Line of Beauty

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A tram passing through Moncks Bay en route to Sumner pre-WW1. This is how my grandfather would have travelled out to Sumner for his summer holidays before the war changed everything. My mother later travelled out there by bus.

You can see the new tramline, doubling as a boardwalk near Cave Rock, which connected the city with Sumner. A red dot marks where the house at Number 1 Esplanade was located in 1895 when this was photograph taken.

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Service number WWI 7/386 Army, final rank Lieutenant, 1914-1918 Canterbury Mounted Rifles - Military Cross awarded Aug 1917 for Conspicuous Gallantry & devotion to duty. His coolness and presence of mind in rallying troops that were missing in action enabled us to hold on our position, and eventually compelled the enemy to retire. This Officer has done particularity good work throughout the campaign

^{16 August 1917 - London Gazette}

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My grandmother's brother spent his entire life in Kaituna Valley. Buried here with his wife at St Kentigern's, adjacent to the grave of his Uncle Walter...

PRESENTATIONS TO MR AND MRS W. PARKINSON.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11947, 16 July 1904, Page 4

On the eve of his departure on a holiday trip to Australia, Mr Walter Parkinson, of Kaituna Valley, was entertained at a social gathering by his friends and employees. Mr H. Blythe, who will represent Mr Parkinson in all matters of business during his absence, presided.

Mr Blythe referred to the many years Mr Parkinson and he had worked together. They had, he said, roughed it together amongst the hills about Kaituna and had sometimes got into some tight corners, and in many cases Mr Parkinson had contrived to get them out of their difficulties. He hoped Mr and Mrs Parkinson would enjoy their holiday, and come back to them in good health and spirits.

Mr Henderson presented Mr Parkinson with a travelling rug for Mrs Parkinson, and Mr Parkinson was presented with a case of pipes from his employees. Mr Charles Field said that Mr and Mr Parkinson had always been ready to give a helping hand to neighbours.

Mr C. Gieseler, on behalf of the employees of Mr Parkinson, expressed their thanks for the many kindnesses Mr Parkinson had shown them. They also wished to thank Mrs Parkinson for her kindness. She had always been willing to help in cases of illness and on other occasions.

Mr Parkinson, in acknowledging the gifts, said he thought they had given him too much credit. In helping his neighbours, he had done no more than he thought others should do to him. In reference to his employees, he had always found them cheerful and willing to do anything he asked them.

He thanked all for the good feelings they had towards him and Mrs Parkinson. Mr Parkinson's health was then heartily honoured. During the evening songs were given by Messrs Robert Newton, John Newton, Henry Newton, and many others. Mr Walter Newton played the accompaniments.

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Kaituna’s pioneer homestead may be opened to public

By BRONWYN JONES Press, 22 July 1981, Page 25