By Roselyn Fauth
A wall on Beverly Road, Timaru. Photo Roselyn Fauth
The Man Who Changed Timaru’s Walls: Frank Palliser and the Hollow Block Revolution.
I spend a lot of time on Beverly Road waiting for my children after school. It is one of those in-between places where I wait for a few mintues. sometimes I check my emails, read the news etc... it was while waiting in the car that I began noticing Beverly Road's walls.
There are a surprising number of boundary and residential property walls along Beverly Road built from what looks like hand-cut bluestone. Timaru’s bluestone is basalt – volcanic rock formed by lava from the Waipouri / Mt Horrible volcanic complex that flowed toward what is now the coast 2 - 2.5 million years ago. This is the most recent volcanic activity in the South Isaland. A significant quarry operated at Centennial Park, and there were a few others dotted around town where basalt has been quarried.
"The most noticeable occurrence during the quarrying was the discovery of moa bones in 1889. They were found when rock was being removed for the building of the North Mole by Palliser and Co." - https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/editors-picks/8611892/Scenic-park-full-of-beauty-and-history
So I assumed these walls were carved from local stone... but when you look closer, you'll notice the faces are uniform and the surface pattern repeats. These are not hand-carved bluestone blocks... they are early hollow concrete blocks, and Timaru was remarkably quick to adopt the technology.
Then I remembered, a few years ago Win Parkes had told me about the Palliser block that was used on a public fountain. At the time I had reached out to Nigel Gilkinson who was an urban architect and chair of the Timaru Civic Trust. Nigel flicked me a link to learn more about the block: buildmagazine.org.nz/assets/PDF/Build127-86-Building-History-OnTheBlock.pdf
This link is a great headstart into the history hunting of the block. Here Build Magazine explains that in 1899, American inventor Harmon S. Palmer patented a machine to mould hollow concrete building blocks. In 1901 he patented a complete hollow concrete wall system. His design produced lighter blocks with internal cavities that reduced weight, improved insulation and allowed faster construction. By 1906, around 1,000 companies in the United States were manufacturing hollow concrete blocks using similar machines.
Niels Nielsen establishes the Wellington Hollow Concrete Building Block Company and uses the patented Palmer’s system (under licence) in New Zealand in 1904–1905 (New Zealand Patent No. 17,649 issued 11 March 1904 and later No. 19,038 on 18 May 1905) as a nominee of the Harmon S. Palmer Hollow Concrete Building Block Company.
The Wellington Hollow Concrete Building Block Company built a warehouse and several houses at Lyall Bay in Wellington in 1904, and these are described as among the earliest hollow concrete block buildings in the country.
By 1906, Mr Frank Palliser – a Timaru builder – had imported a Palmer’s machine. He was a Timaru builder originally from Yorkshire who had been resident here since 1880. The Timaru Borough Council amended its building bylaw to permit hollow concrete block construction. Palliser began manufacturing what were described as “hollow compound blocks” locally.
The moulds produced repeating rock-faced designs, specialised corner blocks and uniform dimensions. That repeating pattern is exactly what you see on Beverly Road.
News in Brief
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6769, 11 January 1906, Page 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19060111.2.8
Looking through the Timaru District Councils heritage reports, I could see that Palliser was a respected contractor. In 1893 he was the contractor for Elloughton Grange on Pages Road, designed by architect Maurice de Harven Duval. He also built the Salvation Army Barracks and several hotels across South Canterbury.
By 1912, Timaru was promoting itself as exporting “sunny-tempered people and hollow concrete building blocks” while retaining plenty for local use.
Win Parkes had told me that the Palliser's used the basalt rock dust, which I assume was a bi-product from the quarries to create the block, giving it a bluestone character look.
IMPROVED MACHINE FOR MOULDING HOLLOW CONCRETE BUILDING-BLOCKS
This invention relates to certain improvements in mechanism of that class employed in the manufacture of building blocks from concrete and similar materials and has for its principal object to provide an improved machine whereby blocks of any desired shape and size may be made with less time arid labour than with the mechanisms ordinarily employed for the purpose. A further object of the invention is to so construct the machine that it may be employed for the manufacture of corner bricks and for bricks in which the exposed faces are arranged at different angles as employed for bay windows and similar struc tures as well as to manufacture bricks of the ordinary type and a further object is to provide for the adjustment of the parts in such manner as to permit the manufacture of bricks in half quarter and other sections and to vary the size of such bricks as may be required in length or width. A still further object of the invention is to provide for the adjust ment of the cores both as to shape and size and to further provide for the adjustment of the cores to any desired point within the mould box. A still further object of the inven tion is to provide for the more secure interlocking of the movable sides and ends of the mould box and at the same time permitting the ready adjustment of such securing de vices to locked and unlocked positions. A still further object of the invention is to provide for the employment of remov able bottom plates of non corrosive material which when the blocks are stored for tempering or drying will not combine with the oxide usually formed on the metallic supporting plates in ordinary use [. NOTE. The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims ] ( Specification 18s drawings 4s ). Pages from 19038 - Complete Specifications https://app.iponz.govt.nz/app/Extra/IP/Mutual/Browse.aspx?sid=639068374572198353
"The Palliser Fountain was built from hollow compound block which the building firm Palliser and Sons then produced. This drinking fountain was presented by Mr Frank Palliser in 1905, and moved to its present site in 1937. It was originally equipped with four water jets and chained drinking cups (later removed and one is at the SC Museum). The water now disconnected." There are many walls around down built from the same block. - Discovering Timaru Book, written by Wyn Parkes.
If the block looks familiar, you may have noticed it at the fountain.
In 1906, Frank Palliser presented a drinking fountain to Caroline Bay, constructed from his hollow block. It originally featured four water jets and chained metal drinking cups. You can still see the fountain today and spy its decorative metal lions on each of the four sides of the structure. It stood alongside the Borough’s improvements to the Bay, which included the 1904 band rotunda, 1905 tearooms, later pavilions, tennis courts, playgrounds and saltwater baths.
The fountain symbolised civic generosity, modern materials and public health optimism... and reading between the lines, was probably a marketing tool to demonstrate the block, as the same year he donates the fountain he had imported Palmer's machine.
A postcard featuring an image of Caroline Bay and the Caroline Bay rotunda, Timaru, taken between 1912 and 1913. Taken from the cliff near the south end of the Bay looking across the 'new' Piazza, Palliser fountain (obscured), and the existing rotunda. The foot of Evans Street, near the Bay viaduct is also visible in the background. Bears a standard divided verso, unused apart from a pen note identifying the location. South Canterbury Museum 2011/037.22
South Canterbury Museum 2004_026_03_#21
Public drinking fountains were super popular... but public health thinking changed over time.
On 7 January 1939, the Timaru Herald published an article titled “Strange New Year ‘Gift’.” The four chained iron cups had been forcibly removed from the fountain, wrapped in brown paper and anonymously delivered to the newspaper office. An accompanying typed letter described the shared cups as a potential source of disease and criticised the Borough Council for tolerating what it called a menace to health. Tuberculosis and infectious illness were specifically referenced.
The cups were not replaced, so maybe that was the end to the public drinking fountain's cups. Apparently one of the original cups is now held by the South Canterbury Museum, another side quest to follow up.
According to a council heritage report, the fountain was relocated in 1937. Maybe it wasn't hooked up to the water main and this could explain why its more a sculpture these days than a fountain.
STRANGE NEW YEAR "GIFT ”
Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21238, 7 January 1939, Page 10
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/timaru-herald/1939/01/07/10
So... what began as a glance at a wall on Beverly Road like many of my curious moments, went from a side quest to learning about something much larger.
A block wall, is part of a story of volcanic geology, imported American patents, amended local bylaws, early industrial manufacturing in Timaru, civic philanthropy at Caroline Bay, changing ideas about hygiene, and the quiet durability of material innovation.
Once you notice the blocks, like me, you will start to notice it all around Timaru. I wonder if you have a Palliser block at your home?
Could this be their home? 169 North Street is said to be the Palliser home according to Timaru History and Memories. Their son who served in the war, was listed as the son of Frank and Margaret Palliser of Saltburn House, North Street.
Side Quest: The Builder’s Son
While following the story of Timaru builder Frank Palliser and his hollow concrete blocks, I came across another name. William Palliser.
According to the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Cenotaph database, William Palliser was born in Timaru on 12 July 1892, the son of Frank and Margaret Palliser of Saltburn House on North Street. His occupation at enlistment was recorded simply as “builder”, suggesting he had followed his father into the trade.
On 16 October 1914, he embarked from Lyttelton with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion as part of the Main Body. His service number was 6/525. The Cenotaph record notes that he served at Gallipoli, then in Egypt and France. Over the course of the war he rose from Private to Regimental Sergeant Major.
William died on 11 November 1918, aged 26. The Cenotaph entry records his place of death as Featherston, New Zealand. He is buried at Featherston Cemetery and is commemorated locally on the Timaru Memorial Wall and on a memorial plaque at St Mary’s Church, Timaru, as recorded in the South Canterbury Museum collection.
I think there is something sobering about that connection... a father shaping streets with brick, plaster and later hollow concrete blocks... and then their son shaping his life around the same craft, then leaving to fight in a war that redefined a generation. Did Frank think he was creating a business his son would later inherit?
The Caroline Bay fountain that Frank presented in 1906 still stands. The memorial gates in Temuka remain in place. The blocks on Beverly Road still hold the bank back off the road.
According to the official records, he was 26 years old. He died on 11 November 1918, the same day the Armistice was signed. I wonder what he died from, maybe there is a link to influenza during the 1918 pandemic, which devastated military camps in New Zealand in October and November 1918. From a google search it seems Featherston Camp was heavily affected by influenza at that time. - https://museum.timaru.govt.nz/explore/scroll/profile?id=2038
Fun Facts About Hollow Concrete Blocks in New Zealand (1904–1910)
- Hollow concrete blocks sparked what was described as an American “revolution” in building technology at the turn of the twentieth century.
- The key innovator was Harmon S. Palmer, who began patenting block-making machines in 1899 and a hollow-block system in 1901.
- By 1905 Palmer held patents for seven different block-making machines, along with three face designs and three block designs.
- Palmer’s hollow concrete block system reached Wellington in 1904.
- New Zealand’s first hollow-concrete-block business operated from 1904 to 1906.
- That early firm constructed three houses and one retaining wall — and remarkably, all four structures are still standing.
- By 1910, hollow concrete blocks were being used commercially from Whangārei in the far north to Invercargill in the far south.
- Despite New Zealand being described at the time as “more British than Britain,” early promotional material for hollow blocks came from the United States.
- Machinery used in New Zealand was imported from both the UK and the USA.
- Unlike in America, where rock-faced blocks were popular, plain-faced blocks were more widely used in New Zealand.
- Block-making machinery in New Zealand was not marketed directly to enthusiastic amateurs, unlike some American promotions.
- Precast concrete blocks have existed since at least the 1830s.
- “Cast stone” — concrete used as a substitute for natural stone — was in use from the late 1860s.
- Early solid concrete blocks were extremely heavy. A typical block measuring 12 x 9 x 32 inches could weigh around 82 kilograms.
- Because of their weight, solid blocks often required hand-cranked derricks or cranes to lift them.
- The simplest solution to the weight problem was to reduce the amount of concrete inside the block — leading to hollow designs.
- The earliest hollow concrete block patent was granted in the UK in 1850 to Joseph Gibbs.
- A similar US patent followed in 1866, awarded to C.S. Hutchinson.
- These early patents did not lead to widespread production.
- Harmon S. Palmer spent about ten years experimenting, including building six houses in Chicago in 1897, before refining the modern hollow block system.
- Palmer’s first patent in 1887 was for a “Machine for Molding Building Blocks” — and it produced solid blocks, not hollow ones.
Cement building blocks - I found this photo on Facebook with no citaitons.
Sources
www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/673845/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI22-Elloughton-Grange-,-former-Grant-residence-Category-B.pdf
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/19628/Diary-of-Major-Events.pdf
https://www.buildmagazine.org.nz/assets/PDF/Build127-86-Building-History-OnTheBlock.pdf
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD19390107.2.62?items_per_page=10&query=caroline+bay+playground&snippet=true&title=THD&fbclid=IwY2xjawP--xVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJBRXR2cFBmSEV0RmlTT2Fjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiogrymbRCVvrhPKbvhIh7m4GKCfN_Nfm_INHG0FbwWyrx1bzHLoqIfHHFSc_aem_9YetvfizZVAvpcs0lo5vdQ
https://www.jstor.org/stable/44215899
https://kipdf.com/hiding-in-wellington-new-zealand-s-first-hollow-concrete-block-buildings_5ae780be7f8b9a8e0a8b460a.html
https://app.iponz.govt.nz/app/Extra/IP/Mutual/Browse.aspx?sid=639068374572198353
Built Heritage connected to the Palliser's
Coira’s Royal Hotel
75 King Street, Temuka
M de H Duval, architect; Messrs Clinch & Lloyd or Frank Palliser, contractors
Victorian commercial classicism
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/673938/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI116-Coira-s-Royal-Hotel-Category-B.pdf
Fallen Troopers’ Memorial gates, ticket box & Coronation fence
Temuka Domain
1903 (gates); 1911-12 (ticket box & fence)
James Turnbull, designer, HB Hall & Son, stonemason & Messrs Anderson & Co., metalwork (gates); Messrs Palliser & Sons (ticket box & Coronation fence)
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/673923/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI101-Fallen-Troopers-Memorial-Gates,-Ticket-Box-and-Coronation-Fence-Category-B-NEW.pdf
former Temuka Post Office
59 King Street, Temuka
James Baine, draughtsman, Public Works Department; F Palliser, contractor
Edwardian Baroque
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/673934/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI112-Former-Temuka-Post-Office-Category-B.pdf
"The former Temuka Post Office has technological and craftsmanship significance for the quality of its brick masonry construction and classical detailing. Frank Palliser was a Timaru builder and contractor who also erected ‘Elloughton Grange’ for William Grant (1893, heritage item # 5). Palliser built Timaru’s Salvation Army Barracks and erected hotels in Timaru, Fairlie, Winchester and Pleasant Point. He was assisted in erecting the Temuka Post Office by Messrs W Petrie & Son."
Former Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association Wool and Grain Stores
1 Heaton Street, Timaru
FW Marchant for Messrs Meason & Marchant, architects; George Williams, builder (1888-89); Frank Palliser, contractor (1892)
Industrial classicism
The former Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association wool and grain stores have technological and craftsmanship significance for their brick construction and detailing. Timaru builder and contractor Frank Palliser was born in Yorkshire and learnt his trade in England before emigrating to New Zealand. He also built Timaru’s Salvation Army Barracks, hotels in Timaru, Temuka, Fairlie, Winchester and Pleasant Point, and ‘Elloughton Grange’ for William Grant (heritage item # 5, 1893).
Wolseley Hotel
133 Temuka-Orari Highway (cnr Baker Street), Winchester
FJ Wilson, architect; Charles Palliser, contractor
Edwardian commercial classicism
The Wolseley Hotel has technological and craftsmanship significance for its Victorian brick masonry construction and classical plaster detailing. The contractor Charles Palliser (c.18461916) was a partner in the firm Palliser and Jones from 1885. The firm later operated in Napier and Wellington. Temuka builder Alexander Frew erected the 1903 addition.
https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/673831/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI8-Wolseley-Hotel-Category-B-NEW.pdf
former Evans Atlas Flour Milling Company Grain Stores and Mill
34-36 Turnbull Street, Timaru
c.1879, 1888, 1895 & 1897 +
James Hislop, architect (1888 & 1897); Palliser & Jones, contractors (1888)
Industrial/commercial classicism
The former Evans Atlas Flour Milling Company grain stores and mill have technological and craftsmanship significance for their brick construction and detailing. Thomas Jones and Charles Palliser commenced their building partnership in late 1885 and the firm later operated in Napier and Wellington.
former Quinn’s Buildings / Werry’s Hotel
.1 Cains Terrace & 9 George Street, Timaru
M de H Duval, architect; Jones & Palliser, builders
Victorian commercial classicism
The former Quinn’s Buildings have technological and craftsmanship significance for their brick masonry construction and the quality of the structure’s classical detailing. Thomas Jones and Charles Palliser commenced their building partnership in late 1885 and the firm later operated in Napier and Wellington. Mr Godfrey of Dunedin carved the Oamaru stone capitals atop the Timaru bluestone columns on the first floor. The Godfrey family of master cavers are best known for their work on Larnach’s Castle (1871-76) on Otago Peninsula.