The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 8 (December 1, 1929)

First Impressions All Important

First Impressions All Important.

First impressions are all important in the formation of opinions. On a certain voyage to England, towards the end of 1911, the steamer was forced, unexpectedly, to call at Madeira. Scarcely had the passengers landed, after some weeks at sea, when they were delighted at the profusion and abundance of the semi-tropical flowers to be seen everywhere, and they were still more surprised and delighted to have beautiful blooms thrown to them as they were being carried up the little railway to the heights above Funchal. Some of these passengers later on, in the spring of 1912, reached Basle, the capital of Switzerland, after a rather trying railway journey across France, and, though weary, they could not help going into raptures over the sight of the masses of hyacinths in full bloom in the square just outside the railway station. Naturally these persons have very favourable opinions and pleasant recollections of both Funchal and Basle. The contrast between these welcomes and the chill reception to the bare wharf at Lyttelton on the arrival of the ferry steamer, and the hurried scramble into the train and through the tunnel (before it was electrified) can be easily imagined. Yet both Lyttelton and Christchurch have beauties of their own quite equal to those of Funchal and Basle. Why should we present the least attractive side to our visitors as they arrive? There are beautiful roses and many bright flowers at the Heathcote station. But why cannot we have some of these at Lyttelton also? From Heathcote the visitors are carried to Christchurch over a charming piece of level country, and may catch glimpses of bright gardens at the homes near the railway line which help to qualify the unfavourable opinion he has already gained on his arrival at Lyttelton. If we could have low-growing shrubs, such as flowering cherries and peaches, so abundant in the gardens of Christchurch, growing on the banks by the side of the railway line, his impressions of that city would be much more favourable.

Spouts Aerating Water. (By courtesy of “The City Beautiful.“) Drake Reservoir, Plymouth, England.

Spouts Aerating Water.
(By courtesy of “The City Beautiful.“)
Drake Reservoir, Plymouth, England.