Bluestone: The blue stone basalt rock formed by lava is not found anywhere else in New Zealand. It is unaffected by weather, low in maintenance, non slip and will last for generations. Architects, were aware of this versatile stone early on, a lasting heritage established for generations to come. Late 1800s through early 1900s multiple quarries in Timaru with the most notable being those in the Scenic Reserve or Centennial Park. Rail lines that carried rock to port from this area finally decommissioned fully by 1959. By 1935 moves to create the Scenic Reserve, shortly renamed Centennial park, began. From 1988 group formed to create the park reserve, lake, bridges and planting we know today. stuff/Scenic-park-full-of-beauty-and-history
Oamaru Stone: Limestone granular and creamy white. The crushed stone can be used as a soil conditioner. The sedimentary rock Tiny algae living in the water (called diatoms) became preserved in sediment (called diatomite) as fossils Thirty-five million years ago, the Oamaru area was under the sea.
Palliser Block: Hollow concrete blocks made using a distinctive mould often used in foundations. Mr Frank Palliser was a Timaru builder. He imported a Palmer’s machine in 1906 to form pre-cast concrete blocks. The Timaru Borough Council modified their building bylaw to permit the use of hollow concrete block and Mr Palliser had presented a drinking fountain for Caroline Bay (perhaps as a bit of a marketing stint). Just 6 years later, in 1912, Timaru was promoting itself as exporting ‘sunny-tempered people and hollow concrete building blocks, but retains large numbers of both for its own use’. Learn more here
Bricks: There were many brickmakers in South Canterbury. Harpn Exley )1832-1888 is recorded as Timaru's first brickmaker, preparing bricks for chimneys as early as 1859. In 1866 he was contracted to dig a well behind Bank of New Zealand at 4 shillings per foot. He arrived with his wife Susan Ellis and two year old son Albert on the Strathallan.
