John Henry Menzies (1839 – 1919)

The wildness of Menzies Bay was equally matched with the man who broke ground there – John Henry Menzies. Menzies Bay sits between Pigeon Bay and Little Akaloa.  Before the 1820’s there had been a Maori settlement high on its shores but the Ngai Tahu’s Kai Huanga Feud had wiped it from the face of …

Captain William Charlesworth (1814 – 1875)

There is something extra special about a man who could hold a subdued conservation with the likes of William Sefton Moorhouse about the Railway coming to Christchurch (with a cigar in hand I’m sure) whereas on the flipside he could also fit in at a local tavern full of the rough and tumbles from the …

William Bishop (1829 – 1903)

William Bishop (1829 – 1903)      Died of old age     Place of Death: Christchurch * With his brothers, set up orchards that are now known as the suburb of Bishopdale. Story of the Bishopdale: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/bishopdale-the-bishop-brothers-1820s-1900s/ John is buried at St James Anglican Church, Harewood,Christchurch. Photo taken by Annette Bulovic

Robert Bishop (1827 – 1909)

Robert Bishop (1827 – 1909)      Died of old age     Place of Death: Christchurch * With his brothers, set up orchards that are now known as the suburb of Bishopdale. Story of the Bishopdale: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/bishopdale-the-bishop-brothers-1820s-1900s/ John is buried at St James Anglican Church, Harewood,Christchurch. Photo taken by Annette Bulovic

James Bishop (1826 – 1910)

James Bishop (1826 – 1910)      Died of old age     Place of Death: Christchurch * With his brothers, set up orchards that are now known as the suburb of Bishopdale. Story of the Bishopdale: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/bishopdale-the-bishop-brothers-1820s-1900s/ John is buried at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Papanui,Christchurch. Photo taken by Annette Bulovic

Early View Of Pegasus Arms

Came across this awesome image the other day, taken just east of the Montreal Street Bridge as seen in photo, the photographer most likely standing on Cambridge Terrace, a stone throw from the Antiqua Boat Sheds. The second building from the right is the Pegasus Arms.  As the year is unknown, I am guessing that …

The Limes Private Hospital 1880 – 1963

My dear old school friend Anthony hadn’t been working at the Christchurch Town Hall very long when he first heard about the haunted dressing rooms of the James Hay Theatre.  I can’t recall whether he had been uneasy within himself when his duties called him to that part of the Town Hall or whether he …

‘Invisible Power’ – Mary Rolleston

“I will not attempt to draw aside the veil which clothes, or half reveals, the invisible power which has had so large a share in government”. Spoken by William Rolleston, who was referring to his wife, Mary Rolleston – 2nd February 1900 William was Canterbury’s 4th and last Superintendent and is remembered today in the …

Best Superintendent Of His Time – William Sefton Moorhouse

“…with all his failings, was perhaps the best superintendent of his time in New Zealand”. Written by James Edward Fitzgerald (Canterbury’s 1st Superintendent) about William Sefton Moorhouse (Canterbury’s 2nd Superintendent) – 1863 *text from ‘Blest Madman’ by Edmund Bohan *image courtesy of http://earlycanterbury.blogspot.co.nz* Illustrated London News, March 20, 1886; pg. 292; Issue 2448

Being Stupid – William Rolleston

“We can excuse your being stupid but we cannot excuse your being dirty”. As told by one of his older sisters when a young boy – Year Unknown. William was Canterbury’s 4th and last Superintendent and is remembered today in the naming of the township of Rolleston. *text from ‘William and Mary Rolleston – an …