Elephants Cool Off In Avon – 16th January 1934

On 16th January 1934, the Cantabs that were out shopping or having their lunch in Victoria Square were delightfully surprised when the ‘Wirth Circus’ elephants took to the Avon River to cool down their legs and have a drink. This took place between Victoria (now the Hamish Hay Bridge) and Armagh Street bridges. The marketing …

Landing Spot Marked – 1934

Throughout the three months at sea, Canterbury Association settlers, James Edward Fitzgerald and Dr. A.C. Barker baited each other about who would be first to step ashore from the ‘Charlotte Jane’ if she were the first ship out of the four to arrive at Lyttelton. On 16 December 1850, the ‘Charlotte Jane’ was indeed the …