Diary. Vol. 25, 1894 January 1-1894 December 31 Digital

Jenkins lives in his cottage in Maldon. He is employed by the Shire Council to clear roads and water channels and to do other odd jobs. He comments on the unruly behaviour of children in Maldon and his visit to headmaster Mr Smith to complain about them; intense heat making him sleepless and tired; reading the Bible on Sundays; sand fleas infesting clothes; geese helping to clean streets but some have been poisoned; bushfires; lack of rain and neglect of cattle; his dreams of Wales; ill health and inability of doctor to help him; chronic dysentery; writing to son David John, a London doctor; delight in work even though he is not fit to do it; heavy rain bringing improved farming conditions; funeral of friend Mr Nantkevil [Robert Nankivell], a land surveyor; death of brother John; giving a month's notice to the Council in May as he plans to leave for Wales soon; finishing his employment on 13 June; visit from John Davies whose loan from Jenkins is unlikely to be repaid; airing mouldy diaries outside during fine weather; re-reading diaries; repairing his cottage roof; money worries and regret at resigning from his job; applying to the Council to reclaim lost wages; robbery and arson at his cottage with diaries scattered outside; preparations for departure; heavy rain hindering repairs to cottage; very cold and wet winter; reflections on his years of employment in Maldon; buying new clothes; dissolution of James Patterson's government in Victoria; death of wealthy widow Mrs Mary Lewis; manuscripts and clothes damaged by pests; voting at general election; gold discovery at Tarnagulla and his own bad luck with prospecting; conviction of murderer Martha Needle; forfeit of wages, land, cottage and possessions threatening his departure plans; severe and widespread floods; reflections on his life as a swagman; visit of Mr W. Williams who has consumption; ill health and fears for the voyage; desire to see grandchildren; agricultural show at Maldon; inability to recover his loans to townspeople; concern for diaries and manuscripts sent to his daughter Nell in Wales; departing Maldon by train on 23 November; purchasing ticket in Melbourne for passage on the 'Ophir'; visiting Cole's Book Arcade; writing letter to Catharine Rees of Maldon, widow of a friend; departing Melbourne on 25 November; and his voyage to England.