(New Zealand Post Office)
Sophia St
1880
Architect R A Lawson
A fortnightly mail service was established in 1858 and the frequency of the service increased with the running of Cobb & Co's coaches until the railway came through in 1876. Timaru's first post office, with a telegraphic link to Christchurch was opened in 1865 but destroyed in the 1868 fire.
The new brick and concrete building opened Timaru 1880. Victorian with classical details constructed of brick and plaster with columns pilasters and cornice. It was the ninth centre in New Zealand to have a telephone service and 60 subscribers were connected for the opening. The first chimeless clock was installed in 1881 which had a time ball dropping at noon each day. At the time of manufacture it was one of the largest clocks to be manufactured in New Zealand. In 1913 former mayor James Craigie who was MP at the time, donated the new clock and set of chimes which meant the tower had to be raised to accommodate them. The chimes were set in motion by Post master General Sir Heaton Rhodes. After the 1931 Napier earthquake the tower was deemed earth quake risk so they tower was dismantled and the chimes moved over the road to the Council building.
Did you know? there used to be fountain in the triangle in front? The Jubilee monument commemorated the 50th jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign it was moved in 1960 and this was relocated to the sunken Victorian garden at the Botanic Gardens.
A crowd gathered outside the Timaru Post Office that has been decorated for the coronation of Edward V11 in September 1902. A large group of men are facing the crowd on a stage or platform, set up in front of the post office. A banner across the front of the Post Office reads "Here's Health To The King & A Lasting Peace". All the upper windows of the Post Office have been covered with royal paraphanalia. South Canterbury Museum 1490