Taken In - A sketch of New Zealand life

by 'Hopeful'

First published in 1887, this takes the form of a series of letters from a woman newly arrived in New Zealand from England. The letters are addressed to her brother in Canada, who has also sought out a new life. The letters begin with an account of the sea journey to New Zealand, arrival in Lyttelton and first impressions. She writes about accommodation (not good), food (not good and expensive), pharmacies (not good), Colonials (not very nice people), weather (cold and windy in winter and hot and windy in summer).

It's by turns amusing but also a bit whiny. But she appears to have been aware that not all would be happy with her message.

"I am quite prepared for an adverse criticism," she concludes "As I am well aware it is to the interest of a certain class to be for ever publishing favourable and exaggerated accounts of the prosperity of New Zealand, their great aim being to get people to go out."