‘Honest John’ Cordy was manager of Homebush for the Deans from 1854 to 1859. An Englishman, he arrived in Christchurch in 1851 and ran a small run near the Bridle Path where newly arrived hoof-stock could graze before moving on when their owners were ready. On the 1st May 1854, John took over Homebush and …
If it wasn’t enough already to have gathered up all your worldly belongings and trudge over the Bridle Path after an exhausting 100 or so days at sea, some actually added livestock to the proceedings. If these Canterbury Association settlers were anything like Captain William B. Rhodes who brought the first ever hoof-stock to Banks …
If Ferrymead is the gateway to Christchurch, then Heathcote is the step down to that gate. As the world famous writer – and great lover of Canterbury – Samuel Butler came puffing down the Bridle Path, he not only cast his eyes over the vastness of the plains but also took in what lay at …
