Overview
Wed. Mar. 4
During the morning we stayed at home + after washing up etc retired to the mulberry tree in the garden. I reclined on cushions in the excellent divan formed by the large lower branches of the tree + Maud sat across my knees, resting her head on a cushion supported by another branch. She read to me "By the Fire Stories" by A Conan Doyle, until her weight told on me. She let me up + effected a complete + instantaneous cure by a kiss. After dinner we walked over to the new course to see the Hawkes Bay A + P
[page break]
Show. Maud looked lovely in her white silk blouse with blue turn down collar, dark navy skirt of charming cut + her pretty straw hat. I wore my sporting suit as the day was very warm. A large concourse was watching events when we arrived, the old grandstand being packed as the very large new one is not yet complete. There were no exhibits in the stock line as we went along to the side shows which were doing a roaring trade. We took a trip on the "Ocean Wave" - music was supplied by a very battered pipe-organ which emitted what might be described as a very delapidated tune + which tickled Maud immensely. I took a photo (25) of the crowd + side-shows with Maud in the foreground. We then visited the produce building where a magnificent collection of fruits were displayed - also grass seeds, vegetables, implements, etc etc. Here we met
[page break]
Lawrie + Owen + I bought Maud a green cats-eye necklace + was reproved for my extravangance - one exhibit was an anchor of roses designed in butter and very beautiful. There were also fine collections of pot plants + I was able to ascertain Maud's taste in this direction. We then walked round the grounds again, had tea in the W.C.T.U's marquee + and I took a photo (26) a general view of crowd + grounds with Maud in the foreground. Later we met the two Miss Hurleys to whom I had previously been introduced, viz at Awanga last February (1913) when on my Napier-Taupo trip. I took a snapshot (27) of them with Maud + afterwards met Mr + Mrs Hurley who invited us to tea at their home tomorrow evening. Returned to Grays Road + spent evening in drawing room in the usual way.
Previous diary entry Next diary entry