Galbraith's Mt Eden - the former Grafton Public Library - architect Edward Bartley

Galbraiths Mt Eden Rd. Image Bartley Archive 2003

Edward Bartley was a strong advocate for public libraries. Universal and free access to means of self improvement  formed a corner stone of his social philosophy.
In 1878 he had helped to establish the first public library in the Auckland province, at Devonport.

Auckland City Council set aside funds for the first branch library in 1911. An architectural design competition was advertised, closing in February 1912.
The site available was next to the upper Symonds St reservoir.
 Edward Bartley's proposal was chosen. The concept proposed a single storey building with an 85 foot frontage to Mt Eden Road, costing less than the amount voted by rate payers.

Concept Drawing NZ Graphic 28 Feb 1912

The design featured an ornate portico supported on six ferro-concrete columns of the Roman Ionic order, covering broad entrance steps. The two bays either side of the entrance were defined by projecting pillars.The floor plan included lecture hall, committee room, reading room and library facilities for up to 10,000 volumes.
Lighting was by electricity. Acoustics and fire safety were especially considered in the plastered cement and brick construction.
Librarians office and counter was positioned between the two rooms with a clear view of the entrance as well. The inner hall was provided with an ornamental tiled floor and rimu panelled dado.
The windows were a notable design feature. Each are supported by four concrete mullions 6 feet in height, designed to reference the entrance columns. At the time they were the largest single mould concrete products made in Auckland.

Edward was well over 70 years old at the time of opening in March 1913.
Confident in adapting his style to modern taste, he was keen to push the known boundaries for new technologies when given the opportunity.



Refer also NZ Graphic 28 Feb 1912 p 26;NZH 3 May 1912 p9 col 1; 5 March 1912 p9 col 1; 28 May 1912 p9 col 1; 5 March 1913 p5 col 6; 17 March 1913 p5 col 4

Whangarei Public Library, Reading Rooms and Municipal Chambers Designed by Edward Bartley

The new Municipal Building & Pulblic Library designed by Edward Bartley SCCSC-510 1903

In 1902 the state of the Post Office and Council offices on Bank St were under discussion in Whangarei. The make-shift appearance of these public premises was felt to be inconsistent with the town's progress, as well as being unsatisfactory for their intended purpose. The County Council offices were still the original premises erected in 1878.[i]

Northern Advocate 19 June 1902

The town was more than fifty years old. Facilities needed to be improved. Yet the Borough Council had several other calls on its resources.

The urgent need for drainage in the town would have to be met from borrowed funds. 

Young people had no means to self improvement without access to library or reading room facilities; fire service and fire fighting equipment required purpose built premises; postal services, county and borough offices were all inadequately housed.

At first it was suggested that all of these accommodation issues could be resolved in a single stroke, by a brick building serving as headquarters for all these borough services.[ii] That proposal was both expensive and unrealistic for the size of the Bank St site.  It would require further borrowing for land purchase and construction.

There was another snag. County Council owned the land. Any development would have to wait until the legalities of ownership of any improvements were ironed out.

Northern Advocate 6 September 1902

At the public meeting held on 8 September the views of the ratepayers were clearly expressed. The Mayor’s proposal for a 4 storey building, housing all services, had no support.

The gathering heard from other councillors. Endowment money was available from the Cummings estate, specifically set aside for library facilities.

There was no objection to dual- use office facilities housing both county and borough councils.

The meeting was virtually unanimous in its support for premises jointly owned and operated, provided library and reading room were included.[iii]

Northern Advocate 13 September 1902

In October 1902 Counsellors inspected plans by Edward Bartley. [iv]There were obvious financial restrictions uppermost in their minds. Bartley’s plans satisfied those by limiting the building to two stories, in brick construction as specified.

After some discussion it was agreed that the ground floor position of the library and reading room was the best. Council meeting rooms and offices were to occupy the first floor.

Affairs moved quickly after that point. The plans were signed off and tenders called for by the end of October.[v]

NZ Herald 27 October 1902

The Municipal Offices and Public Library were completed and opened in July 1903.

The building as it is today Image BFA 2014

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[i] Northern Advocate 11 September 1902

[ii] Ibid 28 July 1902 report of Borough Council Meeting

[iii] Ibid 11 September 1902

[iv] Ibid 10 October 1902

[v] NZ Herald 27 October 1902