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Addington Water Tower Is Built – 1883
In 1883, one of the world’s first reinforced concrete structures – with the additional use of steel and cast iron – was erected in Christchurch. It was the Addington Water Tower. Prison labour was used to build it and before it was finished, the tower had already sunk 9 inches. The tower is 21.9 metres …
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Whitcoulls Opened – 1883
George Hawkes Whitcombe arrived in New Plymouth in 1870. Being French, George made a career of teaching the language – but there are no clues of what brought him down to Christchurch. He became a bookseller and publisher. In 1883, he joined with George Tombs, a printer and book binder who already had a shop …
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Attempted Murder Of John Deans II – 15th May 1882
On 15th May 1882, shortly after breakfast, John Deans II (pictured here with his family in 1890) made his way from Riccarton House into Deans Bush. He was to select a tree to be felled so new railing could be made. As the morning was chilly, he put a few more layers of warm clothing …
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Christchurch’s First ‘Puffing Billy’ – 5th January 1882
Referred to as a ‘Puffing Billy’ – as it was powered by steam – Christchurch’s first is pictured here, leaving Cathedral Square and heading to the Addington Railway Station – where the Tower Junction shopping centre is now situated. This route through the city was opened on 5 January 1882, though trams had been running …
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