Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

A timeline of Christchurch events in chronological order from pre-European times to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

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This week in history

April 19, 1873
Christchurch Golf Club formed. The first course was in Hagley Park. There are now nearly 30 golf courses in and around Christchurch, making it New Zealand’s golfing capital.
April 19, 1988
Proposal for 152 metre tower in Victoria Square abandoned after much public debate.
April 20, 1849
Captain Thomas (in a letter to Sir George Grey) reveals that he has chosen the present site of Christchurch for the new settlement - in spite of the fact that both the Nelson and Otago colonists had rejected it in 1841 and 1844 respectively.
April 20, 1938
First Inter-Dominion trotting in New Zealand held at Addington Raceway. Originally scheduled for Easter, the contest was postponed by flooding throughout the city. Further flooding after the first races delayed the finals until May 4.
April 21, 1971
Court Theatre’s first production, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie".
April 22, 1869
Visit of the Duke of Edinburgh (New Zealand’s first royal visitor).
April 22, 1970
New Teachers College opens at Ilam. Secondary division only. The completed complex was opened on October 26, 1978.
April 23-24, 1966
Visit by Queen Mother.
April 23, 1895
Regular Lyttelton - Wellington Cook Strait ferry service inaugurated by "Penguin".
April 24, 1858
Contract let for fortnightly mail service between Christchurch and Timaru.
April 25, 1850
Canterbury Association settlers meet in London.
April 25, 1854
Coal from the Malvern Hills on sale in Christchurch at £5-10s a ton.
April 25, 1864
Canterbury Horticultural and Acclimatisation Society formed. This group introduced many animals, birds and fish to Canterbury, and helped to establish the Government Gardens, which eventually became the Botanic Gardens.
April 25, 1977
Bridge of Remembrance becomes a pedestrian precinct.
April 25, 1981
New $16 million postal centre in Hereford Street in operation. A determined fight by civic groups had failed to prevent its siting next to the old Public Library.

Notes