Christchurch, New Zealand, 3rd June 1888

Christchurch, 3rd June

I am afraid I must again alter my opinion about these lodgings. They give us very bad breakfast and lunch. Yesterday and today they gave us corned beef for lunch without any vegetables. For second course they had a cake and jam on the table. The meat was cut ever so think and laid on a dish. For breakfast they give us ham and eggs and the ham is cut thick and is … flavoured.

I complained to the servant about it and if it is not better tomorrow I shall see about either returning to the hotel or getting into other lodgings. It is very provoking and I wish now I had not moved.

I heard from General Algar this morning. He is travelling about and talked of crossing to Stewart Island, which is the South Island of this group. He expects to be back here by the end of this week.

We had such a hunt for some print for Anna’s dress today. This is the beginning of the winter season here and they are out of prints and all their prettiest things were sold out. Anna at last settled on a blue and white small check, which I expect will look very pretty when made up. In a furniture shop here they have several Liberty’s materials and in such pretty colours.

I am beginning to feel so very uneasy about Hattie. I have not heard from her for weeks and she was very ill when she last wrote. There is a P & O mail in tonight, and I might possibly get a letter from her by it in the morning, but if I do not I shall fear that something has gone wrong with her. She will feel your Aunt Ada’s death very much for she had settled to go and stay at … in order to be near her. I trust I shall hear from her in the morning.

I do not think I have any more news to tell you now, but I will not shut up my envelope till the last moment in case I should remember anything more. Besides, I will tell you if I hear from Hattie.

With very much love to you and Elliot, love dear Mamie,

Your very affectionate Mother,

Eliza C Cairns

4th

The letters must be posted today. I have not heard again from Hattie and I cannot make out what can have happened to her. I feel most uneasy. Nothing of any interest has happened. We have not yet made up our minds whether we shall stay on here or move back to the hotel. I have been trying to cut out Anna’s dress most of this morning and it is not done yet. It is so difficult to cut from a made up dress.

With love to you both,

Love from,

L.C.C.