ange of hills, which are
almost worthy of the name of mountains. The tunnel is considerably over
a mile in length. When this means of surmounting the great impediment
presented by the hills was first suggested, it met with serious
opposition, as being far too expensive an enterprise for so young a
colony to undertake. So it was for a while given up; but as the colony
grew in numbers, and produce for shipment poured into Christchurch, the
necessity of the railroad was more and more fully realized. Without it,
all exports by the way of the port of Littleton must be hauled by animal
power over the hills at great expense. Finally the road was authorized;
and once being determined upon, it was quickly built, at a cost of over
one million dollars.

Having penetrated the range of hills by means of this grand improvement,
one emerges into a broad level country, and passes through an
agricultural district which is under a high state of cultivation,
beautified here and there by pleasant rural residences, gardens, and
wooded reaches. The land is divided into convenient lots and separated
by tall hedges of gorse, blooming in all its gaudy yellow splendor, and
impregnating the atmosphere with a sweetness which belied the season,
seeming rather to belong to the balmy days of early spring. Eight miles
of rail brings us to the outlying portions of Christchurch.

This metropolis of the Canterbury Plains is located upon ground as level
as a chessboard, its broad streets intersecting one another with almost
painful regularity and precision, but lined with fine substantial stone
buildings, and rendered attractive by many shops displaying a great
variety of goods. These avenues are full of busy life; horse-railroads,
freight-wagons, coaches, and cabs are constantly passing before the
eyes. The day of our arrival chanced to be that of the monthly races,
and all the world of Christchurch and its environs had turned out to
enjoy a holiday. Some of the shops were closed at noon, that all might
participate in this gala occasion. Four-horse teams, with long ranges of
extra seats rigged for the purpose, started from the public square laden
with male passengers, the vehicles bearing great placards reading, "To
the Races for one shilling." One might have imagined oneself in New
York or London, so rushing was the tide of life through Cashel Street
and Cathedral Square.

The Public Garden of Christchurch is situated in a bend of the river
Avon, on