James McIlraith was the half brother of Jane Deans. He came to New Zealand with two of his brothers, Hugh and George from Scotland, to help Jane after the death of her husband (John Deans I) in 1854. He went on to manage Homebush even after his nephew John Deans II came of age and …
The Albert Edward Oak, the oldest tree in the Botanical Gardens. This tree was planted on the 9th July 1863 in celebration of the marriage of Prince Albert to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. This tree is now regarded to be the beginning of the gardens that we know today. Prior to 1863, the gardens were …
Captain Joseph Thomas is easily the most forgotten man in Christchurch’s history. Born in 1803, Joseph was educated at the Royal Military College – so naturally he spent the beginning of his working life in the Army. He served in India and the West Indies, retiring in 1830. He travelled to South America where he …
What can one say?? Photo taken at Lancaster Park in 1887. Cyclist was F. Wood and historians believe this photo was staged. Great photo though 😉 *image courtesy of http://thenewzealandjournal.blogspot.co.nz *
A sight that hadn’t been seen before or will be seen again!! Circus Elephants bathing and drinking in the Avon River by the Armagh Street Bridge in 1934!! They had just been a part of a parade promoting the Christchurch famous Hay’s Department Store. They were part of the visiting Wirth’s Circus, set up somewhere …
Looking forward to the Summit Road reopening. Would love to see the Pioneer Woman’s Memorial – Resting Hut – that sits at the top of the Bridle Path. Just below that, on the Heathcote side sits the Jane Deans Memorial Seat…
The view of the Canterbury Plains (the Port Cooper Plains) from the Bridle Path. The Avon River can seen clearly running through the Plains. The collection of the trees to the left would be Riccarton Bush. *image courtesy of http://www.teara.govt.nz * Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: PUBL-0001-3 Etching with hand-coloured aquatint by William Fox
For years and years, the corner of James Street and Liffey Close, Lincoln was an unkempt wasteland. As time trickled on and the old timers either moved away or died, those left behind as well as the Selwyn District Council just assumed that the lot was Crown land. In the early 1960’s, Lincoln was in …
Charles Obins Torlesse (1825 – 1866) Died of illness Place of Death: Stoke By Nayland, England Early Canterbury Surveyor, nephew of Edward Gibbon Wakefield Buried in the township of Stoke By Nayland, England The story of the Torlesse Family: http://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/charles-obins-torlesse-1825-1866/ Photo taken by Peter French
Charles Torlesse’s mother was Catherine Wakefield, sister of Edward Gibbon Wakefield; the owner of the New Zealand Company and the man who is known as the founder of New Zealand. In the company of his Uncle Arthur Wakefield, the sixteen year old Charles – a surveying cadet – was having the adventure of a life …
