National Library of NZ Entry (First Edition)
This book is a very well-known New Zealand classic, originally published in 1870. Lady Barker came from England with her husband to manage a sheep station in Canterbury for three years. It went well until a terrible snowstorm wiped out most of their stock. Afterwards, they sold the run and made their way back to England.
The account is written in the form of letters back to her sister in England. Lady Barker is a fascinating woman and much has been written about her. You can read her biography here and more about her here.
The letters are in great detail about their arrival, moving in and setting up the farmhouse, organising servants and staff, day-to-day activities, excursions to neighbours, festive holidays, mishaps and adventures, encounters with pets and animals and descriptions of the bush and bird life. Lady Barker is a talented writer and I did not tire of reading her letters and episodes of living on their run.
Here are a couple of pages so you can see how it reads...
Lady Barker and her husband, Frederick are gentry so they do not work on the run. Sometimes Lady Barker had to cook for the household if servants were unavailable and she enjoys keeping small animals like hens, but most of their time is spent in the house working at their desks. They have lots of excursions either walking or horseback and seem to cover vast distances. She describes the beautiful scenery and the ever-changing weather in detail. She is very adventurous, not shying away from meeting all the workmen no matter how remote, viewing the primitive shearing sheds, and climbing mountains. She often remarks on the state of the people living in New Zealand and how much healthier and more self-assured than when they were in England. She feels responsible for their spiritual and intellectual welfare and organises church services and eventually a school for the children.
The one thing that is clear throughout Lady Barker's letters is she loves living in New Zealand and finds it most agreeable. :)
The edition I have was printed in 1908 for a French library. It has an introduction to New Zealand and black and white photographs throughout. There was also a wonderful fold-out map of New Zealand at the back. The book has been printed multiple times and it is quite easy to find in the library, bookstores and it is also in the public domain at Project Gutenberg.
Why am I reviewing this book? It's not a children's book, but it would make a very good book to read as a family. It is very interesting, there are sad moments and some very funny ones too. Lady Barker's writing is excellent and I think families would enjoy her stories. An older child with a good reading level would enjoy reading this as well. It gives a great glimpse into what life would've been like for those coming to New Zealand in the mid-19th Century with all its challenges.
Parents, please note: There are descriptions of killing/shooting animals.