Lapworth, a quarter of a mile off, was shouting “Stop her!  Stop her!” but the mare needed no assistance; she evidently understood where she was required to go, and decided to do it in her own time and way.  Galloping to the grass plot on which we were standing she suddenly stopped short and deposited Lapworth ignominiously at our feet.  The other animal followed suit, but did not succeed in clearing itself, and after some tacking Bob and the boatswain got under weigh again and steered for the “White Hart,” where they were bent on a spree.

Christchurch at this time was about fourteen years in existence.  It consisted of only a few hundred houses, chiefly single-storeyed and entirely constructed of timber.  The streets were well laid out, broad, and on the principle of the best modern towns, but few of them were as yet made or metalled.  There were not many buildings of architectural pretensions, but all were characterised by an air of comfort, neatness, and suitability, and it was apparent the rapid strides the young colony was making would ere long place it high in the rank of its order.  There were two churches, a town hall, used on occasion as court house, ball-room, or theatre; three hotels, some very presentable shops and stores, and a few particularly neat and handsome residences standing in luxuriant grounds, such as those occupied by the Superintendent, Bishop, Judge, etc.  The suburbs were extending on all sides with the fencing in of farms, erection of homesteads, and conversion of the native soil into land suitable for growing English corn and grass.

Through the rising city wound the little river Avon, only twenty to thirty yards in width, spanned by two wooden bridges, and a couple of mills had also been erected upon it.  The river was only about fifteen miles from its source to the sea, and at the time to which I refer was almost covered with watercress.  This plant was not indigenous; it was introduced a few years before by a colonist, who was so partial to the vegetable that he brought some roots from home with him, and planted them near the source of the river, where he squatted.  The watercress took so kindly to the soil that it had now covered the river to its mouth, and the Colonial Government were put to very considerable annual expense to remove it.

As I have already stated, we had been provided with introductions to some of the most influential families in Christchurch—­namely, the Bishop, the Chief Justice Gresson, and some others.  The following day we made our calls and were most hospitably received, especially by Mr. and Mrs. Gresson, who from that time during my stay in New Zealand were my constant and valued friends.  We were introduced to many of the best up-country people, and a month was passed pleasantly visiting about to enable us to decide on what line we would take up as a commencement.  We possessed very little money, so a life of service in some form was an absolute necessity at the beginning.