Dull morning, turned out fine however. My bedroom chum went off early and while I was in the middle of dressing, another one came in - he had spent the night on the floor. Neither of us were in a very good temper – he on account of his night's accommodation and I because I thought that he might have waited till I had finished dressing before he began his toilet. Had a stroll about the place before breakfast. The old Chief was giving out dried Dog Fish from the public store house. The fish, which was about 3ft long, looked uncommonly dry and nasty. The Chief accompanied the gift with a little speech about each recipient. The store house (and most big whares have one) is like the top of a thatched Noah's Ark, built ... read more

The Pink and White Terraces in the thermal springs district of New Zealand were considered to be the eighth wonder of the world. They covered an area of about eight acres and were naturally formed over thousands of years. Each of the terrace sites was a hillside with a geyser at the top. The geysers spouted hot water which contained silica and it would then flow down the hillside. As the water cooled, it crystallized into the terraces and pools which gave them their name. The terraces, on the shore of Lake Rotomahana with the volcano Mount Tarawera in the distance, became New Zealand’s most famous tourist attraction from around the 1860’s. People came from all over the world to view them and they were much painted by the artist Charles Blomfield . On 10th June ... read more

The Victorians had a great passion for collecting and this one was no exception. The Victorian fern craze began in the late 1830’s and was expressed by collecting them, growing them and making a wide range of fern objects in pottery, glass, metals, textiles, wood, printed paper and sculpture, with ferns appearing on everything from christening presents to gravestones. The main period of popularity for ferns as a decorative motif was from the 1850’s until the 1890’s which came with the rise of leisure activities and hobbies. It was a particularly British passion with the countryside attracting large numbers of people from different social classes pursuing a fashionable hobby or more scientific purposes. Specimens were pressed in albums for display and live plants were collected for study or cultivation indoors and in gardens. Pteridomania means Fern ... read more

Would have passed a pretty fair night if only the fleas would have let me alone, but they would not. Turned out about 6 o'clock and walked about the place. Went down to see the Court House again – went inside to examine the carving. It is very well done – the lines and curves being very true tho' evidently done with a rough instrument. There were a lot of quaint faces, both inside and out – one was an exact copy of a Maori and very well done indeed. The carving outside was good too. Also examined the flagstaff. There was a figure on it like an Idol but I believe this tribe now profess to be Christians (Roman Catholics). Close by the flagstaff were two hot springs in one of which men and women ... read more

Maori Pa The word 'pa' can refer to any Maori village or settlement but it is traditionally used to refer to hillforts and fortified villages. The New Zealand (Land) Wars Covering a period of nearly 30 years from 1845 to 1872, these wars were a series of land disputes between the Maori and the Europeans which eventually led to armed conflicts. As more and more settlers arrived, they were anxious to obtain land for farming but many of the Maori tribes were reluctant to sell. Most of the Maori owned their land communally. Any permission given to settle on the land did not always imply the sale of that land and differences in culture and attitudes led to an inevitable rise in tensions. The wars were complicated affairs because there were not necessarily only two sides ... read more

Up by 6.30. Was to have breakfast by 7 but finding it would be some 20 minutes behind that time, I went for a short stroll. Another person, who being a woman I will call a lady, had breakfast at the same time I did. The coach came to the door a little after 8. It was a covered conveyance having the sides and front open, drawn by 4 horses. Four got into it from the hotel and after proceeding a short way, 3 ladies and a gentleman got in making, with driver, 9 in all. The day was beautiful – a cold wind and hot sun with cloudless sky. For some 15 miles we went over hills which were flat at the top and divided by deep gullies with a good deal of marshland about. ... read more

Up by 6 o'clock. Began hugging the coast – passed some very bold rocks on one of which, an island, a steamer was wrecked some time ago. Tauranga is situated at one end of a bay. Had to coast round by the shore, the water was too shallow to go straight across. Passed a steamer which had run on a rock and got fixed there. Landed at T about 7.30. Found on enquiry that the coach for the Hot Springs does not go until tomorrow. Some of the party hired a buggy and went on, but I could not get anyone to join me, so determined to go by coach tomorrow. Took a stroll about the place. It is a decent sized town with some decent houses in it but there is a great want of ... read more

Wrote and posted a letter to Buckworth – he has a small farm up country. Insured my luggage against fire while here, in the South British Insurance Office – for £100 paid 10/- premium. Took a return ticket for Tauranga per SS “Hawea” which sails at 4 this afternoon. The ticket lasts 3 months and cost me £3. 4/- a pretty expensive expedition. Called about the skins but they were not finished. Met some of my fellow passengers, some of them are going by the Hawea this afternoon. The Hawea was advertised to start at 4. Walked down to the pier with Bradshaw, a little before the time, but the steamer did not start till 6 there being some cows and a horse to be taken on board. The steamer is well fitted up and appointed. ... read more

A beautiful day. In the morning, Bradshaw, Meyers and I went for a walk thro' a place called Panmure, one of the suburbs and, I believe, one of the finest. Went into a house there, a friend of M's - the view over the bay, North Shore & Islands, was lovely from the front. Had some fruit there and came a different way back. Part of the way being thro' the Domaine or Tree Park. It has a very beautiful little glen, full of ferns, running through it. Am surprised at the number of wooden houses there are in Auckland, most of the houses being built of that material. Did a little writing in the afternoon. After tea, which was at 6 o'clock, went for a walk with B & Drake. It was a lovely evening. ... read more