Overview
Wed. May 12
Took Nancy for a walk round town. In pm [afternoon] Mr. Herd drove us in his car to Napier, the party consisting of Maud Gertie Olive Nancy + [and] self. We went via Karamu Road, West Clive + Farndon. Was able to study the shingle barrier beach – this feature is still being maintained – where shingle has been removed for roads +c, it is replaced by the waves during storms showing that the circumstances + conditions which led to the formation of the beach still hold. The shingle is evenly bedded, the layers being horizontal in a longitudinal direction[.] What was originally the Napier swamp was caused by the presence of the shingle beach, since it occupies an area of comparatively dead water between the beach + the delta of the Tutaekuri River. A high sea was running, the result of a high wind at some remote locality. Great breakers curled over onto the beach + were very picturesque when lit up by a gleam of sunshine, the whole having for a background a dense pall of inky clouds lowdown on the horizon. 1/4 pl.[ate] photo (7) of the breakers + one (8) of the car on the Marine Parade. Proceeded to Napier + leaving the car in a quiet corner of Marine Parade had pm [afternoon] tea at Salisbury tea-rooms. The made a tour of the shops. Returned to Hastings via Far^'n'don
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+ Papawhai. According to the Provisional Co.[mpany] map the Ngauroro River at Pakowhai Bridge is crossed first (going south) + then a stream called the Olivia – actually, a comparatively small stream is crossed first + then the Ngaruroro. Apparently the Ngaruroro originally flowed in the former position, + later was diverted to its present one, either artificially or naturally. Home after dark with rain falling. Ralph + Winnie dropped in for the evening + we had music +c.