Of Men and Rabbits

     For several years, long, long ago, I graced or disgraced Christ Church, the beautiful Oxford college known in Latin as Aedes Christi, the House of the Lord, or simply the House, the home of Housemen. Every day I went through Canterbury Quad. The Christ Church Association Newsletter has just arrived with this item:
     "In London at the beginning of 1848, Houseman John Robert Godley persuaded a group of friends and enthusiasts of colonial reform, including a large number of prominent Housemen, to join him in establishing an organization, the Canterbury Association, for the sole purpose of founding a church settlement in New Zealand, to be called Canterbury, the capital of which would be named after Christ Church, Oxford. A service of Thanksgiving will be held in St.Paul's Cathedral on June 14 [the actual founding took place in 1850]. The Archbishop of Canterbury will preach, the Dean of Christ Church will lead the prayers, and its choir will sing."
     I am guilty of two sins of omission. New Zealand is one of the few countries I have not visited, and I shall not be at the ceremony.
     Which brings us to rabbits. I sit here looking at my garden, which in old days were graced with cute bunnies, which were a joy to watch. Then they all disappeared from the area, and I refuse to take the blame. I learn that New Zealand has been trying in vain to get rid of its rabbits, whose cuteness apparently is not appreciated. Why? Surely unsentimental carnivores can at least appreciate their meat. Since all else has failed, ask the Dean to pray to St. Patrick. If he could rid Ireland of snakes, he could do the same with New Zealand rabbits.

Ronald Hilton - 5/11/00