By Roselyn Fauth - based on obituary from the Aoraki Heritage Archive.
I’ve spent the past few years tracing the Turnbull family — their buildings, their lives, their part in shaping Timaru’s early skyline. I’ve followed their story through streets, plaques, and the city’s old newspapers, building a picture of how one family left such an enduring architectural mark.
But one day, while scrolling through the Aoraki Heritage Archive at the Timaru Library, I came across an obituary clipped from a 1953 newspaper. The headline simply read: “Timaru Community Was Well Served by Mr P. W. Rule.”
Until then, Percy Watts Rule had been just a second name in the partnership of Turnbull & Rule — in my mind, a presence beside the Turnbull legacy I’d come to know so well. But this obituary was something else entirely. It wasn’t just a list of buildings and titles. It was a portrait of a man who was deeply cultured, endlessly curious, and loved by his community.
The more I read, the more I realised how much of Timaru still bears his touch — and how much of his story has quietly slipped through the cracks of time. So this is my attempt to learn about him, and help share his story and impact...
Percy Watts Rule was born in Napier on 4 October 1888, the eldest son of Alexander P. and Clara J. Rule, Scottish settlers from Paisley who arrived in Timaru in 1890. Percy attended the Anglican Church, and was educated at Timaru Main School and Timaru Boys’ High School, where he won a Junior Scholarship — a sign of the determination and intellect that would shape his life.
After leaving school, he apprenticed with G. O. Clayton, a local builder. The skills he learned there — attention to craft, a feel for proportion, and respect for materials — would stay with him throughout his architectural career.
In 1907, he joined the office of James S. Turnbull, one of Timaru’s leading architects. Percy started as a junior, rose to first assistant, and in 1919, was made a partner. Together, they formed Turnbull & Rule, a partnership that would define South Canterbury’s interwar architecture. This was the same year Percy's father died in January 1919.
The Turnbull & Rule Years
Turnbull and Rule were responsible for many of Timaru’s best-known buildings. Their designs blended timeless classical composition with modern sensibility. The pair created schools, churches, and commercial buildings that still anchor the town’s streetscape today.
Their portfolio included:
Timaru Boys’ High School War Memorial Library (1924) — a small but exquisite memorial to 52 Old Boys who lost their lives in WWI.
Temuka Library (1926–27).
St James’ Anglican Church, Franz Josef (1928–31).
The Oxford Building (1924–25), commissioned by David Clarkson Turnbull and now celebrating its 100th year.
By the late 1920s, Percy had become the principal designer within the firm. His architectural voice was assured — clean lines, symmetry, and subtle ornament that carried both dignity and warmth.
The Oxford Building, with its pastel façade, sunrise parapets, and Union Jack motifs, perfectly captured that spirit. It represented optimism after war and hardship — a balance between restraint and celebration.
Though built several years before the 1931 Napier earthquake, the Oxford’s geometric composition and rhythmic ornamentation suggest that Percy was already exploring ideas that would later define New Zealand’s Art Deco era. It’s tempting to think he would have been fascinated by the Napier rebuild — a national conversation about modernism, colour, and renewal that echoed his own instincts.
A Life of Culture and Curiosity
The more I read about Percy, the more it became clear he wasn’t just an architect — he was a collector of beauty in every form. His obituary describes him as “known nationally as an architect and internationally as a connoisseur.”
He loved music, art, natural history, and astronomy. He was an active member of the Timaru Choral Society, and his home was said to be filled with paintings, antiques, and rare books.
In fact, his private collection — known as the Earlham Library — was legendary. It included some of the rarest printed works in New Zealand:
A Koburger Bible (1480) bound in blind-tooled pigskin.
A Bugge Bible (1549) and a Breeches Bible (1602).
A Harrison’s Bible (1562) printed in black letter.
A Fourth Folio Shakespeare, bound in panelled Morocco.
More than 130 editions of The Rubaiyat and over 100 works by Oscar Wilde.
Fifteenth-century illuminated manuscripts with coloured initials and burnished gold.
He also maintained a numismatic cabinet, collecting coins and medals, and created a special section devoted to A. Edward Newton, the famed American bibliophile. Percy even bound many of his own volumes in full-tooled leather — the mark of a true craftsman and lifelong learner.
Family and Home
Percy was born in Napier, and married Kathleen (Kathie) Rulein 1914. According to his grandson Michael Norris, and they made their home at 75 Avenue Road - (Just been demolished a few months ago in 2025). Percy's brother Cyril Rainsford served in World War I. - https://museum.timaru.govt.nz/explore/scroll_kiosk/scroll/profile he died in Timaru and is buried with his wife Kathleen.
Service and Recognition
Percy believed architecture should serve people. His community involvement was extraordinary:
President, South Canterbury Historical Society
Vice-President, Timaru Choral Society
Past-President, Timaru Philatelic Society
Vice-President, New Zealand Numismatic Society
Vice-President, New Zealand Ex Libris Society
Secretary, South Canterbury Art Society
Honorary Architect, Kindergarten Association and Y.W.C.A.
He was also active in the Timaru Beautifying Association, Horticultural Society, Craighead Diocesan School Board, and the South Canterbury Advisory Committee for Adult Education.
Professionally, Percy achieved what few regional architects did. He was a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), later serving as its Secretary — a role that placed him at the heart of his profession.
In 1939, he received the NZIA Gold Medal, the country’s highest architectural honour, for his design of the Surgical Block at Timaru Hospital — a structure admired for its grace, light, and human scale.
Final Years and Farewell
Percy’s wife Kathleen passed away in 1952, and he followed a year later, on 4 June 1953, aged 64. His funeral was held at St Mary’s Anglican Church, where Archdeacon W. W. Averill spoke of him as “one of Timaru’s most respected and valued citizens.”
The service was attended by civic leaders, colleagues, and friends from every organisation he had supported. Afterward, the cortege travelled to Christchurch, where the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan, Dean of Christchurch, conducted the cremation. Percy’s ashes are not recorded in the Timaru Cemetery, likely resting in Canterbury.
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.
Legacy
By the time of his death, Percy’s architectural signature was woven into Timaru’s identity — from schools and churches to civic landmarks. His designs, whether public or private, reflected the same care, proportion, and subtle beauty that defined his character.
Many South Canterbury families still live in Turnbull & Rule homes — houses that were well thought out, solidly built, and crafted to last. His buildings remind us that architecture, at its best, is both art and service.
As Archdeacon Averill said in his eulogy: “In his profession as an architect, he has left behind him a contribution to the aesthetic beauty of the community in which he lived, which will serve as a permanent memorial to his imaginative genius and his passion for correctness of detail.”
A century later, I can see that this remains true.
Archdeacon Pays Tribute To Mr P W Rule As Citizen (May 1953). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 04/11/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1057
Describing him as one of Timaru’s most respected and most valued citizens, the Ven. W. W. Averill, Archdeacon of Timaru, paid tribute to the late Mr P. W. Rule at a funeral service in St. Mary’s Church yesterday morning. The Archdeacon was assisted in the service by the Rev. R. P. Andrews, Vicar of St. John’s, Highfield, and the large congregation included the Mayor, Mr W. L. Richards, and representatives of the many organisations with which Mr Rule was connected during his long residence in Timaru.
“In the passing of Percy Watts Rule, the district has lost one whose interest in the cultural life of the community has been profound, if not unequalled,” said Archdeacon Averill. “In his profession as an architect he has left behind him a contribution to the aesthetic beauty of the community in which he lived which will serve as a permanent memorial to his imaginative genius and his passion for correctness of detail. I would refer only to such gems of architectural symmetry as the Timaru Boys’ High School Memorial Library, St. John’s Church, Highfield, the new Anglican Church at Cave, the carved oak work which you see in this church and a magnificent carved screen which will be erected between the chancel and the chapel within the next few weeks.”
“But apart from his contribution to Timaru and South Canterbury as a designer of beautiful buildings and interior decoration, who could possibly assess adequately the value to New Zealand of the many pursuits and interests which somehow Mr Rule found time to cultivate and foster?” continued Archdeacon Averill. “To each and every one of his many interests he always gave his complete attention and the full measure of a discerning mind, ripe wisdom and mature judgement.”
“But most of all, perhaps, Percy Rule will be remembered for his gracious unassuming personality, his dislike for ostentation, his agreeable manner and ready smile which endeared him personally to an amazingly wide and diverse circle of friends and fellow workers,” said the Archdeacon. “Our sympathy goes out in all sincerity to the members of his family. We can assure them that we, the citizens of Timaru and South Canterbury, are united with them in mourning the loss of a distinguished fellow citizen and trusted friend.”
After the service the funeral left for the Christchurch crematorium, where the service was conducted by the Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan. The bearers at the church were Messrs H. G. Naylor (Dunedin), W. Hart-Smith, E. O. Hall, G. H. Andrews, R. A. Heaney and John Arthur.
High Honour Won Timaru Architects: Dominion Gold Medal Public Hospital Design (12 Apr 1940). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 04/11/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/7619
HIGH HONOUR WON
Timaru Architects
Dominion Gold Medal
Public Hospital Design
Advice has been received from London that the jury of the Royal Institute of British Architects has awarded the New Zealand 1939 gold medal for a building of exceptional merit to Messrs Turnbull and Rule, of Timaru, who designed the Surgical Block at the Timaru Public Hospital which was opened on June 30, 1939.
The advice was forwarded by telegram by Mr J. M. Dawson, president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, who conveyed his congratulations to Messrs Turnbull and Rule.
The competition, which was inaugurated some years ago by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, was introduced with a view to encouraging excellence of design in architecture. The Institute agreed to award a gold medal annually for the design of a building of exceptional merit. The die for the medal, together with the first medal, were presented to the Institute by the late Mr Alfred Atkins, a former president.
Drawings, including elevations and photographs, are forwarded to the Royal Institute of British Architects in London which nominates a jury to make the award.
South Island recipients of the gold medal have been very few, North Island architects winning the larger number. The late Mr Herbert Hall, of Timaru, won the gold medal for his design of St. David’s Memorial Church at Cave.
Building Described
The Surgical Block at the Timaru Public Hospital was built and equipped at a cost of £53,000, and in the words of Mr E. Macdonald, chairman of the South Canterbury Hospital Board at the opening ceremony, is “the last word in hospital buildings in New Zealand.” Designed in long straight lines the building is a striking example of modern construction with no waste of ornamentation. The large area of windows is a feature and the sympathetic treatment of the tower blends tastefully with the whole.
The building, which accommodates 76 patients, is 220ft long with an average width of 40ft. It comprises three storeys and a basement, and is carried out in reinforced concrete earthquake resisting construction faced with brickwork.
The building provides for 26 patients in the men’s surgical ward on the ground floor, 26 in the women’s surgical ward on the first floor and 24 in the maternity ward on the top floor. The nursery accommodates 24 cots. In addition to the wards and services, the building includes a complete X-ray block, a comprehensive operating suite and an ante-natal clinic. The basement contains a complete training unit for the nurses with separate lobby and hall, large lecture room 40ft by 31ft, a smaller lecture room 24ft by 11ft and a tutor sister’s office and a demonstration room.
Hazel NORRIS Obituary NORRIS, Hazel Ewing - On February 19 2013, very peacefully, in Christchurch, in her 98th year. Dearly loved wife, and widow of the late Archdeacon Harold Norris (died 1969), and treasured mother of Paul and Michael. Much loved mother-in-law of Caroline and Patsy, and beloved grandmother to Hamish, Rachel, Rebecca, George and James. The family wish to thank the wonderful staff of Bishopspark and Diana Isaac Retirement Village for their devoted care of Hazel in recent times. In lieu of flowers, Hazel's wish was that any donations offered should be made to the Christchurch City Mission, one of her favourite charities. A Funeral service in celebration of Hazel's life will be held in the Christ's College Chapel, This Day (Monday), at 3.00 p.m.
My Reflection
Reading through the obituary written at the time, I couldn’t help but feel grateful to the unknown author who so carefully captured his achievements, his kindness, and his love of learning. Their words, preserved today in the Aoraki Heritage Archive, have allowed history hunters like me to rediscover Percy’s life and legacy — and to see the man behind the buildings that still give Timaru its grace and character. The Oxford still stands, bright in the sun — its pastel parapets catching the light, its Union Jacks a nod to the time it was built. The War Memorial Library at Timaru Boys’ High School still inspires quiet respect. And tucked into the hillsides and tree-lined streets of South Canterbury are countless homes shaped by Percy’s hand.
Aren’t we lucky, in Timaru, to have built heritage like this — architecture that reminds us who we are, and of the people like Percy Watts Rule, who helped build it.