A precis of the contents is as follows: Sydney, 1836 (page 1). Visits Adelaide, meets Henry Holman (page 2). Comes to New Zealand in 'Exporter' with Mr and Mrs Anwell to load spars (pages 2-3). Arrives Hokianga, 1840. Visits missionaries. Comments on primitive conditions, lives in raupo huts, mostly no furniture, earth floors. Hokianga very hilly, no beach (page 3). Returns to Sydney. Mr Holman goes to Mimiwangata and buys land (page 4). In 1841, returns to Bay of Islands to marry Henry Holman. Goes to Auckland for first land sales (page 5). Leases land from S.A. Wood. Builds three-roomed cottage on it at back of Wood's Hotel on Northern Club site (pages 5-6). One of first houses in Auckland. Holman Superintendent of Public Works, 1841. Maori land on beach in Official and Mechanics Bay and do war dance [haka]. Bodies painted with red ochre. March to Government House (page 6). Had come to receive payment for land sold (pages 6-7). Murder of Roberton family at Bay of Islands by chief Maketu. Is tried and found guilty. Sentenced to be hanged. Maori threaten to burn gaol. Gallows erected by Holman (page 7). Owing to unsettled state of Auckland, decide to return to Sydney. Sail in 'Deborah'. Call in at Bay of Islands (page 8). Child born and dies in Sydney. Stay there some time before returning to New Zealand (page 9). Go to Mimiwangata (page 10). Visit Captain Lewington at Ngunguru, where he has timber mill (page 11). Visit Mair at Whangarei. Mair persuades Holman to leave Mimiwangata and come to Whangarei (page 12). Visit to south (page 13). Whalers cause discontent among local Maori (page 13). Heke's war (page 14). Disturbed state of Maori at Whangarei (pages 14-15). Settlers warned by friendly Maori to leave. About 50 settlers left in 'The Trial' (pages 14-15). Arrive Kawau (page 15). Leave for Auckland in 'British Queen' (page 16). Missionaries' wives from Waimate come to Auckland. Bishop takes a four-roomed cottage in Parnell (page 16). Auckland in 'a great state of commotion'. St. Paul's blockaded. Several blockhouses erected (page 16). Describes Heke as 'a fine tall nice looking fellow' (page 17). Holman trades for kauri gum. Elizabeth Holman stays in Auckland (page 17). Ill with typhus. Attended by Dr Ford (page 19). Holman leases Wood's (Herald) Island and Pine Island from Wood for 3 years (page 19). Visited often by Mrs Ford. Dr Ford had bought house in Queen Street (page 20). Holman comes to Auckland. House in Ponsonby (page 20). Holman acts as Commission Agent in Auckland (page 20). Had boat which he ran between Howick and Auckland (page 21). Sells 40 acres of land at Mt. Eden for 40 pounds (page 22). Return to Whangarei (page 22). Holman establishes flax mill (page 23). Epidemic of scarlet fever and typhoid in Auckland. Dr Ford loses 4 children (page 24). Firm of Weston and Hobson on beach at Auckland (page 25). Goes to Auckland on business (pages 25-26). Is taken ill. Gives birth to premature son (page 26). Returns to Whangarei. Call at Limestone Island (page 27). Go to Bay of Islands in Mair's vessel with Mair family. Stay with Fords (page 29). Ngunguru (page 30). Whangarei becomes township. Holman in charge of Road Board (page 31). Holman discovers coal at Whau Valley (page 32). Daughter drowns (page 36). 'Cambodia' wrecked in Manukau Harbour (page 37). Holman Lloyd's agent. Go to Onehunga to repair 'Cambodia' (page 37). Go to Thames gold mining (page 38). Return to Whangarei. Holman resumes flax industry (page 39). Build flax mill at Ngunatuna (page 39). Return to Auckland (page 41). Henry Holman dies in 1894, aged 81 (page 43). Comments on murder of Snow family, 1847 (pages 47-48). Races started in Potter's Paddock in 1842 ' 'It was one afternoon at our house that they decided to call the races or race course Epsom' (page 48). Additional notes regarding a vessel captured by local Whangarei Maori and Holman's negotiations for its return with Northland Chief 'Tee' (pages 49-51), and a visit by Elizabeth Holman to Capt. James Reddy Clendon's estate in the Bay of Islands (page 52).