Journal entry – John Grey – 26 Jan 1835

Monday 26th



Mr French who purchases Wood for the Governor Thos Mires came to me today for the second time respecting the Lot No 3 in Dipton Plantation, & finally agreed to give £190 which is only 10/- below our valuation, the money to be paid on the 2nd December next, & all the Wood to be cleared off the Ground left for replanting by the last day of September 1836.  I postponed advertizing the other Lots that have been set out & measured on the Banks of the Allen & at Hartburngrainge, until I had got some of these disposed of. I shall now offer them to the public in the next weeks Newspapers.   I had a long consultation with Benson upon the Buildings which it will be absolutely necessary to undertake this year, & such as may be deferred till a future time, with a view of making an estimate of the cost, as nearly as possible.    Last year we had two new Farm Houses to build.  This year we shall have none.  It will be necessary to make an addition to the Offices at Newlands, to make them suitable for the occupation of the Farms now united which will cost about one fifth of the sum for which an estimate was given in, for the new House & Offices at the Haugh Farm alone.  At Rowleyhead & Salmon Field, squares of Offices have been half built and left off. Whether it will be possible to avoid finishing them in some way, for another year, I cannot positively say, but shall take an early opportunity of examining with Benson.  But though there will be no expensive new Works to enter upon, there is a great quantity of roofing wanting repair, & in very many places, the wood work, especially the windows in houses, barns & Granaries, is so much wasted for want or painting that they will not hang together.  These things amount to a great deal of money, of which it is not possible to make a very accurate calculation beforehand.  Yet it is necessary to be done, for the preservation of the Property as well as, that by the new Lettings, the Tenants are bound to keep them in repair, which requires that they should receive them in good repair.  Had conferences with some parties enquiring about Dilston New Town Farm, & took advantage of the fine day, the Snow having left us to set out some draining & look after the planting which we are now beginning to