The Sargood, Son & Ewen warehouse building designed by John S Swan in 1906.

Transcription

1 Whanganui Heritage Inventory UCOL Print Making 24 Taupo Quay, Whanganui Item 380 Former Names: Sargood, Son & Ewen, Levin & Co/Wrightson NMA, Wanganui Newspapers Commercial Printing Division Legal Description: DP 7312, Pt Section 72, Town of Wanganui Certificate(s) of Title: WN 151/46 issued 10 May 1906; party wall rights agreed as per Memorandum of Transfer 99116, 17 June Current Owner: Whanganui District Council Original Owner: Sargood, Son & Ewen Date: QSA2a: 1907 (Taupo Quay building and additions to store sheds behind); QSA2b: : Alterations to QSA2a and linkage between this and QSA2b. Architect/Designer: QSA2a: John Sidney Swan, QSA2b: Dickson Construction, alterations: Southcombe Mclean Location of original plans: QSA2a: Alexander Turnbull Library; QSA2b: Wanganui District Council. Builder: QSA2a: David [or Davis] & Browman; QSA2b: Dickson Construction alterations: CHECK District Plan: Old Town Area, Class B, 2013 The Sargood, Son & Ewen warehouse building designed by John S Swan in Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 1 zxy369

2 History: Of the site: 1872: Henry Hylton, sheep farmer, purchases Section 72. It contains a dwelling house and shops leased by Anderson Brothers, cabinet makers, and a shop/residence leased to two lady milliners. The following year, John Bett, an ironmonger, takes on the milliner s property (the Valuation Rolls noting that the section has now been divided). 1892: John McDuff, a coachbuilder, occupies a workshop on part of the Section, with Hylton still noted as the owner on the Valuation Rolls. 1897: William Hicks, coachbuilder, takes over from McDuff; Mrs Hylton is now the owner. 1898: Plumber and coachbuilder, George Sigley, has taken over the workshop, still owned by Mrs Marion Hylton. Edward Perrett, the butcher, also had premises on part Sections 71 & : James Watt, Wanganui solicitor, intended erecting three large sample rooms on Section 72 ( late McDuff s, Taupo Quay. He advertised in the Wanganui Herald, 21 Nov 1902 for prospective tenants. These plans were obviously put on hold, as the sample rooms were never built. 1905: The last entry in the Valuation Rolls for Mrs Marion Hylton as owner of Section 72 land and building, valued at 45 and 20 respectively. 1906: Burgess & Murdoch established their business in the old building on the site, opening on 2 January. They subsequently purchased Sargood, Son & Ewen s old Campbell Place buildings (see below) and developed their business considerably on Sections 78 and 73 (see QSA4). Of the building: 1899: Wanganui Borough Council issued permit to JH Burnett for new building, Campbell Place, warehouse. This was Sargood s first warehouse in Wanganui, on Section 78 where the outside auditorium is now located by the Student Common Room. James Burnet, the first manager of Sargood, Son & Ewen in Wanganui, was born in Lancashire and came to New Zealand in 1882, joining Sargood s in Auckland before opening the Wanganui branch in He retired from Sargood s in 1913 and spent his later years researching Wanganui history, having a particular interest in Maori and river history. He served on the River Trust Board and was chairman for many years. From 1928 until his death in 1938, he was director of the Alexander Museum in Wanganui. 1904: Percy Rolfe Sargood visits Wanganui. Wanganui Herald, 12 March 1904: Mr PR Sargood, of the firm of Sargood Son & Ewen, arrived in town today by express train from Wellington. We understand that the firm contemplate erecting a warehouse in Wanganui and that it is partly in this connection that Mr Sargood is visiting our town. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 2 zxy369

3 Percy Rolfe Sargood ( ) was born in Melbourne, the son of the founder of the firm, Sargood, Son & Ewen, which was first established in New Zealand in 1862, with its Dunedin branch serving as the head office in this country. Percy Sargood came to New Zealand in 1891 to take over the Dunedin and Christchurch branches of the firm; by 1902 he was managing director of the New Zealand operations, a position he held until his death. Sargood and his wife had a passion for fine art and donated money which enabled the Dunedin Public Art Gallery to relocate in Logan Park in The Empire Art Loan Collections Society was founded by Sargood in 1930, which enabled major works from British galleries to be shown at locations around the Empire. Sargood s liking for art and architecture meant that the buildings erected by the company in New Zealand were architecturally designed, reflecting the company s high standards in workmanship as well as merchandise. Progress, September 1912, carried a feature on Sargood, Son & Ewen, with illustrations of many of their warehouses, described as fine, beautiful and spacious. The company s Standard brand was known throughout the Dominion of New Zealand as a mark of the best values procurable. Buyers operated from a London warehouse to secure quality goods for direct import to New Zealand, including soft goods, footwear, fancy goods, crockery and furnishings. The Wanganui warehouse was mentioned in this feature but not illustrated. April 1906: May 1906: Percy Rolfe Sargood visits Wanganui again. The Wanganui Herald announces Mr Sargood has made good use of his time when in Wanganui by purchasing the full quarter-acre block known as Mrs Hylton s on Taupo Quay as the site of a new warehouse. This section is most excellently situated for a wholesale house and quite worthy of the old and reputable firm, of which Mr Sargood is now the local head. The Herald notes that Sargoods has branches in every considerable town in both Australia and New Zealand and we heartily welcome them to Taupo Quay. The warehouse was to be of the very latest type two storeys high and fitted with hydraulic lifts. It will be constructed of brick, with pressed brick and concrete front, and the whole of the interior fittings will be of specially-selected kauri. John Sidney Swan produces floor plans of the proposed new warehouse building (copies at Alexander Turnbull Library). Two sets of plans show the building to take up the entire width of Section 72. Plan 1 dated 22 May shows the warehouse building at the left with the goods right of way incorporated into this part of the building. The second part of the building, abutting the Bing Harris building, appears to be planned as a club (possible for commercial travellers), with a billiard room at the rear ground floor and bedrooms above. The second plan, dated 23 May, has the same warehouse building with club taking up the entire width of the section, but the goods right of way is now to the right of the warehouse space. This is what was built, minus the club part of the building. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 3 zxy369

4 June 1906: July 1906: Sept 1906: Oct 1906: Feb 1907: Progress notes that Sargood Son & Ewen are about to build a large brick warehouse in Taupo Quay, Wanganui and about to vacate old premises in Campbell Place. Percy Rolfe Sargood purchases the Section on 22 July and on 31 July the Borough Council issues the building permit to Sargood & Co for new brick warehouse, Taupo Quay. [No cost estimate given in Register.] Progress notes plans being prepared for Sargood, Son & Ewen s warehouse. Progress notes the extensions of Messrs Sargood, Son & Ewen s Warehouse on Taupo Quay, Wanganui are being carried out by Russell & Bignell. This is most likely to be work on the rear part of the property, which became Sargood s packing house. Progress notes that the contract has been let for a brick warehouse on Taupo Quay, Wanganui. Architect: John S Swan. Contractors: Davis & Browman. Progress notes that Messrs Sargood, Son & Ewen s new brick warehouse At Wanganui is approaching completion and will be out of the builder s hands this month. Architect: John S Swan. Contractors: David & Browman. Sargoods fine new warehouse was described as such in the Wanganui Herald, 15 March 1907 article on Burgess & Murdoch. The warehouse was a two-storey brick building with a doorway at the left and goods entrance on the right. This goods entrance ran through to the rear of the building where the storehouse was located. The original gateway is now the main entrance to the building. March 1907: Sargood, Son & Ewen were among the large warehouses in Wanganui that closed for half-day holiday when the rowing regatta was held on the river, and also at Easter. The other warehouses of note were Bing Harris & Co, Ross & Glendinning, and Archibald Clark & Co all located in Taupo Quay premises. 1908: Wanganui Borough Insurance map shows Sargood, Son & Ewen s brick warehouse, with brickwalled packing house at the rear, behind an open shed Wise s: Sargood, Son & Ewen Ltd, Warehouse, Jas H Burnet, manager at 39 Taupo Quay Wise s: Sargood, Son & Ewen, warehousemen, F Swan, local manager at 39 Taupo Quay. 1930s: Upper parapet removed after Murchison and Napier earthquakes. [No information on file about this, but early photographs of the building show pediments above the parapet.] 1941 Wise s: Sargood, Son & Ewen Ltd, warehouseman at 37 Taupo Quay. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 4 zxy369

5 1944: Hannah s shoe factory moves into first floor of building. April 1944: Builders, Knuckey & Dickson apply for building permit to alter Sargood, Son & Ewen s building so the top floor can be used by Hannah s as a footwear factory. Application letter noted that the alterations were necessary to enable an essential industry to be undertaken on the premises. Ministry of Supply in Palmerston North approved the application. The work was minor, but changed the stairway and office near the entrance to enable Hannah s to have direct access to the top floor. The work cost : Fire escape and new windows added to Hannah s Factory. RG Talboys & Assocs plan. 1952: Levin & Co purchase Section 72 from Sargood Son & Ewen Wise s: Sargood, Son & Ewen, warehousemen and R Hannah & Co, factory, are still listed at 37 Taupo Quay. This may be an outdated entry as Levin & Co certainly occupied the building by the following year. 1956: Levin & Co move into their Machinery Department into Sargood s building. At the same time, Walpole & Patterson did work to strengthen the floor of the store at the rear of the section, which was to serve as Levin & Co s seed room. 1964: Murray Roberts merges with Levin & Co in Wanganui, with the firm being taken over by National Mortgage & Agency Co. NMA purchase Section 72 on 7 Oct Murray Roberts had previously been located in Drews Ave and were well-established stock & station agents in Wanganui. 1964: Major alterations to QSA2a for Levin & Co s Machinery Department in old Sargood s building (QSA2a). Cost 5,500. Architect: Prince & McCallum, plans dated Feb Work included alterations to Taupo Quay elevation: gateway at right made into doorway, accessed by steps up, with original entrance at left replaced by a new window. Ground floor: Stairs removed and new stairway inserted, with new opening to Levin & Co building at 26 Taupo Quay. Offices created at front of building and partitions removed at rear. New floor provided on fill over area formerly used as access for loading (through old front gate). First floor: New opening to Levin & Co building at 26 Taupo Quay at top of new stairs, with new full-height partitions around existing stairwell. New offices created at front of building. Double doors at rear with hoist above. Altered rear elevation shows both double doors at ground and first floor levels. 1964: New building constructed for Levin & Co to replace Sargood s old store (QSA2b). Dickson Construction plans and specs on WDC Chronicle building file. Notes the existing two-storied corrugated iron sheathed building to be demolished, together with a lean-to shed, but the rear and side brick walls to be reused with the new store. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 5 zxy369

6 1966: Mezzanine floor inserted into store (QSA2b) by Dickson Construction. 1972: Levin & Co/NMA merged with Wright Stephenson to become Wrightson NMA. 1977: Wanganui Newspapers buys Sargood building from Wrightson NMA. 1977: Access between Sargood s old building and Levin & Co [to become Backhouse Building] blocked up. Fire doors reused when access created for Wanganui Newspapers between Chronicle building and the rear of Levin & Co (QSA2b). 1985: The open store area at the rear is converted to a dangerous goods store. 1989: Wanganui Newspapers moves into new premises on Taupo Quay, vacating old Sargood s building. 1990: WK Backhouse buys the Sargood s building (they are still operating from the building next door). 1993: Sargood s building is purchased by Robert Bourdon, director of Quay School of the Arts, and Lynn Hurst Building renovated for Wanganui Polytechnic. Quay School of Arts moves Print Making studios into Sargood s building. Change of use under Section 46 of the Building Act requires major structural and fire upgrading and remodelling, with new steel cross bracing and heated ceilings, relocation of the 1964 stair and some of the 1964 partitions. New planning results in changes including specialist printmaking facilities. The open space character of the building is restored. 1996: Ownership of the building is transferred to Wanganui District Council. Description of Heritage Features: The front building on Taupo Quay (QSA2a): Exterior: This two-storey masonry building still has much of its original Taupo Quay façade with ornate classical detail including four sets of double pilasters with Ionic capitals. This is probably the only remaining Mannerist-influenced building in Wanganui; the window and door architraves are split by heavy quoin rustication while the keystones in the windows split the cornices above. The façade is in three sections, with the original pedestrian entrance now replaced by windows. The current entrance was once the goods entrance, leading through to the packing sheds at the rear. The upper windows have semi-circular tops and most of the front windows are original, double-hung sashes while the rear windows have been replaced. The side brick wall still has its original parapet. Interior: Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 6 zxy369

7 The original cast iron pillars remain on both the ground and first floors; these have plain rounded tops. The first floor has its original timber floors intact, except for one area where the 1960s staircase was removed. The right, rear wall has original tongue-andgroove lining in place. Architect: John Sidney Swan ( ) was born in Wellington and trained under Frederick de Jersey Clere, with whom he was in partnership c Swan designed a number of churches while working with Clere and is well known as an ecclesiastical architect. In Wanganui, his best known works were for the Catholic church - Sacred Heart Convent (1911, now demolished), Campbell Street Presbytery (1913) and Convent Chapel (1918). He also designed many banks, hotels, Wellington Harbour Board buildings, schools and commercial premises, including Sargood, Son & Ewen s Wellington warehouse (1907). The rear building (QSA2b): This has no heritage features of significance apart from side and rear brick walls (visible internally). Resources Consulted: Wanganui District Council Building files for 20, 24, Taupo Quay and Rutland St/Drews Ave Corner building (Chronicle): 24 Taupo Quay file includes Prince & McCallum plans of 1964 alterations (QSA2a) with Chronicle file having 1964 Dickson Construction plans for rebuilding QSA2b. BSM Group Architects files: CHECK Wanganui Borough Council Register of Building Permits, Archives Ref: AAF 174:1: 1899, 10 Jan: permit to JH Burnett, new building, Campbell Place, warehouse [1 st Sargood s warehouse]; 1906, 31 July: Sargood & Co, new brick warehouse, Taupo Quay. LINZ Wellington Registry: (1) Deeds Index Vol 7: page 72, for Section 72 notes an original Crown Grant to John Gotty (reg d 1872, but granted much earlier); conveyances from 1872 to Hylton, in 1876 from Hylton to Monro and back to Hylton in By mid 1890s, McDuff had a lease on part of the section. (2) CT WN 151/46 issued 10 May 1906 to Arthur Stewart Burgess and Robert Murdoch, merchants of Wanganui for all of Section 72. Transferred 22 July 1906 to Percy Rolfe Sargood, merchant of Dunedin. Grant of Easement No (see below) 17 June Transferred 26 June 1919 to Sargood Son & Ewen. Transferred 15 Jan 1952 to Levin & Co. Transferred 7 Oct 1964 to National Mortgage & Agency Co. of New Zealand. Notice of change of name of registered proprietor 18 July 1977 to Wrightson NMA Ltd. Transferred 16 Dec 1977 to Wanganui Newspapers Ltd. Transferred 15 Feb 1990 to WK Backhouse (Canvas) Ltd. Transferred 23 July 1993 to Robert Bourdon and Lynn Hurst of Wanganui. Transferred 13 Nov 1996 to Wanganui District Council. (3) Memorandum of Transfer 99116, 17 June 1915 (noted above) relates to party wall rights and agreement between Bing Harris & Co and Percy Rolfe Sargood re original wall and extended wall of Bing Harris building between Sections 73 and 72. [This Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 7 zxy369

8 indicates that, at some time, Sargood may wish to build on this other part of Section 72 and use the Bing Harris wall as a party wall between both buildings.] Wanganui Borough Council Valuation Rolls Database /21: 1907/08 first entry for Section 72, Taupo Quay warehouse, James H Burnet noted as owner. Value 250; same listings to 1921/22, value by then 350. Wanganui Borough Council Rates Books (Archives Refs Series AAF 64): 1900/ /04 has George Sigley as occupier of pt Section 72, Taupo Quay (owner Mrs Marion Hylton). 1906/07 notes Burgess & Murdock [sic], Sect 72, Taupo Quay crossed out and Percy Rolfe Sargood inserted; also a section entry for Percy Rolfe Sargood, Section 72, Taupo Quay. Combined value of both Sect 72 entries for Sargood: 100. The entry for James H Burnet, Sect 78, Campbell Pl, value 70 crossed out and Burgess & Murdoch inserted. Wanganui Borough Council 1908 Insurance Assessment plan: Shows Sargood, Son & Ewen brick warehouse on Taupo Quay, with brick-walled packing shed at rear, together with an open shed Heritage Study, Item 3/3 had no information about the building but recommended that it be registered under Historic Places Act. (National Library Catalogue) lists architectural drawings by John Sydney [sic] Swan of Sargood Son & Ewen s new buildings at Taupo Quay, Wanganui. Shows detail of Taupo Quay, ground plan and first floor plan. ATL refs: Plans , , Plans inspected at ATL, Nov 2004 and show the proposed building to take up the entire width of the section, with a warehouse on one side and what appears to be a club building on the other. The second half of the building was never constructed. Progress: June 1906, July 1906, Sept 1906, Oct 1906, Feb 1907 all entries relating to Sargood Son & Ewen s new warehouse in Wanganui. May 1907 edition notes John S Swan is architect for Sargood Son & Ewen s warehouse in Wellington (Jervois Quay/Hunter St corner). Sept 1912 edition has feature on Sargood, Son & Ewen. Dictionary of NZ Biography, Vol 3 entry for Percy Rolfe Sargood by Jim McAloon. Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1938 obituary for Mr JH Burnet, ex manager of Sargood, Son & Ewen in Wanganui. Christchurch City Council Committee report re proposed heritage order on Sargood Son & Ewen Building at 92 Lichfield Street, July Includes useful information about Sargood s. Wanganui Herald, 21 Nov 1902 Advert: Three large sample rooms to be erected on Section 72, Taupo Quay (late McDuff s). Intending tenants apply to Jas Watt, Solicitor. [No tenant found and building delayed?] Wanganui Herald, 12 March 1904: Mr PR Sargood, of the firm of Sargood Son & Ewen, arrived in town today by express train from Wellington. We understand that the firm contemplate erecting a warehouse in Wanganui and that it is partly in this connection that Mr Sargood is visiting our town. Wanganui Herald, 28 Aug 1905 notes that Messrs Sargood, Son & Ewen s name omitted from list of those who had contributed towards the prize fund for a local competition. Wanganui Herald, 6 April 1906 personal column notes Mr Percy Sargood is at present in town. Wanganui Herald, 9 April 1906 article on Sargood s plans for new business premises. Local & General News also notes that Burgess & Murdoch have purchased Sargood Son & Ewen s old premises in Campbell Pl (owned by James Burnet) and will move into Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 8 zxy369

9 their new quarters as soon as Messrs Sargood Son & Ewen have erected their fine new warehouse on Taupo Quay. Wanganui Herald, 4 March 1907 Sargood, Son & Ewen one of the soft goods warehouses to close on the afternoon of the Wanganui rowing regatta on the river. Wanganui Herald, 15 March 1907 report on Burgess & Murdoch s business, including their use of previous building on site and purchase of old Sargood s warehouse in Campbell Place. Wanganui Herald, 28 March 1907 Sargood, Son & Ewen one of the warehouses to close for Easter. includes history of Wrightson, previously Wright Stephenson company merged with National Mortgage & Agency to become Wrightson NMA in A Family Affair: A history of Murray Roberts & Co Ltd, AA Roberts, Pictorial Publications, Hastings, Early Wellington Churches, Charles Fearnley, Millwood Press, Includes information on John Sidney Swan. Architect of the Angels: The churches of Frederick De Jersey Clere, Susan Maclean, Steele Roberts, Includes a chapter on John Sidney Swan. Comments on Significance: Historic Sargood, Son & Ewen was one of the major importing companies in New Zealand, establishing its Wanganui branch at a time of substantial growth for the city, which was the 5 th largest in New Zealand by The company was known for its quality goods and quality warehouses. Architectural This is the only known secular example of John Sidney Swan s architectural work in Wanganui. With its substantially-intact Taupo Quay elevation, this is one of the few warehouse buildings in town to retain its original features. It is an important example of the buildings commissioned by Percy Rolfe Sargood during the time that he managed the New Zealand branch of the company. Cultural The building has associations with Sargood s first Wanganui manager, James Burnet, who contributed much to the city through his work relating to the Wanganui Museum and River Trust. Percy Rolfe Sargood was well known as a patron of the Arts in Dunedin, a link that continues with the Quay School of Arts. For more than 30 years, the building has been used for printing, first by Wanganui Newspapers and now by Quay School of the Arts. Context This is a significant building in the most architecturally-important block on Taupo Quay. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 9 zxy369

10 The rear of the printmaking studio, which was built in 1964 for Levin & Co. Heritage Inventory 380 QSA2a and b 24 Taupo Quay Sargood, Son and EwenPage 10 zxy369