By Roselyn Fauth
The Oxford Building on the corner of Stafford and George Streets is one of Timaru’s most recognisable commercial landmarks. Completed in late 1925 for D.C. Turnbull & Co., the four-storeyed structure replaced earlier buildings long associated with the Turnbull family and the site known locally as “Gabites’ Corner”. Behind its construction stood two architects whose partnership shaped a large part of Timaru’s interwar townscape: James Stuart Turnbull and Percy Watts Rule. This article brings together the verified historical record of their careers, their partnership, and the role each played in the design tradition that produced the Oxford Building.
Illustrations of James Turnbull and Percy Watts Rule properties - by Roselyn Fauth - copyright 2025. The firm also designed the Timaru Boys’ High School War Memorial Library (1924), the A.M.P. Society building, St John’s Church at Highfield, the Anglican Church at Cave, major blocks of the Timaru Public Hospital including the gold-medal-winning Surgical Block (1939), the Timaru Technical College, and numerous private residences and commercial buildings throughout South Canterbury.
James Stuart Turnbull (1864–1947)
James S. Turnbull was born in Timaru in 1864, the first of Richard and Mary Hepzibah Turnbull’s children to be born in Timaru, New Zealand. His father, a merchant and later Member of Parliament for Timaru, had established the original wooden Clarkson & Turnbull store on this same corner in the 1860s.
Turnbull’s architectural training began with several years as a builder’s apprentice. He then studied under Christchurch architect R. W. England, one of Canterbury’s leading practitioners. After gaining practical experience in New Zealand, he worked in the offices of established Melbourne architects, including Crouch & Son and F. W. Grey. This period exposed him to the architectural approaches then emerging in Australia, including Arts and Crafts principles of proportion, craftsmanship, and functional planning.
On returning to Timaru in the mid-1890s, Turnbull established his own practice. Over the next four decades he designed a broad range of buildings that contributed significantly to the development of the town’s commercial and civic centre. Confirmed works include:
- D.C. Turnbull & Co. Offices, Strathallan Street (1901)
- Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth Place (1903–04)
- Craigie’s Pareora Buildings, Stafford Street (c.1901)
- Grosvenor Hotel reconstruction, Cains Terrace (1915)
- Multiple villas and commercial premises across central Timaru
His work was characterised by sound proportions, brick construction, and an emphasis on durable materials.
When the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) was founded in 1905, Turnbull was elected a Fellow, recognising both his experience and his contribution to the profession. He later served on the NZIA Council, reflecting his status among architects nationwide.
Turnbull continued practising until the 1930s. He died in Timaru in 1947, aged 83, leaving a substantial body of work throughout the region.
Grave of James Stuart Turnbull (1864–1947) and Katharine Turnbull (1878–1972). James Stuart Turnbull passed away on 9 June 1947, aged 82, and was interred the following day in the Timaru Cemetery. His wife, Katharine Turnbull, of Bidwill Hospital, Seaview, Timaru, died on 10 December 1972, aged 94, and was laid to rest beside him in the General Section, Row 130, Plot 430. - Photo Roselyn Fauth 2025
Percy Watts Rule (1888–1953)
Percy W. Rule was born in Napier in 1888 and moved with his family to Timaru in 1890. He attended Timaru Main School and Timaru Boys’ High School, where he won a Junior Scholarship. After completing schooling, he apprenticed with G. O. Clayton, a local builder, gaining practical construction experience similar to Turnbull’s early pathway.
In 1907, Rule joined the office of James S. Turnbull as a junior. Over the next twelve years he progressed: first assistant, senior draughtsman, and in 1919, partner. The partnership became known as Turnbull & Rule. He took over the firm when James restired.
Architectural work
During the 1920s and 1930s, Rule became the firm’s principal designer. His known works include:
- Timaru Boys’ High School War Memorial Library (1924)
- Temuka Public Library (1926–27)
- St James’ Anglican Church, Franz Josef (1928–31)
- St Mary’s Parish Hall, Church Street, Timaru (1928–29)
- Additions to the Bank Street Methodist Church (1930)
- Surgical Block, Timaru Public Hospital (1936–40)
The Surgical Block, completed in 1939, was widely praised for its modern planning and construction. In 1940 Turnbull & Rule received the NZIA Gold Medal, the highest national architectural award, for the building’s design. The Royal Institute of British Architects confirmed the award through its judging process.
Rule was a Fellow of the NZIA and later served as its Secretary. Beyond architecture he held leadership positions in several cultural and civic organisations, including the South Canterbury Historical Society, Timaru Choral Society, New Zealand Numismatic Society, and the New Zealand Ex Libris Society. His private rare-book collection, known as the Earlham Library, was one of the most significant in the region.
Rule died in 1953, aged 64.
Clara Jenkins Rule (died 23 March 1940, aged 76), Kathleen Ann Rule (died 5 January 1952, aged 60), and Percy Watts Rule (died 17 May 1953, aged 64) — all remembered together in Timaru Cemetery, Section General, Row 34, Plot 389. - Photo Roselyn Fauth 2025
Turnbull & Rule: The Partnership
The partnership of Turnbull & Rule, formalised in 1919, combined Turnbull’s long experience with Rule’s emerging modern approach. Their work spanned commercial premises, churches, public buildings, and residential homes across South Canterbury. Their design approach blended Edwardian commercial classicism with a gradual move toward the simplified geometry that would later characterise interwar architecture. This combination is evident in buildings such as:
- Timaru Boys’ High School Memorial Library
- St Mary’s Parish Hall
- The Surgical Block, Timaru Hospital
- Temuka Public Library
- The Oxford Building sits within this evolution.
1916 Exterior view of the Grosvenor Hotel, Timaru, circa 1916, photographed by Frederick George Radcliffe. Timaru. F.G.R. 5553 - National Library 1/2-006876-G & hocken.recollect.co.nz/52786 No known copyright or other restrictions on use exist in this image.
1915 Looking down Stafford Street in Timaru, circa 1915, with shops lining both sides of the street. The shop second in from the right, with the ornate facade, is the business of T & J Thomson. Cars, horse drawn carriages and bicycles can also be seen on the street. Taken by Frederick George Radcliffe. Tiaki IRN: 133640 Tiaki Reference Number: 1/2-006892-G Collection: PA-Group-00408: Radcliffe, Frederick George, 1863-1923 : New Zealand post card negatives
St Mary's Hall by Turnbull & Rule.
Former Timaru Milling Company Office
HNZ List Number: (not listed) – Category:B
1941-42 1941
Architects: Turnbull & Rule
Architectural Style: Art Deco Moderne
1 Stafford Street, Timaru
Gabites Corner, Timaru, N.Z.. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 17/04/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23620 The tall AMP building was designed by Turnbull & Rule
Gates of the timaru cemetery designed by James Turnbull - his fathers monument is the white oblisk - Photo Roselyn Fauth 2025
The Aigantighe Art Gallery, attributed to James Turnbull.
Blue Heritage plaque for the Aigantighe Art Gallery
Hampton House