Auckland Sailors Home 1887- designed by Edward Bartley

Auckland Sailors Home 1887 Image taken on completion by Richardson.From BFA collection

It is all about seafarers today.
The intention here to to answer some queries about the Auckland Sailors Home which used to stand at the bottom of Albert St. I confess to a second purpose though - to put in a plug for the Mission to Seafarers.
Marsden Point is our local port here in Ruakaka. It is growing at a tremendous rate with the opening of container facilities and increased shipping schedules. We have a seafarer's centre too, run by volunteers who also do ship visits. More help would be most appreciated - here and in all New Zealand ports.
The men and women who crew merchant ships ensure the transportation of fuels and goods which sustain our way of life -but they have a low profile. Their issues with working conditions and isolation seldom make the media.

On-board internet access while at sea is now available but it has brought about a lessening of actual engagement during voyages - according to the Crew Connectivity Report published this year.  Volunteer and community support from citizens of host ports is still essential to seamen. If you live in a port town anywhere in the world you have a Seafarer's Centre. Please consider how you may help out there. We are all international citizens aren't we?

Details of Seafarer's Centres in New Zealand today may be found here

Now let's take a look at a story of generosity to seafarers from the 1880's.

Edward Bartley designed the Sailors' Home in 1886 but a benefactor made it possible. This was Edward Costley who was a resident of Auckland. He had no dependants and lived very frugally. When he died in April 1883 the bulk of his estate was divided amongst seven public institutions: Auckland Hospital; the Old Peoples’ Home; the Parnell Orphan House; the Auckland Institute; the Auckland Free Public Library; the Sailors’ Home and the Boys Training Institute at Kohimarama.

Costley's memorial in Symond's St Cemetery erected by citizens of Auckland. Image BFA

The Government initially made a claim for the whole of the money left in the Costley legacy to be handed over. That  move met strong resistance. Both the Hospital Committee and the Trustees of Mr. Costley’s bequest knew local bodies would soon become responsible for the maintenance of their own hospitals and charitable institutions under the new Hospital and Charitable Boards Act. They fought hard and won. It took three years but at last the funds were paid out in  December 1886.

The bequest to the Sailors’ Home was £12,150 and, as a result of this gift, a non-profit making corporation was established to take over the functions of the Sailors’ Rest. 1
This new organisation was to erect the Auckland Sailors’ Home and to administer the funds supplied by the bequest. The Harbour Board granted a site at the foot of Albert St for the use of the new Home, in an exchange for the site of the old Sailors’ Rest.

Competitive designs were called for in April 1886, with Mr. Wade, president of the Institute of Architects appointed as judge.  Being successful, Edward prepared working plans in July for a three storey brick building with white stone facings. Tenders were called for in January 1887. The original design Edward  put forward was unacceptable on the grounds of expense. He was asked to rework his plans to meet the limit.

Following a fire testing demonstration, Edward argued strongly for a new product - Blaikie's fire resistant plastering system. He used his good rapport with the Press to emphasise the importance of fire safety. The Trustees accepted amended plans and the necessity for using the new system on the top two floors, bringing the total cost for building and foundations to £3135. Thomas Colebrook's was the winning tender for the work.2

The brief was to provide adequate accommodation and facilities for seamen without excessive expense or ornamentation. The result was a restrained and well-proportioned building on a corner site fronting both Albert and Quay Streets. It opened on 1 December 1887.3

The facilities included a social room, hall, dining room, library, chaplain’s room and management accommodation, apart from sleeping accommodation for seamen and officers. At the time the feature most commented on was the grand stairway to the upper floors. This rose from the centre of the building and was accessible from all parts. The most imposing view of the stairway was from the vestibule of the main Quay St entrance, giving a sense of heightened drama and upward movement as the centre of the building was approached.

This image from Auckland Museum's collection shows the lobby in the mid 20th century. Some remnants of the original architecture can still  be seen. 

A hall was later built alongside to seat 300 people. Religious services, musical evenings and socials attracted good attendance where mariners could mix comfortably with locals, supervised by an active management committee. A key philosophy of the institution was its 'open door' policy. All mariners were welcome regardless of race or creed. 

The building was demolished during the late 20th century redevelopment of Quay St.

This mid 20th century image shows the two frontages, here looking up Albert St from Quay St. Image APL 020-15

1. Refer NZH 5 April 1886 page 3

2. Ibid 7 April 1887 laying of the foundation stone, 1 Dec 1887 completion

3. Ibid 2 Dec 1887 opening ceremony

4. 

Kensington Park Grandstand Whangarei- Design by Edward Bartley

Grandstand Interior. Image Prana Art Project for BFA 2017

In April 1902 the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Association resolved to purchase Kensington Park ground as a permanent home 1. A government subsidy of  £500 was received in October 1902. Meanwhile the Association joined forces with the newly formed Whangarei Racing Club. Together they decided to develop the park with upgraded facilities-including a new grandstand. Edward Bartley was appointed as architect for that part of project 2.

Bartley worked over a wide geographical area - from Gisborne northwards. In the cities he was best known for his ASB banks, churches and commercial buildings. In rural areas it was mainly in his role as architect to the Auckland Charitable Aid Board that led to introductions. In Whangarei his donation of plans and supervision to the hospital, along with his Council work and commercial clients in Bank St, meant his bowler hat and dust coat were often seen. He also had strong links with both the racing fraternity and the A&P Association. Those links began in the early 1870's when the NZ Pedigree Stock Association and A&P and Farmer's Associations began to erect permanent buildings in the Auckland region.

The design which was settled on for Whangarei was a barrel roofed grandstand. It was very similar to, though smaller than, the design for Avondale Racing Club where Bartley had been engaged. That stand was opened in February 1902. No doubt members of the Whangarei Racing Club  inspected it at first hand during the 1902 racing season.

Avondale Racing Club Grandstand AWN 22 Sept 1904

There was plenty to be done before the new building could get underway. A new entrance and drive were constructed first. New cattle pens and other show facilities were a top priority. The re-siting of the race course took time to resolve and implement and the unsafe old stands were demolished.

So it was not until September 1903 that Edward Bartley advertised tenders for the Whangarei stand.

NZH 15 Sept 1903

Matters proceeded quickly once a figure was agreed on and the building was finished in a matter of months for £1200.

The side elevation closest to Kensington Park. The associated booths are original. Image BFA 2017

Edward Bartley designed a similar grandstand for the Ohinemuri Racing Club (later the Paeroa Racing Club) at Paeroa in 1904. That one no longer survives. It burned down in the 1980's after years of neglect.

 Kensington Park grandstand nearly met the same fate. Fortunately it was relocated and restored for  the Northland Hockey Association. A more recent renovation in 2009 brought the building up to modern fire safety standards - modifications Edward Bartley would certainly approve of. His many designs for public amenities and institutions were characterised by the latest advances in fire safety, a personal as well as professional interest of his.

AWN 19 Oct 1922

This is a comfortable grandstand for viewing, even by modern standards. The barrel roof acts as an early form of climate control. A careful calculation of the angle and depth for the overhanging verandah means that no one is ever looking directly into the sun. The worst of mid-summer glare is shielded from spectator's eyes. Kauri and steel posts are spaced well apart, considering their load. This allows for good visibility and flow of 'traffic' entering and leaving the stand.
These days one is more at risk from a flying hockey ball than a pressing crush of racegoers.
The grandstand is now situated on the Northland Hockey Association grounds, Park Ave Whangarei -on the outskirts of Kensington Park.

The building is listed Category 1 with the Historic Places Trust.3

1. AS19020424
2. AS19020920, NZ19020911
3. Refer http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/3829

Queen's Ferry Hotel Vulcan Lane Auckland - the early years

Queens Ferry Hotel Vulcan Lane Auckland Image R Crozier for BFA

In Auckland’s early days Vulcan Lane was steeper than it is today. Little better than a narrow track, it had one great advantage – it was on the high side of the 'Ligar Canal' which ran down Queen St.
In the early 1850s the lane boasted, amongst others, McLeod’s Forge, Hicks the watchmaker, Bain & Graham’s store and a tailor. All the buildings were timber, including the several cottages dotted amongst the commercial premises. On the seaward side of the lane, John Robertson had his sawyer’s shop.i
Robertson came to New Zealand with Governor Hobson’s party in 1840, first spending some time in the Bay of Islands. Business prospered for him in Auckland where he established the first timber yard about 1845. ii

Early in July 1863 fire swept through the wooden buildings in Queen St. In the attempt to create a fire break Robertson’s property suffered. The roof was destroyed and the building was damaged inside, though the fire was extinguished before it reached his side of the lane.iii  From the description it is likely his workshop was of by then of brick construction.

The earliest record of a further change of building use is March 1864.  Robertson advertised office space to let then and was operating a general goods store.iv  This was a much less arduous occupation than working in the timber industry, particularly for a man now turning seventy v - though perhaps not without its own challenges:

Daily Southern Cross 27 July 1867

The final incarnation for the property occurred within the next six years. The name ‘Queen’s Ferry Hotel’ begins to appear in print from April 1870, though the hotel may have been operating earlier.vi  The name was a reference to his Scottish home. Robertson appears in the April 1870 list of those granted a full license for the sale of liquor. vii
Richard Keals was employed as architect for alterations to the building in March 1871. The new facilities included further accommodation on the second storey and a meeting room. The latter was definitely in operation by June of that year. viii

DSC 24 March 1871

 These new facilities now provided a popular meeting place for a more commercially oriented clientele:

NZH 24 June 1871

John Robertson died in October 1877 aged 85. His wife May took over the running of the hotel until her death in September 1880. Their son in law Walter Sloane then took the helm until the license was transferred to Charles Sutherland at the end of 1880.

NZH 23 Dec 1880

In 1882 further changes to the licensing legislation meant that the Queen’s Ferry was in line for another upgrade of facilities. This time Edward Bartley employed as the architect.

NZH 2 Sept 1882

His plans were for an increase to three storeys from Keal’s two. Alex McGuire the builder who made the successful tender for the contract.
The additions included further sleeping quarters and another sitting room, as part of an interior refit. Sanitary standards were generally improved to meet modern requirements. A guest bathroom was included. The whole tone of the Vulcan Lane front elevation was improved by realigning the entrance and stairway. A wash of lime cement and quality decorative treatment produced the Italianate frontage we see today.

Image R Crozier for BFA

The license has run continuously since Robertson's day, though the Hotel is now facing into a more salubrious Vulcan Lane.The Queens Ferry has a Category 1 rating with Historic Places Trust. Details here
For further information on the Robertson family see here
Research by M W Bartley

 i See Daily Southern Cross 11 Feb 1859; 5 April 1859 – part of allotment 3 sec 4
  ii Ibid 7 Feb 1860
  iiiIbid 3 July 1863
 iv Ibid 23 March 1864
  vIbid 27 July 1864
   viAuckland Star 5 April 1870
  viiNZH 20 April 1870
  viiiDSC 4 July 1871 venue for the Berkeley Castle Mining Co meeting of shareholders

Colonial Architect - The Career of Edward Bartley 1839-1919

Thank you to everyone who has been asking for a re-issue of Edward Bartley's biography.

The book is now available as an e-book at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VFETOMA