Overview
Wed. May. 23
Fine bright day except for gloomy bank of clouds to East + stiff breeze from north-west. Set out after breakfastfor Courtenay Place. 1/2pl[ate]. photo (1) of Bryant + May’s by factory in Tory St in course of construction. Up Marjoribanks Street + across town belt to Mt [Mount] Victoria ridge. Photo (2) Kilbirnie from Mt Victoria ridge, tunnel in right foreground, + (3) Maid on the old cannon with Kilbirnie + Newtown in distance. We walked round th Signal Station + zig-zagged down by well-graded roads through Roseneath. – Photo (4) Oriental Esplanade looking west from top of Grass St zig-zag – coming out on Oriental Espl. at the Kiosk where we had morning tea. The concrete sea-wall surmounted by triple arc. lamps at intervals is a fine new feature. Photo (5) of Oriental Esplanade
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from the western end. Explored shops in Courtenay Place + purchased few books +c. Hotel to lunch + then down to Strand Theatre in Manners Street to screening of “Lorna Doone” – this was disappointing as it did not follow the book closely – “Japoneette” after Robert Chamber’s book was much better + should be worth reading. Dined at hotel + then walked round to Collusseum Skating Rink at which we had reserved skates by phone for this the opening-night. Found a good crowd of seemingly expert skaters on the floor but secured skates + ventured out. Rather stiff after my 10 years spill but took Maud round a few times. During the evening Mr. R.A. Wright, Mayor, formally declared the season open + a flashlight photo was taken. Had a good time. The floor was cleared at intervals for couples only, ladies only, waltzing on skates +c. Left at 9.30 + had supper of tea + toast at a marble bar in Cuba Street. After getting back to hotel a fierce thunderstorm with rain raged over city. Turned in after another successful day. Re-read “A Castle to Let” by Mrs. Baillie Reynolds.