Archie Lilly memorial

historic site — Hillsborough · Christchurch

About Archie Lilly memorial

The Archie Lilly memorial is a historic site in Hillsborough, Christchurch, that marks the 1883 deaths of two boys on the Port Hills. William Mason and Archie Lilly, both ten, went missing on 30 March 1883 after setting out from Christchurch to fish, and they were lost in a storm on the hills. The website says two monuments now mark the places where the boys were found, both in view of a rocky peak known as Witch Hill. The boys are buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery.

The website tells the story from the inquest and the searches that followed, including a 400-strong search party. It describes the Port Hills view from Summit Road as a place where visitors can see the hills the boys crossed that night.