Friday, March 28th

The same sort of weather as yesterday, calm morning and hot day, but that there was more wind in the afternoon. After Bench, Robert, Ham & I went to the Island with a very large boat-load of scantling and planks; we also took the Billy goat tied in the bow and set him at liberty on the Island to join his comrades. We were so heavily laden that the water came in over the side once or twice, and only that we were going almost dead before the wind, we ran a risk page 158of being swamped. We found the line of road finished to the top of the hill, the holes for the piles made and a drain cut at the back of the house. Henry came back with us to drive the bullock and heifers to-morrow. Abernethy was left there with work carved out for him. We returned in good style fetching from the south point almost to the jetty, though it was blowing right up the harbour; we can never be much baffled with a N.E. wind either going or returning. I engaged Rhodes's boat to carry our posts and rails over to-morrow. Found to-night that Bill Holland, whom I had engaged to drive the cow from Manson's, had been drunk ever since and, of course, had not yet gone. I, therefore, engaged another man, who is to start with Henry and Caughey in the morning; but I have great fears about her being able to travel the rough road by Rapaki. Hamilton not at all well today—he was a little fresher in the boat, but relapsed in the afternoon and evening; shivering, headache & great feebleness are his symptoms. I gave him two laxative pills and sent him to bed early. Wortley came back from a two days' visit to the Plain and walked into our dinner without the least ceremony, though we had only ordered a scant dinner for three. I gave him some very strong hints and looked sulky enough to make his dinner indigestible. I think he guessed enough of my opinions as will make him shy of coming sponging again. Some troublesome debt cases today on the Bench—public-house scores of old standing; incurred in a state of drunkenness and disputed when sober. Hewlings came in this evening and tells me the Island is only 195 acres in contents.