Statue of John Robert Godley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of John Robert Godley |
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Godley Statue in 2019
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| Artist | Thomas Woolner |
| Year | 1865 |
| Catalogue | 3666 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | John Robert Godley |
| Designation | Category I historic place |
| Location | Cathedral Square, Christchurch |
| 43°31′51″S 172°38′10″E / 43.53096°S 172.63599°E | |
The Godley Statue is a bronze statue found in Cathedral Square in Christchurch, New Zealand. A bronze statue is made from a strong metal mix, often used for outdoor art. This statue honors John Robert Godley, who is known as the "Founder of Canterbury". It was the very first statue of a person ever put up in New Zealand!
In February 2011, a big earthquake hit Christchurch. The statue actually fell off its base, called a plinth. When it fell, people found special time capsules hidden inside the plinth! It took four years for the statue to be put back in its place.
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Who Was John Robert Godley?
John Robert Godley was an important person in New Zealand's history. He helped create the Canterbury Association. This group planned for people to move from England to start a new settlement in New Zealand.
Godley's Role in Canterbury
Godley arrived in Lyttelton in April 1850. This was eight months before the first settlers came. He was the main person in charge, like a leader, for the Canterbury settlement. He made sure money was spent wisely to avoid debt.
He was there when the first four ships carrying settlers arrived. He acted like a governor for the new settlement. Godley believed that the settlers should have a say in how they were governed. He left New Zealand in December 1852, just two years after the first settlers arrived.
About the Godley Statue
The Godley statue is in Cathedral Square, which is the very center of Christchurch. It was made to remember John Robert Godley, the "Founder of Canterbury".
Creating the Statue
The statue was made by an English artist named Thomas Woolner. It was cast, or shaped, in a special factory in England in 1865. The statue was officially shown to the public in Cathedral Square on 8 August 1867. A local leader named Charles Bowen unveiled it.
Moving the Statue Around
Over the years, the statue moved a few times! In 1904, a city council member thought the statue should be moved. New trams were going to be built, and there wouldn't be enough room around it.
In 1907, the city allowed a tram shelter to be built. This shelter completely hid the statue from the ChristChurch Cathedral. Then, in 1917, underground toilets were built right next to the statue, making it even harder to see.
Finally, on 5 March 1918, the statue was moved to a new spot. It went to the north side of the ChristChurch Cathedral.
The tram shelter was taken down in 1931. In April 1933, the statue was moved back to its first home in Cathedral Square. Some trees were removed to make space for it.
The Earthquake and Time Capsules
During the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the statue fell over. After the earthquake, something amazing was found! A crane driver discovered time capsules hidden under the statue's plinth.
One time capsule was a broken glass bottle with an old paper inside. The other was a sealed metal box. Both were given to the Canterbury Museum. Experts there looked at them carefully and worked to keep them safe. The museum planned to open them once their special lab was ready.
After the earthquake, the mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, said that putting the statue back would be one of the first things they did. The statue was carefully repaired and made stronger. It was finally put back on its plinth on 18 February 2015. This was almost exactly four years after it fell down.
