-
Captain Cook Statue Unveiled – 10th August 1932
On 10th August 1932, the statue of Captain James Cook – the first European to do a circumnavigation of New Zealand – was unveiled in Victoria Square by the Governor General, Lord Bledisloe. Gifted to the city by bookmaker and philanthropist, Matthew Barnett, he launched a competition amongst the Christchurch architects to design a memorial …
Share this:
-
One Of New Zealand’s First Crèches Opened – 1st July 1932
As a small child back in the 1980’s, with my hand firmly inside my mother’s, we would dash across Cathedral Square in all kinds of weather, usually heading towards the five story, art deco designed building that housed the women’s restrooms. If we were going south across the Square, my eyes would always stray to …
Share this:
-
The Robert McDougall Art Gallery Opened – 16th June 1932
Robert Ewing McDougall was just a child when his family moved to Christchurch from Melbourne, Australia. Born to Scottish parents, McDougall grew to be small and frail in body but it was once remarked that his very blue eyes were ones that held many dreams. He first appears as an adult in Christchurch’s history as …
Share this:
-
New Regent Street Opened – 1st April 1932
On 1 April 1932, the Honourable Mayor D.G. Sullivan opened a new 40 shop complex named New Regent Street. At that time, Christchurch, like the rest of the world, was in the grip of The Great Depression. Regent Street Limited were forced to offer their retail space rent free – at first – to get …
Share this:
