| Description | An account written, after the event, of his journey which actually occurred 1 December to 11 December 1850. The diary is dated 1851 but Donald McLean's journal of the same event is dated 1850s and in 1851 Charles Rudston-Read was in Australia. In the journal he describes his journey to meet Donald McLean. Mentions initial fellow travellers Hon. A Petre, Frank Skipworth and Lovegrove but it is unclear whether they continue the journey with him. As they travel down river they stop at various 'Paks' and he comments upon the type of countryside and occasionally the flora and fauna and birdlife. Discusses the colonials who have already settled on the land, leasing it from and trading with the Maori, and in particular mentions a William Burr who, losing both hands in an accident on board a ship, is draining twenty acres of land and growing potatoes. Mentions Messrs Kebbell who have a saw and flour mill, Mrs Best owns a public house and Captain Robinson owns a cattle station. Much of the journal discusses Maori culture and customs, some mention of language, the king and queen of Rangitikei who 'are our greatest allies'. Mentions the old Maori practice of cannibalism. Also describes the negotiation process and a little of McLean's temperament. Notes that he was writing this journal up in 1854 and includes a segment on his experiences during the Australian goldrush. |