The Government Life Building in Cathedral Square was opened 55 years ago on the 17th July 1964.
Musical Architecture of Band Rotundas
Brass bands developed as a popular form of musical entertainment in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, many businesses and suburbs had their own bands, which would play for the public at weekends and during celebrations, as well as compete in competitions. Band rotundas were built in many public spaces across the city to create permanent outdoor locations…
Canterbury Croquet Association formed – This week in History 31 July – 6 August
The Canterbury Croquet Association (New Zealand’s first such regional association) formed on the third of August in 1910. The founding clubs were Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, St. Albans, Sumner, Temuka, Timaru and United Clubs. Templeton also joined in September that first year. The Association formed to organise more inter-club tournaments and to raise the profile of…
Open air classrooms opened at Fendalton Primary School – This week in History 24-30 July
The first open air classroom at Fendalton Primary School was officially opened on the 26th of July 1924 by Mr E.H. Andrews, a member of the Canterbury Education Board. Professor Shelley, who was Professor of Education at Canterbury College, also gave an opening address encouraging the school and committee to continue the project. This first…
Week in History 17-23 July – The “Monty tour” arrives in Christchurch 70 years ago
Those of us who remember a certain movie from the 1990's may jump to particular conclusions of what the "Monty tour" may be. It actually was the 1947 tour of Australasia by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Born in 1887 and active in both the First and Second World Wars, he…
King Edward Barracks construction begins – This week in history 10-16 July
The Foundation stone for the King Edward Barracks was laid on the 13th of July 1905 by the Right Hon. R.J. Seddon, Premier and Defence Minister, though construction had already started. The official ceremony narrowly missed being delayed as there had been an accident with the Foundation Stone: a special saw had been required for…
Canterbury Society of Arts formed in 1880 on the 8th of July
A group of community-minded men had an initial meeting in late June 1880 to discuss how to organise and promote art within Canterbury. They felt that the rapidly growing centre of Christchurch needed some form of cultural organisation, and Auckland and Dunedin already had Art Societies. A sub-committee of three was elected to draft up…
Christchurch floods – This week in history, 3 to 9 July
The 4th of July marks the 40th anniversary of the Christchurch floods in 1977, when hundreds of people were evacuated from their houses. Three days of torrential rain affected the whole of Christchurch and much of Banks Peninsula with water rising up and threats of slips from above. Particularly affected were those along the Heathcote…
The new Canterbury College building opened 140 years ago – in 1877
Canterbury College was founded in 1873 and quickly gained 87 students. Despite the Canterbury College Board of Governors approving a Gothic Revival building design by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort in 1874, delays occurred when it could not be decided where to build — land they owned on Worcester Street or adjacent to the Museum. Professor A…
All about Ada – Ada Wells, the first female elected to Christchurch City Council
On 2 May 1917, Ada Wells was the first woman elected to the Christchurch City Council. I stand for better housing, for municipal markets, for proper working conditions for all employees, for rest-rooms and play gardens for mothers and children, I shall work for municipal activities in the direction of the uplifting of the people…
1 - 10 of 10
