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. …
A few weeks ago, I was reading about an old Christchurch murder case (1871) where the author mentioned something quite odd about the burial of the victim. Being a highly superstitious lot, about 150 years ago, a tradition kicked in when burying a victim of murder. They were not to be buried with those who …
Edmund arrived in New Zealand in 1841 as a member of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Association as well as Commissioner of Native Reserves. He was to protect the rights of the Maori during the development of the new colony. He took his new duty with great seriousness, studying and reporting on the way …
Two hard working dogs earning a living or have accompanied their masters, to the Addington Saleyards for Sale Day in 1905. *Image courtesy of Rural Livestock Ltd, Canterbury* —
