Jimmy Robinson Clough was an British ex-convict, ex-whaler, farmer, boat and fence builder, a drunk, suspected bigamist and the first European to settle in Canterbury. In 1837, after spotting a beautiful Maori woman in Akaroa where his ship had dropped anchor, he deserted his post and married her. They had 5 children together. In 1840 …
“It appears that, as usual, these settlers have been deluded by having had their expectations raised to an unreasonable pitch. They appear very well pleased with the country, but evidently had been lead to expect comfortable dwelling houses and every other accommodation prepared for them”. Charles Obins Torlesse ~ 5th January 1851 *Surveyor for The …
“I was quite determined to see the plains if possible and we found a very good, though steep path to the top. The view was very fine, on one side the harbour, as smooth as a lake and quite encircled with high hills and down below, on the other side, the vast plains, as level …
Irene Leaver – the daughter of the Mayor of the New Brighton’s Borough – couldn’t help but let her eyes stray up to the surrounding crowd. I’m sure with a small lump in her throat; she forced a smile to her lips and returned to her duty of laying the foundation stone for the New …