Remarks in Matavai Bay Sunday 21st December 1788

Fresh Gales and dark gloomy Weather with very heavy Rain, and Thunder and Lightning. Wind generally at ENE. Yet a very heavy swell running in the Bay, and a high breaking Sea over the Dolphin Bank with a great deal of surf on the shore. Towards noon the Swell abated and we got some water off with Breakers. Sick list 2 Venereals. Thermometer from 78 to 79¾. Armourer and Sailmakers employed as yesterday and two Carpenters making a Chest for Tynah as they have been these five days past.

The bad weather keeps us much more free of the Natives than we otherwise whould be, I have however the constant company of Tynah and his Family; both old and young of them are now so tied to me that they are not happy without being with me the most part of the day. I have got Tynahs chest nearly completed in the course of which he has always desired more nails to be drove than were necessary, but I now found the reason of this was, that they would be a Store to him whenever he chose to draw them out. I have therefore perhaps secured the chest from Injury by putting no more than was necessary to give it sufficient strength.

I have directed an Inscription to be cut on wood for to be placed at the Doctors Grave.