Tuesday, February 25th

A cool day, very enjoyable. Wind N.E. with a light drizzling rain before eleven o'clock. Rather anxious at Henry and Montagu not having returned from their expedition; one in this country can imagine so many dangers incidental to travel. Got today the loan of a bullock from Rhodes which promises well, having brought down in two loads about a week's firewood, he will be useful in carrying our goods from the beach to the Happy Valley. He necessitated the purchase of harness however which was not pleasant, being an outlay of £4 upon articles worth about £2 10s. Griffin has been turning some simple things in New Zealand fancy woods, a candlestick and ring stand which he did for me I have put by for sending to Mary the first opportunity. Torlesse promised me to lay out a line of road on Quail Island and to survey page 137my sections. Heard with disgust that Brittan has done the dirty job of choosing his pasturage on the sandy beach on which Day of Sumner has built his house, hoping to drive Day to some terms for its occupation. Such conduct must bring its own punishment in well merited odium of the public.