Play at the Bay from over a century

From finding kai, whaling and shipping to recreating, Caroline Bay has served many generations in many ways. We're excited about the next chapter in the Bay's story, helping this area to be enjoyed by all of our locals and visitors for many generations to come. This playground is going to be transformed in something really special. The design has been inspired by stories of this coastline, to help inspire locals and visitors to act out imaginative play, reflect on our past and to make great decisions for our future.

• 2 million years ago lava flowed like fingers down to what is now the sea and formed habitiat for marine life.
• 10,000 to 9,000 years ago, a fine silt called loess blew over South Canterbury and formed our clay cliffs.
• Here is a summary timeline of key events and periods related to moas, moa-hunters, and Maoris in South Canterbury, based on the chapter you provided:
  
  Pre-950 AD: Giant moa birds flourish in South Canterbury, grazing on the open plains and downlands. Possible land bridges allow moas to reach New Zealand from the north over a long period of time
• C 950 AD: Earliest Polynesians (Moa-hunters) arrive in New Zealand from the Society Islands, find moas still surviving on South Island east coast
• C 1100-1300: Moa-hunters spread down South Island pursuing moa flocks, establish coastal camps like Patiti Point in South Canterbury. Transport moa carcasses from Mackenzie Country along rivers like Waitaki
• C 1350: Arrival of main fleet of Polynesian migrants to NZ, giving rise to Maori tribes
  Polynesian ancestors of Māori settled New Zealand about 200 years before Columbus's Atlantic voyage
  Evidence suggests deliberate navigation, guided by celestial and natural phenomena
  Navigation methods included memory, song, star compasses, stick charts
  Māori developed oral cartography, using place names and oral traditions
• C 1500: Ngatimamoe tribe invades and establishes control of South Island east coast
• C 1600: Ngaitahu tribe invades from North Island, defeats Ngatimamoe, takes control of South Island

• 1642:  December 18, 1642: Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri encounter Abel Tasman's ships Heemskerck and Zeehaen near South Island. Māori challenge intruders with shell trumpet; Dutch reply. Gifts exchanged but misunderstanding leads to conflict; four Dutchmen die. Tasman names the place Murderers Bay

• 1769: James Cook lands near present-day Gisborne. Initial misunderstanding leads to conflict; Māori leader Te Maro killed. Tahitian mediator Tupaia aids communication between Europeans and Māori. Tupaia's role crucial in diplomacy and cultural exchange. Despite efforts, further clashes occur along the coast. Tupaia's mediation crucial in easing tensions and facilitating cultural exchange.

• 1770: Captain Cook visits New Zealand, makes first European observations of Maoris Early meetings between peoples - Encounters | NZHistory, New Zealand history online map that was originally drawn in chalk on the floor by two maori cheifs in Norfolk islands, they were kidnapped and taken on board the ship Daedalus: Reproduced Map of New Zealand - Tuki Tahua and Ngahuruhuru, at Norfolk Island. · ourheritage.ac.nz

• 1840s: European influences already apparent amongst South Canterbury Maoris by time first overland explorers arrive. Maori population small, living in settlements like Te Waiateruati and Arowhenua
• 1848: Kemp land purchase of South Island, some reserves set aside for Maoris. 
• 1870s-1900s: Ngaitahu tribe presses compensation claims against government over land purchases. Main native settlements consolidate at Arowhenua and Morven, others fade away
• The historical information provided stems from the diligent efforts of Oliver A. Gillespie, who was commissioned by a committee to compile the history of South Canterbury. Despite not being a native of the region, Gillespie's extensive background equipped him well for the task. His experiences ranged from serving in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during World War I, where he was awarded the Military Medal and later attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, to his post-war career in journalism and public relations. Gillespie conducted thorough research, drawing from early records, personal papers, and diaries, alongside visits to South Canterbury to gather firsthand knowledge. While constraints on time and space prevented exhaustive coverage of all aspects of settlement history, Gillespie's work aimed to capture the essence of the region's past. The committee overseeing the project expressed gratitude to contributors of photographs and illustrations, as well as to institutions like the Canterbury Museum and individuals who assisted in various capacities. Ultimately, the hope was that Gillespie's historical account would not only serve as a valuable record but also inspire present and future generations with insights into South Canterbury's rich heritage. Source: archive.org/gillespie-1958/Gillespie-1958_djvu

This next section is from the same book and outlines Timaru's whaling era

1839:

• George and Edward Weller initiate significant land transactions in Canterbury, acquiring vast tracts of land, including the coastal area between the Rangitata and Waitaki Rivers.
• The deed of feoffment dated 20th October 1839 outlines the purchase of approximately one million acres from Tekaiho Harbour to Waikakai River in Banks Peninsula.
• Tuhawaiki, also known as "Bloody Jack," a prominent Maori chief, plays a pivotal role in land negotiations and whaling operations, contributing to the region's history.
• Maori chiefs Golok (Koroko or Korako) and Tyroa (Taiaroa) are instrumental in land transactions, signifying a significant shift in land ownership dynamics.

1840:

• French captain Langlois secures an additional 90 miles of coastline towards Otago, previously claimed by the Wellers, amid the backdrop of French settlement in Akaroa.
• Tuhawaiki continues his involvement in land transactions and maritime activities but drowns off the coast south of Timaru.
• Tyroa (Taiaroa), a Maori chief involved in land sales, accompanies Mantell through South Canterbury, ferrying him and his party across the Waitaki, showcasing ongoing Maori-European interactions.

1842:

• A French whaler reportedly wrecks on Long Beach, Timaru, resulting in the loss of all crew members and a substantial quantity of oil cargo.
• Maori chiefs Golok (Koroko or Korako) and Tyroa (Taiaroa) maintain their roles in land dealings, contributing to the evolving landscape of land ownership in Canterbury and Otago.

1843:

• Commissioners Godfrey and Richmond deliberate the Wellers' land claims in October but withhold granting them due to the brothers' absence and insufficient supporting evidence.
• French colonization efforts in Akaroa prompt conflicts over land ownership and negotiations between European settlers and Maori chiefs.

1844:

• Tuhawaiki's untimely demise through drowning off the coast south of Timaru marks a significant event in regional history, leaving behind a complex legacy.
• Maori chiefs Golok (Koroko or Korako) and Tyroa (Taiaroa) continue their involvement in land transactions and interactions with European settlers, shaping the socio-political landscape of the region.

1840s:

• European influences already apparent amongst South Canterbury Maoris by time the first overland explorers arrive. Maori population small, living in settlements like Te Waiateruati and Arowhenua.

1848:

• Kemp land purchase of South Island, some reserves set aside for Maoris.

1870s-1900s:

• Ngaitahu tribe presses compensation claims against the government over land purchases. Main native settlements consolidate at Arowhenua and Morven, while others fade away.

This section is about the first Europeans who went overland. Between 1839 and 1849, European exploration in South Canterbury, saw expeditions by William Brown Domett Shortland, Bishop George Augustus Selwyn, Rev. Charles Creed, W. B. D. Mantell, and Charles Obins Torlesse. These journeys, often aided by Maori guides, contributed to understanding the region's geography, resources, and native inhabitants. They faced challenges navigating rugged terrain, relied on coastal routes and native support, and documented interactions with Maori communities. Their expeditions laid the groundwork for future settlement and economic activities in the area. Source: archive.org/gillespie-1958/Gillespie-1958_djvu

 1836: William Barnard Rhodes visits Port Cooper (Lyttelton Harbour) while commanding the Australian, a whaling vessel.

1839: Cooper, Holt and Rhodes purchase the barque Eleanor and bring the first cattle to Banks Peninsula.

1843: William Barnard Rhodes establishes himself in Wellington, trading as W. B. Rhodes and Company.

1844:

• January 13: Bishop Selwyn enters South Canterbury, crosses the Rangitata near the mouth.
• January 15: Bishop Selwyn reaches Waiateruati, holds a morning service, and registers names of inhabitants.
• January 15: Shortland baptises the grandchild of Te Rehe at Dashing Rocks.
• January 17: Bishop Selwyn crosses the Waihao River.
• January 17: Shortland meets Bishop Selwyn, estimates distances with him.
• January 17: Bishop Selwyn follows along the beach, crosses the Waihao River.
• Late 1844: W. Heaphy undertakes an overland journey from Otago to Nelson, reaching the Deans homestead in February 1845.

1845:

• October 1845: Rev. Charles Creed passes through South Canterbury, baptising and marrying Maoris at various settlements.
• October 11: Creed reaches Waiateruati, stays for three days, baptising and marrying Maoris.
• October 17: Creed and assistants reach Timaru.
• October 17-20: Creed travels around Timaru, Makikihi, and Waitaki, baptising and marrying Maoris at each settlement.
• October 20: Creed leaves Timaru, heading towards Otago.

1848:

• October 1848: W. B. D. Mantell appointed as a commissioner to settle native affairs in the South Island, surveys Maori reserves on his journey south to Otago.
• October 5: Mantell reaches Waiateruati, stays for some days, takes census of inhabitants.
• October 6: Mantell sets apart reserves for native residents at Waiateruati.
• October 17-20: Mantell spends time in and around Timaru, setting aside reserves and investigating land.
• October 20: Mantell continues journey south, crosses the Waitaki River.

1849:

• March 12: Torlesse reaches the Waihao River, his southern limit.
• March 14: Torlesse climbs a high hill beyond Albury, obtains a good view of the surrounding country and sees the Manahuna Pass.
• Samuel Williams, a whaler previously employed at Timaru, provides information to Charles Obins Torlesse before Torlesse's exploring trip to the south in search of coal.
• April: Torlesse returns to Akaroa, writes a report for Captain Joseph Thomas containing valuable information about forests, pastures, and geographical features.
• 1850: October - George Rhodes is ploughing at Kaituna, one of the peninsula properties.
• 1850 - 1851: The Rhodes brothers, possibly accompanied by Samuel Williams, explore and take up land in South Canterbury, eventually establishing the Levels run.
• 1851: June - The Levels run in South Canterbury is stocked with 5,000 sheep. A letter dated 30 June confirms the occupation of the run by W., R., and G. Rhodes.
• 1853: October - A letter to Sir George Grey protests against the reduction in the size of the Levels run, stating that the Rhodes brothers established a sheep and cattle station at Timaru in 1851.
• Colonel James Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands outside the Canterbury Block, causes confusion and litigation by reducing the size of occupied runs and delaying the issuance of licenses.

• 1851 George Rhodes used our headland to land stores and materials. 1852-1857 shipping wool and landing supplies was done with whaleboats, slow and tedious and oftentimes dangerous.
• 1852 30 ton schooner Henry brought a consignment of stores for Levels Station – flour, salt, tobacom Agnes nad Anna took away 11 bales of Levels wool.
• 1857 Captain Henry Cain opened the first store (on behalf of HJ LeCren) and the first landing service.
• 1857 Lieutenant (later Captain) Belfield Woollcombe arrived in 1857 and was the first magistrate and lived in a house in Waimātaitai Lagoon called The Ashbury with his wife, son and five daughters. He had been a naval officer and later joined the harbour board.
• 1858 First Landing Service Opens
• 1859 120 settlers arrived on the Strathallan directly from the United Kingdom. By 1866 the population was around 1000.
• 1860 Morris Corey, Robert Boubius first to be buried in Timaru cemetery - Deal Boatmen who drowned on a sea rescue.
• 1864 Alexandra life boat arrives to be used when the surf would be too heavy for ordinary boats to venture off. self-right - when full of water the boat self-ejects in 15 seconds. Many of the crew were boatmen and were paid. The boat was ordered by Canterbury Provincial Secretary. She was used on "Black Sunday", 14 May 1882, when the "City of Perth" and the "Benvenue" were wrecked. During the rescue attempts the Alexandra capsized four times and nine lives were lost. Previous to this she hadn't been used for thirteen years.
• 1866 Captain Alexander Mills (1866-1882) harbour master for 16 years. The job included the role of lighthouse keeper and pilot. Over this time there were 28 Shipwrecks while he was in charge. was frequently overruled by members of the Harbour Board who had associated commercial interest when he tried to tell them not to moore to shore too close.
  The lifeboat was named the Alexandra on a public holiday held to mark the wedding of the Prince of Whales and Princess Alexandra.
• 1867 Volunteer Timaru Rocket Brigade established about 1867, when a supply of rockets arrived from England
• 1868 control of the beach passed to the Timaru Gladstone Board of Works so harbour works could be undertaken.
• 1869 one of the lifeboat crew Duncan Cameron drowned when the boat capsized.
• 1875 construction of a groin of concrete block is built and is a failure.
• 1877 Timaru Harbour Board formed under the Timaru Harbour Board Act, 1876
• 1873 three vessels, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Wanderer, and the Fairy Queen, were all stranded in Caroline Bay.
• 1873 the rocket brigade had saved all volunteers, saved 51 lives. They used two rocket guns to fire cables to ships in distress and enabled crews to be hauled to shore.
• 1860s Plans Stars for Artificial Harbour - J.M. Goodall, engineer, for the Harbour Board - solid mole near the foot of Strathallan Street. “The Timaru Breakwater is, next to the Lyttleton tunnel, the boldest work that has been undertaken in New Zealand”
• 1871 First Sod Turned for Temuka to Timaru Railway
• 1878 Blacketts Lighthouse is built on Le Crens Terrace, with Captain Meredith as the first lighthouse-keeper, just as work was about to begin on the initial breakwater. The light house was shifted from the Terrace to Te Weka St and then to the current site above the Benvenue Cliffs.
  John Blackett (1818-93) was appointed Marine Engineer by the NZ Government in 1870 and then Engineer -in-chief of NZ in 1884. There were 24 lighthouse across NZ, 14 were timber. 9 of the original buildings remain and 5 re still operational. It was lit by Kerosine in 1878. The navigation light was replaced with gas in 1890 and then electric light in 1920. And decommissioned in 1970.
• 1878 Work Began to Construct Southern breakwater
• 1880 - Blackett declares the Timaru breakwater work a complete fiasco. natlib.govt.nz And recommends blowing it up to save the railway line as there was erosion at whales creek. Shingle was one of the main issues as it built up on the southern side of the structure. He could see the changes to the long shore drift and coastal erosion and said the breakwater needed to be blown up to save the railway. Some of the locals protested by parading an effigy of him down the main street to the end of the breakwater, stuffing it with fireworks and blowing it up leaving fragments scattered over the bay on June 6 1880. Blacketts main interest is building railways. Locals had suggested that the railway should be further in land because they had seen considerable erosion over 20 odd years. He was warned his railway in Timaru was in the wrong place. Blackett blamed it on the harbour works and wrote a report to Government. It was ridiculed and proved wrong. It opened a few controversial discussions.
• 1881 The construction of the railway and the accumulation of shingle and two George Street Landing services closed down.
• 1882 the worst ship wreck year was when 4 ships were wrecked and 1 refloated.
• City of Cashmere wrecked, Mills was blamed for not making enough effort to save the ship. 11 days before the Benvenue disaster he was reappointed to his former position.
  • On 14 May, 5 ships were lying in anchor.
  • Just a year after the first breakwater was completed.
  • Nine lives were lost when the Ben Venue (carrying coal) and the City of Perth (carrying 6000 sacks of grain valued at 10,000 pounds) both ran aground in heavy sea swells. All the ships’ cargo was lost in the disaster too, drastically damaging the local industry. The City of Perth was carrying over 5000 sacks of wheat, while the Ben Venue had over 500 tons of coal onboard.
    Four of the boatmen drowned, Neilson, Beach, MCDonald and Falgar.
    Captain Mills manned a landing service whale boat with a volunteer crew to reach city of Perth.
    Three boats were drifting and crew were struggling in the raging seas. Orders were given to use a life boat which had not been used for 13 years since 1869.
    Mills died an hour after being lifted from the lifeboat from exposure.
  • After the event ships anchored 1.5 miles from the shore
  • A few days later Mills had been accused of cowardice by the harbour board and dismissed him and advertised his position. The townsfolk wrote many letters and articles in the Timaru Herald with praise to Mills.
• 1883 Timaru had one wharf 880 feet long. 5 years later the moody wharf was built in 1908, and a wharf for fishermen was built 1911.
• 1885 The lifeboat crew continued to train and disbanded 1885.
• 1882 Signal Gun arrives for use for the brigade.
• 1884 the harbour works was a success
• 1900 William Evans persuaded the rate payers to consent to a loan of 100,000 pounds to what is now known as the Eastern extension. This was to combat the shingle that was filling the shipping channel. It was completed in 1915 432,207 tons of blue stone was quarried from Centennial Park.
• 1902 Bay first formed after creation of port breakwaters. The motion of the waves turned the shingle to sand. The area was decided to be created into a “European style beach resort” from 1902. From 1911 the annual Christmas carnivals began.