On the 19th December 1663, famous writer and journalist Samuel Pepsy made mention of Boxing Day in his diary. This grand tradition for the working middle and lower classes has been around since the Middle Ages, beginning in Rome. Basically tradesmen and servants would receive a box of goodies or money from their superiors the …
Alrighty…here’s my attempt to get into the Christmas Spirit. Over the 12 days of Christmas, my city gave to me… Twelve Orana Lions Roaring Eleven Private Schools a-teaching Ten Thousand Cyclists Nine Cranes a-swinging Eight Big Reds a-honking Seven Sister Cities Six Big Quakes FIVE…PROVINCIAL…PARKS Four Main Aves Three Restored Trams Two Windy Rivers And …
During the 7th or 8th century, a brave monk, now known to us as Saint Boniface arrived in Germany to share the Christian message. As he preached from village to village, he would eventually impact the world for many centuries to come. He encouraged the decorating of nearby Fir trees to celebrate the birth of …
By the time Dr. A.C Barker pulled out his hand-gun, he had been pushed to breaking point. As he focused the weapon on the swaying drunk that was taking a rest against the packing crates that made up his home, the Doctor repeated his previous ignored request that the intruder should move on… and at …
You couldn’t have had two closer friends than J.C. (pictured) and Alfred. The grew up together as their fathers were friends, owned land together, married the same women, travelled together and are even buried in the same cemetery in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. It’s the land these men owned that puts them on the map…the suburb …
Puraekanui was living up to its name – even as late as the 1860’s – there was ‘plenty of bush’! Also known as the Styx and the Seven Mile Peg (the stretch of land from Belfast to Rangiora) amongst settlers, the area remained untamed until the early 1880’s. John McNeight Watt was born in Belfast, …
Leontine Standish was described as a charming, graceful social butterfly. She must have been that and more as she caught the eye of a Count who clearly adored her – Gerald Gustaus Ducarel, the 4th Marquis de Lapasture. They were married in England on the 4th July 1864. Even though Gerald was from a long …
John Bealey (1817 – 1867) Died of illness Place of death: Christchurch The brother of Canterbury’s third Superintendent, Samuel Bealey. For the story of the Bealey’s: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/samuel-bealey-1821-1909/ John is buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery. *photo taken by Chris Bulovic*
As the Bealey brothers – Samuel and John – made the most of their sea voyage to Lyttelton in 1851, they shared their ship, the ‘Cornwall’ with the Moorhouse brothers – William, Benjamin and Thomas – totally unaware how together, they would make Canterbury history. Samuel (pictured) was born in Lancashire, England in 1821. He …
This great photo was in The Press last year (2012)! The Government Life Insurance Building, dubbed the ‘ugliest building in Christchurch’ was demolished by CERA due to quake damage. This photo was taken during its construction in 1962. The site of the Government Life Insurance building once belonged to pioneer doctor and artist/photographer Dr. A.C. …
