PILGRIMS' GATHERING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 13

PILGRIMS' GATHERING

A PLEASANT FUNCTION

From the many large gardens in and around Christchurch, no more beautiful place could have been chosen for a garden party than "Ham," the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Stead, Eieearton. It was there that the members of tho Canterbury Pilgrims' Association and their friends gathered on Saturday to spend tho afternoon renewing old friendships and talking of the early days, says the Christehurch "Times." The garden, with its beds of tall agapanthus, pink antirrhinums, and brick red zinnias; its largo and shady oak trees and its quietly flowing stream and old water wheel was much admired by the many visitors. For those who preferred to sit and recall past experiences, seats were provided on the lawns, but tho majority, wishing to see more of the garden, wandered at their will over the rustic bridges and among the stately ferns. Mr. John Anderson, patron of the association, and Mrs. John And|rson, president of the women's executive, welcomed the guests. With them were Mr. E. R. Webb, president, Mrs. AVobb, Miss Betty Webb, and Miss D. Anderson. "Ham" is part of an estate of 50 acres bought by a pioneer resident, Mr. Jesse Watts Russell, who named it after his father's homo in Derby-" shire. Mr. Eussell brought with him

tho .wooden structure and bricks for his new lionif, and later sold the place to the Hon. W. Robinson, who, in his turn, parted with it to Mr. Leonard Harper. Mr. Patrick Campbell, Mr. G. D. Greenwood, and Sir Owen Cox all owned it in turn, till it becamo the home of the present owner, Mr. Edgar Stead. A delightful time was passed and tea enjoyed, Mr. Stead being thanked for making the gathering of "pilgrims" possible and pleasant.