“It appears that, as usual, these settlers have been deluded by having had their expectations raised to an unreasonable pitch. They appear very well pleased with the country, but evidently had been lead to expect comfortable dwelling houses and every other accommodation prepared for them”. Charles Obins Torlesse ~ 5th January 1851 *Surveyor for The …
“I was quite determined to see the plains if possible and we found a very good, though steep path to the top. The view was very fine, on one side the harbour, as smooth as a lake and quite encircled with high hills and down below, on the other side, the vast plains, as level …
Irene Leaver – the daughter of the Mayor of the New Brighton’s Borough – couldn’t help but let her eyes stray up to the surrounding crowd. I’m sure with a small lump in her throat; she forced a smile to her lips and returned to her duty of laying the foundation stone for the New …
“We have sketched out in our imagination a handsome central street running through the city, terminated at one end by the college and its gardens – at the other, the Cathedral in the Central Square”. – The first tree – the Albert Edward Oak – was planted in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens in 1863 – …
Edward Brenchley Bishop must have been relieved as he watched the timber for his new house arrive via the Heathcote River; it hadn’t been an easy adventure so far. He and his family had made the trek over the Bridle Path, leading a single packhorse along with them that carried a simple tent and supplies. …
Thomas Cass (1817 – 1895) Died of old age Place of Death: Christchurch Chief Surveyor of Canterbury 1851 – 1867 Buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery. The story of Thomas Cass: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/thomas-cass-1817-1895/ Photo taken by Annette Bulovic
Tommy Cass knew life’s ups and downs. By the time he was surveying the 33,000 acres that would become the Deans’ future rural station of ‘Homebush’ in 1851, Tommy had earned the respect and admiration of all those around him. You get the feeling that he walked along with a great confidence and self knowledge …
“I often smile when I think of the ideal Canterbury of which our imagination dreamt, yet I see nothing in that dream to regret or to be ashamed of, and I am quite sure that without the enthusiasm, the poetry, the unreality if you will, with which our scheme was overlaid, it would never have …
William Deans (1817 – 1851) Drowned Place of Death: Wellington Memorial at Barbadoes Street Cemetery * Christchurch’s First Justice of Peace. John Deans (1820 – 1854) Died of T.B. Place of Death: Riccarton Buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery Jane Deans (1823 – 1911) Died of old …
Department of Agriculture stock inspector, John Munro and stock agent, Donald Ross emerged from the Rainbow Accommodation House (North of Hanmer Springs) around 9.30am on the 14th February 1904. The men had made planned to ride out to ‘Tarndale’ Station to meet the owner/manager, Mr. Gordon, to talk business and take care of whatever else …
