Speargrass: Growing up on a 1940s farm near Arrowtown New Zealand

Speargrass is a memoir about a child (Hilary Capper, nee Clingin) living on a farm in the 1940s near Arrowtown New Zealand. Hilary's recall and attention to detail highlight the places and people that were important including the Otago settlements of Arrowtown, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Kinlock and Dunedin. Central to the story is how living on a farm in the immediate post-war period shaped family life. Respect for her parents' efforts to provide the best possible life for them all in the face of considerable social and economic pressures shines through in this remarkable account. Hilary's recall of her time at Arrowtown School will resonate with people who attended similar schools. The memoir traces the marriage of her parents and the differences in their respective family backgrounds and social expectations. Dunedin and her mother's family background family maritime backdrop is explored, as is the relevance of Routeburn, Woodbine and Earnslaw stations. Brought to life are the ways the seasons shaped people's daily living, making the most of limited facilities and creating entertainment. Highlighted is the role of the lake steamer, TSS Earnslaw. This book will appeal to anyone with a connection to the area as well as all those with an interest in a unique time and place in New Zealand's rich history.