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In 1973 I discovered the booklet "A Pilgrim in the 19th Century" at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. It outlined the Castle Eden voyage published in 1893 by M.H.A.B. records taken from the diary of an 16 yr Cabin Class passenger he called "Jack". It was dedicated to the effort of all Canterbury Pilgrims who arrived in the first five ships - the Charlotte Jane, the Sir George Seymour, the Randolph, Cressy and Castle Eden.

Cabin passengers in contrast to those in steerage, had much more space and privacy, and were significantly better fed. Mostly the live animals carried were sacrificed to their wants, and stewards cooked and served their meals for them. There was provision for some cabin passengers to travel free, clergy and professionals such as the surgeons, who were effectively working their passage. Captains generally received an additional 40 guineas for each cabin passenger to provide the extras they needed by way of food and drink for the voyage.

An immigrants, Alfred Fell, published 1841 some advice for intending cabin passengers - "They should choose the poop cabins, which would be more light and airy, and the larboard in preference to the starboard, because the former was the weather side and allowed fresh air to blow through – a great boon in the tropics. Bunks were to be preferred to hammocks, and all furniture and boxes should be firmly lashed or bolted to the floor. Passengers should also bring their own supply of bottled water or at least some filtering device because the ship's supply quickly became brackish. A straw hat was indispensable in the tropics and "you cannot have too much linen." A candlestick with a glass shade is requisite to suspend, with a lot of sperm candles.A metal footbath is useful for many things, as well as a water-can or two. By attending to a few little comforts like these, and living in harmony with each other, the voyage to New Zealand, although a long one, nevertheless to a young person may be rendered a very agreeable period of existence." (Src;)

Dedication: To the pioneers who laid the foundation-stone of their province and have built it up to it's present greatness, all honour is due. From privation, trials and hardships they have emerged and nobly have won the battle so hardly fought.
Many a familiar face is missing from their ranks, and many a cheery voice has been hushed for ever on. But some are with us yet, crowned with the gathering snows of approaching winter.
Only those who have experienced the ups and downs in the life of the early colonist can imagine what they have endured. Noble men and devoted women - men who have stood through the fiercest storms, and gentle women who have with their own delicate hands performed their share of the glorious work - to one and all is offered this tribute. M.H.A.B. 1893