Timaru District Council Building
(Former Public Library)
2 King George Place & Latter St
LN:2075 C:2
1908-1911
Architect Walter Panton (Panton & Son)
Builder Werry & Hunt and then B R Tooth & Son
In 1904 the borough council purchase this site from Dr Gabites for 1150 pounds.
The 1909 Oamaru stone building was funded by USA steel merchant Andrew Carnegie to establish a Public Library. In 1911 the Timaru Borough Council erected its municipal offices next door in the same classical style. The building was designed by architect Walter Panton. The council chambers remained as they were for 20 years before additions were carried out in 1926 by W J Harding. The 7ft Clock tower designed by Victor Panton and built by W J Harding was added ion 1934 to house the mechanism given to the city by form mayor James Craigie which was originally in the Post Office clock tower. in 1958 a brick faces showroom and second story was added, in 1862 the parapet including pediments finals were removed and the 1979 the library was converted to office by McDonald and Wilson contractors Ledy Construction.
Significant elements include bluestone foundation, rusticated Oamaru stone façade, Corinthian capitals, keystones and medallions, clock tower.
Did you know? There is a light at the top of the clock tower, this is the Lamp of Remembrance and was installed in 1946 as a memorial to the men of the city who died in two world wards. It has burned continuously ever since.
The original library with the Carnegie grant before the building had additions and modifications.
Picture postcard entitled "The Public Library Timaru. NZ", circa 1915. The public library on the corner of George and Latter Street possibly soon after the building was finished. The postcard is addressed, on the verso, to "Miss Kate Sherlock Russell Sqr Timaru" and has a half penny New Zealand stamp. Ferrier, William, Photographer, Timaru. South Canterbury Museum 1999/144.1
Issued by P. W. Hutton Booksellers and Stationers, Timaru. 1911 F.T. Series No. 1228
William Ferrier took this photo of the Post Office and the Public Library, Timaru. Hocken Snapshop hocken.recollect.co.nz/24086
Before the Library was built Eliot Whatley created an artwork showing the view from Lynwood House in 1874. This was the town house of George and Elizabeth Rhodes on Corner of George and Latter Streets in Timaru. George Rhodes and his brothers profited from the growth of Timaru by selling their sections of land in the town center. They also contributed to community life: St Mary's Church (Anglican) at Timaru was built between 1860 and 1861 on land given by them, and George was one of the first wardens. George was also a justice of the peace and a member of local committees and institutions. George's life was productive but brief. He died of typhoid fever at Purau on 18 June 1864 at the young age of 47. In Timaru, street names such as George Street and Elizabeth Street honor the Rhodes family still. The Levels was sold but, determined not to leave the region she had such happy memories of, Elizabeth and her five young children lived in their town home "Linwood House" which stood behind the present Council chambers. In 1867 Elizabeth married Arthur Perry, a charming young barrister from Tasmania who had commenced a law practice in Timaru. They remained at Linwood until 1873 when they purchased Beverley from Henry Le Cren. A large house on 8 hectares of land at the junction of Wai-iti Rd and the Great North Road, now Highway 1. It was to become a garden of note in the district.
Dr Edward Butler (1834-1870) also lived at Lynwood House. He is mentioned in a Strathallan diary as having lived in a one roomed house. His dispensary burnt down in the 1868 fire. He is burred at Timaru cemetery with his son beside him who was born 1864 but only lived 3 months.
Timaru Herald - 7 October 1899 Latter Street presents several sorts of busy-ness just now. The Corporation men are cutting down the hip of the street itself. Mr Broadhead is building a good sized cottage on the former site of the Linwood stable yard, just at the rear of the Trinity Church; and Mr Pringle is pulling down the old Linwood house; one of the earliest of pretentious wooden houses in Timaru.
In front of the South Canterbury Museum and Perth Street, diagonally across from the Timaru Council Buildings, is the beautiful Kate Sheppard Memorial Garden. There is also a lovely camelia name for her in the garden. This was gifted to the city by the citizens of Timaru to celebrate the centennial of Women's Suffrage and there is a remarkable story of why and how Kate Sheppard achieve her goal of getting NZ women the vote. The gardeb was officially opened by Dame Miriam Dell on July 3rd 1993. The plantings follow a purple and white theme - the official suffrage colour. Some fine trees are significant such as the beautiful copper beach. - pressreader.com/the-timaru-herald
South Canterbury celebrated 125 years of Women's Suffrage in 2018. The South Canterbury Museum also performed a re-enactment and, as part of a NCWSC and Zonta-led ceremony, showed and spoke about their suffrage display. The ceremony also involved the planting of the Kate Sheppard camellia at the Kate Sheppard Memorial Garden in Timaru, which, like the Knottingley Park's suffrage garden, was created for the 100th anniversary. The Timaru District Library also had a display on the history of Women's Suffrage. stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/south-canterbury-celebrates-125-years-of-womens-suffrage
Suffragist Movement in New Zealand
- Married women didn’t have control over property that they had brought to their marriage.
- Had to prove aggravated adultery if they wanted a divorce – husbands only had to prove adultery.
- 1875 – Women ratepayers were able to vote in local body elections.
- 1877 – Women were able to stand for school committees and take part in the election of these committees.
- 1869 – Women in Wyoming give franchise.