Christchurch: A Chronology to 1989

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

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

April 13-14, 1983: Visit of Chinese Premier, Zhao Ziyang.
April 13, 1876: Visit of tightrope walker Blondin.
April 13, 1896: City hosts the first meeting of the National Council of Women.
April 15, 1971: Christchurch production of Jenny Mcleod’s "Earth and Sky" in Civic Theatre.
April 16, 1851: First sale of Christchurch town sections.
April 16, 1867: First traction engine imported into Canterbury by the Provincial Government. It was hoped to pull ”road trains“ of grain shipments, but trials were a failure.
April 16, 1974: Flooding throughout city after record rainfall - 124mm (4.89 inches) in 24 hours.
April 17, 1854: Formation of the Canterbury Local Steam Navigation Co.
April 17, 1880: First championship cycle meeting, Hagley Park.
April 17, 1880: Inter-city brass band contest (New Zealand’s first) and choral competition draws an audience of 2500 to the Drill Hall. The winner was the Invercargill Garrison Band.
April 17, 1983: Visit of Dr. Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury.
April 18, 1864: First Ferrymead (swing) bridge opens.
April 19, 1873: Christchurch Golf Club formed. The first course was in Hagley Park. There are now nearly 30 golf courses in and around Christchurch, making it New Zealand’s golfing capital.
April 19, 1988: Proposal for 152 metre tower in Victoria Square abandoned after much public debate.