New Zealand - Lyttelton - Rolling stock at Lyttelton - A busy scene in the shunting yard beside the wharves - 31 March 1950 - J. F. Le Cren. Photo Lyttelton - Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, at the northwestern end of Banks Peninsula and close to Christchurch, on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. - Due to its establishment as a landing point for Christchurch-bound seafarers, Lyttelton has historically been regarded as the "Gateway to Canterbury" for colonial settlers. - A home for Māori for about 700 years, Lyttelton Harbour was discovered by European voyagers passing by on 16 February 1770 during the Endeavour's first voyage to New Zealand. - In August 1849 it was officially proclaimed a port. - Lyttelton was formerly called Port Cooper (after Daniel Cooper) and Port Victoria. It was the original settlement in the district (1850). The name Lyttelton was given to it in honour of George William Lyttelton of the Canterbury Association, which had led the colonisation of the area. (Wikipedia) -------------------- Image source: Archives New Zealand Reference: AAVK 6390 W3493 Box 176/ B25 Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/43786682684