THE HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.

Evening Star, Issue 3287, 2 September 1873, Page 3

THE HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.

The Philosophical Institute recently offered a prize of L 25 for the best written history of the Province; and “ Bohemian ” in the Lyttelton Times is a candidate for the purse of sovereigns. We make the following extract from his paper, which we need hardly say is intended to be “ sarkastic ” :—“ The Pilgrims landed in Port Lyttelton. They fell upon each other’s necks and wept. They then removed to the Canterbury plains, and lived in the Dean’s Y hut, which likewise served as a cathedral. There was no bishop, nor bishop’s wife, nor sons, nor sons’ wifes; but the Pilgrims were pious. Their piety oveiflowed the Y hut and filled the streets to this day. Every street is named after a bishop except one. It was only after a long struggle that the men of the world were permitted to have a street of their own. They called it by the original name of High street

But they were not allowed to have it on the square. The street is oblique. It is symbolical of their evil ways. The city has many banks, also bridges. Longfellow might stand on a fresh bridge every night for a year. There is only one monument at present, but there is room for more. When the Pilgrims die it is proposed to fill Cathedral square with monuments. Outsiders will then take possession of the city and live. At present they only suffer. The Old Identities are the only people who have crests and cards. They are the only people who are courteous. They may be known by their bows and carved figure head. The city has also a cathedral; part of it is in the ground, and the rest of it is in the air, where it is likely to remain. There ! the pen of the ready writer has spoken. Sons of the Institute, send me the money !”