Lyttelton Times
Encyclopedia
The Lyttelton Times was the first newspaper in Canterbury, New Zealand
, publishing the first edition in January 1851. It was established by the Canterbury Association
as part of its planned settlement of Canterbury and developed into a liberal, at the time sometimes seen as radical, newspaper. A successor paper, The Star, is published as a free bi-weekly newspaper.
James FitzGerald
was the newspaper's first editor, and it was FitzGerald who in 1861 set up its main competitor, The Press
, over the Lyttelton Times support for the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
. In 1935, it was The Press that won the competition for the morning newspaper market in Christchurch; the Lyttelton Times was the oldest newspaper in the country when it ceased that year.
of New Zealand. Part of the plan was to have a newspaper, and a prospectus was published in August 1850. The Canterbury Association entered into a contract with Ingram Shrimpton, of the Crown Yard Printing Office, Oxford
, to send out the necessary plant in one of the First Four Ships to Lyttelton
. The printing equipment arrived on the Charlotte-Jane
on 16 December 1850, and the first edition of the Lyttelton Times was published less than one month later on 11 January 1851.
The press was first installed in a shed on Norwich Quay. John I. Shrimpton, Ingram Shrimpton's son, came out on the Charlotte Jane with some staff for the newspaper and was manager and canvasser. James FitzGerald
was the first editor for the Lyttelton Times, and had agreed to work for free. One of the early contributors to the newspaper was John Robert Godley
.
Ingram Shrimpton came out from England in 1854 and took over as editor. FitzGerald had effectively relinquished the editorship upon his election as Superintendent
of the Canterbury Province
in July 1853. The production moved to more spacious premises in Lyttelton's Oxford Street in 1854. In July 1856, Shrimpton sold the newspaper to Charles Christopher Bowen
and Crosbie Ward
for £5000. Ward became editor and showed great talent in running the newspaper. When he lost his seat in Parliament
in 1866, he could devote himself full-time to journalism and was regarded as Canterbury's best satirical writer.
In 1861 Bowen sold his interest in the business to William Reeves
, and William John Warburton Hamilton and Thomas William Maude became minority shareholders.
Due to the growth of Christchurch
, the newspaper moved to this bigger market in 1863, but kept its original name. The new location for the newspaper was in Gloucester Street, with the section extending back to Cathedral Square
. The buildings were extended several times and in 1884, the Star Building was established at the Gloucester Street frontage and between 1902 and 1904, the final office building, the Lyttelton Times Building
, was constructed on the Cathedral Square frontage by Sidney and Alfred Luttrell
.
Ward died in November 1867 and Reeves took editorial and managerial control. Later, his son, William Pember Reeves
, joined the staff. A lawyer by training, he reported Christchurch Supreme Court cases for the New Zealand Law Reports. His real interest was in politics, though, and he wrote political commentary for the Lyttelton Times before becoming the parliamentary correspondent. He became editor of the Lyttelton Times in 1889, but resigned in 1891 when he became a minister. Reeves senior died shortly after that and it was discovered that he had mismanaged the finances of the newspaper, and the family lost its control of the Lyttelton Times.
On 1 August 1929, the name was changed to Christchurch Times. The final issue was published on 29 June 1935. Its demise was brought on by intense competition, with two morning papers and two evening papers being published in Christchurch at that time. The Press
, which is still published today, took the morning newspaper market. The Lyttelton Times Company was renamed to New Zealand Newspapers Ltd and published the Star-Sun as an evening paper. The successor of that evening paper, The Star, is still published in Christchurch on Wednesdays and Fridays as a free newspaper.
A topic on everybody's mind was the proposal for the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
. Eventually, it became the first tunnel in the world to be taken through the side of an extinct volcano
, and at 2.7 km, the longest in the country. William Sefton Moorhouse
became a strong proponent of the tunnel project. During the election campaign of the provincial Superintendent
in 1857, the tunnel became the central issue, with Moorhouse’s opponent, Joseph Brittan, being opposed to the idea. Moorhouse received much support for his position from the residents of Lyttelton, as evidenced by the results of the election: of the 12,000 residents of Canterbury, including 3,205 in Christchurch and 1,944 in Lyttelton, both candidates received 206 votes from the residents of Christchurch. However, overall results were a victory for Moorhouse by 727 votes to 352. Moorhouse later began the project by turning the first sod
on 17 July 1861. The tunnel project was supported by the Lyttelton Times. FitzGerald, the first editor of the Lyttelton Times until he became the first Superintendent, was vehemently opposed to the tunnel to the extent that he founded The Press
in 1861, so that he could give a voice to his opposition.
Crosbie Ward and the Lyttelton Times are credited with the successful campaign for a fast mail service between England and the colony through Panama
to be established.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, publishing the first edition in January 1851. It was established by the Canterbury Association
Canterbury Association
The Canterbury Association was formed in order to establish a colony in what is now the Canterbury Region in the South Island of New Zealand.- Formation of the Association :...
as part of its planned settlement of Canterbury and developed into a liberal, at the time sometimes seen as radical, newspaper. A successor paper, The Star, is published as a free bi-weekly newspaper.
James FitzGerald
James FitzGerald
James Edward FitzGerald was a New Zealand politician. According to some historians, he should be considered the country's first Prime Minister, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor should properly be given that title. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand...
was the newspaper's first editor, and it was FitzGerald who in 1861 set up its main competitor, The Press
The Press
The Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is owned by Fairfax Media.- History :The Press was first published on 25 May 1861 from a small cottage in Montreal Street, making it the oldest surviving newspaper in the South Island of New Zealand. The first...
, over the Lyttelton Times support for the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
Lyttelton rail tunnel
The Lyttelton Rail Tunnel, initially called the Moorhouse Tunnel, links the city of Christchurch with the port of Lyttelton in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. It is the country’s oldest operational rail tunnel, and is on one of the first railway lines in the district...
. In 1935, it was The Press that won the competition for the morning newspaper market in Christchurch; the Lyttelton Times was the oldest newspaper in the country when it ceased that year.
History
The Canterbury Association was formed in order to establish a colony in what is now the Canterbury Region in the South IslandSouth Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand. Part of the plan was to have a newspaper, and a prospectus was published in August 1850. The Canterbury Association entered into a contract with Ingram Shrimpton, of the Crown Yard Printing Office, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, to send out the necessary plant in one of the First Four Ships to Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
. The printing equipment arrived on the Charlotte-Jane
Charlotte-Jane
The Charlotte Jane was one of the First Four Ships in 1850 to carry emigrants from England to the new colony of Canterbury in New Zealand.-Arrival in Lyttelton:...
on 16 December 1850, and the first edition of the Lyttelton Times was published less than one month later on 11 January 1851.
The press was first installed in a shed on Norwich Quay. John I. Shrimpton, Ingram Shrimpton's son, came out on the Charlotte Jane with some staff for the newspaper and was manager and canvasser. James FitzGerald
James FitzGerald
James Edward FitzGerald was a New Zealand politician. According to some historians, he should be considered the country's first Prime Minister, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor should properly be given that title. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand...
was the first editor for the Lyttelton Times, and had agreed to work for free. One of the early contributors to the newspaper was John Robert Godley
John Robert Godley
John Robert Godley was an Irish statesman and bureaucrat. Godley is considered to be the founder of Canterbury, New Zealand, although he lived there for only two years.-Early life:...
.
Ingram Shrimpton came out from England in 1854 and took over as editor. FitzGerald had effectively relinquished the editorship upon his election as Superintendent
Superintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
of the Canterbury Province
Canterbury Province
The Canterbury Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. On the east coast the province was bounded by the Hurunui River in the north and the Waitaki River in the south...
in July 1853. The production moved to more spacious premises in Lyttelton's Oxford Street in 1854. In July 1856, Shrimpton sold the newspaper to Charles Christopher Bowen
Charles Christopher Bowen
Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KB. KCMG. was a 19th century New Zealand politician.-Life:Bowen was born in County Mayo, Ireland and studied law for two years at Cambridge University...
and Crosbie Ward
Crosbie Ward
Crosbie Ward was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand. He was born in County Down, Ireland.He represented the Town of Lyttelton electorate from 1858 to 1866. He was a cabinet minister, Postmaster-General and Secretary for Crown Lands. He then represented the Avon...
for £5000. Ward became editor and showed great talent in running the newspaper. When he lost his seat in Parliament
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
in 1866, he could devote himself full-time to journalism and was regarded as Canterbury's best satirical writer.
In 1861 Bowen sold his interest in the business to William Reeves
William Reeves (journalist)
William Reeves was a New Zealand 19th century journalist and politician. He was the father of the author and politician the Hon. William Pember Reeves....
, and William John Warburton Hamilton and Thomas William Maude became minority shareholders.
Due to the growth of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, the newspaper moved to this bigger market in 1863, but kept its original name. The new location for the newspaper was in Gloucester Street, with the section extending back to Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located...
. The buildings were extended several times and in 1884, the Star Building was established at the Gloucester Street frontage and between 1902 and 1904, the final office building, the Lyttelton Times Building
Lyttelton Times Building
The Lyttelton Times Building, last known as Base Backpackers, in 56 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City, was the last headquarters of the Lyttelton Times before its demise in 1935 as the then oldest newspaper in New Zealand...
, was constructed on the Cathedral Square frontage by Sidney and Alfred Luttrell
Sidney and Alfred Luttrell
Edward Sydney "Sidney" Luttrell and his brother Alfred Edward Luttrell were partners of S. & A. Luttrell, a firm of architects and building contractors noted for its contributions to New Zealand architecture, both in terms of style and technology...
.
Ward died in November 1867 and Reeves took editorial and managerial control. Later, his son, William Pember Reeves
William Pember Reeves
The Hon. William Pember Reeves was a New Zealand statesman, historian and poet, who promoted social reform.-Biography:...
, joined the staff. A lawyer by training, he reported Christchurch Supreme Court cases for the New Zealand Law Reports. His real interest was in politics, though, and he wrote political commentary for the Lyttelton Times before becoming the parliamentary correspondent. He became editor of the Lyttelton Times in 1889, but resigned in 1891 when he became a minister. Reeves senior died shortly after that and it was discovered that he had mismanaged the finances of the newspaper, and the family lost its control of the Lyttelton Times.
Publishing history
The Lyttelton Times started as a weekly newspaper. Beginning on 4 August 1854, the newspaper became bi-weekly. From 1863, the newspaper was published three times a week. After the move to Christchurch, the newspaper became a daily. An illustrated weekly paper, the Canterbury Times, was first published in 1865. The Star, the evening edition of the Lyttelton Times, was added to the portfolio on 14 May 1868.On 1 August 1929, the name was changed to Christchurch Times. The final issue was published on 29 June 1935. Its demise was brought on by intense competition, with two morning papers and two evening papers being published in Christchurch at that time. The Press
The Press
The Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is owned by Fairfax Media.- History :The Press was first published on 25 May 1861 from a small cottage in Montreal Street, making it the oldest surviving newspaper in the South Island of New Zealand. The first...
, which is still published today, took the morning newspaper market. The Lyttelton Times Company was renamed to New Zealand Newspapers Ltd and published the Star-Sun as an evening paper. The successor of that evening paper, The Star, is still published in Christchurch on Wednesdays and Fridays as a free newspaper.
Notable news coverage
The first edition covered the journey of the First Four Ships, which due to its importance for the history of Christchurch is often quoted.A topic on everybody's mind was the proposal for the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
Lyttelton rail tunnel
The Lyttelton Rail Tunnel, initially called the Moorhouse Tunnel, links the city of Christchurch with the port of Lyttelton in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. It is the country’s oldest operational rail tunnel, and is on one of the first railway lines in the district...
. Eventually, it became the first tunnel in the world to be taken through the side of an extinct volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, and at 2.7 km, the longest in the country. William Sefton Moorhouse
William Sefton Moorhouse
William Sefton Moorhouse was a New Zealand politician. He was the second Superintendent of Canterbury Province.-Early life:...
became a strong proponent of the tunnel project. During the election campaign of the provincial Superintendent
Superintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
in 1857, the tunnel became the central issue, with Moorhouse’s opponent, Joseph Brittan, being opposed to the idea. Moorhouse received much support for his position from the residents of Lyttelton, as evidenced by the results of the election: of the 12,000 residents of Canterbury, including 3,205 in Christchurch and 1,944 in Lyttelton, both candidates received 206 votes from the residents of Christchurch. However, overall results were a victory for Moorhouse by 727 votes to 352. Moorhouse later began the project by turning the first sod
Sod
Sod or turf is grass and the part of the soil beneath it held together by the roots, or a piece of thin material.The term sod may be used to mean turf grown and cut specifically for the establishment of lawns...
on 17 July 1861. The tunnel project was supported by the Lyttelton Times. FitzGerald, the first editor of the Lyttelton Times until he became the first Superintendent, was vehemently opposed to the tunnel to the extent that he founded The Press
The Press
The Press is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is owned by Fairfax Media.- History :The Press was first published on 25 May 1861 from a small cottage in Montreal Street, making it the oldest surviving newspaper in the South Island of New Zealand. The first...
in 1861, so that he could give a voice to his opposition.
Crosbie Ward and the Lyttelton Times are credited with the successful campaign for a fast mail service between England and the colony through Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
to be established.
External links
- Papers Past: The first 1007 issues of the Lyttelton Times have been digitised (11 January 1851 – 21 May 1862), and are available online free of charge.