Overview
Thurs. Mar 5
The trap being in use this morning Maud + I set out on bicycles for the Ngaruoro Bridge on the Pakowai Road for a little picnic. We crossed the bridge + wheeled our bicycles up a paddock on the left bank of the river + found a nice place under some willow trees. We decided to bathe, but first, after getting into our costumes, sat on the rug for a sun bath + cuddled each other - a rather unorthodox proceeding perhaps, but quite correct in our case because we are such a [word underlined] nice [underline ends] pair + know how to behave ourselves. The river was rather shallow + only moderately warm so we did not stay in long. Then we lunched on lovely tomato, egg + cucumber sandwiches cut by my little girl + spent afternoon talking and listening to her read. Later I decided to bathe again + got Maud to again get into her bathing costume so that I might
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take another photo (28) of her in that style. For fun she put on my costume + I her's - she looked very sweet but resumed her own for the photo. I also took a photo (29) of Maud beside river + she took one (30) of the river + bridge with self in foreground. At 3pm we had afternoon tea + then left for home. I got a snap (31) of Maud on bicycle in poplar avenue near the bridge. After bath + change, Ralph, Maud + I set off in trap to Mrs Hurley's where we were to spend evening. Olive was to have gone too but did not return from town in time. On arrival we were taken for a walk round the garden + orchard by the two Miss Hurleys - Bessie + Nettie. The Hurleys have a most beautiful home - about 8 acres of very fertile land, sheltered on the south side by that fine plantation of huge trees known as Beetsons Park + watered by artisian water. The orchard (about 2 acres) is
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magnificent - the finest I've ever seen. Wonderful pear, apple + peach trees, all laden with fruit. The pears were of gigantic size and the apple crop tremendous - as much as 1/2 ton of fruit per tree - one or two of these had been split and crushed to the ground by the weight of fruit in spite of their age and size. The soil is rich and black. In the midst of all stands the beautiful house - tiled roof + extremely ornamental and picturesque inside - much panelling with heavy beams of dark wood supporting ceiling, doorways etc. At tea we met Mrs Hurleys [sic] brother, Mrs Jack Ferguson,+ her little son, Eaton. Mr Hurley returned from his bank later in the evening. After tea we sat in the drawing room + engaged in conversation + enjoyed musical items: - Miss Bessie, recitations, beautifully done so natural + expressive; Miss Nettie, sang "Somewhere a voice is calling;" [sic] darling Maud gave violin solos. Olive (who turned up during the evening) pianoforte solo; Ralph song + Mr Fergusson recitation. Bessie + Nettie showed me some of the latter's photos + we found we had a conjenial subject of conversation. Mrs Hurley, the girls + the others are very nice indeed and we spent a very pleasant evening. On the way home I felt quite excited + amused Maud + and others with a few vocal items. We had a second supper in kitchen on return to Grays Road, Maud siting on my knee to the amusement of the others.
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