Christchurch, New Zealand, 1st May 1888

May 1st

This morning was very fine though cold, but now it has turned to rain. While we were at breakfast, Mrs Hallam came to ask if Anna would go with her to help her to buy a wedding present. Anna was almost done so she went off to get her hat and those two started.

The General said he wanted to go photographing and asked me to go with him which I did. He took a photograph of this hotel with me standing in the verandah. We then went on to the gardens and he tried to take a view of the Hospital, which is rather a picturesque building, but the wind was too high and then something went wrong with his camera so he had to give it up, and we went to our favourite place, the museum.

There is such a large collection of birds there. I should like to have some of them very much. It is curious to see the number of little children who come into the museum. They are quite good and do not touch anything, but they look at them with the greatest interest.

The General has now gone to pay a visit to the Browns though it is pouring with rain and Anna and I are getting on with our letters. But to return to Saturday.

In the afternoon, the General went off to Little River, which is about three hours by train from here. He wanted us to go with him, but I did not think it would at all repay us for the trouble and expenses, so we declined and he had to go alone. Anna and I spent that evening at the Nidwills and Mr ... was there and sang for us. He had a very good voice and sings very well. We have seen very little of that young man lately as he is very busy painting a picture for the Melbourne Exhibition. We are to go and see the picture one day this week in his studio, and I feel rather worried about it as I am afraid it will not be first rate and I shall not know what to say about it.

The Sunday afternoon, Anna and I walked with the Nidwills across the park. We went to call on the McMillan Browns, and we promised the Nidwills to meet them again on the way back. Well the Browns were very kind and wanted us to stop for dinner but we did not want to do so, as it is rather dull there, so we said we thought we were engaged at the Nidwills. This was not exactly the truth but it severd our purpose of getting away from the Browns. We again met the Nidwills and Mrs N asked us to go in and have tea with them and we accepted. I then told her what we had said to the Browns and she was very much amused.

Saturday after lunch the General walked in. He said he had not enjoyed his trip to Little River at all. The day was not very fine and he had to put up in a 'Pot House' where most of the people got drunk, so it was as well we did not go with him. We are invited for tomorrow evening to an At Home with Mrs Nidwill – there is to be dancing and music. It is the first regular evening entertainment that I have been asked to since I have been in Christchurch and for the first time I shall wear my evening dress.

The Friday we are to lunch with Professor and Mrs Cork. We have not been to them before. The McMillan Browns want us to stay with them for a few days before we leave, and I expect we shall have to as they have asked us several times. I do not think they are favourites here. People here say she was the daughter of a ... but she is quite lady-like in her manners and she is very clever. She is now head mistress of the Girls High School here and the girls pass all the public examinations very well.

I think Gerald is a very pretty name and I am glad the baby is so pretty. I do not expect I shall be able to afford any new dresses before I return home, but if I really must get one I think I shall get it at Sydney. It will be cheaper than sending home for it. I wish I had another bonnet from Robin's but I do not think it would be worth while to send one out to me. I expect when we are on our way home we shall both want some decent dresses and then I think I will write and ask you to make some for us at Robin's with a hat and a bonnet for each of us.

But there is time enough for that. We shall be leaving here I expect in almost a fortnight, and then we shall go to Auckland, where we shall have to stop at least a fortnight, and from there on to Sydney. We are going to take a through ticket to Sydney as we find that it is the cheapest option and we can break our journey when we like.