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New Zealand’s First Bushranger Transferred To Lyttelton Gaol – 1881
Henry Rouse (aka Henry Beresford Garrett) is regarded as New Zealand’s first bushranger – and has been described as our very own Ned Kelly. If his fellow Lyttelton Gaol inmates knew anything of him or his past, they may have been surprised when they actually saw him in person. Nicknamed years before as ‘Long Henry’, …
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New Zealand’s First Amateur Swimming Club Opened – 11th November 1880
On 11 November 1880, Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club opened – the first of its kind in New Zealand. It would be another ten years before another would open nationwide. The newspapers of the day are filled with the results of the races that took place around the city; some even taking place at the Estuary …
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New Zealand’s Smallest University Opened – 19th July 1880
On 19th July 1880, Lincoln College welcomed sixteen students onto its campus to study practical farming and related sciences. It was the first agricultural university in the southern hemisphere. As early as 1873, money had been set aside for the set up of a college of Canterbury that would also have agricultural programme as well. …
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New Zealand’s First Brass Band Contest – 27th April 1880
On 27th April 1880, Christchurch hosted New Zealand’s first intercity Brass Band Contest. It is believed that the first time New Zealand crowds were delighted by the sound of a brass band was in Wellington in 1843. The French warship, ‘Le Rhin’ was arriving in Port and this musical sideshow was part of the welcome. …
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