Discover your family’s history at our libraries
1859
- April 7
- Canterbury Rifles organised - the first military force in the Province. It was formed as a result of the Taranaki land wars.
- May 26
- Public Library begins as the Mechanics Institute in Town Hall.
- August 19
- Chamber of Commerce established in Lyttelton.
- December
- Canterbury Municipal Ordinance passed. However, it failed to receive the assent of the Governor of New Zealand. A revised ordinance succeeded in March 1861.
