Christchurch Chronology 1979 - Heritage - Christchurch City Libraries

1979

January 8: First women bus drivers on Transport Board buses.
February 20: 8.5 metre totara log removed from the Avon near the Barbadoes Street bridge. A remnant of the pre-Polynesian forests, it had been buried beneath the river for centuries.
February 25: Concert by jazzman "Count" Basie and his orchestra.
The road tunnel to Christchurch, which was officially opened by the Governor-General, 27 February 1964 April 1: Lyttelton road tunnel becomes toll-free.
July 11: First meeting of the Canterbury United Council.
July 15-21: D’oyly Carte Opera Company gives performances.
July 17: Visit by Princess Anne.
August: RNZAF national aviation museum officially established at Wigram.
October 15: Visit by King Tupou IV and the Queen of Tonga.
October 30: University of Canterbury gives old university site to the Arts Centre Trust Board.
October 31: USN Starlifter crash lands at airport - no-one hurt.
November 5: Regent Theatre gutted by fire.
December 11: Completion of airport international arrivals terminal, stage 1 (arrival hall).
December 17: City Council approves Neighbourhood Committee scheme.
December: Christchurch City Council rejects flouridation of the water supply.