New Brighton - Road Fissures from Earthquake

The earthquake generated a major fissure - crevasse - just before the road crosses the South Brighton bridge. Looks for pictures online - apparently there is a swarm of rubberneckers taking photos, jumping into the fissure etc. They better hope another quake doesn't close the thing up on them...

Non-emergency services at area hospitals have been suspended to release staff for emergency work. Go to 24 hour or after hours surgeries for non-emergencies.

Latrine basics - line a bucket with a bin liner, lots of antiseptic afterwards. Pass the roll...

Quake has now been revised down to a 7.1.

More Trams at New Brighton, 1945 - 1948

Tram at New Brighton, probably on Seaview Road, 8 January 1948, Christchurch. Photo: Ross McQueen

For the tram enthusiasts, a few more photos of trams at New Brighton, Christchurch, from a later time period in the mid to late 1940s. The consist in the above photo is identified as a "Boon 154 tram, ex-decker trailer 143". Not much has changed in terms of trams from the circa 1920s photos in earlier posts.

 

The No. 5 Tram en route to New Brighton on Bexley Road, January 1948. Photo: Ross McQueen.

 The tram shed at New Brighton, February 1945. Photo: Ross McQueen.

Home on the Afternoon Tram from New Brighton, circa 1910s

 Catching the tram to the Square from the Pier, New Brighton, Christchurch, circa early 1910. The pier is off to the left. Photo: F N Jones, Nelson. click on images for enlarged view.

The Esplanade, New Brighton, showing the Pier, band rotunda, and gardens, early 1900s. The new pier is proximate to the location of the one pictured and the new public library & cafe is about where the building is located in the picture.

The Tram Terminus at New Brighton, circa 1910s.

Ernie Hinds - The World's Original Fastest Indian? at New Brighton, 1914-1917

Ernie Hinds on a 1000c Indian motorcycle at New Brighton, circa 1914, 

The Press, Alexander Turnbull Library

In the early decades of the twentieth century, New Brighton beach, Christchurch, was a popular venue for organized motorcycle races. Ernest (Erie) N F Hinds was a leading racer, seen above with admiring fans on his 1000c Indian motorcycle.

Years before Bert Munro of The World's Fastest Indian movie fame, Ernie Hinds was scorching up & down New Brighton beach breaking Australasian records on his Indian. How many know of Ernie Hinds today, one wonders?

Motor World, NZ Truth, 27 January, 1917, p. 12

 Ernie Hinds on his 1916 Indian Motorcycle in Christchurch, 1916.

The Press, Alexander Turnbull Library.

Take a Paddle Before the Bikies Arrive - New Brighton, Christchurch, early 1900s

The Weekly Press, 31 May 1905, p. 40, Christchurch City Libraries.

With the advent of the infernal (!) combustion engine, a tranquil paddle at the water's edge on New Brighton beach was an endangered pastime for a few decades.

Above, the start of the 9 mile scratch race of the Christchurch Motor and Cycling Club's motor races at New Brighton Beach in 1905.

New Brighton, Christchurch - A Postcard Mosaic, early 1900s

New Brighton, a seaside suburb of Christchurch, NZ, early 1900s. 

Click on pictures for a larger view.

 

 

On the Beach at New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand - 1916

Time for a little sun, a cooling sea breeze...

New Brighton, Christchurch, circa 1916

Lest We Forget - New Brighton ANZAC Day

New Brighton War Memorial,
Christchurch, 2009

A solitary seagull serves as sentry to the dead, facing into the prevailing nor-easterly off the Pacific, a mere stone's throw from the memorial.

The Bag Lady of New Brighton, Christchurch, 2009

The Bag Lady, with her trademark hat of many mini stuffed animals, passes by the War Memorial to her right. The New Brighton public library & pier lie behind her, with the equally trademark clock tower in left background.

Message In a Bottle at New Brighton

Sea Bass at New Brighton. They were fishing them out at a rate of 100 per hour...

What Tommy Taylor, prohibitionist and Mayor of Christchurch, 1911, hoped wouldn't wash up on the beach at New Brighton.

Doffing my hat to Canterbury Heritage which has an anti-wowser postcard posted here.

Christchurch – Past & Present #12 A Day at New Brighton Beach

Children taking a paddle near the pier, New Brighton, circa 1910

When the New Brighton Pier was opened in 1894 it launched a new phase in seaside holidays at the beach. Gala days were held on the foreshore near the pier. Large crowds turned out, arriving by tram from the city and on occasion by excursion steamers run from Lyttelton. The beach was also used for racing horses until the New Brighton racecourse was built.

Beach crowd viewed from the pier, New Brighton, circa 1910

No one appears to be bathing, instead everyone is dressed up in Sunday best admiring the surf. At least the risk of sunburn and skin cancer are minimized, however uncomfortable the seasiders may be in their clothing.

Christchurch – Past & Present #11 New Brighton Pier

The New Brighton Pier was opened in 1894. It was 210 metres long and six wide. Aside from a promenade along the pier to take in the views of Pegasus Bay, slot machines and penny peep shows provided entertainment.

Gardens along the shoreline, a bandstand, and the ubiquitous tearooms provided other forms of entertainment along with a walk along the sand for parents and paddling or bathing for the young.

The pier deteriorated in the 1950s and was dismantled in 1965.

The new pier was built in 1997, extending out to 300 metres. It is anchored by the New Brighton public library and a cafe. The New Brighton shoreline remains a popular seaside recreational spot for Christchurch residents.

Christchurch – Past & Present #10 New Brighton

Turn of the twentieth century views of the seaside suburb of New Brighton, Christchurch: the pier, Seaview road, the Esplanade, and the River Avon.

A view, circa 1910, looking east towards the sea down Seaview road, a solitary tram coming down the sandy, dusty street on its return run into Christchurch. The pier pavilion may be seen at the end of the road. The store on the front right advertises the Lyttelton Times newspaper and Nelson Moate's tea.

The New Brighton clock tower that now stands at the end of Seaview road in front of the New Brighton public library and the entrance to the new pier.

Christchurch Past & Present #6 Sumner Clifton Hill

Northerly view from Clifton Hill, Sumner looking across Estuary mouth to South Brighton Spit, home of the godwit / kuaka

The kuaka

Birdseye view looking north, Clifton in centre bottom, looking north along New Brighton dunes & beach.