New Zealand’s First Escalator – 1939

In 1939, Lesley Miller moved his successful fabric and fashion business into a specially built five story building on Tuam Street. Just fifteen years before, what would become the Millers Department Store had begun in Greymouth. Two years later, Lesley uprooted his family and business and made the move to Christchurch. It would be a …

Hillary Chooses Canterbury For First Climb – 1939

Painfully shy, and extremely uncoordinated, it was the love of a great adventure that pushed the 20 year old Edmund Percival Hillary up Canterbury’s Mount Ollivier (pictured in 2014) – in what would become his first major climb.  The year was 1939. Born in Auckland on 20th July 1919, it was a school trip to …

Fitzgerald Statue Unofficially Unveiled – 1939

In 1939, the statue of James Edward Fitzgerald – Canterbury’s first Superintendent – is unofficially unveiled in a student prank. The statue was a gift to the city from Richard Edward Green but disagreements between the C.C.C and the Christchurch Beautifying Assoc had caused the statue to sit in storage. The Christchurch Domains Board – …