Overview
Sat. Sept. 5
A breezy but fine day. Maudie and I decided to spend day in Napier. Walked down to 9.25 am train + managed to scramble abroad without tickets as it was leaving station. In order to avoid the fine I practised a deception on the guard (who fortunately proved to be rather dense), by pretending that we got in at Tomoana saving my conscience in a neat fashion which I am sorry to record caused us both much merriment. On arrival we walked to the Botanical Gardens via Nelson Park, the Elec[tric] Tram sheds + Faraday St + finding a sheltered spot regaled ourselves on kisses, cuddles, biscuits + chocolates. Had my 1/4 pl[ate] camera with me + took a photo (1) of Maud on a sear near the main lawn + (2) My Sunshine Girl in
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her Teddy Bear coat ( a near view) + (3) The Darling refreshing herself at the drinking fountain. We then took a little tour round to see the now famous violets + sat for some time on the concrete enclosing the circular garden at the foot of the brick path + enjoyed a most delightful conversation. About midday we walked into town for tea at our usual rendezvous - Murdoch's. Traversed Hastings St + the Marine Parade + took a photo (4) of the Boer War Troopers [sic] Memorial with Maud on the pedestal + the parade in background. We returned to Post Office and took the elec[tric] train over Scinde Island through Port Ahuriri to Ossian St + walked up to Hospital Hill via same + Goldsmith road. Called in at the Hospital Nurse's Home to see sister Alice who is learning the profession there. She was delighted to see us + took us round the various wards of which there are a great number. Took a photo (5) of Alice in her nurses [sic] uniform at front door of Nurses' Home, + dropped down to Clive Square in a taxi - just missed the 3pm train home so waited in Clive Square for the 4:5 one.
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Spent the evening in the drawing room + gave Maud a resume of my financial position + prospects - she is sweetest darling imaginable + I'm more convinced that ever that I'm a very lucky fellow to have won such an angel.