Places

In this section you can take a closer look at some of the actual places related to the Parker/Hulme case.

For now:

◦ Google Maps Parker/Hulme case map
   Find a lot of relevant places with Google Maps.
◦ Ilam Homestead
   The Hulme's residence.
◦ Christchurch in the fifties
   See the main city at the time of the case.
◦ Hoo St. Werburgh
   Where Hilary Nathan lived.
◦ Christchurch Girls' High School
   Where Pauline and Juliet met.

Christchurch Girls' High School (CGHS)

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The old CGHS is in the central city, two blocks north of the old University (now Arts Centre on Worcester Blvd) and the Museum, one block east of the point where the Avon River turns into Hagley Park. The main entrance of the old school buildings is on Armagh St facing Cranmer Square. The Central Police Station is just 3 blocks south and 1 block east of the school. The Law Courts, where the inquest and trial took place, are just a block east of CGHS on Armagh St. CGHS was established in 1878, administered by Canterbury University College. The equivalent Boys' High School was founded 2 years later. The two schools acted as the main 'feeders' of qualified students to the College, and they were highly valued because of this role. CGHS moved to the Cranmer Square site in 1882. The connection with the College remained very strong. One thing the school did have was a terrific academic emphasis, even if it wasn't appreciated by the girls at the time. The girls did everything--no lab techs etc in those days. In the early 60s many girls entered CGHS for upper VIA from private schools that didn't have the facilities. It was always claimed that CGHS had a better academic standard than any of the private schools; it certainly had a better record in science.
The school crest is shown in close-up in the opening titles and credits of 'Heavenly Creatures'. The motto is: Sapientia et Veritas (Wisdom and Truth). The girls in "Heavenly Creatures" wore white shirts, buttoned to the collar, navy ties (preferably knotted with a Windsor knot), pleated navy pinafores, navy blazers, navy hats with a navy band with red trim at its top and a red crest at the front, stockings, brown Oxford shoes or sandals and brown gloves. They carried brown leather satchels The girls also had a uniform for gym. They wore white shirts, navy bloomers, white socks and white plimsoles (tennis shoes). Teachers wore black academic gowns over dark, conservative 'day' clothes. The school year was coincident with the calendar year and was divided into three terms. English term names were not used. The terms and holidays coincided with those of Canterbury University College, where Dr Hulme was Rector. The First Term starts in the week in which February 1st falls and runs until the end of April. Easter holidays fall in the First Term. The "May Holidays" follow and run for two weeks in the late Autumn. Canterbury College traditionally had rather wild student activities in the first week of May, after the first term. This is actually an old tradition in English schools, too, after their first term. The Second Term follows, running from mid-May to mid-August. The "August Holidays" run for two weeks at the primary school level and for three weeks at the secondary school level. This corresponds to late Winter, early Spring. The Third Term then runs until the week before Christmas. This marks the end of the school year. For 5th and 6th formers the last weeks of the year, after the examinations in November, are a pleasant time (apart from waiting for results). The pressure is off and teachers are often willing to let pupils decide what to do in class. "Summer Holidays" then last for six weeks, and include both Christmas and New Year.
Pauline's house backed onto the Christchurch Girls' High School - their garden overlooked the grounds of CGHS over the rear fence.

The school had a yearly magazine. In the 1952 edition (the 75th anniversary edition) an essay, a poem and a drawing by Juliet Hulme of IIIA was published.
See the CGHS Magazine for the years 1951~1955 for yourself, PDF files to read online and/or download and read on your own device.
1951 CGHS magazine (No. 109)
1952 CGHS magazine (No. 110)
1953 CGHS magazine (No. 111)
1954 CGHS magazine (No. 112)
1955 CGHS magazine (No. 113)

CGHS (gallery) >>

In the 2011 earthquake the former CGHS building was badly damaged. It had to be taken down.

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