3
by Peggy Butterfield
Historical Happenings
April 2017
Getting to New Brighton
In 1872 a daily coach service from the city began, and in 1879 the coaches ran
a twice daily service.
The area proved so attractive that by 1887 a tramway was built with first horse
-drawn, then steam and later electric trams serving the area. The horse-drawn
trams covered the distance in forty five minutes, and the faster steam trams
took twenty five minutes.
The electric trams gave way to the bus.
On the 18 th October 1952 the last tram was
driven from Cathedral Square by the Mayor of
Christchurch Robert Mafeking Macfarlane
(1900-1981).
It was decorated with streamers and placards
and a pipe band played on top of the trailer.
The tram stopped at the New Brighton Post
Office at the same time as the first bus arrived
from town.
New Brighton crowds (pictured below) wanting
to be part of this historic occasion.
Older readers will recognise Doctor Maude Feary’s wooden home in the background
The New Brighton Museum have
canvases for sale showing the first bus
arriving in New Brighton. The canvases
come in 3 sizes and 3 scenes and make a
wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, or
birthdays. Call in and see any day from
1pm to 3pm. Corner of Hardy Street
and Seaview Road, (next to the police
station)
We also have for sale a restored booklet
“Bylaws of New Brighton Borough
Council 1917” $5. Well worth a read to
see how life has changed
Movies for April are-
3rd The Public Enemy 1931
10 th The Seekers 1954
17th Doctor in Distress 1970, 1hr 42mins Dirk Bogarde, James Robertson Justice, Comedy
4th The Beachcomber 1954 1hr 22mins Robert Newton, Glynis Johns, Drama Romance
1hr 30
1hr 36min James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Gangster
Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, British adventure