IN DAYS OF OLD

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 16

IN DAYS OF OLD

CHRISTCHURCH

■ Some most interesting extracfo from the diary of Lady Barker, who arrived in New Zealand in 1865, tell a tale of old clays in this country, which contrast strikingly with to-day, while, at the same time bearing curious resemblances, such as high rents and scarcity of domestic assistance. Lady Barker mentions a. long old trip from Wellington to Christchuroh, and a landing from the boat, which cost £2, as they'were rowed across to the landing place m an open boat with their luggage. The tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch is mentioned as half-finished, and as being a great undertaking for an infant colony. Lady Barker writes: "At last a sort o£ shabby wagonette was forthcoming, and about 3 o'clock we started from Lyttelton, up a zig-zag, which wm a tremendous pull for the poor horses. It was worth, all the, bad road to look down on the land-locked bay, with its little patches of cultivation and a few houses nestling: in pretty. recesses. . Fifteen years ago only ' a few sheds re- _ ceived the pilgrims, as the first comers' were called." Sunnier is mentioned as having an inn »nd * village where people from Chrißtchurch came tor sea-bathing. Christehuxch was said to be a pretty little town, still primitive enough to bo picturesque, yet very thriving. Lady Barker speaks of the kind1 welcome she received, and of the wonderful practical knowledge of the women of the clay, who yet surrounded themselves with tho refinements and elegancies' of life. "I feel quite ashamed," she wrote, "of my own'utter ignorance of every subject, and am determined to set to work and learn." Three months later she began to tire of the stagnation, socially speaking. There wae only one little theatre, which was far too hot to be pleasant. There were a few balls at race time, but no dinner parties. The look of these aro accounted for: "No dinner parties. I imagine on account of- the ■smallness of tho houses and the inefficiency of tho servants.". At the ball'there was a "great preponderance of black coats. Nearly all the ladies are married—there are very few young- girls-^-and it would be a great improvement to the Christchurch gaities if some of the pretty and partnerless groups of a London ballroom oould be transferred. What terrible heartaches among tbo young gentlemen would be the result of euch an importation!" Lady Barker remarks on the bronzed and ■stalwart men, , whose tailoring, however, wae open to criticism. Music was nforitioned as "bad," .and a. lack of interesting doings on popular linos as very noticeable; visiting and calling on each other appeared to be tho recreation of the day, and did not appeal to Lady Barker; who took great interest in the building of her own-house, about fifty miles out of the town. Rents were mentioned as impossibly high; small houses with cupboard-like rooms being £200 a year, while anything approaching a "residence" was £300. Cab fares wore also "extortionate," half-a.-crown being the least fare, while a visit a mile or i?wo out of town cost from £1 to £1 103. Food is said to be at nearly London prices, except mutton, which was very cheap. Very cheering was tho aspect of the people, who were well fed, well, dressed, and far from the half-starv-ed, depressed appearance, and too often oringing servility of tho mass of the English population. The servants wero extremely ignorant and expensive, though they worked hard and cheerfully, and were honest and willing to learn. ' The training of these was rather disheartening, as when they became really capable they wero "snapped up" as wives. Lady Barker speaks of tho beauty of the trees of Christohurch, even to those early days, and of some fino native bush at Eiccarton. Finally she waxes enthusiastic over the glories of the Southern Alps, and of tho climate—saving and excepting always tho "howling nor'wasfcere."