On 16 December 1908, on the 58th anniversary of the arrival of the First Four Ships, the Canterbury Old Colonists Association placed a marker to acknowledge Settler’s Corner. “Rode with Mr [John Robert] Godley over the hills to the Plains. Went first to Christchurch, where there are about 4 huts, 3 tents and a hovel …
On 14th May 1908, in front of a crowd including C.C.C councillors and members of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, Mayor George Payling opened Christchurch’s first indoor pool – The Municipal Baths. Situated on Manchester Street, the C.C.C had a new building erected on what was previously the Crown Iron Works. As with all …
On 17th February 1908, Canterbury Museum’s curator, Edgar R. Waite couldn’t quite believe the goss circulating around Christchurch that day. A dead whale had washed up on a beach at Okarito, a dot on the map, roughly 137 km south-west of Hokitika. So excited by the news, I don’t think Edgar even finished his cup …
On the night of 6th February 1908, a fire broke out in a furniture display showroom belonging to the Strange’s Department Store (New Zealand’s largest at the time), at the intersection of Manchester, High and Lichfield Streets. Due to the time of the disaster, there were no deaths or injuries. Fanned by an easterly wind, …
In 1908, the Colosseum Picture Theatre opened, delighting Cantabs with silent movies. It was Christchurch’s first movie house. Situated in a building known as the ‘Colosseum’ (built 1888), this structure was demolished in 1929 to make way for a new 40 shop complex still known as New Regent Street. By 1917, the movie theatre had …
In 1908, as part of a sudden worldwide movement, Kaiapoi was the first township in New Zealand to form a ‘Boy Scout Patrol’. The Scouts are now New Zealand’s largest youth organisation catering for both sexes, from the ages of 1 to 26 years old. Founded by English soldier, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (B.P. for …
In 1908, 10 years after first appearing in a newspaper advertisement, Hackthorne Road was listed in the Christchurch street directory. It is believed to be Christchurch’s steepest road. Although unconfirmed, it most likely began as a simple farm track and was named by the Cracroft Wilson family who established Cashmere Farm (the southern boundary once …
On 24th May 1907, a newly erected flagpole in Victoria Square was used for Christchurch’s first ‘Empire Day’ (pictured). To the sound of buglers playing the ‘Royal Salute’, the Union Jack was hoisted up above the thousands that had gathered below. In 1909, this flagpole was transformed into a flagstaff by the addition of a …
On 1 April 1907, Beckenham joined the Greater Christchurch and came under the care of the C.C.C. Brothers, Stephen and James Fisher, and James’ wife, Harriet, arrived in Lyttelton on the ‘Charlotte Jane’, the first of our First Four Ships on 16 December 1850. When James and Harriet married, her father brought the pair 100 …
On 1 November 1906, the International Exhibition opened to the public from its location in North Hagley Park. A foot bridge was specially built over the Avon at Kilmore Street to help direct visitors to the main gates. Thought up by Prime Minister Richard Seddon, it was a physical representation of the national pride in …
