[CONTENTS]
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CONTENTS
PREFACE.......................................................... 1
NEW ZEALAND...................................................... 4
CANTERBURY--Geographical Position--Area--Physical Description--Early History--Arrival of Immigrants--First Railway in New Zealand--Constituted a Province-- Separation of Westland--Population...... 6
TOWNS--Christchurch--Lyttelton--Kaiapoi--Rangiora--Akaroa--Timaru--Leithfield--Oxford, &c................ 10
GOVERNMENT--General Government of New Zealand--Provincial Government of Canterbury--Municipalities--Road Boards...................... 15
JUDICIAL--Supreme Court--Magistrates--Justices of the Peace--Land Transfer Act...................................... 17
CLIMATE--Description--Seasons................................... 18
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL--Natural Advantages--Native Grasses--General Absence of Hill and Forest Country--Land under Cultivation--Crops--Pig-Farming--Sheep--Cattle............................... 20
IMMIGRATION--Want of Labour--Mechanics and Laborers--Farm and Domestic Servants--Conveyance and Reception of Immigrants--Regulations.............................. 26
INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURES, &C.--Flax Dressing--Brewing--Meat Preserving--Pottery, &c., &c............................ 34
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ANIMALS AND BIRDS--Native--Acclimatised......................... 37
EDUCATION---Christchurch College and Grammar School--New Zealand University--Canterbury College--Elementary Schools.............. 40
RAILWAYS, ROADS, AND PUBLIC WORKS--First Railway to Lyttelton--General Government Railways--Roads-West Coast Road--Telegraphs--Bridges--Amount Voted........................................... 43
AMUSEMENTS--Regattas--Cricket--Racing--Theatres, &c......... 45
LAND--Waste Lands--Educational Reserves--Farms.................. 46
COAL, BUILDING STONES, &C.--Coalfields--Stone--Timber....... 48
CONCLUSION--Prosperity of the Province--Classes of Emigrants Required........................................................ 50
Land Transfer Act............................................... 53
Meteorological Record for 1872.................................. 56
Land under Cultivation and Produce thereof, Feb. 1873........... 57
Rates of Wages.................................................. 58
Retail Prices of Provisions..................................... 61
Railway Traffic Return.......................................... 62
Land Sold for 12 Months ending June 30th, 1873.................. 63
Value of Breadstuff's Exported.................................. 63
Produce and Manufactures Exported............................... 63
Sheep Return.................................................... 63
Post Office Savings Bank........................................ 64
The Treasurer's Statement to the Provincial Council, Nov. 1873............................. 67
Notes on the Coal-bearing Strata of the Province, by the Provincial Geologist........................ 76
[PREFACE]
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The colonisation of Canterbury began only twenty-two years ago. But the vigorous growth of a young colony is not to be measured by time. It must be judged rather by the rapid progress of affairs---and especially of colonial affairs--during the last quarter of a century. The facts and statistics given in these pages will, it is believed, sufficiently indicate the progress that has been made in all the material elements of prosperity. They will tend to show the advantages offered to those whom the overcrowded condition of the mother country compels to seek a wider field, where their labor may be sure of its. reward, and where they may look forward with certainty to a home for themselves and for their children after them.
The object of this pamphlet is to afford accurate information to intending emigrants on all important subjects connected with the country to which they are invited. Every statement is made either from official documents or from statistics
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gathered from those best qualified to speak on the several matters treated of. The evidence thus given has been carefully verified, and may be regarded as thoroughly reliable.
The present position of Canterbury is so prosperous, and the advantages it offers as a field for immigration are so great, that it is quite unnecessary to enlarge on them. It will be better to let the facts and figures speak for themselves, and to confine any remarks to the narrowest limit,--leaving the reader to form his own judgment.
There is, however, one point on which it may be well to say something here,--the question of distance. Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, nearly at the Antipodes of Great Britain, and about sixteen thousand miles from home, New Zealand must, no doubt, appear a very long way off to an Englishman who has never travelled far from his own birthplace. But distances at the present day are bridged in so many ways,--by railways, steamships, telegraphs,--that they have long ceased to be formidable. The voyage by sailing vessels from London occupies about 90 days; and the steam journey by way of Suez is made in 60 days. Since the cable has been laid connecting Australia with India, telegraphic communications from home take only six days to reach New Zealand; and when the cable from Melbourne to New Zealand is completed, communication with
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England will be brought within a period of less than two days;--thus "putting a girdle round the earth" and bringing the remotest extremities into almost daily intercourse.
It is not too much to add that the New Zealand colonist of to-day thinks less of a journey home to see his friends than his grandfather would have thought of a visit to the Continent of Europe.
Christchurch, October, 1873
