Lyttelton Borough’s 100 Years

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 10

Lyttelton Borough’s 100 Years

Eumnean settlement in New Zealand be«an so recently that centennial celebrations of any kind still acquire an importance that would seem disproportionate in the older countries from which the early settlers came. Because orderly local government rarely followed swiftly upon the arrival of European pioneers, few local authorities can today look back on 100 years of uninterrupted existence. To the select roll the Borough of Lyttelton has now been added Until 1057 Lyttelton was more populous than Christchurch: and the latter though granted citv status in 1056 for ecclesiastical reasons, was not constituted a borough till May 28, 1868 —more than six years afte> Lyttelton Moreover, the first Christchurch council was not set up till February 1862, about a month after the Lyttelton council’s in augural meeting. Topog ranhy. much more than the acts of men. determined Lyttelton’s permanent role as the chief port of Canter bury, and the growth of Christchurch into the provincial metropolis A century of great social and economic changes has not destroyed Lyttelton’s individuality nor weakened the comradely unity of its older citizens. Economic progress, represented by the road tunnel to Christchurch the increase of harbour facilities, and industrial expansion on both sides of the Port Hills, simultaneously encourages confidence in the future of Lyttelton Borough, and

fnrehadnws the biggest j challenge yet to the traditional ways of its j citizens As city and | borough are drawn closer together by improved road access, Lyttelton has the opportunity to become a gateway to new harbour suburbs. Conversely, the tunnel road will make it easier for persons to work at Lyttelton and live in Christchurch. South Islanders sometimes delude themselves that nowadays New Zealand sociological oatterns alter significantly only in the North Island If they watch the development of Lyttelton—to name only one South Island district—they may form a contrary opinion.