Although flax traders and whalers had earlier operated on the coast, the first permanent European settlement in Canterbury was a whaling station established by Captain George Hempleman in March 1837, at Peraki - an inlet on the southern coast of Banks Peninsula. A party of nine settlers, sent by a Sydney firm of millers, arrived in April 1840. They were the first Europeans to make a home on the Plains at what is now Riccarton. They left after eight months as their crop had been eaten by rats.
On 17 August 1840 French settlers landed at Akaroa and founded the first town. A few years later farms at Purau, Riccarton, and Pigeon Bay were established and it was from here the establishment and extension of the province grew. The first settlers chosen by the Canterbury Association (formed in England) disembarked from the first four immigrant ships - 'Charlotte Jane', 'Sir John Seymour', 'Cressy' and 'Randolph', at Lyttelton in December 1850 and this date is recognised as that of the official founding of Canterbury. John Robert Godley had been placed in charge of the first colonists. These pioneers who chose to settle at Christchurch had to make a laborious trek over the hills separating Lyttelton and Christchurch by way of a rough track, which became known as the Bridle Path.
The 1d, 6d and 1s designs were completed by J Berry, the 2d by L C Mitchell and the 3d by J A Johnstone.
Christchurch Cathedral - 1d
This fine building stands in Cathedral Square, Christchurch.
Memorial to Pioneer Women - 2d
This stamp commemorates those pioneer women who crossed the hills from Lyttelton to Christchurch on foot.
John Robert Godley - 3d
Leader of the Canterbury Association's venture and the Founder of the Province.
Canterbury University College - 6d
Now the University of Canterbury.
Timaru - 1s
An aerial view including Caroline Bay. The city's Coat of Arms and motto appear at the bottom of the stamp.
|Date of Issue:||20 November 1950|
|Designers:||J Berry, Wellington; L C Mitchell, Wellington and J A Johnstone|
|Printers:||Bradbury Wilkinson, England|
|Stamp Size:||1d and 3d: 24mm x 40mm; 2d, 6d and 1s: 40mm x 24mm|
|Sheet Size:||120 stamps per sheet|
|Paper Type:||Wiggins Teape 'Royal Cypher', multiple NZ and star watermark|