 | LOCAL HISTORY |
YEAR: 1888
In August 1888 Reefton becomes the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lighting. This was powered by hydro electricity generated from a dam and dynamo organised by a public company.
A tramway links Sumner with the city.
Oscober 3 - NZ Natives team plays first game in UK.
YEAR: 1887
January 10 - Tramway to New Brighton completed.
February 14 - Telephone link to Dunedin opens.
July 6 - Heavy floods. 3 young men drown in the Avon River as a result of a boating mishap
NZ's first national park, Tongariro, is presented to the nation by Te Heuheu Tukino IV
The Ch-Ch city council gets its first purpose-built offices, which are still standing, across Worcester Boulevard from the Scott statue.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
YEAR: 1886
Mar 14-15 - Flooding in city centre.
June 10 - Eruption of Mt Tarawera. The eruption lasted six hours and caused massive destruction. Several villages were destroyed, along with the famous silica hot springs known as the Pink and White Terraces. Around 120 people, mainly Maori, lost their lives
Oil is discovered in Taranaki.
YEAR: 1885
April - "Russian scare" leads to building of gun emplacements around Lyttelton Harbour.
A crowd of 25,000 people meets in Hagley Park to urge the construction of a railway to the West Coast.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
YEAR: 1884
Because of the continuing economic depression, unemployed workers demonstrate in Auckland and some emigrate to Australia and the United States.
July 24 - YMCA building opens on the site of the present Ch-Ch Central Police Station.
First overseas tour by a NZ Rugby team, to New South Wales.
The first farm cream separator arrives from Denmark.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
YEAR: 1883
April 8 - First shipment of frozen "Canterbury lamb" leaves Lyttelton for the United Kingdom on the "British King".
The Sumner Town Board meets for the first time.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
YEAR: 1882
February 15 - The Dunedin sails from Port Chalmers bound for London with the first NZ Shipment of frozen meat. The "Canterbury lamb" on board originated from the Totara Estate south of Oamaru, in North Otago.
June 8,
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals formed in Christchurch
June 19 - First trials of electric lighting at Lyttelton wharves
The Woolston and Linwood town boards are formed.
The Antigua Boat Sheds open
June 8,
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals formed in Christchurch
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
YEAR: 1881
April 29 - The SS Tararua left Port Chalmers with a crew of 40 and 111 passengers bound for Melbourne by way of Bluff. The ship hit the Otara Reef off Waipapa Point although the alarm was raised, an incorrect report was sent saying all lives were safe. Of the 131 who died there were 12 women and 14 children
September 24 - Ch-Ch telephone exchange (the first in NZ) begins operation.
October 15 - Lancaster Park opens. This privately owned development was built so that sports clubs could charge admission fees to games.
November 5 - Parihaka community in Taranaki, is broken up by 1500 militia and armed members of the constabulary. The Maori passive resistance leaders Te Whiti, Tohu Kakahi and followers were arrested and imprisoned.
A poll tax of £10 is imposed on Chinese immigrants. This was increased to £100 in 1896.
Christ Church Cathedral is dedicated.
Christchurch Boys' High School opens.
Degrees are conferred on Helen Connon and Kate Edgar, the first women to graduate from a NZ university.
YEAR: 1880
April 17 - First inter-city brass band contest. An audience of 2500 people was on hand for the first inter-city brass band competition held at the Drill Hall in Christchurch. The inaugural winners were the Invercargill Garrison Band
July 19 - Lincoln University opens - the first agricultural college in the Southern Hemisphere.
The first steam trams begin to run.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
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