Courtenay. Fitch and Wagstaff resting horses. I walked the boundaries of the Native reserve 13 with Te Aika and fixed upon the site for the station. Grand disturbance with the natives from whom I bought the canoe--but pacified them. They wanted more payment.
27th. NE. Fine. 3 men canoeing provisions; Fitch and Wagstaff carting. I with Hay removing snags from the Korotuapeka and then assisting sawyers, and cutting poles for the house, &c.
28th. E. Very fine. I went up with the men in canoe to the head of the navigation of R. Courtenay. 14 Fitch and Wagstaff arrived with only one horse and had left 500 lbs of flour upon the plain. Tethered the horse opposite Tinui's 15 place--Beattie with Hay.
29th. NW. Fine. Swam the horse across the Courtenay-- and brought the cart up in Tinui's canoe. Paid Tinui and Te Aika 6/-. Then assisting sawyers to put logs on the pit.
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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1849
30th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. Remained quietly at tents. Took a short walk in afternoon to see the maories. White, who sprained his wrist the day we came here, went to Port Victoria to see a doctor. 16
1st October. NE. Fine. Shower at night. Commenced building a house for the men. Fitch sawing with John Hay.
2nd. NW. Very fine. House building, &c. Fitch ditto.
3rd. NE. Very fine. House building, &c., making wharf and bridge on bush scale. Shot a maori dog for stealing meat, &c., from my tent. Fitch ditto.
4th. SW. Cloudy. Heavy rain afternoon and night. House building, &c. Fitch ditto.
5th. NW. Fine. I rode out to explore the country for stations, &c., on old route of 20th Dec.'48--Lunched at Rakihora bush. 17 Fired the plain. Fine view of the Grey Downs. Fitch ditto.
6th. NE. Very fine. House building. Fitch ditto. Dodds and Wagstaff cutting trigl. poles...
7th. Sunday. SE. Fine. Last night a sudden gale sprung up from the SW. and nearly capsized my tent. Remained quietly at tents, only having to go and make fast the horse, which had strayed. Killed a maori dog as some of them had stolen 6 lbs of cheese and various pieces of beef from my tent.
8th. NE. Very fine. Housebuilding, &c. Wagstaff and Beattie cutting trigl. poles---stopped by the maories. White returned from Port Victoria.
9th. NW. Very fine. Removed all the party into the new house, which was completed by dark at a total cost of £13. 8s., including bridge, landing place, pitching my tent, &c. Found that the maories had not stopped the men from cutting on the land they had given me leave to cut on--But Peter wanted payment for the house room of the men.
10th. NW., SW., NE. Fine. It blew very heavily last night from the NW. Attempted to go to put up poles at river bank for
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Cass. Stopped by a fallen tree across river which we removed. Then making paddles and fetching poles from the wood. The axles of the cart were broken. Wrote to Agent for ironwork for them, &c. Prebble 18 came from Motenau.
11th. SW. Heavy showers. Sent Fitch to the port for ironwork for the cart, &c., whom I put across the R. Courtenay. We then pulled and towed the canoe to the Head of Navigation of Courtenay and brought down stakes and poles and put up Nos. 21C, 23C. Left the canoe in the river and then walked home. Whaleboat and 2 canoes came in from Port Levi.
12th. SW. Showers. NE. Very fine. Put up No. 25C at mouth of the Courtenay. Saw Cass. Bar quite smooth. Returned to camp with canoe. Paid 16/- for 8 paddles.
13th. SW. Showery. NE. Very fine. Remained at camp fitting poles, posts, &c. Dodds fitting locker in canoe. Beattie sewing instrument case and flags. Fitch returned from the port bringing ironwork, &c. and news that Cridland was dismissed from the service of the Association. He wrote to me asking for an answer to various questions, which I gave him. Great disturbances going on at the port--the Industry in with horses for sale.
14th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. NW. Walked to the beach and to old pah of Kiapoi. Sent letter to C. G. T. --and answered Cridland.
15th. NE., NW. Fine. I went in the canoe to put up Nos. 1 and 2 M; and in the afternoon brought Cass and 3 men across the river who had come to triangulate near the R. Courtenay. I sent Fitch into the Port to buy a horse and bring out the donkey. Shipped Diamond as cook.
16th. NE. Fine. I went with Cass about the river Courtenay, taking sights. Beattie and Paul in canoe. Dodds and Wagstaff fitting posts, &c.
17th. SW. morning. Strong NE. Fine. I went to Riccarton to plot stations to Courtenay--taking sights with Cass at Nos. 21, 19, 17, 7 and E. Base--Found Fitch on the road: he had
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OCTOBER 1849
not succeeded in buying a horse as Caverhill 19 asked £28...
Boys 20 had arrived in the Pilgrim from England and Torrington from Nelson and Wellington--found him on his way from the port to see me, delighted to see one of the ancient party and an old friend. Slept at Deans'.
18th. Strong NW. Fine. Plotting, &c. at Cass's. Boys who was shipped as Assistant Surveyor went into the port to prepare to come out and join me. Scroggs determined to resign his berth. Disgusted at hearing of Mrs Cridland and family arriving. Men fitting posts. I sent Fitch with 400 [lbs] flour to the paddle. Found bubble of Theodolite cracked and sent official [letter] to C. Thomas. Received Spectator newspapers to April, also letter from Captain Stokes. Enclosed letters to Captain Thomas from Bell and Hamilton. Received letter from D. W., A. W. and E. J. W.'s book as loan. 21
19th. Strong NE. Fine. Wrote to Cridland... Took the donkey across to Mandeville, and men conveyed 5 stakes to paddle, 22 and took flour down as far as Tinui's place where we were obliged to leave it. Received £2 from Deans and £4 Boys.
20th. NW. Fine. Hands employed fitting posts and poles and making new shafts. Employed donkey (Fitch). Shot 5 ducks.
21st. Sunday. Light SW. Cloudy. Walked to the Downs, North of the R. Ashley (or Rakahouri).
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22nd. Strong NE. Very fine. I, Beattie and Paul put in Nos. 3 and 11M--Fitch, Wagstaff making cart shafts--Dodds drawing table--White and John Hay topsiding canoe. Another talk with maories about the canoe; also they stated that the land from Kiapoi to the Kaikouras had not been bought 23 and forbade me to survey there. I wrote an official letter to Captain Thomas on the subject. Found that this was mere talk and cancelled the above letter.
23rd. Strong NE. Very fine. SW. shower evening. I, Fitch and Paul taking out posts, then those two carting posts from the bush; rest preparing poles, flags, &c., and Dodds a table. Wrote to Captain Thomas about Paul whom I discharged, recommending him for employment in the port.
24th. Strong NE. Light SW. evening, fine. I put in No. 13 and fetched Boys, Tom Bryant and Alfred Weston 24 from the paddle. Boys brought a mare over with him, which we swam across the river. Brought flour from Tinui's place. Dodds preparing poles.
25th. NE. Very fine. I walked round with Boys to show him trigonometrical stations. Shot 9 1/2 couple of ducks besides 2 torias 25 and 2 quail. Hands preparing posts and poles.
26th. Light NE. Very fine. Fog. Boys and I put in Nos. 14, 15, and 12. Swamp-hopping &c. My dogs Jock and Flora killed a wild dog. Wrote letters to Capt. Thomas and list of things to come up in boat.
27th. SE. and NW. Very fine. On starting to work found that Takiori and Turaka, the former a Ngaticahouna native, had cut down trig station No. 13M. Had a long talk with the maories, and then wrote to Capt. Thomas. 26 Put White across
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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1849
the Courtenay on his way to fetch the boat up. Too much delayed to do work; turned the canoe up and commenced adzing off her bottom.
28th. Sunday. Light SW. rain. Rained hard all day. Remained in the tents.
29th. Light SW. shower morning. Light SE. Fine afternoon. Boys and I put up No. 16, then set hands (Wagstaff and Weston) to the pah bridge. Boys shot a white crane and 2 pigeons, I one grey and 1 paradise duck. Beattie, Dodds and Bryant preparing poles, Fitch sawing.
30th. Light NE. Very fine. Boys and I (Beattie, Wagstaff, Weston) took angles from 25 and 19C for Mr Cass and sent Tom Bryant off to Riccarton with note. Dodds preparing poles.
31st. Strong NE. Fine. NE. night. I skinned crane and then went with Boys to look out site of trigl. station. We shot 9 brace ducks (bagged 6 brace). Shifted No. 11; Wagstaff, Beattie fetching Tom Bryant. Dodds, Weston making pah bridge.
1st November. Strong NE. morning. W. afternoon. Very fine. Boys (Bryant, Wagstaff, Beattie) put in No. 17. I altered No. 15 (Weston, Dodds), then those two making pah bridge. In afternoon Bryant, Wagstaff, Beattie making halters, ceiling for house, &c.
2nd. Light SW. morning. NE. afternoon. Fine, rather cloudy. Boys and I rode round Rakihora and Ohoka 27 bushes to examine the country--40 miles. Men fitting posts and poles, making maul and axe handles, clearing snags from the river, &c.
3rd. E. Foggy. Started out to take sights and put up poles. Boys took sights from No. 23C, then too foggy, then fitting posts, &c. and clearing river. Shot 1 brace of ducks.
4th. Sunday. W. Very fine. Boys and I shot 6 1/2 brace of ducks. Francois, the constable from Akaroa, arrived bearing summons for Kiapoi maories who saw the pole cut down by Takiora and Turata. Heard that the boat had left for this on Thursday.
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5th. NW. Very fine. Up at daylight. Served warrants to maories (Tinui, Kapiti, Pokaka) witnesses to cutting of pole and went with them to Lyttelton. Arrived there at 8 1/2 p.m. The Port Levi natives had brought Takiora and Turata down, and on his being fined £2, John Teuki paid the money, 15/- of which was returned to him. Spent the evening at Cridland's.
Boys took sights from 1M, 2b and 3b, with Dodds and Bryant; Wagstaff, Beattie, Weston in charge of canoe and fitting poles. In evening the boat arrived with provisions in White's pilotage.
6th. NE. Foggy and light rain. Beattie assisting bringing boat &c. and sewing flour-bags. Dodds fitting poles. Fitch, Wag-staff, Weston, Bryant 1/2 day boat and provisions, J [day working on] Kiapoi bridge. I got to Riccarton with the horse St. Hill, and got lengths of sides from Cass. Saw Hughlings. 28
7th. NE. morning. NW. afternoon. Very fine. I rode St. Hill across the Courtenay and to our camp at Mandeville--very difficult crossing. Beattie making tent, rest Kiapoi bridge. Boys shot my donkey.
8th. NE. Very fine. I and Boys with White and Wagstaff put in No. 4 near Ohoka bush. Maories fired the country there and burnt the bush. Bryant and Weston Kiapoi bridge, Dodds fitting posts, Beattie tent.
9th. NW. Fine. Found that the horses had bolted early this morning. I, White and Bryant followed them towards the Courtenay for 12 or 13 miles and then returned to tents. Beattie and Weston making tents, rest fitting posts and poles, Boys drawing board, &c.
10th. NW. Fine morning. SW. rain night. Writing officials, paying men's wages for quarter ending 29th Sept. &c., preparing for camping out. White and Dodds and Wagstaff posts and poles, Beattie and Weston making tent. Paid Diamond 12/-, private account.
11th. Sunday. SW. Cloudy. A surveyor, Mr Hughes, arrived
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NOVEMBER 1849
here to look over the Mandeville District with a view to contracting for the survey of it. 29
12th. Light NE. Very fine. All hands moved to camp on Courtenay near 5M. Mr Hughes returned to Riccarton.
13th NE. Very fine. Boys with 4 hands went to Nos. 21 and 19 and brought up posts and poles, got firewood, &c. I, Bryant and Wagstaff put up No. 5, explored and fired the country.
14th. NE. Very fine. All hands putting in 7 and 9. Up to the middle in swamps. Jock caught 3 wild pigs--one big boar. Fired the country.
15th. NE. Very fine. All hands putting in Nos. 6 and 8, and took observations.
16th. NE. Cloudy. Boys taking observations on the South side of the River Courtenay. I started with Bryant and Fitch and 2 maori boys to look for horses, met Prebble on his way from Riccarton to Motenau. Caught 3 wild pigs. Camped at the mouth of the Cust Valley.
17th. Strong NE. Fine. Wandered about the country in search of the horses: found their tracks on the R. Ashley. Caught a fine young boar and Jock got ripped by a large boar. Returned to Mandeville camp at 6 1/2 p.m., very tired.
18th. Sunday. Mr Hughes arrived again, having taken part of this district by contract. Letter from Daniel Wakefield mentioning that no letters had come for me per Enterprise and saying that he had heard from my mother that she was coming out here. Also a note from Capt. Thomas saying that Mr Fox wrote him word of my uncle Edward's coming out. 30
19th. NW. Fine. SW. Rain night. Boys went with canoe to 13 and 21 and canoe fetched 2 casks of beef from the paddle. I took down our tent and planted a tarpaulin in its place. Mosquitoes set in strong. Dodds to the port.
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20th. Light NE. Very fine. Boys planting tents in the sand hills and plotting, &c. I, Bryant, Fitch and 2 maori boys started out after the horses which we found about 2 miles West of Rakihora Bush, but could not catch or drive them. Then camped in the Ashley Valley.
21st. NE. Very fine. All the party (above) sought the horses all day, but could see nothing of them. Dodds returned from the port. Boys taking angles at 4 and planting No. 18. I wrote to Mr Thomas to ask for a horse to ride in the others with. Jock and Flora killed a first-rate maori dog (wild sort).
22nd. NE. Very fine. Boys taking angles at 13 and 4. I calculating sides. 3 more of Mr Hughes's men arrived. Driven to the sand hills by the mosquitoes--very much bitten there. Tom Bryant to the Port for a horse. Fitch and Dodds posts and poles.
23rd. SW. morning. NE. afternoon. Raining at night. Boys and I plotting, calculating sides, &c. Mr Hughes commenced work. Beattie and Weston, Wagstaff making tent, Theodolite case, grinding tools, &c., Fitch and Dodds posts and poles. Slept in the cart, wetted and awfully bitten by mosquitoes.
24th. NE. Very fine. Boys and I plotting and calculating sides. I received a packet of letters up to 2nd June, from C. G. T., E. W., C. M. T. and sisters.
Tom Bryant returned from the Port with a horse lent by Caverhill. Fitch ill. Beattie posts and tent, axe handles, &c. Weston, Dodds and Wagstaff preparing to go to Rakihora. Boys shot 4 brace of ducks, I one brace.
25th. Sunday. NE. Rain. Boys and I with Hughes, Beattie, Weston and Fitch went down in the canoe to swim Creamy over the Courtenay. Then Tom Bryant rode after the horses which he found about 9 miles SW. of Rakihora bush, and drove them down here. But they bolted back and he was unable to head them. Wagstaff, Dodds and Weston to Rakihora, instead of yesterday's work. Boys and I shooting pigeons.
26th. NE. Very fine. Tom Bryant started again after the horses which were about 10 miles still further to the SW., drove them down here, but we had similar unsuccess in trying to catch them. Beattie and Fitch fetching canoe up, then axe handles and poles.
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 1849
27th. NE. Very fine. I got up at 3 1/2 a.m. and got to Riccarton to breakfast, just in time to get Independent from Cass who was about to start to Lincoln on him. Returned to Mandeville, the maories swimming the horse across the Courtenay. Paid them 4/6, and 2/- for self.
Boys with Bryant, Beattie and Fitch put in No. 20, and the others returned from Rakihora. Fitch ill. Dogs killed a large maori dog.
28th. NE. Very fine. Tom Bryant and I started again for the horses at 7 a.m., and travelled up to Oxford without seeing them, and camped without food or blankets at Starvation Hill. Camped at about 6 1/2 p.m., beautiful view of Oxford, cold foggy night.
Boys making fences with all hands, and posts and poles.
29th. Light SW. Very fine. Started at 4 a.m. and found the horses near the Burnt Hill. Drove them in and caught them in the Maori potato gardens. Boys with the other hands put in No. 24 and took angles.
30th. Light NE. Very fine. Boys and I rode to the beach and put in No. 25 and Boys took observations from No. 12. Woods' boat came in with Hughes' goods and 43 clamps and bolts for us, with one small keg and portmanteau. The Bell tent and our blankets burnt down.
1st December. Strong NE. I rode to fix upon site of camp at Rakihora bush, and then plotted our work by bearings. Boys put in Nos. 26 and 27.
I got thrown by St. Hill when mounting. A maori woman found dead on road from Old Kiapoi to this place, eyes picked out by gulls. Dodds to Riccarton with Independent.
2nd. Sunday. NE. Fine. Making up time and pay lists, and copying plot and sides and angles for Hughes. Dodds returned from Riccarton with the Standard Chain, Thermometer and spring balance. 31
3rd. NW. Very fine. Moved to Rakihora Camp. Boys laid down a Standard at Kiapoi. St Hill and Cream got loose; I found the former near Rakihora.
4th. NW. Fine morning, SW. rain afternoon. Commenced a toi-toi hut at Rakihora. Tom Bryant went on St. Hill to seek
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Cream in the afternoon. Boys and I shot 4 brace pigeons and 2 kakas. Jock caught a large boar which rushed past our tent. Boys came up here to breakfast.
5th. SW. Showery. Finished the hut. 7 Pups born to Flora, 5 dogs and 2 bitches; destroyed 3, leaving 2 dogs for me, one Boys, 1 bitch for T. Bryant.
Boys and T. Bryant rode out to seek Cream.
6th. NE. Very fine. Early in the morning White arrived saying that Cream was found last night in a swamp with only his head out. Boys immediately rode down with Fitch and Tom Bryant to see what could be done to save him, but he died before they reached him.
I put in Nos. 19 and 28 with Wagstaff and Weston and got thrown again by St. Hill. Dodds fitting. Hamilton arrived in the evening, from Deans', being in search of maories for a walk to the Northwards, having travelled down here by sea. 32
7th. NW. Fine. Boys put in No. 21, and took observations from 20 and 19. I put up 29, 30, 23, 31 with T. B., Beattie and Fitch. Dodds branding and fitting.
8th. NW. Fine. Ranged out and commenced cutting a check base from No. 30 to 23 [with] all hands.
9th. Sunday. Strong NE. Fine. Most unpleasant wind from the NE. In bed all day reading Johnson. Obliged to strike and repitch our tent. Sarah arrived with notes from Hamilton and Cass.
Mandeville District.
9th December, 1849.
My dear mother,
On the 24th of last month I received your long expected letters (up to 2nd June) in answer to my first packet from N. Z. This pleasure was the greater, as with it commenced a new era in our communications: before I merely talked on paper, now I can converse...
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DECEMBER 1849
We have been in such a scramble lately to get on with the work, and so worn out by hard work all day and sleepless nights from mosquitoes that I have not read a dozen pages of a book during the last month--much less have I been able to attempt writing: but now we have moved to the open plain away from low swampy ground and are comparatively free from the tormenting insects. You cannot imagine how much our equanimity has been disturbed by these animals; and it has been curious to reflect how trifling a thing we allow to destroy our peace of mind. But the attempt at stoical indifference to their stings, and complaints of the misery they caused, were equally fruitless, so I have manufactured a wicker cot over which I stretch a blanket sewn into a bag, and when once securely packed in my den can ensure good sleep, which is so necessary in an active life...
I am buried in the bush, and know but little even of our Canterbury politics--at least different from those mentioned in my last. But the funds are beginning to run out, and the evil consequences of employing beach-combers, escaped convicts and sailors are becoming every day more apparent. Many excellent old settlers have been prevented from coming here, on the supposition that they could not be ousted from the land they first squatted upon when the settlers arrived--whereas of course they would have been easily moved--and would have had many comforts to meet the arrival of emigrants whereas now their only reception will be a bare beach...
We have lately had some adventures--First my old friend the donkey was killed. Then all our horses ran away, I and two men searching for 3 or 4 days sleeping under a bush and catching our food, and finally being obliged to get 2 horses to ride them down with stock whips as they had become quite wild from the taste of liberty and sense of the extent of boundless free grazing for them. We now keep them securely fastened up. Then one of the horses (lent to one of our party) we had for searching the others fell into a swamp, was immersed up to the neck for 3 days and 2 nights, and died in consequence: and next our tent and blankets were burnt. But we think nothing of the latter as it is an occurrence which always happens to Boys and me when we are living together. 33
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I hear frequently from my uncle Dan; and Stafford, who has given up all idea of returning to England, and has bought land in this country.
If I can possibly obtain any employment presently which is more congenial to my inclinations than the present I shall not continue it. If not, I shall endeavour to scrape together all the money I can by fagging at this with a view of getting sheep when I have the funds. Indeed, as soon as Boys and I have finished the trigonometrical survey of the Mandeville, Ashley, and Oxford Districts, we shall take some surveying by contract if we can get sufficient inducement...
You must excuse an abrupt termination--with best love to all and thanks for letters,
ever your affectionate Son,
CHARLES O. TORLESSE
10th. Light SW. Fine. All hands cutting base line, except Beattie making flags. Boys unwell, I ditto but went to base line.
11th. NE. Fine. Bryant, Beattie finished cutting the base line. I attempted to go out with St. Hill in the cart; he would not pull, but Fitch and Wagstaff worked him all day. Dodds fitting posts, &c.; Weston theodolite; I and Boys to 16 taking shots to stations and mountains.
12th. Light NE. Very fine. Fitch and Wagstaff breaking St Hill. Boys, I and rest chained base line twice, agreeing to 4 inches.
13th. NE. Very fine. I put in 23 (altered) and 22, great swamp-hopping. Boys prevented from taking observations by Hughes' smoke, and afterwards fog. Fitch and Wagstaff to mosquito camp.
14th. NW. Fine. I put up A1 and A2 and fired the country. Peter arrived with English letters to July. Wrote to Cass and to Mantell about Peter. Boys to 17 and 14.
15th. NW. Very fine. Intensely hot this day. Fitch to Mosquito Camp for posts and poles. Boys and I plotting, making out paylists and time bills, &c. Hands fitting posts and poles, cutting firewood, &c. Hamilton arrived, but had been unable to procure maories for his intended trip to the Northward.
16th. Sunday. NE. Very fine. I went down early in the 118
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DECEMBER 1849
morning to take delivery of White and Hay's timber--they then started for Deans'. I then returned to Rakihora.
17th. NW. and NE. Fine. SW. night. All hands moved to the Courtenay at No. 10, and camped near the SE. end of the Manuka Scrub. Charley bolted with the cart, I having stupidly taken off his blinders. Hamilton went to the top of the Beachy Downs and joined us at night. I camped in my wicker bag. [Thumb-nail sketch of bag.]
18th. NE. Rain. After a rainy night (from SW.) a NE. came on with rain which kept us in till evening, when we all sallied out to pig hunt towards No. 6 and caught 2 large boars. Wagstaff, Weston and Dodds brought No. 10 up to the camp from down the Courtenay.
19th. NE. Fine, hazy. I put up Nos. 35, 36 and 37. Boys put up No. 10 and shot from 10 and 8 (or tried to). On our return home on the Morumbidgee near junction with the Eyre caught a fine sow. Jock severely wounded in the neck and windpipe by a large boar. Near the camp Flora caught a fine young boar, one of the same herd as the former.
Hamilton remained at tents.
20th. NE. morning, NW. evening. I put up 38 and 39, and caught a fine sow on return, at the Morumbidgee. Boys to 9.
21st. SW. Fine. Beattie and Wagstaff started on their way to the Port for the Christmas Holidays. I put up No. 40. Boys shot from 39 and 36. Hamilton accompanied me.
22nd. NE. Fine, hazy. Fitch started off to Tinui's place on way to Port. Also Hamilton at 9 a.m. I with Diamond, Bryant and Dodds and two maori boys to the Rakihora camp. Jock very bad, fed him on butter. Boys to 18 and 37 and camped at No. 40.
23rd. Sunday. NW. Very hot and fine. I went in the morning early to put up Nos. 33 and 32 for Boys to shoot at.
Very close, warm day, though there was a good (hot) wind. I fell down in a fit--congestion of the brain I suppose; a sudden giddiness came over me as I was standing by the fire, and I fell down insensible for about a minute.
Boys returned at about 7 p.m.
24th. Strong NW. Very fine. W. evening. I was so much
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affected by the weather that I did nothing but read till the evening when a cool westerly wind set in, and I made up the Quarterly Return of Pay and Work, and Account of the Expenditure of Stores.
Dodds with Boys to No. 19 in the evening. Bryant and Diamond to Mosquito Camp with the cart for provisions, &c. They bought a sheep for us for £1 from the maories. Weston resting.
25th. Christmas Day. NW. Very fine. Boys and I very busy all day plotting and calculating sides. Boys with Weston to No. 21 in the morning.
26th. NW. Fine. Dodds and Weston fitting poles and getting wood for axe-handles, &c. and to Mosquito Camp in the evening on way to the Port. Boys to 31 and 32 and 30 with Bryant. I calculating sides, &c.
27th. NE. Fine. Beattie and Wagstaff returned with letters from Bank Australia at Wellington and one from Outridge at Nelson. Hamilton arrived in the evening from Riccarton with Fitch. Boys with Bryant to No. 24. Beattie flags.
28th. NE. Fine. Sent Diamond to the Port with letters and sketch map of the Mandeville District. Beattie and Wagstaff with Boys to Nos. 23 and 33.
29th. NE. Cloudy. Calculating sides, &c. Too foggy for taking sights.
30th. Sunday. NE. Fine. Boys with Beattie and Wagstaff to 23 again. Dodds, Weston and Diamond returned.
31st. NW. Very fine. Boys with Beattie and Wagstaff to No. 40. Then all hands to Mosquito Camp. Cart broke down, being completely used up. Jock and Flora killed a wild dog near the camp.
