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 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.
April 20, 1849: Captain Thomas (in a letter to Sir George Grey) reveals that he has chosen the present site of Christchurch for the new settlement - in spite of the fact that both the Nelson and Otago colonists had rejected it in 1841 and 1844 respectively.
April 20, 1938: First Inter-Dominion trotting in New Zealand held at Addington Raceway. Originally scheduled for Easter, the contest was postponed by flooding throughout the city. Further flooding after the first races delayed the finals until May 4.
April 21, 1971: Court Theatre’s first production, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie".
April 22, 1869: Visit of the Duke of Edinburgh (New Zealand’s first royal visitor).
April 22, 1970: New Teachers College opens at Ilam. Secondary division only. The completed complex was opened on October 26, 1978.
April 23-24, 1966: Visit by Queen Mother.
April 23, 1895: Regular Lyttelton - Wellington Cook Strait ferry service inaugurated by "Penguin".
April 24, 1858: Contract let for fortnightly mail service between Christchurch and Timaru.