Early Outdoor Entertainment In Christchurch

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 22

Early Outdoor Entertainment In Christchurch

Mpccta«p written for “TM Braaa" by BUSY AUION) On November 20,1862, just about a fortnight before the opening of the Ferrymead railway, the Kohler Brothers, already well-known for their popular brass band, opened Kohler’s Gardens, situated in Loncoln Road, not . far from the Royal Hotel. This wasan ambitious project for such a young conununity. On the opening day the Horticultural Society decided to have its show there, and the two events, mast, between them, have catered for everybody as the newspapers said that “the shops closed and the whole town poured to Kohler’a”

. Thu grounds at the gardMto . were of four aerfo. and many attractions were advertieed for the opening day. There I was a rifle range 10S feet long, while for those who { wished to tty their IUH with bow* and arrow*, there wa* an archery ground. The gymnaaium was complete with ahowen, and a game of quoit* wa* available. A ballroom, 50ft by 25ft, had accommodation for 300 persons, and was complete with card and supper rooms. Another attraction, the maze, was advertised as the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, and it must have been very effective being planted for more than a mile with Cape broom, flowering upwards of 10ft high. Part* of this maze could ■ be seen at the back of the Christchurch West High School a* late as the eighties. At the opening, and on other special occasions, pyrotechnics or firework, displays were given, “professor*” from Dunedin and Melbourne being engaged to arrange them. Week of Gaiety The week when the railway was opened was one of gaiety in Canterbury, and at Kohler’s there wa* in the one week a grand tradesmen’s ball, a subscription ball, a grand full-dress ball, and a promenade concert and dance. A monster platform 50ft by 50ft wu erected for the occasion, and the garden* were hung with Chinese lanterns. These gardens were popular for some years. In 1882 Messrs Joubert and Twopeny held and International Exhibition in Hagley Park. At this exhibition an Australian band, with Herr Brun as conduotor, played delightful music. There were numerous sideshows, among them being one showing an armless woman, who would write on a card:— l write poetry and proee Holding mg pen between ew toee. Another booth had an Indian snake-charmer with

hi* snakes. There wa* also an educated pig, Bismarck, who could pick up the correct card showing the age of any individual. In ISO# Christchurch was once again the site of an totoTMtional exhibition, and Wonderland as the amusement park was named, wa* visited by thousands. This perk covered 12 acres. There wa* a water chute which sent boatloads of passengers whirling down into Victoria Lake, and a toboggan slide which had an exhilarating speed- Katzenjammer Castle wa* a mysterious castle where anything could happen. A rocky road to Dublin, a laughing x gallery, and a marionette show also, offered entertaimnent. Airship and Mine An airship on wire ropes took the pdblic across the lake, and gave as great a thrtfl a* a trfo in a real aeroplane would now. Stivers of anticipation were caused by the trip underground to see a eoal mine. Camel rides were a novelty for children. In 1908, when Wainord Park became a public amusement park, situated about half-way to New Brighton, It wa* run by the well-known Bickerton family, of which Professor Biekerton, later Professor EmeritU*, was a member. Several other member* of. the family were Walk* bordered by tree fern* wound round the ground*, where rustle tables and seat* enabled bunpry and beautiful turroundingt. These garden* were very popular, and on Boxing Day in. 1998 9000 people attended. Many special attractions added to the fun. For the children there were swing-boats, an ocean-wave, and an Mectric merry-go-round. There were also a number of rustic merry - go - round* mostly worked by boy power. Punch and Judy show* and free lolly scramble* added to th* fum. ). ■ . Plreiwerk* Popular There mu much of interest for adult* also. On several occasion* PTatessor Bickerton himself gave addres*es, one

such being “An Experimental Lecturette on “Strange Vibrari£Ug.*» ' ' . .■ Ptenot concert parties, baby ehows, a water slide, a free punt an the water, free hot water, orchestral music to listen to, and open air entertainments in the evening made One open-air entertainment was in five scenes, and was, titled “Captured by Cannibals.** Also advertised 'was a grand naval battle, “The American Fleet Versus the Japanese Navy,” and this in 1908! '

Some of the set. pieces in the fireworks displays were “The Star of Bethlehem,” "Niagara Falls in Silver Fire,” and “The Peacock Spreads it’s Tail.? Thousands k would go out to see the fireworks alone. Some years later the park was dosed, the trees in the park were felled, and the homestead sold. The Biver Avon has always been used for recreational purposes. In the seventies bathing was permitted in the river, in a apodal bathing area in the town. The dressing sheds and enclosed area covered about half the width of the river, stretching from Where the Bridge of Remembrance now stands almost to St Michael's .Church. Costumes tad towels could be hired, tad the cost of admission was small. At the shallow

rad of the baths there was a floor of wooden slats which Slbped gradually to deeper water, until at last the deep end was Just an enclosed portion of the river, which was surrounded by a fence about 7ft high. The dressing sheds were at the St Michael’s end. The circus, combining as it does the tang of outdoors with the ease of indoor entertainment, has always enjoyed good patronage in Christchurch, fa far back as 1857 Foley's circus visited Lyttelton, and in 1888 the California circus came to Christchurch. The opening cavalcade waa led **by the strength of the company dressed as knights of an ancient order, mounted on

magnificent horses, and led by Kohler’s brass band.” Tom Thumb, a pray, Was quoted aa a apodal attraction. This wu quite a large circus company, u the marquee had- seating accommodation for 1000 aad wu lighted by gas.

Wild Animals An American circus, with the father curious name of “Bird, Blow, and Wills” showed here in 1870, two of their special features being a maypole dance, and a steeplechase. Cole's circus, which wu in Christchurch in 1880, brought with it several side-shows. One was the /‘Living Skeleton," Dr Granville, who

weighed only 001 b, though supposedly in perfect health. Others were “Count Rosebud and Barra Llttleflnger” who were only 31in high. This circus seems to have been one of the first to bring elophuts to Christchurch. Wirth’s circus commenced as quite a small one? members Of the Wirth family aU taking part "Dick Turpin's Ride to York” given by Wirth’s in the army barracks, wm a favourite item, the parting scene between Dick and his faithful horse Bess being well performed. A menagerie was later added to the show, and most children in Canterbury had theft first sight of wild animals at Wirth’s.