A country house New Year’s Eve
WORDS Wendy Riley
For weeks in January 1903, the topic of conversation among young and old on Banks Peninsula was the large picnic the Parkinsons gave on New Year’s Eve. About 350, including a large party from Christchurch and friends from Little River, Oxford, and Dunedin, wended their way to a pretty spot close to Kaituna homestead and, about mid-day, sat down to a sumptuous lunch, consisting of lamb, beef, ham, new potatoes, fruit-pies, puddings, and “a fine barrel of beer for the non-prohibitionists.”
Afterwards, the company broke up into parties, some exploring the bush, and others staying behind to watch the sports races, the married people’s race especially causing great fun.
When the sports were over, tea was provided on the same lavish scale as the former meal. After thanks had been returned and many hearty cheers given to Mr and Mrs Walter Parkinson, many of the guests made a start for home.
The large house party of helpers returned to the homestead, and after a short rest and refreshment, croquet and gramophone music were indulged in until dark, when all adjourned to the barn, which had been converted into a fairy bower.
Dancing then commenced, and at eleven o’clock, a “sit-down” supper was announced at the house, in the “good Old Country style”, with suckling pig, turkey, hams, claret cup, jellies, trifles, and almost every delicacy one could imagine. At 12 o’clock, the New Year was welcomed in a manner that none present would soon forget. Then the party again adjourned to the barn, and dancing was resumed until dawn appeared.
Many hearty cheers were again given … and Auld Lang Syne, sung by all, brought to a close one of the happiest days those present had ever spent.