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' No one does New Zealand history better than Margaret Copland...'
"Eliza Reston's Lyttelton"
Eliza Reston was the wife of James Reston, the gaoler in Lyttelton Gaol fron 1855 to 1876. She was mother to their ten children and matron of the gaol for which she received 25 pounds a year.
Eliza takes you on a walk along historic St David's Street, past buildings dating back to the early 19th century and looking down on historic Lyttelton. She describes a Lyttelton that was not only the port but the first and most important town in the early Canterbury settlement, a Lyttelton that was constantly changing as her life was changing with it.
Reaching the Gaol site you can rest awhile while Eliza tells of her life in Lyttelton Gaol; of the Hard Labour Gang that quarried the stone and built the streets and retaining walls, the military installations and the prison itself; of crime and punishment Crime and punishment in Victorian New Zealand, hampered by inadequate facilities.
Eliza tells of overcrowded cells that had to accommodate men and women, sailors, debtors and convicted "lunatics"; of escapes and hangings; of characters like James Mackenzie, the legendary sheep stealer and explorer; Bill Chaney, the stone mason who came to build a cathedral; Edward Seager, the policeman who put on magic lantern shows for the convicted "lunatics" in his care ...
Finally a chance to explore the remaining cells now set amongst the rose gardens dedicated to Dr Upham, to ponder upon the 94 regulations that determined the life of the prisoners, to consider the great stone prison that was built to last forever and was redundant a generation later.
A unique insight into the history of Lyttelton and Canterbury
Bookings by arrangement: Works best in the mornings. Allow for an hour and a half. Groups can be met at the Information Centre - allow ten minutes for a leisurely walk up to St David's Street. Minimum size group 6. Maximum 25 adults. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
$25 per person includes a souvenir booklet.
For Heritage Week Only
Eliza Reston's Lyttelton in Peace and War
18th, 21st, 23rd and 25th October. 11am - 12.30
Book at Lyttelton Information Centre. Price $5 -
Meet outside Masonic Lodge on St David's Street at 11.am or walk up from the Information Centre at 10.50. Park your car on Oxford Street outside the Gaol site.
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