A night watchman has been instituted mainly for the purpose of observing the aurora, of which the displays have been feeble so far. The observer is to look round every hour or oftener if there is aught to be seen. He is allowed cocoa and sardines with bread and butter—the cocoa can be made over an acetylene Bunsen burner, part of Simpson’s outfit. I took the first turn last night; the remainder of the afterguard follow in rotation. The long night hours give time to finish up a number of small tasks—the hut remains quite warm though the fires are out.

Simpson has been practising with balloons during our absence. This morning he...

All day painting at my Hut Point sketch notes, and it was my turn to be on watch all night so I also painted all night, but on lantern slides for Ponting, who wanted me to try with some special colours he had got from Kodak, but...

The first day of winter was beautiful ― mild, calm, and clear. Have spent the whole day surveying along the coast.

In this calm weather it was...