Canterbury history By Golden-Ray Jan 1, 1000 First arrivals Jan 1, 1450 Moa being killed off Feb 16, 1770 Early European contact Apr 10, 1840 The first European settlements Jan 2, 1843 The first house on the Canterbury Plains, Riccarton Jan 11, 1851 first issue of the Lyttelton Times. Jan 18, 1851 First bank (Union Bank of Australia) opens in Lyttelton. Feb 10, 1851 First bridge across the Avon (a footbridge) at Worcester Street Jun 30, 1852 the New Zealand Constitution Act was passed in England. Jul 20, 1853 Canterbury’s first superintendent was James Edward Fitzgerald Dec 9, 1867 the lyttelton tunnel was officially opened as New Zealand’s first rail tunnel. Feb 10, 1880 Steam trams began operation from Cathedral Square to the railway station Feb 10, 1891 Ballantynes became the first store in Christchurch to be electricly lit Feb 10, 1900 Canterbury celebrated its jubilee (50 years).
