Tales of Banks Peninsula
No. 11.—Charteris Bay
No. 11.—Charteris Bay.
Perhaps the most picturesque of the bays on Lyttelton Harbour is that known as Charteris. It is so called from the surveyor who originally measured its area, and is of very considerable extent. Separated by a spur from the head of Lyttelton Harbour, it is in reality the valley of Mt. Herbert, the highest peak of our Peninsula, whose giant summits are far loftier than those famed heights of which Macaulay sang in his glorious verses that tell of the fiery warning that flashed through England when the Armada was seen approaching. As seen from the bay, Mt. Herbert has two great peaks The one of greatest altitude is smooth to the summit, and towers in calm serenity over a frowning rocky peak, which at the first glance appears the real monarch, but in reality is some 200 feet lower. The saddle between these two is really the commencement of Charteris Bay; and from the very topmost tier of the hard rocks that crown the latter, gushes the spring that is the source of the large creek which finds its way into the harbour in the centre of the bay. It is said this spring is so near the peak that a very little work would cause it to flow in the opposite direction. However, after a somewhat precipitous course, it reaches the head of a beautiful valley some three miles in length, along which it runs to the sea, forming many a cool pool and miniature waterfall in its fertilising progress. Half way down the valley its course is confined within rather narrow limits by a great barrier of volcanic rock that almost closes the upper flats from those below. Very little labour would make this a strong-hold such as Blackmore tells us of in "Lorna Doone," a place where, in the days gone by, a stately dame could in perfect safety dish up those storied spurs which warned her husband and sons that it was time to proceed on another cattle stealing expedition. From this point the valley rapidly extends in width, and is exceptionally fertile and well grassed
The floods of over twenty years ago did considerable damage, bringing down great masses of shingle, and page 318widening the bed of the creek very greatly; but year by year the Foil is gathering over the stones, and the grass is creeping over their grey sides, so that before long the emerald carpet will be as wide as ever. The creek is not untenanted: besides the eels, the trout that have been placed there have thriven, and in cool pools at the end of rapids can be seen gliding in the clear water. At the end of one spur that embraces the bay (that on the Purau side) is a magnificent pinnacle of rock. It is fitly denominated Castle Peak, and so strong is the resemblance of ruined towers, that were it on the Rhine it would doubtless furnish many a tale to an imaginative guide. These hill sides show no traces of having been entirely clothed with the "forest primeval," but in nooks of the mountain are many patches of kowhai, ngaio, matipo and other beautiful native trees that flourish exceedingly in these sheltered recesses. No part of the Peninsula can be more beautiful than Charteris Bay when we saw it last, in an autumn sunset, the great rocks that cast no shadow here in a thirsty land, frowned in the deep purple of imperial majesty, and a thousand various shades flickered and faded over brown hill side and bright green valley, till a sombre haze shrouded all in the soft greys of approaching night,
It was Dr Moore to whom fate allotted Charteris Bay when the sections were drawn for in England, and he came out to Lyttelton in the Sir James Pollock in 1851 He had neighbours on both sides, for the late Mr. Manson, Mr. Gebbie, and their families had settled at the Head of the Bay in 1845, and Mr. Fleming was located at Port Levy, and Mr. Rhodes at Purau Dr Moore brought some good cattle out with him, and it was in Charteris Bay that the nucleus of those Peninsula herds, which afterwards became so famous for their production of butter, cheese and beef, were first reared. Brother Phil, Cranberry. His Honour, and General Wolfe amongst the bulls, and Flash, Duchess, Creamy, and an Alderney named Dunny amongst the cows were household words amongst the Peninsula pioneers, and for a long time no female scion of page 319the famous herd found its way into other hands; but has not this been already recorded in the "Stories of the Peninsula" by the Rev. R. R. Bradley? There was another owner of property in the Bay, a Mr Rowe. He had a section in the early days, but went away, and was heard of no more. Five or six years ago, however, news came he had been living in Victoria, where he prospered, and Mr Helmore, a Christchurch lawyer, took possession of the property as his attorney. Dr Moore did not make a permanent home in Charteris Bay, and sold his property to the Rev. R. R. Bradley in 1858. Mr Bradley was a clergyman at Papanui before this, and after he became a farmer, he preached at Puaha on alternate Sundays for seven consecutive years. Dr Moore, after the sale, returned to England, where he had many connections, his father having been the Mayor of Salisbury. From October, 1858, to his death, a period of more than thirty-three years, the Rev. R. R. Bradley resided at Charteris Bay with his family, and the principal part of it, some 2000 acres, was in his possession, A great part was once owned by the late Mr Manson, but he disposed of it, finding he had too large an area to manage. There are a few settlers in the Bay, the Simpsons and Hays, and very comfortable little homesteads they have, and lead happy and contented lives.
The old buildings erected by Dr Moore are still standing In fact he built the house in which the Bradleys used to reside, though of course it had been repaired and altered. He had also a stone dairy and stalls, but these are fast falling into decay. The house is pleasantly situated on rising land about half a mile from the beach. In front is a fine view of the bay, Rabbit Island, and the long peninsula which nearly joins it, and so much reminds one of Onawe in Akaroa Harbour. In the foreground are newly grassed paddocks, a few stately trees, the pretty homestead of Mr. Hay, and the school buildings, which are very neat. At the back of the house is a splendid plantation of gums, with here and there a pinus insignis and a macrocarpa. In the bank at the back a cellar has been page 320dug out, and very cool it is in the hottest weather. A neat macrocarpa fence bounds the flower garden, which is rich in many flowers. The roses look particularly nice, and amongst the native shrubs and trees are specially to be noticed some grand specimens of the mountain palm, the giant cabbage tree, which here flourishes most luxuri antly. Winding down the path to the left, past the garden, we come to the stockyard, which is very massively fenced and paved with stones. The stables are most spacious and excellent, as might be supposed, from there being under the management of Mr. Orton Bradley, the present owner of the estate.