“….having spread the mortar, the stone was lowered to its place, and striking it with the mallet his Excellency said, “I declare this stone to be well and truly laid, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” ~ Lyttelton Times 1873 What a proud moment for …
Just had to share this wonderful description of the beginnings of Linwood and Avonside written by Rosamund Rolleston, the granddaughter of a very influential Canterbury founding father – William Rolleston. To give a very quick background check, William Rolleston was Canterbury’s last Superintendant and remembered today in the naming of Rolleston Ave, his (currently missing/under …
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 …
William Guise Brittan arrived in Christchurch on the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships. William’s main occupation before his journey was as a surgeon, serving as the doctor on board the Sir George Seymour! But once in Christchurch, he never practised medicine again. He became the Commissioner of Crown Land and was …
Dr. A.C. Barker sought opportunities, fortune and we should be so grateful that he did.Born in Hackney, London in 1819, A.C. was a well established young doctor and surgeon. He couldn’t pass on the great opportunity of becoming the on board doctor on the ‘Charlotte Jane’ in 1850. This not only gave him free passage …
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
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 …
The memorial and reason for the naming of Victoria Park up on the Port Hills. The area was first chosen in 1870 but it took over 10 years before any development such as planting was done. William Moore lived on site by 1886 and was selling refreshments to the visitors venturing around the park. In …
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 …
When the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was established, New Zealand was split 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 Rivers and stretched right over to the West Coast. At the head was a Superintendent …
