The Reserves of New Brighton

Camera flashes at the annual gala at Wainoni Park on January 24. [24 Jan. 1914] File Reference CCL PhotoCD 18, IMG0019

Richard Greenaway is an Information Librarian with an interest in the history of East Christchurch. He has an eye for a good story and the skill and patience to check and cross check all kinds of references. He has compiled a wonderful array of New Brighton stories. Here he explores the reserves early residents of New Brighton could enjoy. These reserves were gazetted in the time of the Canterbury Provincial Council, 1853-76.

No. 224 – Spit Reserve

This is the reserve on the New Brighton side at the mouth of the Estuary. It was set aside for the purposes of a lighthouse which was never built.

Many ships were wrecked on the Sumner Bar. For, example, the Irish lawyer and later judge, Henry Barnes Gresson (1815-1901), lost his substantial legal library which he had brought from the Old Country.

No. 1616 – Thomson Park

This is the land on the eastern side of Rawhiti Domain. In 1896 the New Brighton people petitioned for the establishment of a borough council so that they could take over this wilderness. The borough council was established in 1897.

People wanted to sell it off for housing. An act went through Parliament during World War I to try to bring this about. In his 29 April 1922 Star reminiscences, ‘Old New Brighton’, George Thomas Hawker described it as ‘New Brighton’s menace’.

Part of the land was made into a children’s playground during the Depression. This work was carried out under the leadership of Thomas Edward Thomson (1877-1942) and the place was named ‘Thomson’s Park’. In the Christchurch City Council’s Reserves Department reports, there is a scathing indictment of the work of these amateurs.

The first golf match held at Rawhiti Domain [1952] File Reference CCL Photo Collection 22, Img02332

No. 1579 – South Brighton Domain, Pleasant Point and Rawhiti Domain

This includes the South Brighton Domain, Pleasant Point and the western side of Rawhiti Domain. It also included land in North New Brighton where night soil and food waste was dumped. This last piece of land was eventually sold for housing and the money used so that the city council might be able to purchase the New Brighton Trotting Club land which became Queen Elizabeth II Park.

‘Harold Logan’ was a famous pacer. He won the New Zealand Trotting Cup in the 1930s. He was owned by Ernest Hinds but raced in the colours of Hinds’ step-daughter, Effie Hinds. The horse was kept in the South Brighton Domain and one small boy shouted excitedly to his parents: “Look, Harold Logan’s eating our grass”. Christchurch City Libraries holds, in its archives, the Harold Logan papers, newspaper articles and photographs relating to the famed horse and its career.

The Nautilus on the Avon-Heathcote Estuary in the 1920s [ca. 1920] File Reference CCL Photo Collection 22, Img00080

Pleasant Point developed as a picnic spot in the 1920s when New Brighton baker, Harry Nelson Hawker (1868-1947),  plied his big launch, Nautilus, for hire on the Avon river from the Seaview Road bridge to Pleasant Point. The launch was built in Auckland and has been retired there.

In the Depression, men were employed by the Christchurch City Council and New Brighton Borough Council (and paid by the Government) so that much of the domain could become a golf course. In October 1934, the local authorities went as a deputation to the Ministry of Unemployment in Wellington. The local bodies wanted the unemployed to be excused from going to a ‘slave camp’ on the Ashley River.

On 15 October, the Mayor reported on the insensitive attitude of Bromley, deputy chairman of the board, and the free hand allowed him by his political master, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates …. The civil servant spoke of the ‘golden golf course’, because of the huge amount of public money which had been spent creating the course.

The library has some great photographs of New Brighton capturing its life as one of New Zealand’s premier seaside suburbs, full of life and character. New Brighton residents have been good at recording their local history and the place has inspired novels and biographies. Read more blog posts about New Brighton history, including more from Richard.

Sources

• Greenaway, Richard, ‘Archives of the New Brighton Borough Council, Archifacts, March 1978
• Greenaway, Richard, ‘Pleasant Point grew from Avon activities’,  Star, 1976
• Lyttelton launch ‘bears scars from Gallipoli’ The Press, 22 April 1999 p 6
• WW1 Survivor The Press, 12 March 2005 p D6
• Historic launch heading to home berth The Press, 19 July 2011 A6
• ‘Old New Brighton’, George Thomas Hawker, The Star 29 April 1922
• Reserves Department reports, Christchurch City Council

The bridges of New Brighton

The Spit, New Brighton. [3 Dec. 1954] File Reference CCL Photo Collection 22, Img02328

Richard Greenaway is an Information Librarian with an interest in the history of East Christchurch. He has an eye for a good story and the skill and patience to check and cross check all kinds of references. He has compiled a wonderful array of New Brighton stories. Here he explores the bridges early residents of Christchurch used to travel to New Brighton.

Dallington bridge

Built in 1883 by Henry Jekyll (1844-1913) and Henry Philip Hill (1845-1923). They owned Rural Section 183, at Dallington, to the north of the Avon River. The river was the western boundary of the property and the northern boundary was McBratneys Road. Jekyll and Hill planned to put a tramline through to New Brighton. Nothing came of the venture but the original Dallington bridge.

Bower bridge

Bower bridge, Wainoni Road, was opened by Sir John Cracroft Wilson in 1876. The present Bower bridge opened in 1942. In the 1920s and ‘30s the Inter-City bus service pioneered transport on Wainoni Road, across the Bower bridge and to North New Brighton and New Brighton. This was a private service, very popular, cheap and run on the smell of an oily rag. It was managed and owned by Walter Bussell (1887-1967) who had his headquarters on Bowhill Road. The bus company had been in competition with the Christchurch Tramway Board’s trams on the Pages Road route and there was what was called the ‘bus war’.  Trams and buses would try to beat each other to pick up the next passenger.

An electric tram crosses the New Brighton bridge with a barge moored underneath [ca. 1910] File Reference CCL PhotoCD 2, IMG0005

Central Brighton bridge, Seaview Road

A route was put through by New Brighton Tramway Company. Opened in 1887 horse trams ran from Christchurch to New Brighton between 1887 and 1905, after which the Christchurch Tramway Board took over and electrified the line. The company’s line was later opened as a public road, Pages Road, named after tramway company director, Joshua Page (1826-1900).

One of the people in charge of the New Brighton Tramway Company was George McIntyre (1841-1934), a surveyor by occupation. He was Mayor of New Brighton when King Edward’s Well (outside the New Brighton Library) was unveiled in 1902.

The original Seaview Road bridge was a flat bridge. It was replaced at the beginning of 1930s by the present bridge. This was designed by H. F. Toogood, father of Selwyn Toogood.  You can see photos of the bridges in George W. Walsh’s New Brighton, a regional history, 1852-1970.

The modern Seaview Road bridge is a high bridge. The hump in the bridge is there because Richard Bedward Owen (1873-1948), tailor and conservationist, known as ‘River Bank Owen’, argued that boats could come ‘sailing with the tide’ to Christchurch. They never have. Read all about it in A bridge with some history.

Seaview Road, New Brighton [ca. 1920] File Reference CCL PhotoCD 12, IMG0006

South Brighton bridge, Bridge Street

Opened in 1927 it was the result of the work of New Brighton Borough councillor, Herbert Arundel Glasson (1866-1931). He lived in South Brighton and persuaded fellow residents that they should be a ‘special rating area’ and pay extra rates to the New Brighton Borough Council providing that a South Brighton bridge was built. A small wooden bridge was built. This meant that South Brighton residents could cross the river and get to town, saving the long journey up to Central Brighton. A new bridge was opened in 1981.

Estuary bridge

The Estuary Bridge has never been built. It has been proposed by various people over the years. See The Bridge that never was.

The library has some great photographs of New Brighton capturing its life as one of New Zealand’s premier seaside suburbs, full of life and character. New Brighton residents have been good at recording their local history and the place has inspired novels and biographies. Read more blog posts about New Brighton history, including more from Richard.

Sources

• Avon Road Board minutes, Christchurch City Council archives
• ‘Rambler’ in Lyttelton times, 1868. The letter is reprinted in Richard Greenaway’s 1977 book, Burwood, All Saints’ church, 1877-1977. This was reprinted in 1999 as Burwood and All Saints’ church, 1877-1977.
• The Brighton Standard, 1936-39

Christchurch – this week in history (9 – 15 March)

10 March 1963
Concerts by jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong.

10 March 1907
Foundation stone laid for the Cashmere sanitorium. Poet James K. Baxter was an undistinguished employee in the 1940s.

11 March 1899
Railway accident at Rakaia kills 4 and injures 22. The 2 trains which collided were crowded with Islington freezing workers returning from an excursion. The accident led to dramatic improvements in railway signals, braking systems and safety equipment.

12-15 March 1927
Visit of Duke of York (later King George VI). View articles and images on DigitalNZ.

Photographer: Robert Percy Moore
HRH Duke of York inspecting Sockburn Aerodrome, 15 March 1927
Panoramic negative
Reference No. Pan-0064-F
Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand

14 March 1987
“Te Maori” exhibition opens at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery. Over a nine week period, 147,012 people visited.

15 March 1856
The Christchurch Club formed.

15 March 1982
City Council resolution declares Christchurch City a nuclear weapons free zone.

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

More March events in our Christchurch Chronology.

How to get to New Brighton

Richard Greenaway is an Information Librarian with an interest in the history of East Christchurch. He has an eye for a good story and the skill and patience to check and cross check all kinds of references. He has compiled a wonderful array of New Brighton stories. Here he explores the way early residents of Christchurch travelled to New Brighton.

Road making on Tramline [later Pages] Road, near New Brighton [1897] Dutch, F. W. File Reference CCL PhotoCD 5, IMG0066

New Brighton Road

The first route from Christchurch to New Brighton in European times was via FitzGerald Avenue (then the East Belt), and Shirley and New Brighton Road. Because it was the first route, it was sometimes called the ‘Old Brighton Road’. New Brighton Road dates from 1860s. This route avoided bridges.

A mishap to the Christchurch-New Brighton tram at Wainoni Park [14 Dec. 1913] File Reference CCL PhotoCD 18, IMG0035

City and Suburban Tramway Company route

The City and Suburban tramway Company put through a tramline which started in town, went down Travis Road and towards the sea along what is now Bowhill Road. The line then went along the Esplanade (Marine Parade) to Central Brighton. The line was opened for traffic in 1894. The company went out of business and was taken over by the man who had built the line, John Brightling (1843-1928). Bowhill Road is named after Thomas Bowhill Thompkins (1837-82), a publican, who had land in the area. Stronger Christchurch uncovered some tram tracks from this line in 2012.

Seaview Road, New Brighton [ca. 1910] File Reference CCL PhotoCD 18, IMG0021

Avon River

Richard Bedward Owen thought of the Avon as a route to Christchurch. Some small vessels trying to negotiate Sumner bar sank there and at the entrance to the Avon-Heathcote Estuary.

Paddle steamers

These came down the Avon to New Brighton, mainly bringing picnickers. Notable among these was the Maid of the Avon. In 1866 the captain, John Mills, chopped down the Stanmore Road bridge because it was impeding a true-born Englishman’s right to pass along a navigable waterway. Another notable paddle steamer was the Brighton which was part of Joseph Harrop Hopkins’ attempt to boost New Brighton in 1872-75. He also had built the original New Brighton hotel, in Seaview Road (later Patterson’s and McCormack’s).

It was customary for the Christchurch fire brigade to hold an annual picnic. On 3 April 1874, members of the brigade celebrated the occasion by chartering the Brighton for an excursion to the beach. With their friends, and with Mr. Bunz’ popular band, they set off.  They enjoyed the races and games of cricket on the beach, as well as the luncheon provided at Mr. Hopkins’ hotel.

One of the brigadesmen, Richard Edward Green (1853-1938) wrote about this outing in the Star of 1928. Green recalled the chorus of one of the songs that firebrigadesman Samuels had sung at a party that day:

Ah – she has fairly broken my heart.

I wish I had never seen

that dark young girl with her hair in curl

that works at the sewing machine

The library has some great photographs of New Brighton capturing its life as one of New Zealand’s premier seaside suburbs, full of life and character. New Brighton residents have been good at recording their local history and the place has inspired novels and biographies. Read more blog posts about New Brighton history, including more from Richard.

Sources

• Advertisements Column 6, Star, 11 January 1913, Page 10 retrieved via Papers Past
• Heathcote County Meeting of Council, Press, 10 July 1926 Page 16 retrieved via Papers Past
• Avon Road Board minutes, Christchurch City Council archives
• ‘Rambler’ in Lyttelton times, 1868. The letter is reprinted in Richard Greenaway’s 1977 book, Burwood, All Saints’ church, 1877-1977. This was reprinted in 1999 as Burwood and All Saints’ church, 1877-1977.
• The Brighton Standard, 1936-39

City 2 Surf

Christchurch harriers out for a run on Sumner beach (1927) CCL PhotoCD 8, IMG0048

The City 2 Surf is being held on Sunday 22 March. This annual run has been held since the 1970s, attracting large crowds. Pioneering ultra-distance runner Don Cameron – who ran from Sydney to Melbourne in 11 days to promote the 1974 Commonwealth Games – played a key role in establishing the event.

Does the City 2 Surf inspire you to get into running? We have lots of resources to help you.

Browse our resources

• Canterbury running clubs and organisations
• Athletics and running websites
• Running
• Jogging
• Running magazines
• Marathon running
• Blog posts about running

Read about some inspiring New Zealand runners and coaches including:

• Jack Lovelock
• Peter Snell
• Arthur Lydiard

Regular running events are held throughout the year including the Shoe Clinic Asics 5K series around Hagley Park and the annual Christchurch Airport Marathon, which takes place on the Sunday of Queen’s Birthday Weekend and is a celebration of running and walking, for competition and for personal fitness challenges.

There are many paths and tracks around the city – favourite venues for running in Christchurch include Hagley Park, Bottle Lake Forest, Victoria Park and the Port Hills. Christchurch also has a range of walking programmes and walkways.

Commonwealth Games 1974

The 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch featured a feast of famous runners. The main venue was QEII Park, purpose built for the Games. New Zealander Dick Tayler won the 10,000 metre race on the opening day. Don Quarrie from Jamaica blasted the competition away with two sprint titles.

On the closing day Tanzania’s Filbert Bayi won the 1500 metres after an epic battle with New Zealand’s John Walker – both men broke the world record. The national records of five countries Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand – were all broken in this race.

Celebrate Children’s Day

Children’s Day is a special day to spend time with your family that is celebrated on the first Sunday in March.  We have lots of ideas on our website about ways you could celebrate Children’s Day, including visiting one of our awesome libraries.

Streets Children’s Day is happening this Sunday at Air Force Museum, from 10am – 3pm. There are heaps of really cool activities, including face painting, crafts, games and bouncy castles, and they’re all FREE!  There are lots of different groups to meet at Streets Children’s Day too.  You could learn all about Scouts, the Air Force, the NZ Police and NZ Fire Service, and netball and rugby clubs.

We’ll also be there to tell everyone about our fantastic libraries and events.  Come to our stand to try our book character quiz or hear a story.  We’ll even be sharing some exciting stories at the main stage at 11:10 and 12:40.

Get out and enjoy this special day just for children!

Under 5 Fest

The much-anticipated Under 5 Fest is coming up. It is a special event for young children run by the excellent educators of Science Alive. Kids get to experience fun hands-on science activities and exhibits. There will be a petting zoo and storytimes. Kids can play with air and sound, amazing mirrors, and giant building blocks. Our own librarians will be there  – providing a storytelling session at 10:30 am on the weekdays.

Under 5 Fest runs from 6th to the 12th of March 2015, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily and will be held at the Table Tennis Canterbury Stadium, 294 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. The cost is $6 per person, but the under 2s get in for free. For group bookings or more information phone 03 365 5199 or you can email bookings@sciencealive.co.nz

Science Alive also have a cool after school science programme in ten of our libraries across Christchurch.

Excellent Science Alive educators lead children through interactive activities to stimulate their interest in science, and there is something to take home every week!

Programmes run during term time except the first week and no bookings are required.

For more sciencey goodness for kids, check out the following library resources:

• Booklists on all sorts of science subjects expertly formulated by our librarian Lisa
• A how-to guide to science fairs
• Good science books – Royal Society prize-winners
• Our homework zone
• Childrens’ science picture books

Here are some pics and the poster, kindly supplied to us by Science Alive.

Having sleeping problems?

Sleeping should be easy, but as every newborn shows, it isn’t always child’s play.

Tess Graham, author of Relief from Snoring and Sleep Apnoea, thinks she can help us have a more restful sleep and more energy by changing the way we breathe. Tess is based in Australia but is visiting Christchurch to share her expertise.

Come along to South Library on Thursday March 5  from 11 am to 12 pm to hear Tess talk about healthy breathing habits. To find out more information and book your place, look at our events page.

Library resources to help with sleep

Books about sleep disorders
Books about helping your baby sleep
Music for relaxation
Articles about sleeping in Health & Wellness Resource Center
Fact sheets, articles and videos about sleep in Consumer Health Complete

Christchurch – this week in history (February 23 to March 1)

Mrs Hucks’ Theatre Royal Café
CCL PhotoCD 16, IMG0090

February 24, 1881
First century in first class cricket scored by G. Watson for Canterbury.

February 25, 1908
Theatre Royal opens. This is the building which exists today, the third to bear the name.

February 25, 1978
New Brighton Mall opens.

February 26, 1931
Bowker Fountain in Victoria Square in operation.

February 26, 1938
Summit Road opens.

February 26, 1947
First ticketed airline flight from New Zealand – Lancastrian “City of London” flies from Harewood to Sydney.

February 27, 1964
Lyttelton road tunnel opens, New Zealand’s longest.

February 28, 1853
Provincial boundary defined by proclamation. Westland (then called West Canterbury) included as part of Canterbury.

March 1, 1851
“Isabella Hercus” arrives with settlers.

March 1, 1880
School for the Deaf (now Van Asch College) opens in Sumner. Director Gerrit van Asch introduced oral teaching methods to New Zealand.

March 1, 1930
Majestic Theatre opens – the city’s first steel frame building.

A general view of Victoria Square, Christchurch
CCL PhotoCD 8, IMG0097

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

Look beneath the surface during Seaweek

Kiwis love the sea and luckily we have a chance to properly celebrate it every year with Seaweek. The theme for Seaweek this year is “Look beneath the surface – Papatai ō roto – Papatai ō raro”.

There are lots of Seaweek events that Cantabrians can head along to:

• Bring along your 2 – 5 year olds to swashbuckling ‘Stories by the Sea’ – discover what lies beneath the surface of our oceans. Session are on Tuesday 3 March 10:30 – 11 am at New Brighton Library and Thursday 5 March 10:30 – 11 am at Parklands Library. These events are free!
• Attend the Akaroa Seaweek: Schools’ Debate at the Akaroa Bowling Club on Wednesday 4 March. Akaroa Area School is debating “The land is more important than the sea” with Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery.
• Help clean up Sumner Beach with a beach clean up and BBQ from 4 – 6pm on Wednesday 4 March.
• Listen to Lan Pham and David Melville discuss native fish of Canterbury and the Godwits at South Brighton Community Centre on Monday 2 March from 7 – 8:30 pm.

Find more Canterbury Seaweek events on the Seaweek website and look for resources about New Zealanders and the sea on our catalogue. Seaweek runs from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 8 March 2015 and is run by the NZ Association for Environmental Education.