In the early days of settlement, when Lyttelton still had more residents than Christchurch, many settlers had to make regular trips from Lyttelton to Christchurch and back again. From either side they faced a steep climb followed by a steep descent.
Saturday, December 21st
We started at two – Henry, I and Willy McCormick. A very tedious walk over the hills and across the Plains, a greater distance than the wood appeared to be beside which Dean’s house was situated, brought us about six o’clock to the Surveyor’s house… At eleven o’clock [the next day] we commenced a most tedious march across the Plains, and across the hills to Lyttelton. We took a circuitous route, and I was wearied to death, and many times before reaching the town lay down to sleep regardless of the consequences of doing so unsheltered from a burning sun. There was a great scarcity of water on the path and we in our thirst were sorely tired. However, at last we reached Lyttelton.
Source: E. Ward, The Journal of Edward Ward 1850 – 51, Christchurch, first published 1851.
Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
This description by Edward Ward conveys how difficult some settlers found the trip and the drawing below by William Holmes graphically conveys how daunting the walk back down to Lyttelton must have appeared after the wearying climb to the summit.
Saturday, December 21st
We started at two – Henry, I and Willy McCormick. A very tedious walk over the hills and across the Plains, a greater distance than the wood appeared to be beside which Dean’s house was situated, brought us about six o’clock to the Surveyor’s house… At eleven o’clock [the next day] we commenced a most tedious march across the Plains, and across the hills to Lyttelton. We took a circuitous route, and I was wearied to death, and many times before reaching the town lay down to sleep regardless of the consequences of doing so unsheltered from a burning sun. There was a great scarcity of water on the path and we in our thirst were sorely tired. However, at last we reached Lyttelton.
Source: E. Ward, The Journal of Edward Ward 1850 – 51, Christchurch, first published 1851.
Canterbury Museum Documentary Research Centre
This description by Edward Ward conveys how difficult some settlers found the trip and the drawing below by William Holmes graphically conveys how daunting the walk back down to Lyttelton must have appeared after the wearying climb to the summit.
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See also >>
Our new land | Food | Shelter | Stormy weather | Bridle Path | A place to settle
__________________________________________________________________________
Haere Mai, Welcome / Solving History’s Mysteries / Will you join us? / Our Journey / Our New Land / Resources / About this site / Links / Sitemap
See also >>
Our new land | Food | Shelter | Stormy weather | Bridle Path | A place to settle
__________________________________________________________________________
Haere Mai, Welcome / Solving History’s Mysteries / Will you join us? / Our Journey / Our New Land / Resources / About this site / Links / Sitemap