Christchurch’s First Taxi Stand – 23rd June 1863

On 23rd June 1863, Christchurch got its first cab stand. It was situated outside the City Hotel on the intersection of Colombo and High Streets, the northern side of the Triangle Centre (pictured showing waiting Cabs). This section of road – with Hereford Street so close by – was also known as Bottleneck Junction. Although …

Canterbury’s Third Superintendent Elected – 5th March 1863

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 between the Hurunui and Waitaki River and stretched right over to the West Coast. At the head was a …

Canterbury’s First Rugby Match – 1863

The first ever Rugby game was played in Cranmer Square in 1863. The two-hour game was played between Christ’s College and the Gentlemen of Christchurch – ending in a draw, 1 try scored by each team. The same day, the Christchurch Football Club formed and is now the oldest club in New Zealand. The Club …

Cobb & Co [Coaches] Rumbled Into Christchurch – 1863

In 1863 – two years after Cobb & Co began its coach service in the goldfields of Otago – a Cobb & Co coach rumbled into Christchurch for the first time – from Timaru. With surveyor [Sir] Arthur Dudley Dobson finding a suitable passage from the Canterbury Plains to the West Coast the following year …

First New Zealand Trained Lawyer Establishes Christchurch Law Firm

Thomas Ingham Joynt (pictured) was born December 1830 at Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland.  After finishing his schooling, he became a law clerk in Dublin and made friends with lawyer, Henry Barnes Gresson.  It was through this friendship that Joynt learned of Canterbury, New Zealand; together these two families packed up and emigrated.  The Joynt’s arrived at Lyttelton …

The Prize Winning Duncan Brothers – 1863

David Duncan was born 22nd January 1832 at Forfarshire in Scotland. His brother, Peter, followed on 27th December 1838. Both brothers were trained in smithery and fitting. In 1863, Peter arrived in Lyttelton and became the business partner of Benjamin Cordery who was a Blacksmith at port. Two years later, Peter was set up in …

World Famous Author Flees Christchurch While Rumours Fly – 1863

As the bells of the Holy Trinity of Avonside tolled over the eastern side of Christchurch, the parishioners made their way to church.  Amongst them were two good friends: the promising writer, Samuel Butler, and budding politician William Rolleston.  These two would have made their way to church – by foot or horseback – quite …

Christchurch’s First Stone House Built – 1863

As Christopher Calvert was known as a stubborn eccentric, maybe no one was surprised when he designed his own home, he insisted that it be built from stone. This had never been done in Christchurch for a private residence before! It would have been the sweet sound of music in the ears of the stone …

First Canterbury Pastoral Association Show Held – 22nd October 1862

On 22 October 1862, in a paddock north of Latimer Square, the first show since the formation of the Canterbury Pastoral Association was held. This was also the first year that this event did not coincide with the Canterbury Anniversary celebrations of mid-December. The beginning had started with an invitation being sent out for those …

The Canterbury Branch Of The Royal Society of New Zealand Opened – 24th July 1862

A flyer, dated 16th July 1862, was sent out by mail to those who were considered to be Canterbury’s top professional minds. It was an invitation to attend a preliminary meeting concerning the formation of a science society – a society that would encourage scientific investigations and discussions.  Canterbury became the first to attempt the …