“Dr. Barker’s tent, which stands immediately opposite the Land Office, and is constructed of an immense studding sail; formerly belonging to the “Charlotte Jane,” was remarkable for its seasonable hospitality; while on the next section an eating-house appeared in the most primitive phase, which such an establishment can assume. A white cloth spread on boards supported joints of mutton and beef, which, together with bread, butter, tea and coffee, formed an excellent repast to those who were unable to obtain the hospitality of friends, or were desirous of patronising the earliest attempt at a place of public entertainment in Christchurch; whilst around the merry party who sat within, some Maori workmen still continued to erect the raupo walls of the house—the building laving been begun only that morning.” Amongst those present, were Mr. Godley, Mr. W. G. Brittan (in charge of the Land Department), Mr. T. Cass, who bad succeeded Captain Thomas as Chief Surveyor, and Messrs. Edward Jollie, Torlesse and Boys, surveyors, the latter officers to assist the purchasers in the identification of the sections they desired to select. There were 106 land orders to be dealt with, and the names of purchasers were called in order of priority as previously determined by ballot, each colonist pointing out on the map the section he desired to obtain. Fifty sections were allotted the first day, and the remainder on the following one. The rural sections were in most cases 50 or 100 acres in area.
The first rural selection, numbered 1, was made by Maria Somes, 50 acres in the Lyttelton district, commencing at Jackson Street; Number 2 fell to Felix Wakefield, 100 acres in “Sumner Bay,” and Number 3 to Ann Bowen, a sister of Mr. Charles Bowen, 50 acres in Papanui Wood. The land orders for rural land carried in each case the right to a town section, the same order of priority being observed. All the first selections were made in Lyttelton, mostly along Norwich
