18/01/2021
Diary entries for 1889.
“3 January 1889: Paid F. Walden for bush felling on account £14.
Bushmen claim to have felled front of section 6 chain deep and front of rear section 2 chain deep.”
Frank Walden was employed to fell some of the bush for Joseph from the front for 28/- an acre and continued felling the bush until his Family moved to Colyton, Feilding in 1904. Frank spent many weekends at the Bush (what Joseph referred to before he named it Ashdene), burning the bush and checking boundary pegs.
Joseph decided at the end of January 1889, for security it would be in the best interest for James Diamond (Elizabeth’s Father, in Joseph’s diary he referred to him as Mr Diamond) should move up to the Bush.
Lot 4 which is located on the northern boundary is owned by George Little. A discussion was had between Joseph and Little about sowing grass.
“13 February 1889: Little up in evening. He had quotation for grass seed from Stevens and Gorton, J laird and Levin and Co. The latter considerably the cheapest. Spent 3 hours in estimating cost of grass and fencing. Agreed to following mixture per acre:- 8lbs cocksfoot: 5lbs Rye, 3lbs Timothy: 1lb meadow fescue: 1/2lb Crested Dogtail: 1/2lbs Cow Grass ½ Alsike: 1/2lb White Clover: 1/4lb White turnips. He tells me Charles has offered to pack from Williamson’s and sow grass for 1/6 per acre. Agreed that as soon as burn but not before he might order grass seed as above.”
Joseph received through the Bank of Australian his Title on the 16 February 1889.
On the 18 February, Mr Diamond reported about an accidental fire started between Little’s and Welford Bros property.
In April Joseph assisted in sowing a little prairie grass, logged and burnt a little around whare (pronounced worry) site, and cleaned a little of frontage. Finished cutting out whare on the 19 May. It is expecting to go up to Bush the following week. The photo attached is Mr Diamond standing in front of the Whare.
Mr Diamond and Joseph discussed buying Little’s Lot on the 9 August 1889.
So, a week later Little presented to Joseph he wants £175 cash down, and buyer to pay cost of transfer, for his land, being as he says £50 advance on what it has cost him. It was a little high for Joseph to afford. By October Joseph received a Land Office Declaration Form for Little’s Lot. Joseph wrote to Mr F de J Clere, of Wellington asking him if he will lift Joseph’s Crown Grant for him.
On the 21 October 1889, Mr Diamond brought up the first animals one of his cows and two calves to the Bush.
