Summer Picnics At The Beach

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 5

Summer Picnics At The Beach

(Specially written for “The

Press’ by

RUBY ALSTON)

Rowing on the Avon has long been a pastime in Christchurch. In spring and summer many canoes and rowing boats are to be seen on the river, and many visitors fit in time to enjoy a row.

In 1863 there were three four-oared boats belonging to the rowing clubs, one to Christ’s College, and several to private owners. In December that year the secretary of the Canterbury Rowing Club asked permission to erect a boating shed on the South side of the river. In August, 1881, tenders were called for additions to the boat shed, and sundry works for the Canterbury Rowing Club at Avonside. Later there were boatsheds at Montreal and Antigua Streets. The opening of the boating season was for many years one of the big events of the year. Some boats were beautifully decorated with real flowers, and others with crepe paper. Those manning the boats were appropriately costumed. There was always a “Darkle” crew to give the lighter touch, and later in the day races would be held. In the evening there would be a ball, By Coach To Sumner Nowadays it is possible to enjoy a'day’s outing at almost any of the beaches along the coast; but in earlier days most people went to Sumner or New Brighton. For a time even those beaches seemed far away, as it was necessary to hire a drag, go by horse and gig, or walk. Sumner was well-known to the early settlers. Dr Barker in bis account mentions his wife staying at an accommodation house there. Sumner was then an important link in the communication between the settlement and other ports. At first coaches left for Sumner from a stand near the White Hart. On one occasion a family picnic party went by hired drag for a day at Sumner. On the way they found that they

had omitted to bring cups, so they stopped at what is now known as “the old sod hut,” and borrowed cups, which were returned on the return journey. Sumner was mostly sandhills at that time. Later when trams ran as far as Heathcote coaches linked up with them there, and took passengers the rest of the way to Sumner. After 1888 trams ran all the way. At that time they went round the foot of the cliffs instead of the present cutting. Sometimes big pieces of rock fell from the hills, giving an added thrill to those riding on the top of a trailer; but these rocks fortunately seemed to fall after the tram had passed.

Cave Rock was then a trilling place for the children. At low tide it was possible to crawl in through the rock on one side, and come out through the other side; but at high tide the water would swirl in and around the cave. The pier then ran out into deep water, and the space between the pier and Cave Rock was covered by the sea. Donkey Rides On the beach there were for some time, seven or eight donkeys on which children could ride. There was generally a boy in attendance. Sometimes these donkeys were very slow, and required a good deal of persuasion. Others were speedier than their small riders really cared for, though they would never have admitted it One donkey for the smaller children was fitted with panniers.

Horse trams started in Christchurch in January, 1887, and in 1889 the City and Suburban Company formed a tramway to New Brighton starting from the Clock Tower, which was then in Manchester Street. The route was via Burwood and North Beach, thence along the beach to the centre of New Brighton, where the terminus was just a few wards away from the terminus of the direct route. The travelling time was threequarters of an hour. If you were in a hurry to reach the seaside you took the direct route, while the City and Suburban gave a pleasant leisurely trip. On the route passengers were able to look over the sandhills, and point but Nurse Maude’s camp for tuberculosis patients. The direct line followed much the same route as at the present. Nowadays, if there is any holdup, a message soon brings a relief; but it was different then. Once when a horse drawn tram was returning to town by the direct route, a horse, which was one of a team pulling a tram and trailer, dropped dead. There was nothing to be done but wait

for the arrival of the next incoming tram, which was some considerable time later. One elderly woman caused some amusement by jumping up and down from her place, saying “It’s getting up, it’s getting up”; but that poor horse never got up again. When the next tram arrived it had one car and two horses, so one of the horses was used to complete the team of four for the first tram. The extra car was coupled up with the original two. Then the driver of the second tram mounted the remaining horse, and rode on into town, where he reported the occurrence, and reassured the somewhat anxious people waiting in the Square. Later the familiar steam trams ran both to Sumner and New Brighton. These engines were very powerful and pulled a number of trailers. The “Children’s” tram which left the Square at 10 a.m., was very popular. The fare was 6d return. There were long lines of trams with trailers, stretching from one end of the Square to the other. Sisters and brothers, cousins and aunts would join together, and each family equipped with a basket have a big family picnic. New Brighton Pier The New Brighton pier, which took four years to build, was finished in 1894. Soon swing-boats were provided at the shore end, and provided hours of fun. At the far end the men congregated to fish, and on the pier itself picnickers watched the bathers, and enjoyed picnic fare. Later bathing sheds were also built on the pier. Trawling was very popular, and it was also possible to wade out from the beach and catch herrings.

The steam trams were later replaced by speedier electric trams, though the steam trams could also put up a good turn of speed, and were seen on the lines for many years. With the coming of electric transport, and the popularity of cycling, it became possible for those in business to go to New Brighton and enjoy a dip in the evening. For many years a regatta was held at Lyttelton on New Year’s Day, and this was attended by thousands. In 1863 the events consisted of several boat races, including a pair oars race, a race for watermen’s crews only, a whale boat race, sailing dinghy and river gig races, and a champion cup. The course was round the flagship in the inner harbour. There was also a swimming carnival.

Later when the train ran through to Lyttelton, pulled by steam locomotives, the tunnel at the end of the day was heavy with smoke fumes, Excursions were run to sev-

eral of the bays round Lyttelton, many people going over to Diamond Harbour.

On one occasion the highlight of the day was the blowing up of an old ship in the harbour, this being described as a “gigantic submarine explosion.” In the evening a fireworks display would end the day’s festivities, after which thousands would throng the station, trains coming in and moving off, as soon as possible.