Motor Schooner "France" April 1926 Monday The 12th. Amee Thursday the 22nd of March the ship remained at Deck Lond. The weather very fine with a High Barometer. On this day I have handed over the ship to Captain J.W.R Richmond. A.Treuber R - April 13th 1926. - "At Auckland Moving r.c.r.c. Fine clear weather. High glass. Paid off William & Petersen & returned them to Fiji. Wednesday April 14th 1926. At Auckland Preparing for Sea. Fine clear weather - high glass. Signed on O.Tayjoren as carpenter this day. Thursday April 15th to Friday April 16th: 13: Shifted to Princes Wharf - 17th master orders. 14: Shifted to Edge in readiness to proceed when fair tide wind permitted. Since NE fresh. Glass high. Rough sea outside. - below "France". Tuesday April 20th 1926. 6 a.m Proceeded to sea, Wind ENE. 6 p.m Rose for the night in Jackson's Bay Coromandel peninsula. Engine used 3 hours. Wednesday April 21st 1926. 7 a.m. Proceeded. 9 a.m. Lowered boat at Shamel Id. noon: Picked up boat again. Salm. Smooth 6 p.m wed Tongue Bay Gt. Barrier Id. Engine used 4 hours. Thursday April 22nd to Friday 8th 1926: At Sophene Bay. During the first few days fine, light Nly winds & calm prevailed rendering conditions unfavourable for proceeded to Norfolk Is.. Later, winds increased from NW. & blew hard from that quarter, reaching near gale force with low glass on the 24th April. Sea very rough outside. These conditions lasted until May 7th. On the 30th J. Stokes & G. Kapiler reported sick. Suffering of fever and influenza. Both were isolated & treated accordingly. May 2nd Stokes - Kapiler. returned to duty. P. King sick this day only. Saturday May 8th 1926. Weather fine Bz 30.40" Steady. 5 a.m. Proceeded to sea. Engine turned over to O.Tayjoren Carpenter. Stokes having failed in emergency Engine used for one hour. Fresh meaning light breeze & Glass falling. Sunday May 9th 1926. Reduced sail to double reefed foresail & stag-jib, sail close hauled sea. Running N.N.E before fresh S.W. Gale. Pumping slowly.