Early Canterbury Runs.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20316, 15 August 1931, Page 14

Early Canterbury Runs.

j On this page of The Press to-day Mr L. G. D. Ac)and begins a hew series of I accounts of early Canterbury runs. Those who read the tirst series of articles here. or have since read the book in which they were collected, Avill welcome his resumption of a task the value of which increases year by year, as does its difficulty. What Mr A eland is piecing' together is a record of the conditions of pioneer farming in Canterbury, a record in which the material f&cts are most promirent, but, as such facts always are when bundled Avith understanding and a sense of proportion, rich in evidence of pioneer experience and pioneer character. These facts are fast receding from knowledge, even from the search of those Urho wish to make them known, fortunately, the neglectful attitude of many years —it is scarcely too much to call it ungrateful—has been changed. There is a new interest in the foundations and early history of Canterbuiy &nd in the history of the land above all, } nd a new anxiety to learn and preserve it before it is too late; and it may be among the most salutary effects of bad times that they bid us turn back with a livelier curiosity, and humility, to learn how bad times have been faced before. ,