Bealey’s Crossing

Known by the locals as Aylesbury’s Bend, the intersection of Railway, Bealey, Aylesbury, West Coast (once known as Bealey’s Track) and Station Roads in Aylesbury, Canterbury used to be known as Bealey’s Crossing. Bealey Road begins here and ends in Hororata. As the West Coast Road was once known as Bealey’s Track, this would have …

John Bealey (1817 – 1867)

John Bealey (1817 – 1867)            Died of illness        Place of death: Christchurch The brother of Canterbury’s third Superintendent, Samuel Bealey. For the story of the Bealey’s: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/samuel-bealey-1821-1909/ John is buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery. *photo taken by Chris Bulovic*

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 …

ROLLESTON – William Rolleston (1831 – 1903)

Even in William’s early life, he dreamt of being elsewhere. Born in Yorkshire, the 9th child of the family, he grew up to say he wanted ‘a freer life.’William became a tutor, saving up his wages for his voyage to Canterbury, arriving in Lyttelton in 1858. He turned down a job working in a office …

SPREYDON – Augustus Moore (1830 – 1901)

The area that we now know as the suburb of Spreydon was first owned by Augustus Moore who named it after his family’s land back in Ireland in 1853.  Some reports stated that he farmed his land but he is remembered today as a brewer, running a drinking establishment named the ‘Spreydon Arms’ which was …

Canterbury’s Third Superintendent Elected – 5th March 1863

When the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was established, New Zealand was split up into six provinces. Each province was its own sub-government and these were built around the six original settlements. The Canterbury Province sat between the Hurunui and Waitaki River and stretched right over to the West Coast. At the head was a …