The Old And The New

Styles in architecture change with the years, and there is nothing to demonstrate the point more than a comparison between the first Gisborne courthouse (left) and the latest one (below).

The first courthouse, seen here surrounded by a novel stake fence, stood on the corner of Gladstone Road and Lowe Street, where the present Post Office Savings Bank is situated (which formerly was the store of Adair Bros. Ltd.). We have been unable to pinpoint the year of its erection, but it was certainly there in 1868 at the time of the massacre.

In later years the building was sold to John Townley, who moved it up Gladstone Road to a site adjacent to his building on the corner of Peel Street.

The magnificent new courthouse (below) replaces one on the same site in Customhouse Street and Reads Quay which was destroyed by fire a few years ago. It is being built by the Gisborne firm of Story and Lomas Ltd., and although no date has been fixed for the opening, this is expected to take place early in the New year.

(Early picture from Mr Sid Ledger)