John Anderson (1820 – 1897) Died of old age Place of Death: Christchurch * Arrived on the ‘Sir George Seymour’ – the Canterbury Association’s 3rd ship. * Was Christchurch’s first blacksmith. * Was a Christchurch City Councillor (1867 – 69 & 71) * Was Christchurch’s 2nd Mayor (1868 – 69) For the story …
Rev. Henry Jacobs was under no illusion. He knew that there would be no church or school awaiting him upon his arrival in Canterbury but like any man of great faith, with his words and actions aboard the ‘Sir George Seymour’ would make one think a Cathedral awaited him. Henry had been promised work by …
“Christchurch was a-shaping; improvements were taking place everywhere – yet how wild and uncared-for the streets and riverbanks appear to modern eyes! Without doubt there were many waste places; but even then ‘there were gardens bright’ with Avon’s ‘sinuous rills…enfolding sunny spots of greenery.’ She showed flashes of beauty in her unkemptness , did Christchurch; …
“Mr [Arthur Dudley] Dobson (pictured) was a familiar figure in the streets of Christchurch till well on into my years and days. I often met him coming along Chancery Lane or Gloucester Street. He wore a roomy grey top-hat, and usually held a key at the end of a piece of red tape in his …