1906: Remembering Rolleston

May 26, 2019

By AHNZ

Today in history, 26 May, 1906, William Rolleston’s statue was unveiled where it still stands today in Christchurch.  I wonder why it isn’t Sir William Rolleston so I could intentionally, anarchistically, drop the ‘Sir’? I suppose it’s because he was such a thorn in the side of the Liberals that they were too stingy to offer a title. I’d like to think he’d refused it.

As mentioned before, I’ve got a bit of a soft sport for this Classical gentleman farmer (1831-1903.) There is a whole lot to say about him as an educationalist which I have not yet researched thoroughly but after I have done my opinion of him is probably going to take a dive.

Rolleston was instrumental in the peaceful dispersal of the Parihaka cult in 1881. We’ll hear more and more about Parihaka in days to come but the man who played the largest role after Te Whiti himself is conspicuously left out of the mainstream telling.

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image ref. Rolleston Statue, Rolleston Avenue; Kete Christchurch

ref. Discover the Delights of Pealing Back History

 

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