The Little River railway station : the coach shown leaving for Akaroa.
The Little River railway station : the coach shown leaving for Akaroa.
[1895]
In 1895 Akaroa was fast becoming a popular weekend spot for Christchurch citizens. In those days there were three alternative routes to the attractive little harbour, nestled amongst bush clad hills, with its distinctive French influence. The first was by steamer, from Lyttelton Harbour. In fine weather this would take approximately four hours. The second, was a combination sea/land journey. The Union Company's Jane Douglas would transport passengers from Lyttelton to the Pigeon Bay wharf. From here it was coach travel in the Cobb & Co style. Thirdly, and most popular of all, was the method of train and coach. The train left the Christchurch railway station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8.15 am and reached Little River at 10. 55 am. From here passengers boarded a Cobb & CO. type coach owned and driven by Beilby Barker to travel the seventeen miles to Akaroa. The horses had a ten-minute spell at Barry's Pass "and are watered, and the passengers generally have something stronger". The horses were changed at Duvauchelle's Bay. At 3.15 pm the coach drew up at Grange's Hotel in Akaroa. This hotel was noted for being the first hostelry in Canterbury
File Reference CCL-KPCD08-0006
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