Tangiwai Rail Disaster

23/10/19

On Christmas Eve 1953, a night express from Wellington-Auckland descended into the Whangaehu River in Tangiwai. Their were 285 passengers and crew and 151 died. It was a tragic sight because most of the people on the train were heading home to be with their loved ones for Christmas whilst loaded with presents as well. Days after the accident, the searchers found mud-soaked presents, teddy bears and toys washed a shore of the river. It was at the time the world’s eighth-deadliest rail disaster and the nation was stunned.

Reference:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-tangiwai-railway-disaster

Peter Snell wins second gold in Tokyo

21/10/19

Peter Snell had ran 5 races for the 800-m and the 1500-m, in which he won gold, in the 8 days leading up to the Olympic 1500-m final. His teammate John Davies joined with him in the 1500-m race. The race was intense and Peter won gold whilst getting a time of 3 minutes and 38.1 seconds, almost breaking a world record created by Herb Elliot. His teammate John completed 3rd making the triumphant because two flags were raised during the Olympic medal ceremony.

Reference:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/peter-snell-completes-the-800-1500-m-double-in-tokyo

Chief Justice declares treaty 'worthless' and a 'simple nullity'

17/10/19

Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast was an attorney-general from 1865 to 1875, following with becoming a chief justice of the the Supreme Court until 1899. The Wi Parata case was a situation where a block of land was given to the Anglican Church in understanding that a school would be built, though it never happened. The church was later issued a Crown grant to the land. Prendergast believed that The Treaty of Waitangi was ‘worthless’ because it had been signed ‘between a civilised nation and a group of savages’.

Reference:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/the-chief-justice-declares-that-the-treaty-of-waitangi-is-worthless-and-a-simple-nullity

Jean Batten reaches Auckland after epic solo flight

16/10/19

On October 5th 1936, Jean Batten left for New Zealand from Kent, England early in the morning. She arrived in Darwin in 5 days and 21 hours, holding a new record, but having to refill in Europe, Middle East and Asia along the way. She continued on her way to Sidney, Australia and arriving on 13 October. People were expressing fears for her safety but she still decided to continue. Jean declared that if she went down into the sea that no one should look for her. She arrived in Auckland 10 1/2 hours after leaving Sidney on 16 October.

Reference:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/jean-batten-reaches-auckland-after-epic-solo-flight

New Zealand coast watchers executed by the Japanese

15/10/19

On October 15 1994, seventeen coast watchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese forces when they invaded the Gilbert Islands (now the Kiribati Islands). They were imprisoned on the  Tarawa atoll. Following the imprisonment, they were all beheaded when an American air raid happened on the island.