January 1st, 1850. A new year has again dawned upon me with all the beauty and splendour that the sun of the southern hemisphere displays when it ushers out of the womb of the Eastern horizon, the suns beacons reflecting on the various objects over which it shone gave a tincture of lively gaiety to the Taranaki village which drew forth various reflections of the past and future that it does not at present concern me to enumerate. One thing I do feel that the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness to the Almighty for preserving me up to this time was not of such a serious or disinterested nature as I should like it is easy to forsake the paths of virtue and religion and go on with the rolling tide of time increasing the evil dispositions of nature in our onward course. May heaven grant that amidst all changes and perplexities I may never forsake the paths of rectitude and truth. Breakfasted at Capt. Campbells - old mans milk being handed round in accordance with the old highland custom before and after breakfast, the Attorney General arrived from Auckland yesterday brings no recent intelligence of Sir George Greys movements. Mr. Webster breakfasted with Mr. Savage told me that Capt. King was making some disagreeable allusions to himself about money matters. Wrote to Dr. Sinclair, negotiating with the Taranaki tribe agreed to give old Paora Kukutai a filly and some tobc. which will encourage him to sell more readily the extensive districts of land at Taranaki over which he exercises considerable influence. The talking and annoyance constantly kept up about contradictory Native claims is most disagreable troublesome and expensive. Paora got his horse and some tobc. left with his followers for Taranaki. Attorney Genl. called in the morng. to borrow my horse to ride to Omata - Capt. Campbell and Wicksteed dined with me, it is a relief to get the Natives off for a time. In the morning Wiremu Matakatea from Taranaki arrived and expressed his desire to aid Paora in the sale of land, and as usual generally in favor of the Govt. Rode to Nairns found the garden in a more slovenly state than usual owing to the insecure tenure by which he holds his land from the Natives, got a few nice gooseberries from him. The Attorney General and Mr. Govett, dined with me and in the evening Dr. Wilson and Capt. Campbell came in to tea and spent the evening. In the forenoon had a search for Capt. Campbells youngest daughter Helen who was found by a Native in a ditch some short distance from the house. Mr. Skinner arrived from Taupo by way of Taumatamahoe no news by him of importance - recd. a form of deed for land purchases from the Attorney Genl.