Bird Species Introduced to Canterbury – 10th January 1867

On 10 January 1867, bird species such as pheasant, blackbirds, thrushes and starlings were introduced to Canterbury. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society had formed just four year before and the releasing of the above species coincided with a similar release made by Auckland’s Acclimatisation Society. Sadly, at this time, no research or science was conducted before …

Brown Trout Released Into Avon -1867

Due to the efforts of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Brown Trout ova were introduced into the Avon River in 1867. This first hatchery was located in the Botanic Gardens, not far from the new Christchurch Women’s Hospital. The release was a great success, hundreds of trout encouraging all types of fishermen to the banks …

South Island’s First Maori Mission Church Gives Canterbury Its First Spire – 1867

When the Rev. James West Stack took up his post as the leading missionary of Canterbury’s ‘Maori Mission’ in 1859, he came across a very fragmented and weary Ngai Tahu.  The memories of the deadly raids of the North Island’s Ngati Toa Chief, Te Rauparaha, during the late 1820’s weren’t even close to being forgotten.  …

Hagley Park Began To Take Shape – 1867

With the employment of the city’s first full time gardener, Enoch Barker in 1867, the Christchurch Botanical Gardens and namely, Hagley Park began to really take shape. The trees that border Hagley Park, along the side of our main avenues, were planted by him. Before Hagley grew and developed into what we know today, the …

Moa Bones Find Puts Canterbury On The World Map – 2nd December 1866

The discovery of Moa bones on 2 December 1866 not only put Canterbury on the world map but also helped Julius von Haast with the expansion of what would become the Canterbury Museum’s historic collection. With the discovery of Moa bones at Glenmark Swamp, Julius was able to trade some of the remains with overseas …

Cantab Surveyor Murdered – 28th May 1866

On 28th May 1866, surveyor George Dobson was riding on horseback alone by the Grey River (near Greymouth) when he was stopped by two men. I’m sure confusion soon turned to terror when firearms were produced and an order for gold was made. For poor George, it was a case of misidentification and being in …

Pioneering Naturalist Puts Canterbury On The World Map – 1866

It didn’t take John Davis Enys long after finishing his education to follow in the footsteps of his maternal Grandfather, Davis Gilbert, who was the President of the Royal Society of London and a member of the Geological Society of Cornwell.   John would take off for long walks and return with a collection of …

Christchurch’s Last Remaining Wooden Bridge Is Built – 1866

In 1862, eccentric British lawyer Joseph Cornish Helmore arrived in Christchurch and purchased 50 acres in Merivale which included the western end of Pilgrim’s Corner (Little Hagley Park). The area then became known as Helmore’s Plantation due to the lovely trees on his land. Known for being suspicious of all he met, his garden in …

Christchurch Play Chess In A World First – 1866

In 1866, a small group of Cantab Chess enthusiasts got together to play their counterparts in Nelson via telegraph – a world first. After this historic event, the group disbanded until the formation of the Christchurch Chess Club in 1877. The same year, the club hosted the New Zealand Chess Championships – also known as …

The Canterbury Provincial Chambers Was Completed – 21st November 1865

On 21st November 1865, the construction of the Canterbury Provincial Chambers (which had been started in 1858) was completed. When the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was established, New Zealand was split up into six provinces. Each province was its own sub-government and these were built around the six original settlements. The Canterbury Province sat …