Springston


Springston is a small rural Canterbury town in the South Island of New Zealand
Springston has a population of 3,303 in the 2013 census, an increase of 483 since 2006.
Springston was developed around the mid-19th century, beginning with the establishment of Spring Station by James E. FitzGerald, who farmed there from 1853 to 1857, and then again from 1860 to 1867. The first building in the village was a Methodist church, which opened in 1866. Walter Lawry, who emigrated with his wife and 10 children to New Zealand in 1862, was Methodist preacher in Springston for 50 years.
Springston primary school, established in 1868, today has a roll of about 160; secondary students usually attend the nearby Lincoln High School.
St Mary's Church, which opened in 1875, was one of the earliest Anglican churches in Canterbury. Clergyman Harry Stocker, newly arrived from Ireland, helped organise subscriptions and donations to fund the building of both it and St Paul's in Tai Tapu. Both churches were designed by Christchurch architect Frederick Strouts, who later designed Ivey Hall at Lincoln University.
The George Roy Store was formerly known as Howard and Dartnall, a store established in 1874 by Harry Lloyd Dartnall in partnership with his relative Mr. Howard. Other historic buildings include the Springston Hotel, the original Methodist parsonage, and four cottages over 100 years old.
The Springston rugby grounds at the Domain hold rugby cricket and tennis for locals and surrounding residents. The Springston Pony Club started the South Island's Springston Trophy in 1976. Springston has a pub, dairy, and community hall on Leeston Road.