THE CATHEDRAL CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE CATHEDRAL CITY.

9, Eden View Road, Sandringham. Dear Wendy,— Have you ever been to visit the "Cathedral City of the South"— Christchurch? I recently visited there, and thought it one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. As one comes out of the Lyttelton tunnel in the train, all that one can see is miles and miles of flat country seeming to roll back and back till in the far distance it seems to meet the horizon. Gradually the train approaches this "city of the plains," and it is only when one is actually in the city that one can realise the full beauty of the place. Winding through the city is the River Avon—in the summer twinkling gaily 1 on with the sun playing among the , ripples on the surface, in the winter ; still going ever on its way, but with a [ much more solemn air and more as if it realised that summer was over and the sun did not have as much time to play with it as it had in the lazy days of the hot season. On either side of this river, named so long ago by the English colonists after one of their own loved rivers, are cool banks, shady trees, and green lawns, tempting alike harassed business man and idler, a haven for both nurse-

•e maids aiul their charges, as well as for e, scholars seeking a quiet spot for study. !ts Die river, moving quietly, monotonously on, soothes many tired brains and causes )c many to nod and ftrop Into slumber. • e Many and beautiful are the bridges a acioss this river, the pride of all Christehurehers, but the one that t attracts visitors most is the Brid"e of s Remembrance. Different towns" and s different countries have different wavs u of remembering those who so gallantly left their homes and went off to fi"ht ) a ,' u J <l' e > if need be, in defence of "the' ft -'>d Christchurch has chosen to ~ have as a reminder of her sons the - bridge over which every Christchurch a ' soldier marched on his way from the •> barracks to the station. This bridge is a high, imposing one, not greatly decorated but, like most memorials, stately but simple. The only decoration is a carving of n spray of rosemary with "Remembrance" written under it, yet it calls forth all the admiration of the visitors as well as the pride of the citizens. t Hagley Park, with its acres and acres e of playing fields, is another reminder of the hrst colonists who were enough to realise what a great advani, tage such land would be io the future c generations. 1 Then there are the gardens, with elmshaded lawns surrounded by beautiful • gardens which, among all the greenery. 1 make a splash of colour like a rainbow • in a leaden sky. Flowers of all kinds > and colours lift up their heads to the 1 sun to be warmed and to cheer passers- : by on their way. In the middle of all ' , tllls beauty is a fern-sheltered lily pool ' looking delightfully cool even on the hottest day. I In the middle of Cathedral Square i the centre of the city, is the Cathedral I , Its s P"' e overlooking all other I buildings and a landmark for all who know Christchurch. Looking up at it, : with the sun shining on its high, <*rey • V l ™' ?" C t!len roaliscs why the people ot Christchurch are so proud of their i town and why English visitors are so , attracted by Christchurch with its i on River, and Cathedral so much like their homeland, which the first colonists did their best to copy as far as possible. Yes, Wendy, Christchurch with its flatness, high buildings, gardens, and rivers, is a lovely place, and I spent a most enjoyable time there, and was most sorry to say "Good-bye" to Christchurch—the "garden city." Yours sincerely, Gwen Griffiths.

Shirley Sugden—A criticism of your sketch appeared in tlic Budget on December t, »liirlcy. Did you miss seeing: tlie paper on tiiat day? Dorothy Morris—Write and let me know how you* like the college won't you, Dorothy. Yes, shorthand is rather u fascinating: subject, don't you think? . Joan Whelan—Many thanks for your , " ,;w yefooting's, Joan. You rnay either ' print or write your competition entiles, i which should be done in ink. Lena Logan—The right card was forwarded you, Lena. The yellow ones are ol' a deep bull' shade. Dora Watson—Yes, Dora, we will forward you another certificate unite soon. Practice will soon Improve your running. es, good unused stamps may be put into an album, but those stamped will be or 1 ■ more value. Erico Daly—What splendid holidays you , had in Auckland, Erlce. 1 expect you were ; very sorry indeed to go home. Audrey Johnston—How lucky you 'were < that Peggy didn't break down the wall, Audrey. You would to sat a very quick "good-bye" to the plants then. Joan Brlnkman—Yes, Joan, It was quite all right for both you and Lorna to enclose your entries in the same envelope. | Thank you for your good wishes, Doreen Livingstone—Yes. Doreen, 1 am sure that you must have had a lovely time at Takapuna. Did vour friend enlnv the

■- .n j .itiapiiitii. uju your rriend enjoy the r beach as much as you did? Valerie Menzies—Only birthday points for the current year are counted, Valerie. J'hat means that you must save up 22 s points before you send in for a book. You are well on the way to winning your piTre now, though. , Phyllis Roycroft—Congratulations on 1 your success in the exam., Phyllis. I t expect you felt that your pass was a f special Christmas surprise. Is Ken better 1 i' et? Marjorie Ballard—Welcome to tlie club, * Marjorie. Your certificate will he sent r out in a few days. Eighteen is tlie age limit for members of the club. Many , thanks for tlie little poem. " Joan Oavoy—Pen-friends certainly are "fun," Joan. We should love to have ; Mary and X.orna Tor Budgetites. Would , you send them all tlie details or enrolment? Frances MacKenzie—l hope that hoth , you and Susie have a very enjoyable time - in Wellington, Frances. Of course, we ' quite understand that It would have been dinicult to help with our Christmas _ | campaign from such a distance. I Dulcie Wrathall—The city seen from the sea is very lovely as you found it, Dulcie. i Do not overload your descriptions with , adjectives that repeat your ideas too much. This quite spoils the story you bave to 1 tell. Noline Gardner—Yes, Nollne, it is one or ; the rules that the Peter Pan signature should he gummed on the envelope containing the competition entry. A hig welcome to our club. Peggy Wright—Watch the critique : columns for news of your story and poem, Peggy. Thanks for the notiflcatlon of your change of address. Lena White—l think your 25 points will soon mount up tr you work hard, Lena. Write and tell me about your new home won't you, when you move in nest month. Vera Mason—What an Interesting trip you had to the Walpoua Forest, Vera. Were you ail very tired arter such a long and exciting day? Margaret Luxford—Fewer simflies would improve your descriptive pieces, Margaret, and more connected sentences would greatly better your style. Esther Verner—So glad you liked the badge, lCsther. The break-up party and school conceit sounded very exciting to me. What a splendid prize you received. Peggy Price—The bush you described was lovely, Peggy, and you made us quite envious or your trip. Many thanks for such an interesting letter. Audrey Hocquard—So sorry to hear that your sheep died, Audrey. How many have you left now of your little llock? Did you have a good Holiday at Blenheim? Phyllis Clark—lndeed I was very interested to hear about your picnic, rhyllis, and very glad to know that the bad weather didn't upset your arrangements. Picnics certainly are exciting events, aren't they? R. Leese—So sorry that your contribution was not listed, Bobby. Yes it was received quite safely, and Wendy sends her very hest thanks for it. Plum puddings, as you know, were very welcome at the time. Mary Stent—Welcome to the club, Mary, your certificate will be sent out In a few days. No, we do not have pen names In these pages. Points are given as consolation prizes in the weekly competitions, and for all matter published in our pages.