Easter

Although Easter still has religious significance for many people, for others it is an opportunity to have a holiday and enjoy the last few rays of  the Kiwi autumn before the long winter months set in. Events such as race meetings, day trips, tramps, horticultural shows and sports tournaments are often held over the Easter period. And of course there is the obligatory hot cross buns and Easter egg eating!

You can use the Ephemera Index to search for heritage related resources at Auckland Libraries such as information about Easter shows and Easter cards. The Manuscripts Online database has letters and other unpublished material relating to Easter. This includes a letter from Bishop Selwyn to Sir George Grey in 1883, in which he discusses grass seeds and advises Grey that he will be in Auckland over Easter (GLNZ S17.2). Simply enter Easter into the keyword search box of both databases and have a browse.

In the meantime, here is a selection for you to flick through in the meantime - best enjoyed with some chocolate egg in your hand!

Kiwi Easter egg (not that we are suggesting you should eat a kiwi egg but it did seem a festive photo!):

Ref: James D Richardson, stereoscope showing kiwi and a kiwi egg in a display case, c. 1930s, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-8535

Tramping:

Ref: Arnold C Bettany, Birch Camp, Hunua Ranges, 1925, photograph copied from Bettany family journals (‘Log O Te Aroha Kaipuke o Nga Petani’) by courtesy of Mrs Huia Mitchell (p. 44), South Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, Footprints 03259

Days out:



Ref: Photographer unknown, Chelsea Sugar Works staff disembarking at Pine Island for a staff picnic, Easter Monday 1928, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, T5200

Events:

Ref: CF Bell and R Blake, race meeting at Ellerslie over Easter, 1913, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19130327-13-1

Ref: Zak, competitors at the annual University Easter tournament in Wellington, 1913, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19130403-5-1