Governor's Bay is renowned as one of the most popular holiday resorts in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. It is situated on the Lyttelton harbour, on the same side as Lyttelton, but about ten miles further up. The district itself is hilly, and commands an unbroken view of the Lyttelton Heads, with the open ocean beyond. A mixture of native and imported trees along the seashore gives it an inland rural aspect, and is the delight of towns-people. Good fishing and bathing are always obtainable. The district is devoted to fruit growing and sheep grazing. It is in direct daily communication with Lyttelton by coach, and steamers ply frequently between the two places on Sundays and public holidays. A road leads over the hill, through Dyer's Pass to Christchurch, nine miles distant. Governor's page 628 Bay possesses a post office with a daily mail service, and a telephone bureau, a public school, a hotel and an accommodation house.

Governor's Bay. E.E. Wright photo

“Ellerslie” Boarding House (Charles Tapley, proprietor), Governor's Bay This house was built about twenty-five years ago, as a private residence for a Christchurch hotelkeeper. In 1885 it was bought by Mr. Tapley, who was then carrying on a butchery business in Lyttelton. It was occupied by him as a private residence until 1890, when, after it had been considerably altered, it was converted into a boarding house. “Ellerslie” is situated on a square block of land, of about ten acres in area, extending from the main road to the water's edge, and is within a few chains of the Governor's Bay wharf. It is a large and handsome building of two stories, with a varandah and balcony overlooking the water. There are about twenty rooms, including bathroom, private sitting rooms, and other apartments for the convenience of visitors. The house is richly furnished throughout, well kept, and personally superintended by Mrs Tapley, who pays special attention to the dining room appointments and to the cookery. The grounds around the house are well planted, and are laid out with good taste. A wide and well shelled drive through an avenue of native and imported trees leads from the main road to the front door; whilst immediately before the house, and between it and the precipitous descent to the water's edge, there is a spacious lawn, designed to attract the votaries of tennis and croquet. The remainder of the enclosure is occupied, partly by pleasant picnic grounds, and partly by grass paddocks and stabling accommodation. Within but a few miles of Lyttelton with which it is in regular communication by coach and steamer, “Ellerslie” is an ideal spot for tourists, and for city residents desiring a quiet rest in the bracing atmosphere of the sea coast.

Mr. Charles Tapley, Proprietor of “Ellerslie” Boarding House, was born in Cheshire, England, in 1847, educated in his native place, and afterwards trained as a butcher and cattle dealer. He arrived at Lyttelton in 1880, and spent the two succeeding years at the butchering trade at Akaroa. After that he tried farming, but remained on the land only a few months. In 1883 he commenced business as a butcher in Lyttelton, and continued to trade there until 1890, when he took possession of “Ellerslie.” Mr. Tapley was married in 1885 to Miss Bowley, of Teddington, and has one son and one daughter.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. C. Tapley.

Mr. Edward John Brownie, the Proprietor of the Ocean View Hotel, was born in Sussex, England, in 1862. He was educated at Shoreham College, Sussex. As a lad he took to the sea, and spent three years on board the ship “Halcione,” trading between London, Calcutta and New Zealand. In 1878, when the “Halcione” was lying in Lyttelton, he left his ship and obtained employment at bush work in Port Levy. He remained there only a few months, and was afterwards engaged for about six years in the whaling and sealing industry in the South Pacific. In 1885, Mr. Brownie entered the Government service in the Prisons Department. From 1896 to 1902, he was a warder in the Lyttelton Gaol, but resigned in February of the latter year. In April of the same year he became proprietor of the Ocean View Hotel. Mr. Brownie was married to Miss Bonnar, of Port Chalmers, and has five sons and one daughter.