Kōrero: European exploration

The gold rush on the West Coast in early 1865 intensified Canterbury’s desire to have an easy route to the coast. George Dobson was sent to examine Arthur’s Pass, discovered by his brother Arthur. J. S. Browning explored other alternatives, including the pass to which he gave his name. This 1865 cartoon from Punch in Canterbury expresses the public impatience with the time it was taking. A squatter tries to encourage progress with the carrot of surplus stock sales, while the local newspaper, the Standard, hits from behind.