The Changing Face Of Gisborne City

On January 3, 1956, the status of Gisborne underwent a signal change, from borough to city. In the sense that public and commercial buildings are tangible proofs of a city's progress, it is notable that at this time, as Gisborne enters its first year as a city, a great many new buildings are being constructed, and a number are undergoing extensive alterations, from which they will emerge, to all intents, as new buildings.

Of most interest in the way of public buildings are the ₤30,000 City Council Chambers (seen above), and the new War Memorial building at the corner of Childers Road and Bright Street.
As new buildings go up, old ones come down to complete the cycle in the changing face of Gisborne. At left is an old house in course of demolition less than a good stone's throw from the hustle-bustle of Gladstone Road. It stands between Oldings, the plumbers, and.the Midway Service Station, and at one time had a magnificent garden graced with two fine Norfolk pines. Soon, no doubt, it will be replaced with another modern business structure.

A view from a window of Gisborne Garments Ltd. looking out across Bright Street, At right are the premises of Farm Products Ltd., and in the foreground can be seen in the construction stage this firm's large new two-storey reinforced concrete premises. The top floor will contain office accommodation, and the ground floor showroom and storage space.

Permits for alterations to commercial premises in Gisborne totalled £178,169 in 1955, and one of these jobs is the extensive remodelling of the premises of Loan and Mercantile in lower Gladstone Road, work on which is now in progress.

Giant new six-storey nurses' home at Cook Hospital on the hill is part of long-range re-building plan. The building looks out over the city and bay, will have one of the best views of any in Gisborne. Cost is estimated at £121,000.

Where cashiers once counted banknotes, building workmen enjoy their afternoon cup of tea. A scene inside the Bank of New Zealand premises, which are being completely remodelled.

To keep pace with Gisborne's growing school population, a big building programme now nearing completion has transformed school facilities in the city in the last few years.

Picture above shows small part of vast new girls' high school still a-building at corner of Gladstone & Stanley roads. School assembly hall is to be built in area to right of parked cars.
So rapid has been the development of the western suburb of Elgin that additions are already being made to the Muir Street school. Picture at right shows two ultra-modern class rooms of latest design now being completed at this school.

New furniture showroom of Grundy and Scott Ltd is handsome addition to Grey Street buildings. It is on the corner of Childers Road.

Ormonds Motors, Peel street, have branched out with new panel shop in Childers Road west of Grey Street.

New block of flats on corner of Palmerston Rd. and Carnarvan Street will replace old dwelling which was demolished.

Change in Cobden street: a new joinery factory next to school dental clinic, close to Gladstone Road, is for Mackay Bros.

Also in Childers Road, west of Grey Street, is the new joinery factory of Mr G. R. Owen building contractor, who built new lighter wharf.

Work is progressing apace on contract for War Memorial building on corner of Childers Road and Bright Street. Contractors R. H. Taylor.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 20 : March 8, 1956

The Changing Face Of Gisborne City