James Edward Fitzgerald (1818 – 1896)

James Edward Fitzgerald (1818 – 1896)    Died of old age      Place of Death: Wellington Was Canterbury’s first Superintendent, the first to step ashore from the Charlotte Jane, founded the Lyttelton Times and The Press, Lincoln and Springston was his farmland which was known as The Springs. Buried at Bolten Street Cemetery, Wellington. The …

Mary Rolleston (1845 – 1940)

“…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 – Woman’s Division of the Farmer’s Union – Year Unknown As the bells of The Holy Trinity of Avonside tolled over the eastern side of Christchurch – …

Samuel Bealey (1821 – 1909)

As the Bealey brothers – Samuel and John – made the most of their sea voyage to Lyttelton in 1851, they shared their ship, the ‘Cornwall’ with the Moorhouse brothers – William, Benjamin and Thomas – totally unaware how together, they would make Canterbury history. Samuel (pictured) was born in Lancashire, England in 1821. He …

The Zig Zag – Sumner Road

As James Edward Fitzgerald sat in his over-sized dogcart while it was being transported across the Heathcote River by punt – he was feeling quite exhausted with Christchurch. He was fast approaching the end of his term as Superintendant and his health and temper would improve much due to that very fact. Beside and behind …

LINCOLN & SPRINGSTON – James Edward Fitzgerald (1818 – 1896)

“He grows more wonderful than ever, in dress and appearance. His hair is all brushed and shaved away from him face…he used to wear the most frightful long brown holland blouse, left very open, with a belt and turn-down collars…” And this was how Charlotte Godley (the wife of John Robert Godley – founder of …

The Press – since 25/5/1861

Nihil stile quod non honestum – Nothing is useful that is not honest – The Press – www.press.co.nz motto.So true. The Press are onto something!I was completely ecstatic to see this in the foyer of the new Press Building on Gloucester Street.This pillar displays the very first edition of The Press, dated 25th May 1861. …

William Rolleston (1831 – 1903)

William Rolleston (1831 – 1903)         Died of old age    Place of Death: Kapunatiki (near Temuka) William was the fourth and last Canterbury Superintendent.  The township of Rolleston is named in his memory. Buried in the Holy Trinity of Avonside Church Cemetery, Christchurch The story of William Rolleston: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/rolleston-william-rolleston-1809-1903-pronounced-rolston/ Photo taken by Annette Bulovic

William Sefton Moorhouse (1825 – 1881)

William Sefton Moorhouse (1825 – 1881)     Died of Diabetic Sepsis      Place of Death: Wellington Served as Canterbury Superintendent 1857 – 1863 & 1866 – 1868, behind the naming of suburb Spreydon. Buried in St Peter’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Christchurch The story of William Sefton Moorhouse: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/spreydon-william-sefton-moorhouse-1825-1881/ Photo taken by Annette Bulovic