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Ruru Lawn Cemetery opened in 1941 and although approaching capacity it is still open for casket and ash burials.Ballantyne’s Fire Memorial is part of the Ruru Lawn Cemetery. Ballantyne Memorial Rose Garden Ballantyne’s department store in Colombo Street was the scene of one of New Zealand's most disastrous fires late in the afternoon of 18 November 1947. A total of 41 people died and damage was...
The Ballantyne's Department Store’s fire of 18 November 1947, in Christchurch, was the worst fire in New Zealand history, killing 41 people. In 1947 more than 300 people were employed in the department store of J. Ballantyne & Co, situated on the corner of Colombo Street and Cashel Street in the centre of Christchurch. Most of the upper floors were staff work areas, including the dress-making ...
189 people died in the wreck of HMS Orpheus, making it the worst maritime tragedy to occur in New Zealand waters.For the British military it was the costliest day of the New Zealand Wars – but it occurred far from the battlefield. Bringing naval stores from Sydney, the modern 1706-ton steam corvette HMS Orpheus (named after the Greek hero) ran aground on the bar at the entrance to Auckland’s Ma...