Olave's diary for 1948 Index
Our grateful thanks to Linda Copper for the transcription.
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January 1948
Thu 01 Jan 1948 [Balmora, Victoria, Australia]
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Fri 02 Jan 1948
Left Balmoral with Don Napier in “Service Car” and did the 34 miles to Hamilton & caught train to Ararat.
Lovely scenery – the Grampians in distance. Catch train to Melbourne getting there at 10.0. Long slow journey, mainly in rain, but read “The Robe” & enjoyed it.
Sat 03 Jan 1948
Call on Burns Philp re voyages to N.Z. & on.
Sheila Cameron, Miss Cawthorn & Hooper from Mildura [Victoria, Australia] to lunch. Mr Duncan, Scout Chairman drives me up to the Scouts ‘Gilwell’ at Glenbrook. Went there with my Beloved in 1931. Some Scouts in Camp there & Scouters doing a Wood Badge course under Mr Kennedy.
Sun 04 Jan 1948 MELBOURNE
Did letters all morning. My tea party for ‘chosen few’ special Guide friends – Joan Alston, Merle Bush; Mollie Burns & her mother Margaret Burn, Dell Hayman, Sybil Irving; Elaine Moran, Cicely Lascelles; Gwen Swinburn; Sheila McLeod; Claire Broadhurst; Sheila Cameron; Alison Campbell; Mrs Faulkener; Mrs Rylagh; Mrs Searby; Margaret Fowler; Miss M Moore; Mrs Littlejohn; Miss F Mitchell; Beverley Orr.
Mon 05 Jan 1948
Mr & Mrs Cuthbe (who were on board the “Marella” with us in 1934, going from Singapore to Sydney) to “elevenses” – also Elizabeth Howard – nee Luxton who went with me to Adelboden in 1938 – now has 3 little girls. Mrs Casey to lunch. Call on R. C. women, nursing a sort of “Homecraft School” to try & encourage them to do Guides.
Tue 06 Jan 1948 SYDNEY
Sheila Cameron put me into the “Spirit of Progress” train at 6.0, change at Albury at 10.0 and met the G. Guide friends – the Garnsey’s etc. Sleep fairly well & in Sydney 9.0. Met by “Lady Jay” & Miss Doris Best. Press interviews – telephone calls, letters and to bed early after a walk across the Bridge in the cool evening.
Wed 07 Jan 1948
Gave my “Farewell” Tea party at the Pickwick Club which isn’t a farewell after all, owing to change of plans & going to New Zealand on Feb 20th instead of tomorrow.
To it came Guider friends – Lady Jay, Barbara Kesteven, Jean Eldridge; Noelle Brennan, Mary Mills; Iris Hill; [blank] Aspinall, Merle Dean; Barbara Stevens; the 2 Harrisons; Miss Hellican; Doris Best; Merlyn Attwater; Llian Mitchell; Pat Dorsch; Miss Swinney; Mrs O’Malley Wood, (the Hon. Treasurer) & Major Lloyd (Scout Com) & wife. Later Major Lloyd gave a grand dinner party at Patty’s for about 30 Scout and Guide Comms & their wives & husbands & we had toasts and speeches. It was a very nice “get together” and the first of its kind. Mr Best also spoke – a keen Scouter Chairman.
Thu 08 Jan 1948
The anniversary of my Darling’s going – but I won’t grieve – as he doesn’t want me to. Should have sailed for N.Z. but most lucky having these few weeks extra in Australia unexpectedly, for several reasons. The chief reason is a sudden bother with my teeth. No ache or hurting, but on Mr Quayle’s advice (who I saw at Portland on Dec 11th) I went to an excellent Dr. Stanley Wallace here in Macquarie Street & he whipped out a wisdom tooth without my feeling anything! See Dr. McMullin also & he finds others decaying & might cause trouble. Tea with Jose Dorman & write 25 letters.
Fri 09 Jan 1948
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Sat 10 Jan 1948
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Sun 11 Jan 1948
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Mon 12 Jan 1948
Dr. Stanley Wallace snatched out another tooth – on the left lower front. Didn’t hurt at all - and luckily doesn’t show. Call on Mrs Cooper re doing “Thinking Day” broadcast.
Tue 13 Jan 1948
Dr McMullin stops 2 teeth. He injects local anaesthetic to prevent any hurting. Go in little Ferry boat up to Hunters Hill to tea with the Robinson’s – distant cousin through “Aunt Fan”[1] wife of Wilfred Powell[2] – Robin’s first cousin who was in America.
Wed 14 Jan 1948
Mrs Purley – aunt of Kathleen Cameron who I knew in Kenya – to tea in the morning. Poured with rain all day. Dr. M McMullin dealt with 3 more teeth – struggled with letters – which always seems to go on mounting up.
Thu 15 Jan 1948
By tram to Vaucluse for tea & supper with Muriel Robertson – niece of old 1st cousin, Jamie Powell[3] & Ella (still alive, who I saw at Cro[w]borough last year). She is a nice, plucky woman – trained matron - & ran hospitals & brought up her 3 children well – Con (accountant in bank) Douglas (successful farmer) & Una.
Fri 16 Jan 1948
Teeth with Dr. MacMullin again and felt very “cheap” and awfully depressed – it may be the dentist’s injections or old age! Shopped at Mark Foy’s & had tea there with Noelle Brennan. Wrote letters till late.
Sat 17 Jan 1948
Plod along at my typewriter all day – except brief time off, and visit the Museum. Felt very weary and depressed – and heart bumping a bit – which must be the result of the anaesthetic injections – or else perhaps the beginning of the end?
Sun 18 Jan 1948
How I wish it could be. I do long so to join my Darling awaiting me on the other side.
Mon 19 Jan 1948
Did small shopping – envelopes, stamps etc & had feet done. Called on Stoddart, State Secretary at Scout HQ for nice chat about Scout & Guide doings. Knew him here before – in 1931 and again in 1935
Tue 20 Jan 1948 Pennant Hills
Caught train & popped out to Pennant Hills to lunch with “Mac” & his sister at their “Pax Hill”. Walked about alone in the beautiful wooded camping ground, chapel & Camp Fire Circle. Run on to tea with Lady David at Waitara – then back by train.
Wed 21 Jan 1948
Visit Guide “War Relief Depot” – where Miss Taylor & others mend, make, clean & pack up tons of bales of old clothes to send to Britain & the G. I. S. – a very fine slogging work. Call on Salvation Army Chiefs to discuss co-operation. Jay to lunch. Have last “session” with dentist – all cost me £18.18.0 ! [£577 in 2023] – Lillian to dine & chat.
Tue 22 Jan 1948 Sydney
Edna Rellton (who drove me on tour last October) & her girls, Doreen & Wendy, Merle Deer & Jennifer Julius to “elevenses”. To the Zoo with Iris Hill to see Platypus (delicious things swimming about eating tadpoles!) & Koala Bears in trees.
Fri 23 Jan 1948
Had kept this as a “free” day, but spent it answering telephone calls & writing letters – with just a few spare moments to get money from the bank & rail & ‘plane tickets for my next - & last – journeys in Australia. I am very “dug in” here!
Sat 24 Jan 1948 Wollongong
Run down in car with young Scout Com. Garnsey to Wollongong. Guard of Honour of Scouts & Guides & Civic Reception by Mayor (and wife). Tea & speeches & then all go up to their lovely Mt. Keine Camp. Picnic lunch & Rally of 500 Scouts & Cubs and a few Guides. Exquisite place it is. Stay with Hoskins at their charming home, Gleniffer Brae.
Sun 25 Jan 1948
Stayed in bed for breakfast & messed about in the garden, talking most of the day. He – A.S. Hoskins – is head of big steel works at Port Kembla & was the moving spirit in getting Mt. Keina Camp for the Scouts & all equipped by their company. She rather delicate – Four daughters & Philip aged 13.
Mon 26 Jan 1948 Sydney
Hoskins drove me back in sumptuous Bentley – Rolls Royce. They lunch with me at the Wentworth. Wrote letters & coped with accumulation of mail from England & bothersome wires [telegrams] re my postponed tour in New Zealand. Eleanor Manning came to talk things over & dine.
Tue 27 Jan 1948
Jean Stanley fetches me & we ferry across the Harbour & call on & have tea with Mrs McKell (wife of Governor General) at Admiralty House. To Glengarry – the Guides Camp & Training place at Turramurra. See & talk with Guides in Camp there, & later tea & talk & supper at Camp Fire with Guiders.
Wed 28 Jan 1948 Manly
Deal with wires [telegrams] and tickets re sudden urgent requested visit to Adelaide week after next. To Manley & address a meeting called by the Mayoress in Town Hall of about 60 representative women. Tea & handshakes. See Guides at “Far West” Home & visit local Guide Club room and Edna Rellton acts as escort.
Thu 29 Jan 1948
Mrs Hobbs (who I caught as Com. when at Grafton) from Kyogle to “elevenses” & I enrole her in my bedroom. To meeting of the HQ Committee, chaired by Mrs Stacey – Merle Deen, Millicent Aspinall, Eleanor Manning, Barbara Stevens, Mrs O’Malley Wood, etc, walk across THE Bridge & back by train.
Fri 30 Jan 1948 Sydney
Pack – vacate hotel room & lunch with Lady Manning & [space for names] (Eleanor’s parents) at their club. They then drive me to Vaucluse & have a nice chat with Muriel Robertson. Tram back to city & try to get to film – but “house full” so see News Reel & then Lillian Mitchell & Barbara Stevens to drive and catch train.
Sat 31 Jan 1948 ALBURY\
Arrive 7.30 and met by Guides & stay again at the Albury Hotel. Nice being here again. Write letters & shop & in afternoon go to tea and supper picnic by the Murray River at the water works with Mrs Haywood (the good O.C.) Garnseys & about 30 Guides & Brownies. Very jolly friendly do.
February 1948
Sun 01 Feb 1948 ALBURY\
Wrote letters all day until 4.30 (and washed my hair). Tea and speech to women’s meeting – mainly Church Guild Members & some Guide L.A. members. Then to service in Presbyterian Church alongside. Guides & Rangers & Brownies. Then & I gave a short address at the end.
Monday 02 February 1948
Had meant to have a full day! Instead of that, speak to & lunch with Rotary Club. Then with Mr Heywood to visit Bonegilla Camp where the “Balt” migrants come to have English & get absorbed into Australia. Tea at Hawks View Wodonga & see the Hume Dam. Garnseys to dinner & to cinema after it.
Tuesday 03 February 1948
To bed after midnight and leave Albury 8.10 by the “Spirit of Progress”. Seen off by Guides again & travel with [???] on Robertson, our [“Oip”] from Glasgow just arrived by air to train in South Australia. Met by Guide friends & several lunch with me at Menzies.
Wednesday 04 February 1948
Telephone calls & quite busy morning. Saunders, Sec of Boy Scouts comes to talk Scouting. Dr. [Holmabrook??] to tea to talk Empire. Miss Hamilton, who drove me about at Perth last Sept. collected me to dine with Mr [Beit ??] at her wee flat.
Thursday 05 February 1948 MELBOURNE
Attend short part of Guide HQ Committee & in afternoon did the State Council meeting too, accepting Sybil Chauvel’s resignation (which I helped to precipitate).
Friday 06 February 1948
Do Broadcast recording of message for Thinking Day which is to go over the air all over the world. My Arnie is cousins – Mrs. Binns, Frederick & Proud from Bendigs – to lunch. Olwen Smyth came for afternoon and tea. Mr Essington – Lewis – big important steel business man – called for talk. Margaret Fowler ditto.
Saturday 07 February 1948 MELBOURNE
Mrs Beit comes & takes me shopping. Mr Daley – head of R.C. womens organisation – to lunch & talk about closer co-operation. Get completely level for once with my letters!
Sunday 08 February 1948
Ran out to see the Binns family at Prahran – Arnie is kind friendly cousins, and sent luggage to G.H. Gave tea party at Menzies for Andersons. (Scouts & Saunders. Kay Masterman & “wife” & Mr Beit, Mr R. T. Robinson, Mr Ross from Perth, Cicely Lascelles, Don Napier & Olwen & Dacre Smyth & Robert Hardiman. They stayed for supper & then I ………..
Monday 09 February 1948
…… went up to stay at Government House – arriving there at 9.30 pm on foot which was a comic mode of arrival! To East Kew to see Mr Fitzgerald who was on the “Marella” with us in 1934 from Darwen to Sydney. Luch with Mrs R G Casey at Winsor Hotel, & I hope she & 19 year old daughter will come in to Guides.
Tuesday 10 February 1948 HEALSVILLE
With Cicely Lascalles to Healsville, picnic at top of lovely hill in [???]. To the animal “Sanctuary” – a poor affair – with animals & birds in cages instead of loose and nwither a a good zoo nor attractive wild. Tea with Mrs [Gavan??] Dffy & met a few people who will now re-start Guides. Stay at Golf Club House – a very pleasant place.
Wednesday 11 February 1948 MELBOURNE
Over the lovely wooded hills to Warburton & the Guide House. Guiders “Interstate” training going on with 40 there from all parts of Australia. Jolly seeing them again & lunch & talk at leisure. Call on Cliffords at Wonga Park on way back & saw fine wild sites where Jamboree Camp will happen next Xmas. Dine with Ciceley. Sleep G.H.
Thursday 12 February 1948 SALE
Call on Canon Maynard. Sheila collects & takes me to Gippsland. Carry her brother with us & meet and he helps to put out a bush fire en route. Temperature 104!! Arr. Sale. Supper with Mrs Dennis, the D.C. at a hotel & then see Guides & Scouts sitting in rows in hot hall! They [???] & then I address adults. Stay with Bishop & Mrs Baker.
Friday 13 February 1948 WARRAGUL
Left Bishop’s Court & got to Yallourn for lunch with Guide Committee. Address 600 school children in cinema & inspect Guides & Scouts outside after the ceremonies of special welcome. Address meeting of women in R.S.L. Hall & then hurry on to Trafalgar. Welcome by Shire President & see Guides & hurry on to Warragul. See Guides & Scouts & talk to them. Civic Welcome at Town Hall & a Public Meeting – tea and ……….
Saturday 14 February 1948
…………back to Government House at Melbourne at 11.0. A Heavy day!
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Fly at 11.15 from Essendon to Addelaide. Lady Norrie had planned a fine meeting at G.H. for Headmistresses and “others” – 150 – Gave them a good longish talk and then handshakes and tea. IUp to Marcle Hill to stay in the cool quiet.
Sunday 15 February 1948 MARBLE HILL. SOUTH AUS.
Wrote in peace & comfort & quiet. Undisturbed – except for meals – from 8.0 to 7.0! Mr & Mrs Bagot – she head of Brownies – to dine. H.E. (Sir Willoughby Norrie) rented Pax from us in 1935. She is second wife & is Guide President & I hope she will stir & spur things on in this State more.
Monday 16 February 1948
Left Marble Hill, with H.E. at 7.0 and flew back with him to Melbourne. Nice buffet lunch, with funds council & committee at Mrs Littlejohn’s house. Meeting at Guide HQ of about 25 Heads of schools to urge them to help us more. Dinner at Government House & a bit weary.
Tuesday 17 February 1948 CANBERRA
Sheila collects me in her car for the last of these many times. Pop in to say good-bye to Guide Office Staff & fly to Canberra. Lunch with Watermans at R.M.C. & talk Guides with several & enrol the new Com. Nell Merrivale drives us round in her truck to see the town. Fly on to Sydney arr. 9.0.
Wednesday 18 February 1948
Stay at Wentworth Hotel again and so at home here! Can’t believe I’, leaving for good this week! Meg & Nell Robinson & Lady Manning to lunch. Tea & talk to Council Members & friends at Pickwick Club. Mrs Stacey (Guide Chairman) presided.
Thursday 19 February 1948 SYDNEY
Noelle Brennan came for elevenses. Lady Jay for tea & otherwise do letters & telephone calls all day. Scouters & Guiders party on board “Show Boat” doing a trip about the harbour. – Very hot & thunderstorm. Singing & talk from me & handshakes for about 900 of then – saying farewell.
Friday 20 February 1948
Sail in the S.S. Wahine at midday – seen off by Guide H.Q. friends, though I had told them not to bother any more about me having had me so much more than expected. Good-bye to “our Bridge” and “our harbour” and I( don’t suppose I shall see them again! A tiny cabin.
Saturday 21 February 1948 AT SEA
Luckily to myself and remain in bed more or less asleep all day. Also read enthralling pages of “The Robe” – a most absorbing good book.
Sunday 22 February 1948
Thinking Day
On this small ship, crowded with about 350 people & nowhere to sit or be quiet I found it a best and very pleasant & peaceful to lie in my tiny bunk in my tiny cabin & read and think alone all day. I did mental journeys all over the world – making ………….
Monday 23 February 1948
………….moments of thought contact with Guides & friends – literally all over the world – starting in Kenya & then going to each country in turn & “seeing” the Guides I know in my mind’s eye in every one.
Tuesday 24 February 1948
Arr. Wellington 9.0. Met – in [???] by Ruth Herrick (Chief Com.) & Enid Bell – an old friend & go & stay with her in her wee house at Heretaunga, 17 miles from Wellington – a nice village of pleasant well kept homes.
Wednesday 25 February 1948
Write letters. [meal??] Enid so [???] & dig in her ver stoney vegetable plot.
Thursday 26 February 1948
Add up my tours doing in Australia. Travelled Road. Rail. Air 384 4272 8235 16747
Press Interviews – 24
Broadcasts – 30
Speeches – 235
Places visited – 62
Friday 27 February 1948
Run into Wellington. Do Broadcast recording, and two press interviews. Lunch at the Club, & get money from the bank & arrange about voyage back to England in May, having luckily been allocated a cabin all to myself for a wonder on the S.S. Ruahine
Saturday 28 February 1948
Sew, garden, write 18 letters & go with Enid to call on Joyce [Duthey??] (former good Guider - & in Sweden for World Conf in 1936) & the Hunters came by for “drinks” (tomato juice for me!).
Sunday 29 February 1948
Another good quiet day of doing my endless task of letters – now having to explain to friends in England that I can’t get back until July – instead of getting there in April!
March 1948
Monday 01 Mar 1948
Leave Wellington 9.40 & do most pleasant train journey to Hastings. Lovely scenery and hot. Stay with Ruth Harrick (Chief Com) at Elaine William’s house at Frimley.
Tuesday 02 Mar 1948
Run in to Guide H.Q at Hastings & see Miss Iles, the good Dominion Secretary, about my tour plans which have had to be chopped & changed & altered & re-altered three times over the infantile paralysis [Polio] epidemic & ban on meetings shutting of schools etc. but which will now start in earnest!
Wednesday 03 Mar 1948
Write letters all day until evening and then dig weeds up in the melon bed! Sir Andrew & Lady Russell to lunch. He is 80 - & did very well as General in the 1914-18 war. She is sister of Elsie Williams who owns this house and ……..
Thursday 04 Mar 1948
……was brought up here as this is the old Williams home. Same as yesterday! We all stayed here – my Beloved Darling & Heather & Betty & S – when we toured NZ in our [hirelings??] car in 1938.
Friday 05 Mar 1948
[No Entry]
Saturday 06 Mar 1948
FINISHED all my letters! Sewed, gardened.
Sunday 07 Mar 1948
Peaceful day!
Monday 08 Mar 1948 PAHIATUA
By road with Ruth to Pahiatua & visit Camp of Polish Refugees. About 150 Scouts & families – all very nationalistic – mainly Mrs Kozena, financed by NZ Government. Speak briefly to Rotary Club members having their meeting - & then to gathering of Scouts & friends & their parents squeezed into small hall! Sleep at Hotel at Dannevirke.
Tuesday 09 Mar 1948
Run back the 70 miles to Frimley – lovely scenery & day. Press interviews at Guide HQ & little shopping ordering food parcels to go to England.
Wednesday 10 Mar 1948
The Dominion Guide Executive members came to lunch & did their monthly meeting in the cool & quiet of this pleasant house all afternoon – Mrs Nelson, Longstaff Rolleston, the two Mrs Absoloms; Miss Hoby, Miss Iles (Secretary) & Ruth in the Chair.
Thursday 11 Mar 1948 HASTINGS
Civic Reception by Mayor of Hastings in Council Chambers. Speeches. Address meeting in the afternoon of about 150 plus tea & handshakes. Rally of about 250 Scouts & Guides & all, and public crowding round, in Cornwall Park. Nice eager little lot. Later went to Scouters & Guiders gathering in Scout Hall – handshakes & talks.
Friday 12 Mar 1948 NAPIER
To meeting of Local Association members and parents at [Y.W.C.d ??] house at Napier. Rain poured down suddenly. Mayor took the chair & Armstrong, Labour MP spoke helpfully about Guides. Tea & handshakes; and then Scouts & Cubs & Guides & Brownies crowded in to conjested space. Talked to them & made them sing a bit. Very higgledy piggley.
Saturday 13 Mar 1948
A whole entirely free day – It is a real blessing having this free time in which to breathe & to keep level, unhurriedly with all correspondence.
Sunday 14 Mar 1948
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Monday 15 Mar 1948 NAPIER
[???] Absolom, Scout Com. Takes me over to Rotary Club Lunch at Napier. Gave 25 minutes talk to pleasant, friendly audience consisting entirely of men only. Call & see Mrs Hewitt who came as a “house help” to the bungalow at Taupo when we were there in 1935.
Tuesday 16 Mar 1948 HASTINGS
Rotary Club Lunch here – with speeches and I only hope these talkings I do may have some result for helping Scouting & Guiding.
Wednesday 17 Mar 1948
Maori Farewell Song.
Now is the hour for us to say good-bye. Soon you’ll be sailing, far across the sea. While you’re away O’ then remember us, When you return, you’ll find us waiting here.
Thursday 18 Mar 1948 FRIMLEY
The new local Bishop – Lesser - & his wife to lunch – none other than the Cannon Lesser from Nairobi, who did the burial service for my own Beloved Darling at Nyeri on January 9th 1941. The song recital by Isobel Bailey – quite lovely – beautiful voice & perfect singing.
Friday 19 Mar 1948
Motor in to Napier & catch motor rail car – which, starting 50 minutes late, got us to Gisborne an hour late! But lovely journey & beautiful scenery. Civic Reception by the Mayor at Meeting in big Army Hall – mainly women. Tea & Handshakes & talk with Local Assoc. members in Victoria League Hall.
Saturday 20 Mar 1948 GISBORNE
Free morning & went alone for lovely walk – paddling in the sea – along nice sandy beach! March Past in the street of about 200 Guides & Scouts. All gathered in Army Hall & did welcome Howls & a Haka – and talks & inspection. Informal meeting of Guiders & Scouters in evening – in Victoria League Hall.
Sunday 21 Mar 1948
Whole free day! – go paddling again! – delicious – and this is a charming little place, attractive country & beautiful view across the wide Bay to long rugged coast line. Tea with Mrs Balfour in her home & meet husband & son.
Monday 22 Mar 1948
Speak at High School to the 400 girls – at their 11.0 break period – nice lot. Lunch & speech to the Rotary Club. Very friendly pleasant people here. Talk & tea with Mrs Balfour the nice [???] Com. Catch Rail Car at 4.30 – seen off by Guides – and get back to Frimley at 11.0
Tuesday 23 Mar 1948
Do all my thanks letters to Gisborne & garden again. Pretty young great-niece of Elsie Williams – Kathleen Kemball – to stay night – out from England with her parents.
Wednesday 24 Mar 1948
Russells to lunch – taking Kathleen – their grand-daughter away with them.
Thursday 25 Mar 1948
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Friday 26 Mar 1948
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Saturday 27 Mar 1948
[No entry]
Sunday 28 Mar 1948 Easter Sunday
Frimley. Gardened in the very weedy boarder.
P.S. This house was burned to the ground in 1950 and Elsie Williams gave the property to the town of Hastings as a park.
Monday 29 Mar 1948
Pleasant train journey from Hastings to LEVIN & stay at TATUM Park the Scouts Gilwell Training Camp Ground about 50 Wolf Cub leaders there – gave me welcome & we sat & had tea. I gave a talk. Camp Fire in evening in the “Den” in a loft.
Tuesday 30 Mar 1948 TATUM
All the Cub “trainees” left by degrees & I stayed on & talked & walked with [Jean??] Good, Nancy Wilson, who has been head of Wolf Cubs in N. Zealand for years & stayed at Pax – a fine person; and “Littlejohn” the Scout Con. For trainings & Seddon the New Chief Commissioner.
Wednesday 31 Mar 1948
Wrote all morning. Caught Wellington express at Lewin, with Ruth Herrick on board & stayed at St. George’s Hotel in windy Wellington. And now the strenuous tour begins! With 120 Civic Reception by the Mayor over-crammed Council Chamber.
April 1948
Thursday 01 Apr 1948 WELLINGTON
March Past of Guides & assembly of Brownies at Parliament House. Steps – speeches & cheers all very hurried. Reception by Mr P Frasier, the Premier, handshakes & tea and Maori singing by troupe of Maori girls & boys. He made welcome speech & I replied & met lots of old friends. Guiders meeting, charades – handshakes – talks & tea.
Friday 02 Apr 1948
Broadcast tem minutes talk to Correspondence School children – those far out in the country who cannot get to schools at all. To Lower Hult. Tea with Local Assoc. first & then Civic Reception by Mayor & good meeting of grown-ups. Speak to all the girls at Queen Margaret School, and again a similar talk at Marsden to the whole school. Evening Annual Meeting of Dominion Council – Reports & talk – about 70 there.
Saturday 03 Apr 1948
Reception by Dominion Boy Scout Council – speeches of welcome by their nice Seddon etc. Open a “Fair” in aid of funds for Crosby Hall in London. A nice Garden Party for Local Association members with tea & talk & handshakes all round. Rally Camp Fire in TTown Hall for about 3000 – very well done & enthusiastic.
Sunday 04 Apr 1948
Call & see some sick guides in hospital. Lunch with Enid Bell at Heretaunga & then on to Featherston & stay at Longwood with the Dan Riddifords – where my Beloved & I spent our birthday in 1935. Tea Party of local Guide supporters and friends & they sit all round the drawing room & I talked to them about World Guiding.
Monday 05 Apr 1948 MASTERTON
Run over to Masterton & do Rally on Show Ground of Scouts & all – nice little lot of about 300. Inspect & talk. Tea with Mrs Mansell & then buffet supper & handshakes with Local Association members followed by Civic Reception by facetious Mayor at Public Meeting in packed Masonic Hall. Good audience. Back to Featherston late-ish.
Tuesday 06 April 1948
Return by road in comfy loaned Government car to Wellington. Rotary Club lunch & speeches – followed by Reception by Travel Club – mostly women. Nice interested audience – but in long crowded room so had to have microphone which makes ones voice metallic. Catch night ferry boat from Wellington to Christchurch.
Wednesday 07 Apr 1948 CHRISTCHURCH
Arr. Lyttelton in a gale – met unexpectedly by a few Guides. Press Interview. Civic Reception by Mayor in City Chambers with speeches. Lunch with Guide Comms. Visit & have tea at Cracroft House – the little old house loaned for local Guide use just outside the town. Gave short talk – at Nat Council of Womens “Peace” Rally, amongst 5 other speakers.
Thursday 08 Apr 1948
Longish talk with tea to members of Travel Club – mostly women. Ditto lunch with Junior Chamber of Commerce – all youngish business men. Reception with speeches & tea with Local Association members etc. Do two Broadcast recordings. Supper, talk & singing with Guides & see good films of World Jamboree (1947)
Friday 09 Apr 1948 INVERCARGILL
Leave Christchurch by Air. Touch down at Dunedin & see Guide Comm (Mrs Soper) & then on to Invercargill. Beautiful flight – clear & wonderful view of snow topped mountains. Stay Grand Hotel in town. Civic Reception by Mayor – grand speeches to packed Council Chamber. Press interview. Meeting in the Room for Scouters & Guiders – talk & handshakes and rea all sitting about and a bit shy.
Saturday 10 Apr 1948
A blessed free morning & got through letters well. Rally out of doors by St. John’s Church – Guides & Cubs & all & did a “Camp Fire”. Reception in the evening for representatives of other organisations – speech & then handshakes & tea!
Sunday 11 Apr 1948 INVERCARGILL
Church Parade – March Past in to Church – and excellent address by Archdeacon Lush. I led renewal of the Promise. Tea Party, with handshakes to members of local Assoc. at County College of Mrs Mcdonald, the former Prov. Con in 1934. . Free late evening walk in the fine Queens Park alone.
Monday 12 Apr 1948
Reception at Women’s Club – speech & tea and talk. Seen off by Guides at station & then seen by wee groups of Guides at stations en route – Matauna – Gore – Milton & Balclutha – with cups of tea & handshakes! – Welcome G Guides lining the street at Dunedin. Press interview & do a Broadcast interview recording.
Tuesday 13 Apr 1948 DUNEDIN
Morning tea & party given by the Mayor, followed by Civic Reception in Council Chamber – Grand speeches in tightly packed room. Lunch with Nat. Council of Women. Speeches. Tea with Guide Local Assoc. members at the club, followed by address to the club members. Supper party with Guides & Scouters after a splendid Rally & Camp Fire in packed hall – A keen jolly lot.
Wednesday 14 Apr 1948
Visit & address three schools in turn – taking my Standard with me which I used a bit as a topic to talk on. Very good eager audiences - & some Guiders amongst them. Tea Party given by Mrs Soper – our delightful Prov Com who had been at Evian Conference in 1946. Address Junior Chamber of Commerce members - & supper with them afterwards.
Thursday 15 Apr 1948 OAMARU
Leave Dunedin in loaned Government Car. Seen off at the roadside by about 100 Guides & Brownies. Lunch at Waitaki Girl’s School with Mrs Wilson & Rally on school playing field. About speeches & singing and inspect them all in rows. Rush on to Timaru. Tea with Rotary Club – speeches & later in evening address Women at the club.
Friday 16 Apr 1948 TIMARU
Lunch with Miss Oakley (Prov. Con.) at Craighead School. Call on ill Guides at Hospital. March Past of about 500 in the street with band & then address them all at the “Sound Shell” in the public park & inspect them. Supper with Scouters & Guiders & handshakes all round. Later address good, big public meeting – excellent nice audience.
Saturday 17 Apr 1948 ASHBURTON
Left Timaru & call in for “elevenses” at Geraldine with the [Olfords??] on to Ashburton Lunch – standing up – with Local V.I.PS – speeches after it and then hurry to see local Guides & Cubs in nearby hall, as it rained. Get back to Christchurch & stay at the Clarendon again & write letters all the evening after short walk.
Sunday 18 Apr 1948 CHRISTCHURCH
Church Parade of about 1000 Guides & Brownies in Cathedral – many sitting on the floor. Colours well carried & arranged. March Past after it. Afternoon see & talk to them all – plus Scouts and Cubs in Barracks.
Monday 19 Apr 1948 GREYMOUTH
Leave Christchurch 9.30 and do lovely 200 mile drive over Lewis Pass to Greymouth. Good car & driven made it not so long as expected. Marvellous scenery. Civic Reception by Mayor mixed with Public Meeting – heavy audience & my speech broadcast. Supper party of about a dozen.
Tuesday 20 Apr 1948 HOKITIKA
Ran over the 24 miles from Greymouth to Hokitika. Marvellous view of Mt Cash in sunlight. Tea with Local Assoc. at Red Lion Hotel. Civic Reception by Mayor on steps with rows of school children & public & Guides. Back to Greymouth for lunch for Business Girls. Rally on Show Ground – spoiled by rain & cold. Put them up in the grandstand for talk. Party for Local Assoc. – speeches & singing.
Wednesday 21 Apr 1948 WESTPORT
Glorious 60 mile drive along the coast. Wonderful scenery of sea, cliffs, bush etc and walk to see famous “Pan-cake” rocks – amazing formation & immense sea “blow hole” Arr. Westport. Small Rally of rather frightened Guides etc. Inspected & talked to them & made them sin. Miss Dawber near shy D.C. Civic Receoption – quite full. Tea later with Local ASssoc. & Guides.
Thursday 22 Apr 1948 NELSON
Drive 180 miles in pelting rain through the famous Bullen Gorge – stunning scenery in spite of downpour. Rally of several Companies & Scouts & all in big hall. Talked – made them sing & inspected them all. Civic Reception – in Council Hall with speeches. Also Rotary Club supper with more. Stay with GREARS – our P.C.
Friday 23 Apr 1948 BLENHEIM
[continued from 22nd] at pleasant home [near ??]
Leave again after 11.0 tea & talk to nice party of Local Assoc. at the Nelson Club. Picnic lunch on lovely journey to Blenheim. [???] lot of Guides etc in St. Patricks Hall also crammed with school children. Tea with Guide Committee. Civic Reception with speeches followed by party with songs & handshakes.
Saturday 24 Apr 1948 PALMERSTON NORTH
Fly from Blenheim at 8.30 to Palmerston North, changing planes at [??]
Civic Reception by Mayor in Council Room. Rally of Scouts & Guides in theatre (owing to rain) followed by March Past & inspection. Big tea party with Scouters & Guiders. Local Assoc. (300) with talk from me. AddressPublic Meeting followed by [continued onto 25th]
Sunday 25 Apr 1948
[continued from 24th] late cup of tea with Rotary Club & go on 23 miles to Arakina – our New Zealand “Foxlease” at Marston.
Monday 26 Apr 1948 WANGANIU
Start late & rush over the 19 miles to Feilding. Civic Reception by Mayor in open in front of Town Hall with rows of standing Scouts, Guides & Cubs & Brownies & masses of school children & their parents – Very cold. Made them jump to get warm. Speeches and go round them all. Address pupils of Feilding agricultural College – Good. Back to lunch at Arakina & hurry on to Wanganiu. Rally in Public Park of about 400. Tea with Guiders at Camp Hut outside town. Public Meeting cum Civic Reception and handshakes after it at hotel.
Tuesday 27 Apr 1948 NEW PLYMOUTH
Leave Wanganiu early and stop en route at PATEA and see local Scouts & Guides assembled outside school. Look at them & talk to them and all the school children surrounding them. Tea at nearby small house with Local Committee ladies & get on then to New Plymouth. Looking with real luck & joy at Mt. Egmont in snow & sunshine all the way. Press interviews – do letters all afternoon & have Guiders gathering in evening.
Wednesday 28 Apr 1948
Civic Reception by Mayor & M.P. etc on the balcony of Criterion Hotel overlooking the main street. Trams & traffic stopped & speeches re-laid on loud speakers to public standing in the street. Rally in fine Pukekma Park – March Past – Talks and inspect them all – about 400. Tea with Commissioners in Kiosk in this beautiful public park – marvellous view of Mt. Egmont. Speak in evening to Public and supporters – nice meeting.
Thursday 29 Apr 1948 AUCKLAND
Drive round seeing lovely view of Mt. Egmont (by Miss Lysaght, Prov. Com.) & then to airfield & fly to Auckland. Stay at Government House with Gov. General Freyberg. Civic Reception & tea party by Mayor in Council Room to meet all the V.I.P’S with very short speeches. Evening party with Victoria League and their “Young contingent”. Long programme of “items2 before my talk (of Empire Guiding) so make it short & bolted home before their supper.
Friday 30 Apr 1948
Press interview at G.H.. Call at Mrs Coates house & present Badge of Fortitude to pathetic invalid, brave Guide. Lunch at Teachers Training College & speak to 600 men & women students. Went off well.
Tea party at Lyceum Club. Met Isabel Baillie (the lovely singer there). Gave talk on World Guiding & handshakes afterwards. Address Public Meeting in big Town Hall – Good audience & Scouters & Rangers there & choir sang.
[1] Frances Elizabeth Mansell, b. Jan 1865 in Australia
[2] Wilfred, son of Henry, younger brother of Rev Prof Baden, B-P’s father.
[3] Elder brother of Wilfred
