<strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Wednesday <strong>February</strong> <strong>16</strong> <strong>2022</strong> 12 NEWS ON A FINE day in 1909, ironfounder, mountaineer, and celebrated photographer Charles J. Bekken assembled his handmade camera by the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River. On the sloping lawns of the Canterbury Provincial Buildings the camera faced the Timber Council Chamber with its distinctive bay window. Bekken, of Rossall St in Christchurch, was there to document the assembled sailors from what appeared to be a contingent of the No. 1 Company Canterbury Division of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers. Or, as they were perhaps more widely known at the time, the Lyttelton Naval Artillery Volunteers, or ‘Lyttelton Navals’ on the occasion of their individual awards of the Certificate of Qualification in Gunnery. We’re told at the rear far left of the group photo to the far right is Chief Petty Officer W.J. Toomey with his petty officers cap worn at a characteristically rakish angle. His fellow petty officer (unnamed) can be seen in the photograph to the right in front of Bellamy’s main door, alongside the proud winners of the first prize for gunnery, B. Turner, Kennedy, Diamond, M. Chambers, G. Sowden Day, Marshell M. Roach, Gardner, and M. Turner, at least according to Bekken’s inscription on the reverse. The Lyttelton Naval Artillery Volunteers were originally formed in the 19th century as part of a nationwide citizen’s militia coastguard, generally known as ‘the Navals’, authorised under the Militia Act of 1858. After this proclamation, volunteer units formed across the country including, of course, the strategic port of Lyttelton. Starting Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Treasures from the past: Meet the Lyttelton Navals PHOTO: TE ŪAKA THE LYTTELTON MUSEUM REF 8727.1 WWW.TEUAKA.ORG.NZ/ONLINE-COLLECTION/1128911 with two Lyttelton rifle companies in 1860, a Drill Shed was built in Market Pl in 1864, and the following year the Lyttelton Artillery Volunteers were formed. While many of their North Island compatriots were mobilised in the Waikato and for wars against Māori Kingitanga tribes, Te Waipounamu South Island remained largely free of trouble. ATTENTION: The gun crew on the left, consisting of 10 sailors, outside Bellamy’s in 1909 won the first prize for gunnery. The group of 56 sailors above were photographed outside the Canterbury Provincial Buildings. PHOTO: TE ŪAKA THE LYTTELTON MUSEUM REF 8724.1, WWW. TEUAKA.ORG.NZ/ONLINE-COLLECTION/1128908 In 1880, a volunteer Lyttelton Naval Brigade was formed to support the first port defences built that year, and it is this formation that became the Lyttelton Naval Artillery Volunteers in 1883. Following the 1885 ‘Russian scare’ the force was expanded to support the Battery Point and Jervois Fort gun installations protecting Whakaraupō Lyttelton <strong>Harbour</strong> from Imperial competitors. By 1898, a typical day at the 15- day volunteer ‘Lyttelton Navals’ camp at Fort Jervois consisted of: •4.30am Réveille, 5am gun drill, 6.30am breakfast, 7am launch to Lyttelton for work, 5.30pm return, 6pm evening meal, 7-8.45pm drill, 9.30pm First Post, 10pm Last Post, 10.30pm lights out, Sundays free. From 1902 onwards, the NZ defence forces began to be modernised in line with the British Imperial forces. The naval artillery volunteer units were regrouped into divisions of the Garrison Artillery Corps and rebadged as the Garrison Artillery Volunteers. In 1905 the Lyttelton Naval Artillery Volunteers became the No. 5 Company of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers and then finally in 1907 the No. 1 Company Canterbury Division of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers. CHRISTCHURCH CHATHAM ISLANDS – Experience 8 days in one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique places. The Chatham Islands are the closest most New Zealanders can get to international travel without packing their passport. Due to ever increasing popularity and in conjunction with Air Chathams and Hotel Chathams, we have decided to run a tour out to the Chatham Islands for Christchurch folk from Christchurch during April <strong>2022</strong> We will be using a 50 passenger ATR aircraft, where we will have up to 8 fully guided days to explore our most eastern island before returning home to Christchurch. Pitt Island is an option as is fishing. Tour # 42 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christchurch Tues 12th April <strong>2022</strong>, depart Chrischurch 2:00pm arrive Chatham 4.45 am (CI) Tues 19th April <strong>2022</strong>, depart Chatham Islands 9.45am — Arrive Christchurch 11.15am All Inclusive Costing per person X Christchurch SINGLE shared facilities ..............................................................$4,373 TWIN / DOUBLE with ensuite ......................................................$4,473 SUPERIOR SUITES ....................................................................$4,573 Make up your party now and take advantage of your preferred accommodation while availability lasts. www.chathamislandtours.nz/contact/booking_enquiry
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday <strong>February</strong> <strong>16</strong> <strong>2022</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News 13 Two doses was great for Delta, but Omicron needs that booster. That’s why it’s critical that everyone who can gets boosted in <strong>February</strong>. Get your booster ASAP BookMyVaccine.nz For whānau bookings call 0800 28 29 26
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