On the 30th December 1850, surveyor Charles O. Torlesse chained and pegged the first road to the Canterbury Plains – from this point at Church Corner, Upper Riccarton – opposite Countdown. Named Harewood Road, it was from this road that sections began to be sold to the settlers. The term Yaldhurst began to be used …
As James Edward Fitzgerald sat in his over-sized dogcart while it was being transported across the Heathcote River by punt – he was feeling quite exhausted with Christchurch. He was fast approaching the end of his term as Superintendant and his health and temper would improve much due to that very fact. Beside and behind …
If you are anything like me, Maori names can get my head spinning and I lose the direction of the story big time!!! So, hopefully this will help – the key names Ngai Tahu – South Island tribe Ngati Toa – North Island tribe Ngati Mamoe – Pre Ngai Tahu South Island tribe Tu Rakautohi …
The Canterbury Club Gas Light – up to a few moments ago I thought it had been the first one ever but no ;-/ The first kerosene public light was erected in Market Square (Victoria Square) in 1862. The following year the Christchurch Gas Company opened and by 1876, 152 gas street lights flickered around …
William Guise Brittan arrived in Christchurch on the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships. William’s main occupation before his journey was as a surgeon, serving as the doctor on board the Sir George Seymour! But once in Christchurch, he never practised medicine again. He became the Commissioner of Crown Land and was …
A great photo! Colombo Street with Dyers Pass Road weaving its way up the Port Hills. Sadly the building tucked in behind the round roofed tram stop (I am guessing its a tram stop) was still with us up to this week (02.11.2012). Came as a nasty surprise to me as I drove past it.
Christchurch…you will always be a charming city…come what may xxx *Photo taken by Steffano Webb in 1916*
I came across Reuben Davis’ grave at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Halswell one weekend and with all the typical, can’t be explained curiousities that makes us human, I can’t stray from a gravestone that has the words ‘accident’ or ‘killed’ without taking a photo – especially if where they died is also scratched into …
I’m sure as the schooner ‘Ballet’ sailed down the east coast of the Middle (South) Island, William Deans leaned against the deck railing and watched the passing coastline with great interest. He was aboard Captain Edward Daniell’s schooner as an approved stow-away and he held great hopes for what he might find down on the …
Date and Place of Birth: 5th January 1819 at Hackney, London Date and Place of Death: 20th March 1873 at Christchurch (from Meningitis) A Canterbury Association Settler: Arrived on the ‘Charlotte Jane’ – 16th December 1850 Roles in Early Canterbury: *Surgeon Superintendent on the ‘Charlotte Jane’ *Set up the first Doctor’s surgery in Christchurch – …
