Christchurch Chronology 1903 - Heritage - Christchurch City Libraries

1903

January 22: Christchurch Tramway Board (now the Christchurch Transport Board) holds its first meeting.
February 20: Singer Madam (later Dame) Nellie Melba gives concert.
The Mayoress, Mrs Wigram unveils the memorial statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square on Empire Day - 1903 April 1: Sydenham, Linwood and St Albans amalgamate with City to form greater Christchurch. Henry F. Wigram becomes Mayor.
May 25: Statue of Queen Victoria unveiled in Market Square, and the area is renamed Victoria Square.
July 18: Heavy snow in Canterbury.
July 25: City Council generates Christchurch’s first public electricity from a generator driven by the municipal refuse destructor. This eventually led to the formation of the Municipal Electricity Department, which was derived from the City Engineer’s Department in 1925.
August 17: City abattoir opens at Sockburn.
September 4: Canterbury Automobile Association formed.
November 1: Christchurch to Invercargill rail express service begins.