This week in Christchurch history (5 – 11 August)

6 August 1867
Unveiling of the Godley statue in Cathedral Square New Zealand’s first public statue. However, the statue’s inscription acclaiming him ”founder of Canterbury“ is possibly over generous. Wakefield should at least share the title.

Godley Statue at the Quake City exhibition.

8 August 1989
Christchurch Central MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Geoffrey Palmer appointed as Prime Minister after resignation of David Lange.  See some photos from his career on DigitalNZ.

Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and his wife Margaret, Premier House, Wellington – Photograph taken by Ross Giblin. Further negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1990/2349/20-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23121901

9 August 1840
Captain Langlois in the “Compte de Paris” arrives in Pigeon Bay with 63 French settlers.

10 August 1840
Captain Owen Stanley in HMS “Britomart” dashes to Akaroa and raises the British flag to proclaim sovereignty over the South Island. Read our digitised copy of Mission of the Britomart at Akaroa.

10 August 1932
Statue of Captain James Cook unveiled in Victoria Square.

11 August 1877
Canterbury Cricket Council formed.

A timeline of Christchurch events in chronological order from pre-European times to 1989.

More August events in the Chronology.