Saturday, November 26.—­We advertised our start at 3 P.M., and at three minutes to that hour the Terra Nova pushed off from the jetty.  A great mass of people assembled.  K. and I lunched with a party in the New Zealand Company’s ship Ruapehu.  Mr. Kinsey, Ainsley, the Arthur and George Rhodes, Sir George Clifford, &c._2_ K. and I went out in the ship, but left her inside the heads after passing the Cambrian, the only Naval ship present.  We came home in the Harbour Tug; two other tugs followed the ship out and innumerable small boats.  Ponting busy with cinematograph.  We walked over the hills to Sumner.  Saw the Terra Nova, a little dot to the S.E.

Monday, November 28.—­Caught 8 o’clock express to Port Chalmers, Kinsey saw us off.  Wilson joined train.  Rhodes met us Timaru.  Telegram to say Terra Nova had arrived Sunday night.  Arrived Port Chalmers at 4.30.  Found all well.

Tuesday, November 29.—­Saw Fenwick re Central News agreement—­to town.  Thanked Glendenning for handsome gift, 130 grey jerseys.  To Town Hall to see Mayor.  Found all well on board.

We left the wharf at 2.30—­bright sunshine—­very gay scene.  If anything more craft following us than at Lyttelton—­Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Evans, and K. left at Heads and back in Harbour Tug.  Other tugs followed farther with Volunteer Reserve Gunboat—­all left about 4.30.  Pennell ‘swung’ the ship for compass adjustment, then ‘away.’

Evening.—­Loom of land and Cape Saunders Light blinking.

Wednesday, November 30.—­Noon no miles.  Light breeze from northward all day, freshening towards nightfall and turning to N.W.  Bright sunshine.  Ship pitching with south-westerly swell.  All in good spirits except one or two sick.

We are away, sliding easily and smoothly through the water, but burning coal—­8 tons in 24 hours reported 8 P.M.

Thursday, December 1.—­The month opens well on the whole.  During the night the wind increased; we worked up to 8, to 9, and to 9.5 knots.  Stiff wind from N.W. and confused sea.  Awoke to much motion.

The ship a queer and not altogether cheerful sight under the circumstances.

Below one knows all space is packed as tight as human skill can devise—­and on deck!  Under the forecastle fifteen ponies close side by side, seven one side, eight the other, heads together and groom between—­swaying, swaying continually to the plunging, irregular motion.

One takes a look through a hole in the bulkhead and sees a row of heads with sad, patient eyes come swinging up together from the starboard side, whilst those on the port swing back; then up come the port heads, whilst the starboard recede.  It seems a terrible ordeal for these poor beasts to stand this day after day for weeks together, and indeed though they continue to feed well the strain quickly drags down their weight and condition; but nevertheless the trial cannot be