To me, the taming and breaking of the plains were done by those gentle giants, the Clydesdales. They helped to take the European farmer further into the wild back country than ever before, pulling along behind them the heavy load of supplies that man needed to survive and make a start in life. They …
“…nothing said about the Pilgrim Mothers? Yet they bore the same discomforts, hardships and privation and in addition had to put up with the Pilgrim Fathers”. Mary Rolleston (nee Brittan) * Wife of William Rolleston – Provincial Secretary 1863 – Canterbury’s fourth and last Superintendent 1868 -1877 – Member of Parliament 1868 – 1899 – Minister …
“The earth always seemed large – one could see so far in the clear air – though the tiny settlement [Christchurch] and its minute affairs were so small. Far away across the ocean was another world, the great world of affairs, where there were nations, Parliaments, wars, big cities, and terrible crimes. The monthly mail …
In 1877, the Canterbury Jockey Club took on an adventurous project to try and increase the foot traffic around Riccarton Race Course. Off the Main South Line of Canterbury’s railway system, they had their own 1.4km railway track lead off northwards towards Upper Riccarton and these tracks ran right into the grounds of the racing …