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The Controversial Prophet Of Christchurch Flees New Zealand – May 1899
As thousands of Cantabs swarmed about on Lichfield Street in the dimness of the early evening, their target was a parked cab that had been summoned to whisk preacher Arthur Bentley Worthington away to safety. As the cab was unable to move, Magistrate Richard Beetham climbed onto its roof and for the first – and …
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Automobile Import A South Island First – 1899
In 1899, Charles Nicholas Oates, a Christchurch business owner, imported the first automobile to the South Island. It had solid tyres, two gears and the top speed of 14kmph. At the time of this import, seven other automobiles were already turning heads in the North Island. Oates was the founder of the ‘Zealandia Cycle Works’ …
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Addington Raceway Opened – 1899
In 1899, the land (once potato fields) that Addington Raceway would call home was secured by lease from the city’s Sunnyside Hospital. The man behind the deal was Christchurch’s 15th Mayor, the Honourable Charles Louisson. Working on the behalf of The Metropolitan Trotting Club – who had been using Lancaster Park – they were finally …
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‘Black Wednesday’ – 9th February 1898
On 9th February 1898, the skies of Canterbury were darkened by the smoke from bushfires raging along the coastline of Victoria, Australia. This day became known as ‘Black Wednesday’. Known as ‘Red Tuesday’ in Australia – a dry, locust damaged South Gippsland began to burn on 1st February and gusty winds soon spread the terror …
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