Overview
Fri. Mar. 8
After breakfast Clif + I went up slope of Mt Victoria above Majoribanks's St. Photos 1/2 pl[ate] (23) City, showing Wgton [Wellington] College, Basin Res[erve], Mount Cook etc (24) + (25) panorama of harbour + Te Aro + (26) telephoto of the camouflaged transport (No. 143 S.S. "Arawa" Shaw, Savill + Albion Co) that Will came back in, lying at Clyde Quay Wharf. This vessel was originally painted grey + had
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been repainted in stripes + patches of green, black + white, the former predominantly. Left 1/2 pl camera at P[eople's] P[alace] + taking 1/4 pl Clif + I went in the "Duchess" to Days Bay leaging at 10.15 am. As it happened a large party of Victoria College students, mostly young ladies, were going out to picnic at day's Day + among them was Miss Nora Gardner, Viv's friend + I had a few words with her. took 1/4 pl photos (27) Mt Victoria + Roseneath from the "Duchess" + (28) on board the "Duchess". On arrival Clif + I walked to northern end of Day's Bay + took photos (29) of Day's Bay + (30) "Duchess" going from Days to Rona Bay. A large number of the students were bathing near the wharf so we went in too first taking a snap (31) of the bathers. The water was delicious + we had a fine swim. Lunched at the Pavilion + then walked past pond up into the bush. A good track following stream for the most part, + lovely birch trees. Later we followed a side track to top of spur which lies between the two gullies behind the Bay. Sat there
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awhile + enjoyed view. Numerous villas among the bush on the lower hillsides + many on the flats between hills + shore. Clif pointed out Croyden School. I had no plates left but many nice photos could be got. Descended by a zig-zag path + walked back to the Pavilion + watched students play rounders. On a seat on the verandah near us was the loveliest + finest girl I've yet seen in Wgton [Wellington], a young gentleman on either side of her. She had "stunner" eyes, as Clif remarked, a gay wilful manner + a grand figure (this latter she displayed with great abandon later when bathing) - in fact a real beauty she was + unfortunately knew it. She returned to Wgton on the 4.20 pm boat when we did + flirted with four fellows in all + many of the Vic College students who knew her, gazed at her with much interest. Personally,I was greatly struck + would have liked to have heard her name. Asoutherly wind sprang up
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+ the return journey was rougher than the outward one. Changed at the P.P. + went up to "Fern Hill" to tea + spent a pleasant evening bagatelle, etc. We took a walk down Willis, Manners + Cuba Streets before returning to hotel.
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[High resolution image of whole page is available by scrolling through images attached to George Leslie Adkin personal diary, May 1917-February 1919