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Southland Times, Issue 21895, 22 December 1932, Page 11

An amusing story of the early days in Lyttelton was told by the Rev. F. G. Brittan, speaking at the function at which the Canterbury Pilgrims celebrated Anniversary Day (says, the Christchurch Times). In 1849, said Mr Brittan, Captain Thomas was sent out to make preparations for the arrival of the pilgrims in 1850. One of his duties , was to build barracks to house them on arrival. Carpenters were obtained from Tasmania, and, for labourers, 120 Maoris were brought down from the North Island. The carpenters were paid 4/6 a day and the Maoris received 2/6 a day for their work. If the Maoris did not work, they were paid 1/-. “And strange as it may seem, said Mr Brittan, “most of the Maoris preferred to be paid the shilling.