1-7 Strathallan St
LN:2055 C:2
1901
Architect James Turnbull
Builder Baird
D. C. Turnbull and Co was one of the first large companies to emerge n the area. In 1901 they built their premises close to one of the landing services for the port and rail wagons were once able to be directed into the warehouse by a turntable and access tunnel built in the cliffs. The tunnel still exists although it is now closed off and it seems that went some distance underground further than The Terrace and near Stafford Street. Today you can see the large brick store and their buildings on the land between The Terrace, Strathallan St, the cliff which remains as offices today. The building was designed by D.C. Turnbull's brother, architect James Stuart Turnbull who also designed the Aigantighe, Chalmers Church and shops on Stafford Street.
Miles & Co Ltd acquired merchant Henry Le Cren’s business in 1867. They were considered one of the best wool and stock businesses in NZ. In 1901 the building was purchased by grain and seed merchant firm David Clarkson Turnbull and two-storied offices with show-room were added. They were engaged in the wool, grain, and frozen meat trade and had their own sailing vessel to carry consignments into any inter-colonial port.
In 1904 Timaru Port was the third in New Zealand for agricultural exports.
Significant elements include pilasters, window details, dentilled cornice and parapet.
Many years ago, Guinness and Le Cren were founded on the Pyne, Gould, Guinness site in 1891. A tunnel and track once continued on under The Terrace, what is now Wright, Stephenon and Company's property, and ended behind the buildings that were occupied by Pyne Gould Guinness Limited now Community House on 27-29 Strathallan Street. The track and tunnel were in use more than half a century ago with horses pulling railway wagons along the siding and through the tunnel. It is substantial, nine feet across and arching to 8ft 6in formed from bricks. but were blocked off in the city center by a brick wall in the 1920s. The east side of the tunnel was used as an air-raid shelter and is now a storeroom for bales of straw. Learn more
Did you know? A tramway tunnel and railway siding under the Terrace (listed C2, R7307) connected a rat proof grain store and warehouses.
Can you find? A plaque marking the site of Le Cren’s Landing Service where goods where landed by surf-boats until the harbor was built.
Get a selfie with Strathallan Street Sign. On The Strathallan, a lady wrote; if Timaru was a third of the size of London she would be happy. Imagine the look on her face when she arrived in 1859, and saw only 5 houses and about 19 locals! The ship was two weeks early and caught our towns folk off guard, so the new locals had to sleep in the wool shed until their homes were built. More arrived including six boatmen and their families from Deal, UK. A cob cottage still stands on 20 Avenue Road where one lived. Their skill was critical at the time for landing boats. But it was dangerous and became the first to be buried in the Timaru cemetery.
The Terrace used to be called Le Crens Terrace. The Harbour Board lighthouse stood at the rear of section 7 from 1878 until it was replaced by a navigation light above Dashing Rocks in 1970. Blackett's Lighthouse was relocated to Cnr of Te Weka St and Benvenue Ave and then further down the road at the top of the cliff.
A newer iron lighthouse was constructed on site in 1903 by the Timaru harbour board. It was built to overcome the ineffectiveness of the harbour light. The lighthouse originally resided on Somes Island North of the Wellington Harbour in 1866. The Lighthouse had a sole keeper, who lived on station until 1930 when a gas operated light was installed. The lighthouse sits proudly at Tūhawaiki Point, nicknamed Jacks point after the Maori Ngai Tahu chief Hone Tūhawaiki who drowned there when his whaleboat capsized. - maritimenz.govt.nz/Tuhawaiki-Point
A traction engine with four wagons loaded with wool bales posed outside Miles & Co Limited, Strathallan Street, Timaru, post 1895. Several men are standing along the front of the engine and wagons, while the driver sits on the engine. Another horse and cart, with a sign that reads "John Mee Coal Merchant" and also loaded with wool bales, appears at the rear of the wagons. A house also appears on the hill in the background. Handwritten note on reverse in pencil reads "J B Hamilton, Thomas Baker is second from right - standing by the big wheel. The tunnel under the Timaru" The photographer's name appears on the lower left of the mount. South Canterbury Museum 1828
Guinness and Le Cren building, Strathallan Street, Timaru, with a group (management and employees ?) outside. Photograph taken between circa 1881 and May 1905. Photographer unidentified.
An unused Muir and Moodie postcard entitled "The Railway Station and Wool Stores, Timaru N.Z.", 1907. Depicts the a view looking south along the railway tracks toward a north bound train at the station. In the foreground at the right is the original car and wagon depot, while the Evans and Co. (Atlas) Flour Mill can be seen beyond the railway station. South Canterbury Museum 2685