Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

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

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

October 24, 1870
Disastrous fire (New Zealand’s most extensive to that date) destroys the centre of Lyttelton.
October 25, 1877
First high pressure water supply system in operation at Lyttelton.
October 25, 1986
“Qin Shihuang” (Chinese Buried Army) exhibition opens at the McDougall Art Gallery. 71,145 people visited the exhibition over a seven week period, the largest number to a paying show at the Gallery.
October 26, 1796
Whaling ship “Mermaid” sights Kaikoura Mountains.
October 26, 1863
Chamber of Commerce transfers from Lyttelton.
October 26, 1980
City Council gives land at Cuthberts Green to the trustees of new Ngā Hau E Whā National Marae.
October 26, 1982
Old library re-opens as Library Chambers (architect Don Donnithorne).
October 27, 1983
New office building on the corner of Manchester and Kilmore Streets has New Zealand’s first exterior lift.
October 28, 1882
Linwood Town Board formed.
October 28, 1978
Pioneer Sports Stadium opens. See 1879.
October 28, 1985
110 vehicles stolen over Labour Weekend in the Canterbury district. Police claim it as a record.
October 29, 1830
Te Rauparaha charters the “Elizabeth” (under the unscrupulous Captain Stewart) and sails for Akaroa.
October 29, 1877
Sydenham Borough formed.
October 29, 1891
General Booth of the Salvation Army visits.
October 30, 1857
Tunnel advocate William Sefton Moorhouse elected as the provinces’s second Superintendent. He resigned in 1863 because of personal financial mismanagement, but later served a second term of office from 1866 to 1868.
October 30, 1979
University of Canterbury gives old university site to the Arts Centre Trust Board.
October 30, 1985
Mid-Canterbury farmers slaughter 2,500 ewes in protest at the low prices they are receiving for their sheep.
October 30, 1985
Writer-in-Residence at Canterbury University, Keri Hulme wins internationally prestigious "Booker McConnell" prize for her novel "The Bone People".

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