Petone, Wellington
March 2nd /06
My dear Father
Your letter of Jan 11th I was very glad to get at Nelson when our coaching trip was over – you would have enjoyed that trip. I often wish that some of you could share with me the sight of the beautiful scenery out here.
I see the Naples mail is timed to reach London April 15 & as it is sometimes a day or so early I hope you may get this on Easter morning. All my best Easter wishes to you Father dear. I hope it will be a very happy season for to you all. I don’t know where Aunt Lottie & I will be at Easter-time. I think our Northern trip will be finished by then & personally I don’t think Easter here would be worth hurrying back for & I think Auntie thinks the same – so perhaps we shall be at New Plymouth, but we shall see.
Auntie wrote to Mrs Edward Haynes today I think she quite means to stay in Ceylon on our way back & also at Sydney, then Mrs Gillow of Westport has asked up to go there in the winter time, so that we shall have a break in otherwise rather long winter we should have here. Auntie talks of getting the Orient list of sailings soon to have some idea of what boats are going towards the end of the year. I think her idea seems to be to leave N.Z. about November or December. I am glad so many people seem to find my diary interesting. I am afraid it is often hurriedly written.
I was much amused at Boo’s letter to me & had a good laugh over it, he seems to have much the election. I was very glad to hear from Mrs Byrch that you got Col. Lang in. I was interested in the Evesham Standard account of the big meeting but have not yet read everything of interest in the paper – there has been so much to do since we got back on Tuesday, with the two Secretan girls staying & Dolly away Maidie has plenty to do & I can sometimes do little things for her.
I expect the boys will be busy again at garden work in the Easter holidays, though George will have had time to do some perhaps if he has been at home since his exam.
I must write a few lines to some of the others to enclose with this so will say good night.
Much love from your loving daughter
May E Sladden
