THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

1,922

Mar 7^th. A large number of farm labourers are on strike or locked out in the district. The dispute is connected with hours & wages. The masters are asking the men to work an hour longer than at present. Some are offering to pay for the extra hour while others would like the extra hour and a reduction in wage. The only men out at Speeton are Mr A Watson’s.
17^th. All farm men except a few stockmen for miles round are on strike. A gang of men visited Speeton to day to compel those who had not done so to leave work. Owing to cold unsettled weather farm work is getting into arrears. At present it is at least three weeks behind last year which was exceptionally early. 21^st. Farm men still out. A few are working on the quiet. Big meeting to day when it is hoped a settlement will be made. Sun crossed line with wind North-East very cold, slight frost, snow-showers.
April 2^nd. Weather very bad. Frosts every night. Wind East. Cattle food very scarce, turnips just about done. Grass and seeds are a month behind last year. Stock have to be kept mainly on cake & corn. Labourers strike fizzling out. No official settlement has been made.
10^th. Weather still cold. Frosts nightly. Thirteen farm men were fined £4 each at a local police court for compelling men who were working to leave work.
13^th. Sowing Hill field oats, nice day in the midst of very cold unsettled period.
22^nd. Nice day, finished sowing barley. Turned cows out to pasture, grass very backward.
27^th. Finished sowing oats. 30^th. Sharp frost. Fine day.
May 25^th. Sowing Swedes. Fine warm day. Land in good order.
12^th June. Finished sowing turnips. Land in good condition.
Had a few showers during the past week but rain is still much needed.
17^th. Started hoeing Swedes. They have been sown only twenty three days.
This is the shortest time from drill to hoe that I have ever known.