pilgrims, canterbury

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


The first settlersin Canterbury, New Zealand, were so called in allusion to thepilgrims to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. Chaucer's`Canterbury Tales' were told by such pilgrims. The name wasgiven probably by Mr. William Lyon, who in 1851 wrote the`Dream.' See quotation, 1877.

1865. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 20:

«The `Pilgrims,' as the first comers are always called.

I like the name; it is so pretty and suggestive.»

1877. W. Pratt, `Colonial Experiences or Incidents ofThirty-four Years in New Zealand,' p. 234:

«In the `Dream of a Shagroon,' which bore the date Ko Matinau,April 1851, and which first appeared in the `WellingtonSpectator' of May 7, the term `Pilgrim' was first applied tothe settlers; it was also predicted in it that the `Pilgrims'would be `smashed,' and the Shagroons left in undisputedpossession of the country for their flocks and herds.»

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