[Eastwood, James] 1846-1937 :Town Hall, Auckland, foot of Alexandra St [1863]

A view from Grey Street, Auckland across a low bridge past a small house towards a large cruciform building and other houses. The large building (the Primitive Methodist Church) has Gothic lancet windows at one end.

Attributed to Eastwood by Anne Kirker; see TL 3/1/1, 19.12.75

The building shown is not the Auckland Town Hall (opened in 1911), despite the artist's title. It is the Primitive Methodist Church, opened 16 March 1851, on the corner of Airedale Street and Queen Street. The view is probably taken from Grey Street and looks towards Queen and Airdale Streets across the site of the future Town Hall. The title may have been added years later, perhaps around the time the Town Hall was being planned for this site.

Dating: the work has a suggested date of 1863, conforming with dates inscribed on other examples of this artist's work in the Library's collection. The church building is shown in its earliest form, before later alterations. The name Alexandra Street was also an early one.

Alexandra Street had its name changed to Edwardes Street, then to Airedale Street, the latter between 1926 and 1935

Other Titles - Primitive Methodist Church, Airedale Street, Auckland

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Monotone watercolour 113 x 177 mm

Provenance: Previously from the collection of T E Donne