Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/356

 338 Sunday.—I have had a visit to-day from Mr. B—. He intends to try whaling next season. He is quite in raptures with Port Leschenhault, both as a port and agricultural settlement, and as a whaling station. He says the land is superior there to what it is here.

Feb. 23rd.—We were to have had some long sittings of Council this week, but Irwin wanted to transact some business at his place (Henley Park), and wanted me to help him.—The masons, after an interval, have begun with my house again at Perth, and have the brickwork nearly finished. A man who lives near me now (Galway), splits excellent laths from the red gum trees, at 4s. a hundred.

Monday night.—Yesterday was anything but a day of rest with me. I left this at 7.30 in the morning, got to Perth in time for service, took an early dinner at Irwin's, and went to afternoon service at church, when their baby was christened Frederick Courthope Irwin. Started from Perth at 6, and reached this at 8.30, not a little tired.—The natives are very troublesome in stealing wheat and grapes, &c. I broke five spears belonging to one man to-day, and took a bag of wheat from him. It was old Gear, but he could not be taken. Got some potatoes dug, which looked very well at the tops, but there was nothing but misshapen withered-looking roots on them. Without moisture they will not do in summer.

Tuesday.—At the request of some neighbours, I killed a wether to-day. It was nearly all engaged beforehand, as the meat will not keep long enough in this weather to permit us to kill for ourselves. The days are very warm, but the nights begin to be cool. People expose themselves unthinkingly, and colds are frequent. I am just shaking off one by perspiration and exercise.

March 3rd.—The necessary repairs having been done to our colonial schooner by the aid of H.M.S. Pelorus, I suppose we shall soon set out on our trip to King George's Sound. Irwin