1870

February 8

Opening of Christchurch’s first art exhibition.

Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch - 1885

October 1

Opening of Canterbury Museum building, designed by B. W. Mountfort.

October 24

Disastrous fire (New Zealand’s most extensive to that date) destroys the centre of Lyttelton.

December 26

First rowing regatta on the Avon.

December

National railway gauge chosen as 3ft 6in. Existing 5ft 3in lines in Canterbury were subsequently re-laid in the New gauge. See 1877.