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Christchurch’s First Movie Theatre – 1908
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 …
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New Zealand’s First Boy Scout Patrol – 1908
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 …
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Christchurch’s “Accepted” Steepest Road Gets Listed – 1908
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 …
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Victoria Square’s Flagstaff Used For First Empire Day – 24th May 1907
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 …
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