In a few special circumstances, peoples homes were generously gifted to the people of the Timaru District in a pioneering spirit to help establish public buildings. There used to be a house called Linwood (or sometimes spelt with an Y Lynwood) House has a fascinating history, and although it is long gone from the corner of George and Latter Streets in Timaru, it's legacy remains. A bold gift to the community thanks to a hard working committee and a grant from wealthy steel merchant Carnigie. Next time you are visiting the Library wander down the road a block to the Council building. If you look closely today you will see "Library" formed from Oamaru stone and a gentleman's face looking out from an arch.
Linwood house is the site of the present day Council Buildings but it used to be home to Elizabeth Rhodes, who was one of the first European women to settle in South Canterbury. In 1854 she rode down as part of a group that included her husband, George Rhodes. It took seven days, through trackless tussock and across un-bridged rivers. A courageous journey for a young, newly married English girl and an adventure, to ride along a route that no European woman had traveled before.
George and Elizabeth moved into a small cottage that sat on Timaru’s shoreline. Today it is the site of our Landing Service Building. After a short time here they moved to The Levels Station where they spent many happy years raising their family and living a pioneering life in a fairly basic slab hut.
George Rhodes and his brothers profited from the growth of Timaru by selling their sections of land in the town center. They also contributed to community life: St Mary's Church (Anglican) at Timaru was built between 1860 and 1861 on land given by them, and George was one of the first wardens. George was also a justice of the peace and a member of local committees and institutions. George's life was productive but brief. He died of typhoid fever at Purau on 18 June 1864 at the young age of 47. In Timaru, street names such as George Street and Elizabeth Street honor the Rhodes family still.
The Levels was sold but, determined not to leave the region she had such happy memories of, Elizabeth and her five young children lived in their town home "Linwood House" which stood behind the present Council chambers.
In 1867 Elizabeth married Arthur Perry, a charming young barrister from Tasmania who had commenced a law practice in Timaru. They remained at Linwood until 1873 when they purchased Beverley from Henry Le Cren. A large house on 8 hectares of land at the junction of Wai-iti Rd and the Great North Road, now Highway 1. It was to become a garden of note in the district.
"Timaru Herald - 18 March 1874 NOTICE ANY PERSON found Trespassing on the Grounds at Linwood House (the late residence of A. Perry, Esq., will be prosecuted. GEORGE STEPHENS"
The famous Champaign tree was a little sapling that grew for three years before being carted to The Beverly growing to become Timaru's tallest tree.
Timaru Herald - 7 October 1899 Latter Street presents several sorts of busy-ness just now. The Corporation men are cutting down the hip of the street itself. Mr Broadhead is building a good sized cottage on the former site of the Linwood stable yard, just at the rear of the Trinity Church; and Mr Pringle is pulling down the old Linwood house; one of the earliest of pretentious wooden houses in Timaru.
At some point we think it was home to J Jackson because of a photo in book the Jubilee History of South Canterbury." 1916. TIMARU, July 17 Mr John Jackson, aged 72, an old identity and prominent citizen, died this morning. Deceased had extensive sawmiliing, timber, and coal interests in South Canterbury. He was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1837, and came to Timaru in 1863 in the ship Victory. In 1867 he started as a timber merchant, and ably guided his business, which became one of the largest in the town. Mr Jackson was agent for the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, and the Commercial Union Assurance Company. In 1890, along with two others, he bought out the Belford flour mills. Mr Jackson served on the Timaru Borough Council seventeen years as a Councillor, and four years as mayor. He was a member of different School Committees, a member of the Timaru High School Board, chairman of the South Canterbury Education Board, chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, chairman of the Timaru Cemetery Board, and a member of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. His death will be a severe loss to South Canterbury." - Press 19 July 1909 Page 8 MR JOHN JACKSON
The mechanics institute and public library
Up until 1862 a sum of $261 pounds had been spent by the provincial government on public buildings in Timaru. There were temporary immigration barracks at Peeress Town, a goal (to become the site for Century Pool and later a gymnasium) and a Resident Magistrate's office. A reading room had been opened on 7th April 1862 in the School House on Barnard Street. John Reilly acted at the Honorary Secretary. After a public meeting a Mechanics Institute and Public Library was formed. A Cox was elected Patron, R Wilkin President, W.H Simms Vice President, R.A Chisholm Treasurer, J Beswick Auditor and the committee consisted of G Rhodes, Chairman, H J Le Cren, J Ellis, C.R Shaw, Spencer Percival, H Belfeild, Butler, Rose, French and Simpson. Shares were $1 pound each. The building to be erected was to be suitable as a town hall as well as a Mechanics Institute and Library. The superintendent was to be memorialized by a grant for $1000 pounds towards the building. Two reading rooms were opened 1862 in M. Durands house, while the community set aside a fund for a new library.
George Rhodes offered a site for the building but it was declined because the government had already granted a section 131 North Street for the purpose of a library in Government town. It was vested in by Belfield Woollcombe (Of Ashbury House) and Thomas Hall as trusties. (If you think that name Hall is familiar, it's because he murdered his father in law one of Timaru's early European residents and Mayor Captain Cain with poison). The building was enlarged and opened on 15th August 1870. Brand new books had arrived from London including a piano. The building was destroyed by fire on the 29th October 1880 during the progress of a bazaar in aid of the building of fund for St Mary's Church. All of the books were saved. The following year only 12 of the 147 subscribers lived in the South part of town. And so the Mayor at the time Captain J.H Sutter approached the government for a new site, however it was decided to rebuild on the old site. Timaru was still a town of two. A foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir Arthur Gordon 1881 but not much happened despite the best efforts to raise funds through lectures, bazaars, fancy dress balls.
New Mayor James Craigie (well known for his gift of trees along Craigie Ave) really got the ball rolling when the subscribes agreed to present the old building and its contents to the Council if it established a Municipal Library in a new building. The Council agreed and the Timaru Public Library Action 1906 was passed, All proceeds of the sale of the building and land of the old Institute to spent in books etc.
The name Carnegie might ring a bell. Perhaps you have heard of the Carnigie Hall? Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He became a leading philanthropist in the United States and in the British Empire. During the last 18 years of his life, he gave away almost 90% of his fortune. The first Carnegie library to open in the United States was in Braddock, Pennsylvania, about 9 miles up the Monongahela river from Pittsburgh. In 1889 it was also the site of one of the Carnegie Steel Company's mills. Timaru's Mayor wrote to Carnegie to apply for 3000 pounds construction funds and was successful. The new library would be one of 2508 libraries funded by Carnegie across the world. Twelve of the buildings remain in New Zealand today, with a number saved from demolition by the local communities they served. The contract for the construction was to Hunt and Werry 1908 for 2951 pounds. The foundation stone was laid by Craigie in June 1908 and the library opened a year later in June 1909. Everyone on the Districts Electors List was entitled to a membership. During the year 1910 there were 1263 borrowers of the books, 1760 the next year and 2075 the following year. The former institute building was handed over to the Borough who leased the building for the purposes of an electric surgery.
We also have a Carnegie pipe organ in Timaru - in St. George's Coptic church, the former Chalmers.
Timeline
1862 A reading room had been opened on 7th April 1862 in the School House on Barnard Street. Up until 1862 a sum of $261 pounds had been spent by the provincial government on public buildings in Timaru.
1862 Two reading rooms open in M. Durands house, while the community set aside a fund for a new library.
1860c Elizabeth and her five young children moved in to Timaru where they lived at "pretentious wooden" Linwood House, the site of the present City Council Chambers. This is just up the hill from where the beach cottage by the Landing Services Building was. George and Elizabeth first lived there when they moved to Timaru and it later became home to Samuel Williams also known as Yanki Sam.
1864 George Rhodes died at 47 years old
1867 Elizabeth married Arthur Perry, a young solicitor who had recently come to Timaru from Tasmania. He continued the practice of his profession.
1870 131 North Street had been set aside by the government for the purpose of a library in Government town. The building was enlarged and opened on 15th August 1870.
1873 Elizabeth and Arthur Perry bought the Beverly and Estate from Henry Le Cren on Wai-iti Rd. In this home, Elizabeth had four sons and a daughter from her second marriage.
1874 While in Timaru for the entire month of October 1874 Sir Whately Eliot did a set of sketches including Caroline Bay, "Lynwood" House, the Landing Place, Washdyke and "Ashbury." View artwork "View from Lynwood House, Timaru, N.Z., October 1874" here October is a lovely time to visit Timaru - gardens are at their peak and everything is so green as it is springtime. "NOTICE: ANY PERSON found Trespassing on the Grounds at Lynwood House (the late residence of A. Perry, Esq., will be prosecuted." GEORGE STEPHENS
1880 Brand new books arrived from London including a piano. The building was destroyed by fire on the 29th October during the progress of a bazaar in aid of the building of fund for St Mary's Church. All of the books were saved. it was decided to rebuild on the old site. Timaru was still a town of two. A foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir Arthur Gordon 1881 but not much happened despite the best efforts to raise funds
1890 Elizabeth Perry (whose first Husband was George Rhodes) and had lived at Linwood House, passed away at 59 10 July 1890.
1890 John Jackson died who once lived in Linwood House. He was a timber merchant. In 1890, along with two others, he bought out the Belford flour mills. Served on the Timaru Borough Council seventeen years as a Councillor, and four years as mayor.
1894 Arthur Perry passed away On April 21st, at Beverley, Timaru, Arthur Perry ; aged 58. Arthur Perry, solicitor, a very old resident of Timaru, died on Thursday. He served in the Provincial Council, and took a great interest in acclimatization and horticulture. He had lived with Elizabeth Rhodes/Perry before moving to The Beverley Estate.
1899 Latter Street presents several sorts of busy-ness just now. The Corporation men are cutting down the hip of the street itself. Mr Broadhead is building a good sized cottage on the former site of the Lynwood stable yard, just at the rear of the Trinity Church; and Mr Pringle is pulling down the old Lynwood house; one of the earliest of pretentious wooden houses in Timaru. - Timaru Herald - 7 October 1899
1906 Timaru Public Library Action 1906 was passed
1908 The foundation stone was laid by Mayor Craigie and building of the new library commenced in a Classical Corinthian style using stone from Oamaru. The architect was Walter Panton. The builders being Messrs Hunt and Werry, and the stonework by S. McBride.
1909 New Library on George Street opens. 4th June - Official opening of the Timaru Public Library on the present Timaru District Council site on George Street, it was built in Oamaru Stone. The Library was built with a 3,000 pound grant from the Carnegie Corporation (Andrew Carnegie) of New York and was designed by Walter Panton. The condition under which the money was given was that the reading rooms should be open to everyone and that the lending library should be free to ratepayers of the Borough. The Borough Council, however, considered that everyone who paid rent was indirectly a ratepayer, and it was decided the Library should be free to both rent payers and ratepayers. The Timaru Library is believed to be the first in the Dominion for which this concession was made. 1911 the Borough Municipal offices. "Hawera & Normanby Star, 4 June 1909, Page 5 Public Library for Timaru. Timaru, June 4. A public library, erected at a cost of 3000 pounds, a grant from Mr Carnegie, was formally opened yesterday afternoon by the Mayor, so far as the reading-room section is concerned. The library section is not yet completed. All the books of the Mechanics' Institute will be taken over, and the value of the Institute, assessed at 1300 pounds, will be spent on new books. The rate will bring in 500 pounds." "Otago Witness 23 June 1909, Page 31 The average daily attendance at the Carnegie Public Library for the week ended Saturday, June 19, was 580 persons."
1979 The Timaru District library building was built at 56 Sophia Street, Timaru in 1979, a Warren and Mahoney-designed building. District Libraries 1989: The Temuka and Geraldine borough, Strathallan county and Timaru City councils amalgamated in 1989 so it meant the libraries did too. Some come in to the library not to check out books but to use the internet; others simply use the library as a reading room to check out the latest newspapers, or as a place to meet friends.
2005 Internal building is gutted and rebuilt and no internal trace is visible of the first Timaru Public Library.
2010 The Timaru District's three libraries hold a combined 220,055 items. The Waimate Library holds about 25,000 items, while the Mackenzie Community Library in Fairlie has about 20,000 items. The Timaru District libraries have a total of 18 full-time staff, eight part-time staff and nine part time "Student shelvers"
Join the history hunt
Learn about the Champaign tree here: timarucivictrust.co.nz/a-pioneering-woman-a-tree-and-case-of-champagne
See the view from Elizabeth Rhodes house, Lynwood House in 1874. While in Timaru for the entire month of October 1874 Sir Whately Eliot was daily upon the beach adjacent to the municipality and did a set of sketches including Caroline Bay, "Lynwood" "Linwood" House, the Landing Place, Washdyke and "Ashbury." nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138582824/view
See Elizabeth Rhodes/Perry Cemetery Records: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemetery-search?BurialId=29736
Learn about Elizabeth and Arthur Perry's Beverley Estate: The first house at Beverley, a small cottage, was built by H.L. Le Cren in 1857. Beverley was built by Henry Le Cren in the 1860s and purchased by Mr and Mrs Arthur Perry in 1873. Perry was a solicitor practicing in Timaru who was keenly interested in gardening. Soon after Arthur Perry died in 1898 the Beverley homestead was sold to the Turnbull Bros. and the land subdivided. Arthur had married Elizabeth nee Wood, 12 February 1867, the widow of George Rhodes, a member of the pioneer Rhodes family of South Canterbury. Elizabeth (Rhodes) was the 1st white women to come across the Canterbury plains on horse back and the 2nd white women in the district. George and Elizabeth's first house was near where our harbor is today. http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nzlscant/beverley.htm
Read up about Andrew Carnegie: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library
View a photo of Linwood House in Papers Past published June 1924. The Bank Gully mentioned in the photograph from 1859 was mostly filled in and is that dip from the Royal Arcade down to behind Variety Lane: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/LinwoodHouse
Read the article written by Christopher Templeton for the Saturday Civic Trust Column May 2020: Andrew Carnegie was a man of contradictions. A 19th Century self made man, and described as the wealthiest man in the world (worth $557 billion NZD in to-days terms), he increased the working hours and decreased the wages of his workers so that he could give bigger philanthropic donations worldwide to his two projects, public libraries, and pipe organs inside churches. Timaru benefited with a donation for each project. After a year of negotiations with Carnegie by the Mayor James Craigie, a gift of £3,000 was promised. The architect Walter Panton designed the classical Corinthian order building which was started on the 10 March 1908, and opened on the 3rd June 1909, the builders being Messrs Hunt and Werry, and the stonework by S. McBride. It was built with a cellar, the ground floor housing the librarians office and public newspaper and magazine room. Upstairs had the Ladies and children’s room and the lending and reference library room. Over the main entrance is a bust of Craigie, carved by Mr Hood, (who carved most of the stonework on St. Mary’s Church). The library also benefited from a donation of £2,500 from the winding up of the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute, who also donated their extensive library and fittings to stock the library. As a condition of the Carnegie gift, the Council gifted the site to the public, and were to make the library free to all ratepayers. The Council considered that as a renter also paid rates by default, the library would be free to all residents within the boundary. With the gutting and rebuilding of the interior of the Council Buildings in 2005, there is now no internal trace of the first Timaru Public Library.
Learn more James Craigie: timaru.govt.nz/hall-of-fame/james-craigie
Timaru’s new Public Art Gallery came to being in 1956 after the Aigantighe House and Gardens were gifted by the Grant family. Interestingly, before James's political career, he completed an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator in Dunedin. Craigie purchased a large farm in Kingsdown, the house Craigielea was destroyed by fire. He represented the Timaru electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for 14 years from 1908 to 1922.
We see a J Craigie worked on the ten room house The Aigantighe in September 1899, we wonder if this was him?
He gave many gifts to the South Canterbury Art Society (1895-1928) to lay the foundation of the public collection for the future art gallery the Aigantighe. James Craigie was the Mayor for ten years, and President of SCAS. He gifted 5 artworks, Charles Goldie Memories, The Last of Her Tribe 1913. William Greene Scene in Surrey 1909. Thomas Kennington The Mother 1895. John Perrett Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki 1896. John Perrett Mt Cook from Lake Pukaki c.1896.
Date of birth: 1851 Perthshire in Scotland. Parents: James Craigie and Agnes Craigie (nee McFarlane). Married: Daughter of Alexander Orr of Country Donegal in 1875. Children: One son and 6 daughters. Died: 17 August 1935. Positions held: Chairman Kingsdown School Committee (11 years). Member South Canterbury Hospital Board (8 years). Chairman Timaru Harbour Board 1906-10. Timaru Borough Councillor 1901. Mayor Timaru Borough 1902-13. Member of Parliament 1908-22. Member Legislative Council 1922-29. Donations: Statue of Burns (Botanical Gardens). Oak Trees Craigie Avenue. Chimes for Town Clock 1913 (hung in Chief Post Office until 1933 then transferred to Municipal Buildings)
"Dominion, 18 May 1912, Page 4 ART GALLERY FOR TIMARU. MR. CRAIGIE'S PROPOSAL. The proposal to make a presentation Mr. J. Craigie, M.P., in recognition of his services as Mayor of Timaru, has brought about a possibility of an art gallery being established in that town. The citizens or Timaru have already subscribed about £150 for a presentation, and the committee, which has the matter in hand, recently approached Mr. Craigie with a view to ascertaining his views as to the form which the presentation should take. He replied that he did not desire to have money collected for him, and would be quite satisfied if they gave him an album of Timaru and South Canterbury views. As to the money collected he suggested that it should be set aside as the nucleus of a fund to provide for the establishment of an Art Gallery in Timaru. The principal, he considered, should remain intact, and the interest might be devoted as it accumulated to the purchase of pictures. The committee accepted Mr, Craigie's suggestion, its chairman (Mr. Bowie) declaring himself very sensible of the generous spirit in which the suggestion was made. Mr. Craigie hopes that, if art galleries are established in Timaru and other provincial towns, they will be able to temporarily borrow, from time to time, pictures acquired for the National Gallery in Wellington. In the Old Country many pictures are passed from gallery to gallery, and the number of people privileged to see them is thus largely increased."
Hawera & Normanby Star, 5 February 1913, Page 7 GENEROUS GIFT. TIMARU
The Post learns that Mr J. Craigie, M.P. is offering a generous gift to the citizens of Timaru. It is a very handsome Carara marble statue of Robert Burns, standing six feet high in a pedestal of Corormandel granite. Mr Craigie's gifts to the town during the ten years of tenancy of the mayoralty and since include a fine avenue of trees, valuable gifts for art gallery and chimes for the new post office clock.
Colonist, 19 June 1914, Page 5 A NEW ART GALLERY
Timaru, June 18. The Mayor (Mr Guinness) this afternoon formally opened the temporary Public Art Gallery. The collection now on view has been obtained by gifts to the borough, purchases by the Art Society, and permanent loans. Mr Craigie president of the society, today added gifts of a large painting "The Mother," which has been exhibited at Wellington, and one of Goldie s Maori portraits, "Memories." See the conservation video here
The Timaru Herald. Friday, June 19, 1914. TIMARU ART GALLERY
The South Canterbury Art Society has still only a temporary home for its collection, but it has a collection, worthy of admiration, though it is not extensive, and the long room of the Public Library in which its pictures are now hung will exhibit them to only less advantage than an Art Gallery specially built and lighted. "Art is long," quoted Mr Craigie at the pleasant opening ceremony yesterday afternoon the establishing of art galleries is long also, but remarkable progress has been made by Timaru in that direction in the last two years. When Mr Craigie announced that the proceeds of a public presentation made to him would be diverted to this purpose a strong start was given to the movement; Mr George Wells made some noble contributions to the "nucleus" later added to by others; art lovers in all parts of South Canterbury gave their best assistance to an exhibition held to raise more funds by the Art Society; and the result of very general efforts is the Art Gallery of which, as something more than a commencement, everyone has reason to feel proud. People can still give pictures to it; they cannot give too many if the pictures are as good as even the more modest of those now exhibited. We hope that the Art Society will not despise reproductions of great pictures, but increase the interest and educational value of the Gallery by this means, as often as it has some funds to spend, but not sufficient for the acquisition of new works. Admirable reproductions can be obtained of masterpieces the originals of which not one person in a thousand can ever expect to see. They need not be reproductions in colour, but if they are the wise artist will not judge such copies by the fact that they are "machine-made," but by the extent of their fidelity to the originals. He will recognize that even art galleries are not meant to serve artists alone, but thousands of people whose art sense can be stimulated, to their pleasure and advantage, by the beauty of a reproduction, without thinking how the beauty was produced. At the annual banquet of the Royal Academy a few weeks ago Lord Haldane made some remarks on education which are not without application to the Art Gallery which now exists in Timaru. "I feel," he said, "that a national system of education will not be complete unless it embraces in the spiritual education of the country education in art. Somewhere among the great democracy whom we have not yet reached there are hidden Joshua Reynoldses and Turners of the future. We have got to find them. All the State can do is to give them opportunity. lam sure they will get their development and completion in your schools much better than in State schools," Timaru's Art Gallery may not help to bring out the genius of a single Turner but next to the blessedness of producing Turner pictures is the blessedness of being able to appreciate them in the highest degree, and after that the blessedness of being able to appreciate them, and lesser pictures; in an intelligent degree, understanding, which comes largely from familiarity and comparison, adding always to enjoyment of these things. The Timaru Art Gallery will foster understanding and appreciation of works of art, and in doing that it will perform a service not to be lightly valued.
Learn more Andrew Carnegie: Born in 1835 to poor parents in Scotland, Andrew Carnegie became the richest man of his age. His family migrated to Al‑legheny, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and he immediately started work, at age 13, in a textile mill, earning $1.20 a week. nzgeo.com/carnegie-libraries HOW DOES ANDREW Carnegie relate to New Zealand? New Zealand acquired 18 Carnegie libraries, putting it fourth on Carnegie’s gift-list behind the USA, the UK and Canada, and well ahead of Australia, which got only four libraries. Of the 25 New Zealand town, borough and district councils that approached Carnegie for library grants, the fortunate 18 to receive funds were the councils of Balclutha, Gore, Dunedin, Alexandra, Fairlie, Timaru, Hokitika, Westport, Greymouth, Levin, Dannevirke, Marton, New Plymouth, Hastings, Cambridge, Thames, Hamilton and Onehunga. When Europeans began settling New Zealand, public libraries were still something of a novelty in Britain. For a new colonial settlement, founding a library was part and parcel of becoming an established, civilised community. Libraries often sprang up at the behest of a local athenaeum, literary group or Mechanics Institute, as in Britain. Membership was by subscription and all too often available only to the better-off members of society.
Mr. Water Panton (1848 -1931), architect, Timaru & Son. They left their mark. The older part of the Council Chambers, originally the Public Library, was designed by Walter Panton and officially opened in 1909. Walter PANTON was an architect especially in the construction of freezing works and lived in Timaru. The firm Walter Panton and Son office was in the "Panton's Buildings", Beswick Street, Timaru consisted of two offices and a Strong Room. Walter died aged 83 in 1931. He purchased a house in Timaru in 1905. His work is seen on many corners around Timaru, look down at the cornerstones. Here is another, the older part of the Council Chambers, originally the Public Library, was designed by Walter Panton and officially opened in 1909. From 1906 to 1920 there are 333 tenders advertised in the Timaru Herald from Walter Panton & Son. They not only planned commercial buildings but drew up plans for residences in Church St, Dee St, Wai-iti Rd and Fairlie and for the Rhodes family and many other families. Over the decade firms and families appear loyal to the architect firm. Other notible buildings designed by Mr Pantone were Tighnafeile House at 62 Wai-iti Rd, Timaru was built in 1911 - 1912 for Mr and Mrs John Matheson and their six children. The house was designed by Timaru architect Walter Panton and was built by John Pringle. The Matheson's named the house 'Tighnafeile' (pronounced Tyne-a-faylee) which is Gaelic for "House of Welcome". Look at the chimney pots. - http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nzlscant/Panton.htm