BISHOP HARPER’S ARRIVAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16923, 23 December 1922, Page 17

BISHOP HARPER’S ARRIVAL.

STORY OF THE “ EGMONT ” AND ITS VOYAGE. TO-DAY’S ANNIVERSARY. (Written for the “Star,” by W. H. R. Dale). Sixty-six years ago to-day Bishop Harper, the first Bishop of Christchurch, arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “ Egmont.” Among the 215 souls on board was the writer of the following article, Mr. W. H. R. Dale, who has already contributed a number of interesting .articles on the early days for the “ Star.” Tn a supplementary article Mr. Dale contrasts the voyage of the pioneers with those of later days*

Non that the festivities of the reunion of the old Pionoers and Settlors of the Canterbury Province are brought to a close, it is but fitting that a few lines should he given of the next great event in the history of the province. The advent of the late revered Bishop Harper the first Bishop of Christchurch. To-day December 28, 1922 is the sixty-sixth anniversary of his arrival from London in the good ship Kgn'ont a vessel of 787 tons. All .saloon and steerage passengers embarked on fc-optember 10, 1866. and associated u it It the Bishop and his family were the Rev G. H. Eyre and family and two laymen. The total number of souls on board was 215 and the ship finally left Gravesend on October 11. bhe starts, she moves, she seems to feel The thrill of life along her heel; >V-th one exulting .lovoub bound bhc leaps into the ocean’s arms. Kail on, nor fear to breast the sea, Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee; Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, <! nr faith triumphant, o'er our fears Are all with thee—are all with thee. A voyage from the Mother Country to the Antipodes \g an emigrant ship in those flays was an experience that had to he undertaken to bo realised. 'Jho parting with all friends and relations and the coming into close as aociation for three nnd sometimes four months often resulted in a life long friendship established on board ship. I he voyage of the Egmont waa *;»out the average of the sailing ship. r J he- usual sea sickness, discomfort, and misery incidental to the first week at hoa gradually disappeared as the warmer latitudes were reached. The stifling heat of the tropics, the cold, the succesfive gales in the southern latitudes, and the monotony of the voyage were Bone what relieved by the sighting of the island of Tristan da Cuoha on October 31. We spoke the riup Rod Gauntlet, London to Sydney on November 10, and the ship Telegraph, London to Melbourne on November 18. Four deaths unfortunately occurred on hoard and the good Bishop spent much of his time in ministering to the Bick. Death and burial at sea aro al- - a sad and solemn occasion, with liie shin “hove to” if practicable, v rule the body ta committed to the deep. We had no oostly winding l sheet. VN ° Plaoed two round shot* at his feel. And he lay in his hammock as snug and as sound As a king, in his roarblo statue bound; Uc proudly decked his funeral vest ‘ , Vith a British flag upon bin breast him that as a badge of tbo And then he wsn fit for a sailor's grave. On December 22. the Kemont teas oft Banks Benins,:la in !i K ht wea-

ther and on December 23. a breeze sprang up nnd the ship rapidly approached the Harbour, and at 2 p.m. a gun was fired for the Pilot, who came on hoard and took the whip lip to an anchorage. The mission schooner Southern Cross, with Bishop Selwyn on hoard, was in the Harbour. and a boat was soon seen approaching with the bishop waving his hat. He was soon on board and cordially welcomed by Bishop Harper and his family. The first act of Bishop Harper and his family was to go on shore and attend a service held in n room in the Immigration Barracks, which served as a church for the people of Lyttelton, and fervent, were the thanksgivings of those who had at length reached the land of their adoption. T should also mention that services were regularly held on hoard during the voyage. The mode,of transport, in 1 hose days was indeed Very primitive. The traveller to ( hristohuroh had either to go by way of Sumner or over the bridle path through the Heath cote Valley and over the then ferry and up the Ferry Road. It is on record that to convey the bishop’s luggage, two hand-carts were borrowed, and to these Bishop Selwyn harnessed his sailors from the Southern Cross. A start was made up the bridle path, the two bishops, with their coats off, pushing behind. .Some way up the hill relief was brought by a man working with a team of bullocks. The bullocks were soon yoked to the load, and the summit was reached by midday amidst cheers. At this point more clergy and friends arrived from Ohrishchurch on horseback, and they all sat down to a lunch provided by Bishop Selwyn. The luggage was afterwards loader! on horses and the journey resumed. Another halt was made at Mr T. Oookson’s in Valley, before proceeding on the journey to the city. Bishop Harper was a great and good man, as his life and works prove, and the beautiful cenotaph in the Anglican Cathedral bears witness that his memory was and is still enshrined in the hearts of the people. Where are now those old pioneers by the Egmont and other ships? Many, many, have, joined the great majority, the remainder may be scattered over the face of the globe, nnd as each year comes round their numbers grow fewer til! only a memory of them will remain, and it will bo left to their descendants to recount the trials and vicissitudes incidental to the settlement of the province of Canterbury by their forbears.