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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Architects, Civil Engineers, Etc

page 315

Architects, Civil Engineers, Etc.

Including—Architects, Civil and Mining Engineers, Draughtsmen, Surveyors, Etc.

Baker, S. E. W., Civil Engineer, Surveyor and Architect, Auckland. Mr. Baker is a son of Dr. Shirley Walderman Baker, D.D., LL.D., ex-Premier of Tonga. He was born at Tongatabu, Friendly Islands, in 1860, and was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne. After revisiting the Islands for a few months, he came to New Zealand in 1879, and engaged in the profession of surveyor and architect in Auckland and the surrounding districts for five years. Early in 1885, Mr. Baker returned to the Islands, and entered the service of the Tongan Government, under which he held several positions of great responsibility and trust. In 1887 an attempt was made by the natives on his father's life. In attempting to secure the would-be assassins, Mr. Baker, junior, was shot in the arm, the bones and muscles of which were shattered. Mr. Baker was laid up for many months, and came to New Zealand to obtain medical advice. He again returned to the Islands with his father at the end of the same year, and came back to this Colony in 1890. Since then he has spent several years in the Tauranga district farming and surveying. Subsequently he was engaged as a compiler for the Otago section of this Cyclopedia, and afterwards followed his profession on the Molyneux and in other parts of the colony. Mr. Baker is well-known in the Auckland provincial district and greatly esteemed by all his friends. He has recently made arrangements for the importation of dredging and mining machinery, and is removing his quarters to Oamaru.

Bartley, Edward, Architect, Colonial Bank Buildings, 117 Queen Street, Auckland. Mr. Bartley was born in Jersey, Channel Islands, in 1839, and educated in his native place, where he also learned something of the building trade under his father, who was an architect and builder. In 1854 he came to this Colony, per ship “Joseph Fletcher,” in company with his elder brother, Mr. Robert Bartley, also a well-known and highly-respected Devonport resident. For upwards of twenty years, Mr. Bartley was in business as a builder, but for the past quarter of a century he has devoted his energies exclusively to architecture. The Auckland Savings Bank (one of the most beautiful buildings in Auckland), the Jewish Synagogue, the Opera House, Sailors' Home, Messrs Milne and Choyce's handsome block, Mr. Edson's, and many other noticeable buildings in Auckland, have been erected under the supervision and in accordance with the designs of Mr. Bartley. Of a large number of city and suburban churches, St. John's in Ponsonby Road and St. David's in Symonds Street, and Trinity Church, Devonport, may be mentioned as noteworthy specimens of his skill and judgment. He is diocesan architect for the Church of England, and has had a very wide experience of church architecture. Mr. Bartley is one of the founders of the Art Society. He is treasurer to that institution, and also chairman of the “Hanging” Committee of the City Art Gallery. As an original member of the Auckland Choral Society, established in 1855, Mr. Bartley has taken a very keen interest in musical matters, having been choirmaster of Trinity Church, Devonport, for fourteen years. Since 1871 Mr. Bartley has resided at the North Shore, and has taken a prominent part in all movements bearing on the welfare of the district, and particularly in church and educational matters. He is now and has been for many years a prominent member of the School Committee. Four years ago he started a boys' workshop in connection with the district school, and gave instruction on two nights a week for two years. This workshop is now a great success, and it took a first award at the Industrial Exhibition recently held in Auckland. Mr. Bartley is a devoted lover of science, and the scientific use of the microscope has been his hobby for over forty years. His has long been a familiar figure at social gatherings, where he has ever been ready to exhibit and explain the wonders revealed by the microscope.

Hanna, photo.Mr. E. Bartley.

Hanna, photo.Mr. E. Bartley.

Bell, Edmund, Architect, Victoria Arcade, Queen Street, Auckland. Mr.
Mr. E. Bell.

Mr. E. Bell.

page 316 Bell is not only well known as an architect, but as one who is identified with many Auckland enterprises. Born in London in 1841, he spent his early years in that city, and was educated in Essex, subsequently continuing his studies at the Toronto Commercial College. Leaving Canada in 1878, Mr. Bell settled in Auckland, where he has since practised his profession, and supervised the erection of numerous public and private buildings. He has been president of the Auckland Institute of Architects, and is also connected with a number of other public bodies and social and political organizations Mr. Bell for several years represented Birkenhead and Northcote on the Auckland Harbour Board. He was married in 1870, at Toronto, Canada, to Miss Jessie Oliphant, daughter of Mr. Walter Oliphant, formerly of Edinburgh, Scotland, and of the children born of the marriage, two sons are now living.

Goldsbro', George Selwyn, Architect, Victoria Arcade, Auckland. Mr. Goldsbro' was born in Auckland, and is a son of the late Dr. Charles Field Goldsbro'. He studied under Mr. R. Mackay Fripp, architect, from 1884 to 1888, in Auckland; but during the latter year he went to Melbourne, and in 1891 to Sydney. In Sydney he worked under Messrs Sulman and Power, architects for the Australian Joint Stock Bank, Mutua: Life Association of Australasia, Walker Hospital, and numerous large works in New South Wales; also winners of the Goulburn Asylum Competition (a work on which Mr. Goldsbro' spent some time). Mr. Goldsbro' also worked under Mr. Howard Joseland, architect of a number of picturesque houses in the suburbs of Sydney, and Mr. Theo. Kemmis, architect of Tooth's brewery, Sydney. He then returned to Auckland, where he commenced practice, and afterwards joined Mr. R. Mackay Fripp, F.R.I.B.A., in partnership, in 1896. Mr. Goldsbro' was awarded second premium against all comers from all the colonies, in a competitive design for the Auckland Stock Exchange. The firm was placed first in competition for the Taranaki Club, New Plymouth, and designed a great number of modern houses, and other works. The partnership was dissolved on the departure of Mr. R. Mackay Fripp, for British Columbia, in June, 1898.

Hanna, photo.Mr. G. S. Goldsbro'.

Hanna, photo.Mr. G. S. Goldsbro'.

Keals, R. And Sons, Architects, Victoria Arcade, Auckland. Messrs R. Keals and Sons, the oldest firm of architects in Auckland, have designed and supervised the erection of many important works, public and private, in various parts of the colony. Mr. Richard Keals, the founder of the business, died in England, while on a visit to his native land. Mr. R. W. Keals is now the senior partner of the firm, of which the other member is his brother, Mr. Edwin Keals. He served his articles with Mr. Lloyd Taylor, a leading Melbourne architect, Mr. Keals is president of the Auckland Institute of Architects.

Hanna, photo.Mr. R. Keals.

Hanna, photo.Mr. R. Keals.

Mahoney, E. And Sons, Architects, Mercantile Chambers, Queen Street, Auckland. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Telephone 309. Mr. Thomas Mahoney, the surviving partner in the firm of Messrs E. Mahoney and Sons, was educated in Auckland, and studied architecture in his father's office, and he joined the firm in 1878. The firm commenced practice in 1870. In conjunction with his father, he has designed and superintended the erection of numerous public and private buildings in Auckland, and in some of the southern towns of the North Island. Amongst the most prominent of these are the Auckland Custom House, the design for which was chosen in a public competition; the former D.S.C. block, which was also a competitive design; the Auckland College and Grammar School; St. Benedict's Church, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral; most of the principal hotels in the city; many of the branch buildings of the Bank of New Zealand; several of the largest schools belonging to the Board of Education, and numerous private buildings. Mr. Mahoney has been president of the Auckland Institute of Architects. A view illustrative of his professional talent is reproduced at page 49 of this volume.

Stewart, James, M.Inst. C.E., Civil Engineer, Shortland Street, Auckland. Mr. Stewart was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1832, and was educated there. He was then articled to Mr. Peter D. Brown, M.Inst., C.E., of Perth, and remained with that gentleman as pupil and chief assistant for eight years. During that time he was engaged in general engineering work, such as waterworks, railways, roads and bridges, besides executing much mechanical engineering. In 1859 he sailed for New Zealand, by the ship “Joseph Fletcher,” and arrived at Auckland on the 17th of August of that year. Mr. Stewart immediately started practising as a civil engineer and surveyor, and competed for and gained a premium offered by the Provincial Government for a design for the Auckland waterworks. He then surveyed the Auckland and Drury railway, in conjunction with Mr. Samuel Harding. In 1862–3 he was appointed engineer to the Auckland City Board of Works. At the outbreak of the Waikato war in 1864 he received a command in the second-class militia, and is still enrolled as an officer of that corps. In September of that year he was despatched to Sydney by the Minister of Defence for the purpose of procuring two towing steamers of light draft for service on the Waikato river. After returning and doing special work at the Waikato, the Railway Commissioners of the Provincial
Mr. J. Stewart.

Mr. J. Stewart.

page 317 Government appointed him, in conjunction with Mr. Harding, engineer for the construction of the Auckland-Drury railway. This work was stopped in 1867 for want of funds, and was not resumed until 1872, when the Colonial Department of Public Works was established. Meantime Mr. Stewart was appointed by the Marine Department Inspector of Steamers and Examiner of Engineers at Auckland, He was at the same time also in private practice, and was engaged in designing the reconstruction of the boilers and machinery of various steamers, and devised the alterations in the engines of the s.s. “Stai of the South” to the compound principle, which was then in its infancy. The success of this installation and the consequent reduction of coal and increased carrying capacity had no small share in bringing about the universal adoption of the compound principle in the colonies. While in the marine department Mr. Stewart designed the lighthouse on the Bean Rocks opposite North Head, and also the lighthouse in the Ponui passage, half-way to the Thames. In 1872 he was appointed resident engineer of the Auckland and Mercer railway, and in May, 1874, the whole of the railway works in the Auckland provincial district were placed in his charge as district engineer. On the “roar” for retrenchment in 1881, he was retired from the department and re-entered private practice. Among the works then undertaken by him was the Thames Valley and Rotorua railway. He was engineer to the Te Aroha county tramways for the opening up the Waiorongomai mines, and was appointed consulting engineer to the Auckland city tramways. At that time Mr. Stewart was joined in partnership by Mr, Ashley Hunter, and the firm carried out these works. Mr. Stewart designed the new pumps for the Calliope Dock. In 1894 Mr. Hunter retired from the firm, and Mr. Stewart has carried on the business since that date, and has mainly devoted his attention to the electric traction of the Auckland city tramways, in connection with which he paid a visit to England in 1896, Mr. Stewart was married in Scotland, in 1859, and has a family of three surviving sons and four daughters.

Wade, H. L. , Architect and Building Surveyor, Victoria Areade, Queen Street, Auckland. Mr. Wade is the eldest son of the late Mr. H. G. Wade, architect, so well known in the profession. He was born in Auckland in 1878, and educated at the Wellesley Street school, the Papatoitoi district school, and the Auckland College and Grammar School. Mr. Wade was articled to his father, who finally relinquished his business to his son, in November, 1899, and he has successfully retained and developed the large practice, which was so ably built up by his father. He was elected secretary of the Auckland Institute of Architects in September, 1900, Mr. Wade has followed in his father's footsteps, by becoming a member of the Ledges Waitemata, 689, E.C., Prince of Wales, 1338, E.C., and Harmony, E.C.(of Otahuhu). He also holds the office of N.G. in the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows.

Mr. H. L. Wade.

Mr. H. L. Wade.

White, Thomas Henry, J.P., Architect, Victoria Areade, Auckland. Mr. White was born in Birmingham, England, in 1813, and educated there and at Paris, he went to Melbourne, and in 1863 came to New Zealand, and followed his profession in Waikato and Auckland.

Wilson, Arthur P., Architect, 306 and 307 Victoria Arcade, Auckland. Mr. Wilson was born in London, and educated at the Godolphin school, Hammersmith. He was, first as a pupil, and afterwards as an assistant for ten years, with Mr. William Oakley, F.R.I.B.A., of 29 Charles Street, t. James Square, London. While Mr. Wilson was with him, Mr. Oakley carried on various large and important works in many parts of England. Mr. Wilson at the same time studied architecture at the London University, under the leading professors of the day. On leaving Mr. Oakley, he practised for two years on his own account at No. 3 Duke Street, Adelphi. He had always, however, had a wish to visit the colonies, and came to New Zealand. After spending some time in the principal cities of the North and South Islands, he decided to make his home in Auckland, and practise his profession. In this he has been most successful, and some of the most important buildings in the city of Auckland have been built from his designs. The list includes the Northern Steamship Company's new offices; the Strand Areade, probably one of the largest edifices in the city; Messrs Kempthorne, Prossor and Co,'s large warehouse, adjoining the Star Hote!; Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen's additional premises in Durham Street West; and Messrs Briscoe, Maeneil and Co.'s iron and metal warehouse. Mr. Wilson also acted as superintending architect for the “New Zealand Herald's” new offices and printing establishment, one of the finest newspaper offices in Australasia. He is architect for the Auckland Racing Club, and has erected many of the most striking private residences in the suburbs of Auckland.