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Cutting the First Turf of the Great Southern Railway at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1865. Creator: Unknown
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Cutting the First Turf of the Great Southern Railway at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Cutting the First Turf of the Great Southern Railway at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. W. B. Jones. '...the Great Southern Railway...is to traverse the great plains extending southwards, as far as the rising port and town of Timaru, about 120 miles from Christchurch, and thence, still further south, to the province of Otago, with its rich gold-fields. The ceremony was performed by Mrs. Bealey, wife of his Honour the Superintendent of the Province, on the Queen's birthday, May 24, in a paddock near the Christchurch railway station...The hills in the distance are those which shut in the head of Port Cooper, separating Lyttelton from the inland countr...after turning the turf, with the help of Mr. Richardson, Mrs. Bealey placed it in the wheelbarrow with her spade, and wheeled it along a plank to the appointed place. The weather was delightfully fine for this time of year; but as May in New Zealand corresponds with an English November, it was cold, with a sharp south-westerly wind; nevertheless, this occasion brought together a goodly concourse of people, and, with the cavalry and volunteers, who had mustered their best in honour of her Majesty, they made quite an imposing sight'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865
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EDITORS COMMENTS
A momentous occasion marked the beginning of a new era for Christchurch and Canterbury as Mrs. Bealey, wife of His Honour the Superintendent, cuts the first turf of the Great Southern Railway on May 24th, Queen's Birthday in 1865. The ceremony took place in a paddock near the city's railway station, surrounded by rolling hills that would soon be transformed into a bustling transportation hub. As Mrs. Bealey turns over the earth with her spade and wheelbarrow, she is flanked by Mr. Richardson and an impressive gathering of people, including cavalry and volunteers who have mustered to honor Her Majesty.
The scene is set against a backdrop of crisp autumn air, with the distant hills shutting in Port Cooper's head like a natural amphitheater. The atmosphere was delightfully fine on this day, despite the chill that comes from New Zealand's equivalent of an English November - a sharp south-westerly wind. As Mrs. Bealey places the turf into position, she is symbolically laying the groundwork for a new era of growth and connection between Christchurch and its southern neighbors.
This historic moment was captured by an unknown photographer in 1865, as published in "Illustrated London News". The image has been preserved through Heritage Images, offering us a glimpse into Canterbury's past. As we gaze upon this photograph print, we are transported to a time when the Great Southern Railway was just beginning its journey - one that would forever change the face of Christchurch and New Zealand.
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