RANDOM MEANDERINGS

Another recent purchase is this postcard of the 'Chief' Post Office in Christchurch - a wonderful snap of bygone Edwardian days. The first telephone exchange in New Zealand was launched from here .[1]       My hometown prided itself on and identified with the Victorian and Edwardian architecture pre quakes .   The architectural magnificence in and around the city centre changed  forever dramatically due to destructon and/or demolition of damaged buildings  after the devastating earthquakes starting late 2010.  The building now has an uncertain future since these events.  From 2000, it had housed the Christchurch tourist information centre, along with a café and office space. The postcard depicts a pretty scene, with a hubbub of people going about their everyday life, toting parasols and driving hansom cabs.   Some skirts are skimming just above the ankles so dated to just after the turn of the 20th century with the clock face showing 11.35, nearing lunch time.

Another recent purchase is this postcard of the Cenotaph at Auckland War Memorial Museum.  I love it! The view is quite different these days because from the level this was snapped at, the trees now block the vista.  This is evidenced in the second photo which I took on 21 April 2012 at the 24th Battalion Beat Retreat . Note the fabulous old vehicle in the background - no doubt it wasn't old then! Now where the car is there is a gun from the HMS New Zealand instead.   Circa 1955 view of the Cenotaph - click picture for larger view    Similar view at the 24th Battalion Beat Retreat - click picture to go to beat retreat set     Written on the reverse is: 23rd Nov. 1955 Dear Jean Well here I am in Auckland.  Had a most enjoyable trip up. My brother arrives here sometime this afternoon. In  the meantime a friend is calling  for me here & we are going out to lunch together. Love to your Mum & Dad.  Trusting you are all keeping wel

Recently I've had a little burst of postcard purchases.  I just had to grab this one of the old Christchurch Public library as not only is it a piece of history lost to the earthquakes of 2010-2011 but my dad told me a wee anecdote when I was staying with my parents over Christmas just gone. Electric trams ran from 1905 in Christchurch so that places the photo used in the postcard after this.     Close up of detail on the postcard.  Note the bicycles in the stand to the right    As a 10 year old in July 1947 my dad remembers travelling by tram into the city with his schoolmates and standing outside the library for several hours waiting to catch a glimpse of  Field Marshal Montgomery passing in his car.  With his little legs aching and clutching his flag to wave as Montgomery's car passed, it finally appeared but as a blur...taking only seconds to zoom past much to the disappointment of my dad. Here is a fabulous photo of Montgomery waving to the crowds