EARLY CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19253, 16 February 1926, Page 6

EARLY CANTERBURY.

THE PILGRIMS.' MUSEUM. LINKS WITH PIONEER DAYS. * Priceless records of early Canterbury are contained in the little museum oi the Canterbury Pilgrim:;' Association. Christchureh in 1850 was a far different place from what it is to-day—a fact which is readily attested by the many well-preserved photographs and paintings of the city in the early 'fifties, which are in possession of the association. There are three oil paintings —all from the brush of Mr. George Turner. One of them shows the intersection of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace as it was in 1852, when flax grew in riotous confusion along the now picturesque riverbanks and when mud-huts dotted the landscape. Flags were flying and there were a number of people about the Municipal Council Chambers —which in those days occupied the same site as .the present old Council Chambers —when the canvas was painted, and there can be little, doubt that it was some special occasion. The other two paintings by the same artist show Oxford Terrace and Worcester Street as they wtjre in 1858. Even i'l the six short years that had elapsed since the first painting Was done great progress was made in the settlement, and the results of hard work are evidenced in the improvements in the landscape, the more imposing building and the better roads. • Onie of the most valuable exhibits in an altogether valuable collection is the diary of Mr. E. R. Ward in three volumes. The contents must reveal many graphic episodes in the history of the Canterbury Province, must throw light, on many of the hardships which assailed the brave band of pilgrims which left Plymouth on board the Charlotte- Jane away back on September 7, 1850. That is the day, on which Mr. Ward's dairy commenced, and it concluded on April 17 the following year. Brown with age a little card in one of the glass cases is among .of the exhibits in, possession of the association—it is a toast list. which was used at the breakfast tendered to the Canterbury colonists at Blackwall on July 50, 1850. Among the toasts honoured that day was that of the Queen, proposed by Lord Lyttelton, and that of John Robert Godley,' founder of the province. And there is another little card which was issued on the occasion of a service held in West-minster Abbey in connection with the departure, of the first portion of the main body of Canterbury colonists. The sermon was preached by the Bfshop of Oxford.