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Joy in the Homestead.

For a little time matters appeared peaceful in Poverty Bay and the Parker family and Mr. Thelwall put in strenuous work clearing the bush on their propeity. On November 8, 1868, there was generally joy in the homestead for the first shearing had just been completed. The flock at that time totalled over 2000, and the young settlers could see themselves on the high road to prosperity. There was still uneasiness over Te Kooti's return, and the settlers on the flats commenced the construction of a large redoubt, which was nearing completion. The idea was that every evening the settlers and their families should sleep in the redoubt, returning to their homes in the daytime. Sunday, November 9, was a day of rest, in which the chief topic was the good fortune which had attended the farming venture in Poverty Bay. Wool was bringing ninepence a pound, and the clip was a good one. It was a merry party at the homestead that evening. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Parker and their two children (Mr. W. Parker, of Mangapapa, and Mr. F. Parker, who later was manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Gisborne), Mr. Thelwall and Mr. C. Smale, there were also two European shearers, Dan Munn and Beb Parkhouse. The household retired early, little anticipating the horrors which the next day would bring forth.