Early Canterbury History

By albertahall

  • Early European Contact

    Early European Contact
    On the 16th of February 1770, Captain James Cook first sighted Banks Peninsula but thought it was an island so named it Banks Island.

  • First European Settlement

    First European Settlement
    Captain William Rhodes first visited in 1836. He came back in 1839 and landed a herd of 50 cattle near Akaroa.

  • The first Four Ships

    The first Four Ships
    The ships stayed in the port at Lyttelton for several weeks while goods were unloaded.

  • First Shop opened in Christchurch

    First Shop opened in Christchurch
    First shop opened by George Gould

  • Christchurch Hospital Opened

    Christchurch Hospital Opened
    Christchurch Hospital Opened and New Zealand’s first medical association was founded by Christchurch doctors in 1865.

  • Christchurch becomes a Municipal District

    Christchurch becomes a Municipal District
    In 1862 Christchurch was made a municipal district, and John Hall elected the first chairman of the Municipal Council. This council introduced street lighting in June 1862, and sank the first water well in February 1864.

  • Lyttleton Tunnel Opened

    Lyttleton Tunnel Opened
    The Lyttleton Tunnel became New Zealand's first rail tunnel.

  • Canterbury Museum built

    Canterbury Museum built
    The Canterbury Museum was designed by Benjamin Mountfort and built in 1870.

  • Steam trams began operation

    Steam trams began operation
    Steam trams began operation from Cathedral Square to the railway station.

  • First telephone exchange

    First telephone exchange
    First telephone exchange in New Zealand opened in Christchurch.

  • First New Brighton pier opened

    First New Brighton pier opened
    First pier opened at New Brighton.

  • Canterbury celebrated its jubilee

    Canterbury celebrated its jubilee
    Canterbury celebrated it's 50th anniversary.