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The Journal of Edward Ward 1850-51

Saturday, January 18th

Saturday, January 18th

The event of this day was buying a chestnut mare from the Oriental—she is a bony long-legged animal in very poor condition, but very promising. We got her into Mr Godley's stable preparatory to turning her out on the hills. She is five years old and broke for riding, cost £30, and is by good judges considered cheap as horses are going. We can now extend our tours over the plain. Today came out the second number of the Lyttelton Times, making a very respectable appearance. I sent two, with Henry's journal, with Mr Godley's despatches, home. Novice is getting on famously, having become quite used to the 'toot', but she is still, while on these hills, liable to falls and injuries from uneven ground. Mr Russell's cow, the last that survived from the ships, except ours, was dashed to pieces yesterday. In the evening took tea with Mr and Mrs Godley, and heard to my sorrow that Captain Thomas* had been required to leave the service of the Association. The wind, which last night and today has been very violent from the S.W., has abated this evening, but I have been much alarmed for the safety of our roof for the last twenty-four hours. The gale blew a fern house down today, over a fire, which spread around and destroyed the whole of a range of very flimsy houses occupied by very poor people.

* Captain Joseph Thomas, who was sent to New Zealand by the Canterbury Association in July, 1848, as Agent and Chief Surveyor, and who selected the site of the settlement and directed the surveys When J. R. Godley arrived as Chief Agent in April, 1850, friction developed between these two autocratic and quick-tempered men, leading to Thomas's resignation.