Saturday, March 22nd

A cold morning and cool day, but fresh and invigorating. Willy and Hamilton cutting railings all the morning for stockyard. Bought the white bullock from Rhodes for £18. After dinner went over to the Island with a heavy load of piles—Robert and I—landing them at the Maori house. We found they had almost finished the excavation and were very comfortable in the tent. Henry reports the place well sheltered from S.W. winds. We brought Caughey away with us to the town. Andy is finishing the rafters of the house, which are now ready to be sent over to the Island as soon as we like. In the evening Willy persuaded me to buy a handsome cow, which has begun to run with our cows, and which the owner professes to be half gone in calf. All the invalids better. The cat has produced three kittens and is doing as well as can be expected.