Building in south-west corner of Cathedral Square, Christchurch; 31 Cathedral square. Built 1877-1879; architect William Clayton, the Colonial Architect.
In 1881, the first telephone exchange in New Zealand was installed in the building where it remained until 1929. Historic Place category 1, Heritage New Zealand, list no. 291.
Date: 1880 - 1900
From: Glaser, Louis, fl 1890s-1900s :[New Zealand views]. Louis Glaser, Leipzig. [ca 1890s]
Reference: E-278-q-076
Description: Birdseye view of the city from the cathedral spire looking down at Cathedral Square to the Post Office building. Horse-drawn carts and carriages can be seen in the square below. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photogravure, 90 x 137 mm
Date: 1895
By: New Zealand Graphic and Star Printing Works; New Zealand Graphic and Ladies' Journal
Reference: G-368
Description: At the top left of this view in four sections, Lyttelton, looking north along the railway lines and wharves. In the centre, Christchurch Cathedral viewed from Cathedral Square. Top right is a further view of Lyttelton township from the hills above it, looking down. The bottom half of the picture is a view in Cathedral Square forming a half-circle with Colombo Street looking south to the Port Hills in the centre, and east and west Worcester Street on the left and right. Warner's Hotel and the Central Post Office are to the right of Colombo Street. Main panorama measures 195 x 870 mm ; main title trimmed Lithographed from photographic originals Extended Title - Supplement to New Zealand Graphic, Dec 18, 1895 Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Chromolithograph, ca 350 x 870 mm
Date: [ca 1880s]
From: Bailey, Conrad, fl 1980 : Photograph albums of New Zealand scenes, one including pressed ferns
By: Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.)
Reference: PA1-o-030
Description: Album of photographs mostly of towns and buildings in Canterbury and Otago, chiefly taken by the Burton Brothers, circa 1880s. They all show city scenes including street views, and images of important buildings. The buildings include church buildings, bank buildings, insurance company office buildings, and hotels (both exterior and interior views of the Grand Hotel, Dunedin). In the North Island, there is a view of the Auckland Synagogue, and a view of Taratahi Homestead, the home of Lady Tancred and Sir Thomas Tancred, in the Carterton District. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Black cloth-bound album with leather spine and corners, lettered in gold "Views of New Zealand"
Date: 1953
From: Mayne, William Thomas, 1910-1988 :490 original cartoons published in the Christchurch Star Sun and the Christchurch Star Sun Sports between 1954 and 1962.
Reference: A-386-004
Description: Shows a family looking out over Christchurch's Cathedral Square during the Queen's visit in 1953. The family are all dressed in their best clothes. The Cathedral, the war memorial and Chief Post Office are all visible. The Queen's car is seen disappearing behind the Cathedral, and crowds of people are gathered in the Square Below image in pencil is written '1953? Queen's visit?' suggesting someone other than the cartoonist wrote it Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Tom Mayne [in ink] Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper, 200 x 260 mm (image)
Date: [1870s-1880s]
By: Norris, Joseph Foxley, active 1880s; Bragge, James, 1833-1908; Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.); Wilson, George Washington, 1823-1893
Reference: PA1-q-094
Description: Photographic album created by Joseph Foxley Norris, with many images of places visited in Great Britain, including castles, cathedrals, stately homes, ports, landscapes, and bridges. Joseph Foxley Norris was a founding member of the Cyclists' Touring Club in England, and was a member of the Pickwick Bicycle Club in England with one image being a group portrait of members of the club. A number of the English scenes were photographed by G.W.W. (George Washington Wilson). Other regions visited include Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro. Views of New Zealand are mostly in the South Island, with a few of Wellington (including Government Buildings, Parliament Buildings and Government House). One photograph taken by James Bragge shows a group of unidentified Maori standing outside a meeting house in Masterton. South Island views include a bicycle "meet" in Christchurch, with a large crowd gathered, and a number of penny-farthing bicycles visible. A number of images show men riding penny-farthing bicycles and the dangers of so doing, with posed views of two men underneath their bicycles and one clutching a fence, taken in and around Christchurch. On page 108 is hand-printed award `Anniversary Sports, Christchurch,N.Z. 16th December 1880. The following ten views taken from the Cathedral Tower, Christchurch, are the 3rd prize in the One Mile Champion Bicycle Race won by J. Foxley Norris, Pioneer Bicycle Club'. Other views include a group of about four men touring along the West Coast Road, and notable buildings in Christchurch and Dunedin. One image shows the "cage" crossing the Teremakau River. A group portrait in Christchurch shows members of Harper & Co. (Solicitors) Inscriptions: Album page - J. Foxley Norris. 1880 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with a black cover, spine title `Photo's'; 29.0 x 24.5 cm
Date: 1977
From: Mayo, Eileen Rosemary (Dame), 1906-1994 :[Large works on paper. 1920s-1990s]
By: Mayo, Eileen Rosemary (Dame), 1906-1994
Reference: C-127-049
Description: A side view of the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, with the Regent Theatre in the background to the right The Christchurch Chief Post Office (in Cathedral Square) was designed by architect P. F. M. Burrows No. 15, p. 114 in Margaret Taylor's listing of the collection Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - title and edition number. Signature bottom right [both in pencil, in the artist's hand] Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Linocut, coloured, 396 x 579 mm
Date: ca 1920s
Reference: PAColl-5197
Description: Two views of Cathedral Square taken from the Cathedral. One shows the Strand Theatre and the Post Office with trams passing in front of them and the other looking down Worcester Street with the offices of McKenzie & Willis, auctioneers and land agents on the left. Photographer possibly W W Stewart, as written on the reverse of one of the file prints. Arrangement: Negatives at 1/2-002337 and 002338 Quantity: 2 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negatives
Date: 1882
From: Hunter, Norman Mitchell b 1859 :[Sketches of New Zealand. 1882-1883]
Reference: E-328-f-041-1
Description: A view of High Street Christchurch showing the Post Office straight ahead and businesses on the left. Those that can be identified are: J Sheen (Boot and Shoe Depot); C W Duckworth (Grocer); J Taylor (Draper) and on the right; W S King (Upholsterers and Manufac[turers] and C Hydes (Boot Factory). Also shows horse drawn vehicles on the street. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - High Street - Christchurch Quantity: 1 photograph(s). Physical Description: Albumen print 139 x 215 mm
Date: 1977
From: Mayo, Eileen Rosemary (Dame), 1906-1994 :[Large works on paper. 1920s-1990s]
By: Mayo, Eileen Rosemary (Dame), 1906-1994
Reference: C-127-048
Description: A side view of the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, with the Regent Theatre in the background to the right The Christchurch Chief Post Office (in Cathedral Square) was designed by architect P. F. M. Burrows No. 5, p. 114 in Margaret Taylor's listing of the collection Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - x Paper damaged middle left side. Otherwise a good print. Signature, bottom right [both in pencil, in the artist's hand] Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Linocut, coloured, 396 x 579 mm
Date: ca 1897
From: Jenkin, Robert :Albums of photographs by Arthur Jenkin, ca 1895-1898
By: Jenkin, Arthur, active 1890s
Reference: PA1-o-1046
Description: Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).
Date: [Between 1880s and 1890s]
From: Bothamley family: Papers and photographs
By: Deveril, Herbert, 1840-1911; Lindt, John William, 1845-1926; Wright, Henry Charles Clarke, 1844-1936
Reference: PA1-o-431
Description: Photographs taken during the 1880s and 1890s, chiefly by Henry Charles Clarke Wright, with others probably taken by Herbert Deveril. All show scenes in New Zealand except one, prabably taken by J W Lindt, of an Australian aboriginal man and woman standing over a kangaroo which they have caught. They have boomerangs and a spear. Photographs of the town of Tarawera and the White Terraces were taken before the eruption in 1886. Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Album with brown cover, coloured picture of two cats playing with a ball of wool inset, and bordered by gold and black decoration, entitled `Children's scrap book'; 25.0 x 32.5 cm
Date: [1880s-1910s?]
From: Webster, Kenneth Athol, 1906-1967 : The Webster Collection
By: Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.); Ferrez, Marc, 1843-1923; Martin, Josiah, 1843-1916; Valentine, George Dobson, 1852-1890
Reference: PA1-q-260
Description: Collection of photographs taken by various photographers including the Burton Brothers, George Valentine, Josiah Martin and Marc Ferrez. On page [67] there is a hand-traced map of the world with a route marked on it from London, to Plymouth, Canary Islands, Cape Town, Tasmania, Wellington, Lyttelton, Cape Horn, Rio de Janeiro, Canary Islands and back to Plymouth and London. The distance travelled out was 12,948 miles, and distance home was 11,915 miles. The photographs cover most of these places, with more detailed travel through Tasmania, and especially New Zealand. Scenes in New Zealand were mostly taken by the Burton Brothers and Josiah Martin. They include views of the main cities, and a large number in the thermal area around Lake Rotorua and Mount Tarawera, showing the area around the Pink and White Terraces before and after the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. Photographs by Josiah Martin include portraits of Maori, and one entitled "The old order changeth" with Maori artifacts, shrunken heads, and a portrait of Tawhiao. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark brown cover, black leather coners and spine; 27.5 x 37.5 cm
Date: 1890 - 1910
By: Fletcher, Frances Ann, 1846-1935
Reference: A-123-027
Description: Shows Armagh Street bridge over Avon River from Cambridge Terrace, with two cabbage trees in foreground and other exotic trees. Cathedral spire on left, rooftops of central city buildings, including United Service Hotel building and Post Office tower centre right, and Port Hills with Castle Rock beyond. Photographs of Armagh Street Bridge show wrought ironwork rather than solid stone in the top section. United Service Hotel building was under construction in 1885 and was completed about 1886. Post Office Tower did not have its clock in 1879, but this was in place in mid-1880s. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Pencil and watercolour 223 x 288 mm
Date: ca 1920-1960
From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives
Reference: PAColl-3740-09
Description: Includes fashion parade; scenes near Kanieri, including Lake; hilltop stop on way to Akaroa; polo; Christchurch Post Office; large group in maori costume, including tangi; cycle race; Sid Holland with dentists and assistants, most of whom are Indian; horse-racing; view of Mums with children in park near pond; possibly A&P Show, pics of cattle, sheep, horse and buggy; etc Arrangement: Large number of file prints from Free Lance Collection already in public files. Prints in this box cover negative range of 1/2-101475 to 1/2-101758, arranged in numerical order. Quantity: 50 b&w original photographic print(s) in one box.
Date: Aug-Oct 1894
From: Hall, John (Sir), 1824-1907 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-1784-208
Description: Correspondents entered in the Name field Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Date: Jan-Apr 1878
From: Hall, John (Sir), 1824-1907 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-1784-087
Description: Identified persons entered under Name below; also includes letter from [?] N Francis, Christchurch, probably working for the railways; T and [?] E Pavitt; [?] G Read, Christchurch; James Fraser of Christchurch Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Date: Jul-Dec 1866
From: Hall, John (Sir), 1824-1907 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-1784-034
Description: Identified persons entered under Name; includes letter from J or D Busby, Bank of New South Wales, Christchurch; letter from [?] Hawkes, Hokitika, and Capt Edward R [?] Simnion Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Date: Oct-Dec 1882
From: Hall, John (Sir), 1824-1907 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-1784-105
Description: Other - See also telegram books Folders 296-299; private and private official letters MSX-912, MSX-913, MSX-932, MSX-933 & MSY-1094; official papers in Hall Ministry MSY-1101; political letters and telegrams MSY-1102; cabinet memoranda MSX-938 Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Date: 11 Dec 2011
From: BeckerFraserPhotos :Photographs relating to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011
Reference: PADL-000656
Description: Photographs relating to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 taken 11 December 2011 by Ross Becker. Particularly of the Cathedral Walk. Shows people shopping, street entertainers, and the Christchurch Wizard in the newly reopened Cashel Mall with its refurbished shipping containers as shops. Also shows people walking outside the fenced red zone taking photographs of the damaged and demolished buildings, and CERA notices on the fences of which buildings will remain. Also shows the Christchurch Cathedral with its stablizing scaffolding in front of the main entrance. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the Library within a folder called "Dec 11 Cathedral walk" Quantity: 165 digital photograph(s).
Date: [ca 1914]
From: The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives
Reference: 1/1-008412-G
Description: Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer employed or contracted by 'The Press' newspaper of Christchurch. Source of descriptive information - Negative registers. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative, 6.5 x 8.5 inches Processing information: The collection description was updated in November 2020 with information regarding commercial use of the photographs.