Christchurch: A Chronology to 1989

A timeline of some Christchurch events in chronological order from 1700s to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

July 31, 1856: Christchurch became a City upon the issuing of Letters Patent on 31 July 1856. This was a practice under British law whereby the monarch could designate a town a city if it became the seat of a bishop.
August 1, 1929: "Lyttelton Times" re-named "Christchurch Times" after being taken over by Auckland interests. In fact, the paper had moved from Lyttelton to Christchurch in 1863.
August 1, 1975: Severe nor-west gale causes serious damage throughout city and province. Winds gust to a record 172 kilometres per hour (107 miles per hour). Over 250 injuries in Canterbury, and many forests devastated.
August 3, 1910: Canterbury Croquet Association (New Zealand’s first) formed in City.
August 4, 1878: Severe snowstorm over the South Island.
August 4, 1923: Railway to the West Coast opens. The much delayed opening of the Otira tunnel on June 18, 1918, had prevented earlier completion of the line.
August 6, 1867: Unveiling of the Godley statue in Cathedral Square New Zealand’s first public statue. However, the statue’s inscription acclaiming him ”founder of Canterbury“ is possibly over generous. Wakefield should at least share the title.