JANE EMMA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

JANE EMMA.

A STORY FOR GIRLS.

'By MAY RICHMOND.)

1 met tlies cheeriest, cliirpiest old lady the other day, and she told mo the etorv about herself when she uii.i a small girl. She lived in Auckland mlkmi ii was quite a tiny place. Her mum; was Juno Emma! Wasn't it 1 right fill? But parents did that sort of in those days. She told me of the lino street where she lived. The house wa* surrounded liy a beautiful bush garden, and there was a high fence all in ni w 1. "How 1 loved that old garden, with its tinkling creek and punga ferns," said the old lady, a bright smile lighting up her face. -Mo.»t of you Budget readers know this very street to-day, but alas, there are no gardens row. I've got you guessing, haven't I? But I'm not going to tell you yet. Then higher up this street stood a very beautiful house, two great plaster lions guarding the doorway. "[ i'pmember that very house!" I cried excitedly, and, what is more, some of you older Budget readers of fifteen or sixteen should remember it too, for it .is only about six years since that fine old house was pulled down. "Yes, there were gay times in Auckland when I was a lassie," continued the old lady. "At that time there were hundreds and hundreds of soldiers about. 'I hero was trouble with the Maoris, and' hngland had sent regiments out to protect tho citizens, and there was nothing [ liked better than to climb upon that high board fence of our garden, and peep over at the red-coated regiments marching past, beaded by a gay military band." "1 don't blame you, I should have loved it too." "I'm afraid I was a bold wee thing, :for when the soldier lads were off dnty they would come and chat to me over "the fence, and I loved it though. I was forbidden to dare to do such a thing." i "Did your mother catch you ?" I asked. !i *oh, my! Didn't she just." "And what did she do to you?" "Gave mo nothing!" as the modern girl says. "An endless seam to sew and the longest chapter in the Bible to learn ?>y heart were part of the punishments." "Gee!" I gasped. "But, blesa you, I did it again," said <le«r old Jane Emma, her eyes a-twinkle, "'and majiy's the whacking I got for it. I anueh preferred the whackings to the long Bible chapters." "Pri<»ele«s f " I murmured. "Ono day stands out in my memorv," •aid ury friend. "There were great doings up at tho big house with the lions. Governor Grey lived there, you know. A fire had destroyed Government House, and he was living there temporarily." "You mean Sir George Grey, who gave nil tjlioso wonderful treasures to Auckland'.'" # '■The same. The people were feeling vi»i*y sad, for the good Governor was going away to South Africa, and -tfas gi.ving a big farewell reception to the chtizeus. " 'Come, Jane Emma,' said my mother, 'f'ut on your best frock, and new velvet Jacket, and a clean tuekcr. It's time we ;were going.' "To modern eyes I would have appeared st scream, with my crinoline and a little fttick out frock, white stockings and I'uuny round hat on my curls. As we turne<f into the big iron gates, there was a great bodyguard of Maori chiefg lined nip on either side of tho walk. They xeached up to the very door. Fierce "tattooed warriors, dressed in priceless mats, and holding great greenstone meres. Thus did they honour their Beloved Governor, These men,. of course, were th« friendly natives, and would bavo laid down their lives for him. Indeed tome of them had been cannibals mot so long ago. I was not a bit afraid, and knew many of the grizzled old felSows who opened their mouths like carpet bags and grinned at me.

"Proudly I walked between these big Inrown men, waving and smiling at them, ♦ill we stood before Governor Grey, who "wm» a very handsome young man. He «hook hands with mother, and I dropped my curtsey. Patting mo upon the 2hesd ho said, 'Little one, I have a book .for you to remember mo by/ and he S&TB me a beautiful volume, dear in yhese days to childish hearts." I '"You havo it still?" I asked. "Alas, no, my dear, I had it for many years, but that is long ago, and in many wanderings it luu become lost." I thanked the old lady for her story, and hoped we eliould meet again. Have you guessed where the street Where tjho creek ran? Where the house was? IVI love to give you three iguesses, but ana afraid Peter Pan would mot let me organise competitions, so I'll itell you. The street Jane Emma lived in was Grey's Avenue Fortunately the lovely trees Btill remain to tell of its past glory and stateliness. The creek in tho garden? That is where the babies play and rtoll in tho grass in Myers Park, .Tano Emma's old garden. I'm glad it's still a garden, aren't you? The houso with the lions? It stood in Karaugahape Road. To-day, instead of wellkept grounds, dignified entrance, a fine old early Auckland home, stand a row of shops. Nccessary, of course, but 1 think evfcry boy or girl in Auckland likes to know something of the early history ©f the city they love and were born in, and this is not dry as dust history, is it?