MILESTONE IN HISTORY OF CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 20 (Supplement)

MILESTONE IN HISTORY OF CHRISTCHURCH

Growing City’s Record Greater Christchurch, or metropolitan Christchurch as some would call it, has reached a population of 250,000 on the latest census figures. At such a time it is appropriate to look back on the achievements and to look to the future. When the first settlers arrived in Lyttelton a little more than 115 years ago they walked over the Port Hills to found a city. That is the city we have today. Local body boundaries may call one area Christchurch, another Waimairi, another the borough of Riccarton; but it is “Christchurch” that the 250,000 inhabitants of the area claim as their home. Centennials and anniversaries of the city and province are marked by celebrations. No celebration marks the first quarter of a million inhabitants, but it is a milestone in history and “The Press” supplement provides a reference to the past, a record of achievements and a glimpse of the future problems. Seven hundred and seventy-three passengers disembarked at Lyttelton from the First Four Ships in December, 1850, to swell the handful of pioneers before the pilgrims. They came to a strange land, but one which had been planned for them before they left England. To that plan they added their plan for the future, and metropolitan Christchurch today demonstrates in many ways the far-sightedness and soundness of last century’s planners. With a heritage, the planners in the second half of the twentieth century have carried on the work. They have moved into the space age. That may not have made its impact on metropolitan Christchurch; but the impact of international air travel, the motor-car age and better standards of living has provided its challenges, and they have been met.