Overview
Thurs. May. 24.
Fine + clear after last night’s storm. Set out after breakfast taking tram as far as Govt Bldgs [Government Buildings]. Visited main entrance of Parliamentary Buildings + took photo (6) of same. Then followed Molesworth St. + tram route up towards Wadestown. Photo (7) of western side of Prt Nicholson showing Kaiwharawhara – the Wellington Fault scarp when seen in profile is found to be very far from straight. Left tram-route + followed winding hillside road below. Photo (8) of reclaimed land at Pipitea Point, railway yards + Hutt Road in foregournd. + (9) Thorndon, Kelburn + Brooklyn from same spot. Continuuing we overlooked Kaiwarra village + then the gorge of the Kaiwarra Stream travesed by road to Ngaio + Wgton-Manawatu rly-line [railway line]. Obtained splendid panoramic view of Wadestown + Ngaio but too windy to photo. Crossed tram-route + ascended Wade St. zigzag – fine view of harbour from here – then up past the high-level reservoir to top of ridge. Magnificent view: Petone + Hutt Valley, Port Nicholson, Rimutakas (in clouds today), centre of city + wharves, harbour entrance, south-east suburbs, Wiltons Bush +c. Photo (10) of centre of city + wharves (telephoto). Proceeded to Etako Wireless Station + found the new steel tower to support aerial nearly completed. The two old wooden masts have been taken down + not too soon either
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apparently as they have reached a remarkably advanced state of decay. Got a glimpse of the snow clad Kaikouras away to south-west. Photo (11) of suburbs of Northlands + Karori from south side of Wireless Stn [Station]. Descended track to Northland Road + thence to tram-route at Viaduct. Lynched at International Café in Manners Street at 1.30. In pm took tram to island Bay – walked round western point of bay to see snow-clad Kaikouras + took photo (12) of them but this was a failure on acc[ount]. of their extreme dimness. The island at Island Bat is surrounded by a large area of raised shore-platform dotted with uplifted stacks. At western point of bay a small natural harbour runs into the rocks of the raised shore-platform + a fishing launch had just come in with a big haul. Back to hotel + took it easy for couple of hours. In evening went to Fuller’s Vaudeville at His Majesty’s Theatre. Passable programme with on eor two good items as follows:- Marie La Varre, Soprano; Bert [Terrell?], Dutch Comedian + Yodeller + his little daughter was charming; The Krakes Elec. Tram Farce; Jonie Pastor, Fiddling Comedian + best of all, Les Klick’s Electrical Marionettes, “The Encahnted Forest.” Supped at The Rialto – chocolate + toast.