rt," 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 beg