Why Here?
The Canterbury Papers was like a brochure or ‘prospectus’. The first few pages suggest why a person might have wanted to emigrate to the Canterbury Settlement.
Summary of Advantages
The advantages of New Zealand as a field of colonisation may be thus summed up:
- Fertility of soil, including the abundant promise of minerals, especially coal; and plenty of timber and water power.
- Excellence of climate.
- Geographical position and conformation; involving easy access to markets, and good natural harbours.
It appears to the Association, that, on the whole, a greater amount of these advantages, in their combinations, is to be found in New Zealand than in any other part of the British dominions; and they believe, accordingly, that it offers the best field for the undertaking in which they have engaged.
Source: Canterbury Papers No.1 and 2, Canterbury Association, 1850
Christchurch City Libraries
See also >>
Will you join us? | The plan | Greatness | Why here? | An ideal place | A better life | Who can go?