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1861
- May 20
- Gold discovered in Gabriels Gully, Otago. As with other discoveries, the ensuing gold rush depleted the city of its more adventurous young men.
- May 23
- Fire destroys brewery and shops in Cashel Street.
- May 25
- "Christchurch Press" appears. The first editor was ex-Superintendent James FitzGerald, a bitter opponent of the proposed Lyttelton-Christchurch railway tunnel. He and supporters began the paper to air their views.
- July 17
- Work begins on the railway to Lyttelton. Preliminary work on the tunnel had begun in January 1860, but the original contractors had withdrawn in November.
- October 17
- Christchurch Club building opens. Designed by B. W. Mountfort and Isaac Luck, it was probably New Zealand’s first club.
- December
- Provincial Superintendent petitioned by 227 householders to proclaim a municipal district.
- (no date)
- New Zealand’s first rowing club formed. (It became the Canterbury Rowing Club in 1862.)
- Canterbury (or "New") Music Hall opens. Built by the Musical Society, it was soon nicknamed "the Barn". The site was in Gloucester Street, opposite the present Theatre Royal.
