THE GARDEN PARTY.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 15, 1 November 1931, Page 8

THE GARDEN PARTY.

During Synod an altogether delightful; garden party was given by the Bishop and Mrs. Williams to their many friends. The weather was as perfect as anyone could desire, and the beautiful grounds must have been a joy to all lovers of nature.- One looked in vain for any traces of the earthquake. Nothing but the most delightful of sea breezes came from the lovely Inner Harbour. The lawn showed no sign of where forty people had been accommodated in tents. In the vegetable garden nothing remained of the open fireplace where for months had rested a hospitable kettle, ready for business at any hour of the day or night; bricks and bits of broken mortar had disappeared as if by magic; the wide open doors and windows of Bishopscourt showed glimpses of a beautiful and inviting interior; while the air of desolation that had for so long hung over the place seemed to have been but the creation of a disordered brain. And the happiness of Nature was reflected in the people's

faces. Everyone looked . younger and fresher and happier than ever, and: somehow one felt that the ties of affection and friendship had been deepened by adversity. Everythingwas so beautiful and everyone so pleasant that when one thought of those who might have been there but for the changes and chances of life one felt that with them too all was. well.