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Title: Distant Homes: Or the Graham Family in New Zealand

Author: Isabella E. Aylmer

Publication details: Griffith and Farran, 1862, London

Part of: Nineteenth-Century Novels Collection

This text is the subject of: The Puritan Paradox: An Annotated Bibliography of Puritan and Anti-Puritan New Zealand Fiction, 1860-1940 : Part 1: The Puritan Legacy

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

Distant Homes; or the Graham Family in New Zealand

Contents

Contents.

	page
Chapter I.
First Announcement of the Parents’ Intention of Emigrating—The projected Voyage—Tom's Opinion—Lucy and Beatrice—Lucy's Cowardice	1
Chapter II.
The Departure—Tom visits the Diggings—Captain Hobson's Race with the Frenchman—Birds in New Zealand	10
Chapter III.
Arrival in Blind Bay—First Sight of Nelson—The Colonial Servant—Lucy disappointed	18
Chapter IV.
Foundation of Nelson—The Whalers—Wingless Birds—Description of New Zealand—The Reason of the War	23page iv
	page
Chapter V.
A Sinking Ship—Leaving Nelson—A Volcano and Earthquake—Lucy's Alarm—Appearance of the Sea	28
Chapter VI.
Voyage to the Canterbury Settlement—Lucy's Mortification—Hot-water Lake of Rotamahana—Arrival at Lyttelton	36
Chapter VII.
Account of Tom's Overland Journey—Arrive at a Pah—First Impressions of the Natives—Native Swing	42
Chapter VIII.
Some of the Native Manners—Tabu and Eating—Working out the Tabu—Retaliation	50
Chapter IX.
A Walk in the Forest—Crossing a River—Advice from an Old Settler	55
Chapter X.
Arrival at Christchurch—The Backbone of New Zealand—Finding Lodgings—Tom's new Friend	61
Chapter XI.
Lucy and Beatrice become Teachers—Native Religion—The first Missionary—Letters from England	67page v
	page
Chapter XII.
The Journey Home—Akaroa—Sleeping in the Open Air—Arrive at the Estate—Making a Bed—The Native Welcome.	76
Chapter XIII.
The First Days in the Cottage—The Bell-birds’ Morning Hymn—Lucy's Repentance—Unpacking—Tom makes a Garden—Aps's Gardening	85
Chapter XIV.
Christmas in New Zealand—Great Preparation—Making a Goose Pie—A Summer Christmas	95
Chapter XV.
Aps gets into the Boat—Nearly Drowned—Tom Faints	102
Chapter XVI.
Christmas Day—Arrival of the Clergyman—Walk after Breakfast—Who pulled the Child out of the Water—Church in the Bush—Another Accident—Dinner Time	109
Chapter XVII.
A Visit to Auckland—Another Journey—Races at Wellington—Taranaki—Cattle Show in Auckland	118
Chapter XVIII.
Additions to the Farm—Winter and Ice—An Unlucky Family—How the Floods Rise	125page vi
	page
Chapter XIX.
A Visit from the Natives—An Alarming Proposal—Canoe Song—Maori Presents	134
Chapter XX.
The Natives build Houses—Arrival of the Chief—Tom is sent for—The Agent's Advice to Tom—Death of the Agent	142
Chapter XXI.
Tom leaves to become a Sailor—A melancholy Week—Biddy acts Comforter—A Stratagem	149
Chapter XXII.
Sad Thoughts by Moonlight—An alarming Visit—Insurrections among the Natives—Native Gratitude—The Rebel Chief—Captain Graham's Return	154
Chapter XXIII.
The New Church—The proposed Visit—The Kurmara or Sweet Potato—Cutting a Native's Hair—Wood-carving	161
Chapter XXIV.
A Native Feast—Games—Fairy Net—Native Dancing	168
Chapter XXV.
The Purchase of Roses—The Scotch Gardener—A long Walk—Who gained the Victory	177
Chapter XXVI.
The School Garden—Lucy learns to Paint—Aps's Savings—Patience	182page vii
	page
Chapter XXVII.
Rumours of War—Captain Graham's Determination—His Speech to the Natives—The Hymn in the new Church	189
Chapter XXVIII.
The Last Chapter—A Letter from Tom—The Volunteer Corps—Conclusion	196