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The Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings
The Provincial Buildings are situated on the banks of the River Avon between Armagh, Gloucester and Durham Streets and are one of the highlights of Christchurch's architectural heritage. Designed by architect Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort, and built in timber and stone in the Gothic Revival style, they constitute a link with our past and stand as an important national heritage. They are the only surviving provincial government buildings in the country. They belong to the people of Canterbury and Westland (once part of the Canterbury Province) and are unique because their three stages of construction reflect the growing economic prosperity of the young province.
The foundation stone for the Buildings was laid on 6 January 1858 with the first session of the Provincial Council being held on 30 September 1859. During 1860 and 1861 the second stage of the buildings were erected on the Armagh Street frontage with the final stage being completed on 21 November 1865. This third stage contains the stone Legislative Chamber or Great Hall, the masterpiece of the architect Benjamin Mountfort. The ridge and furrow stencilled ceiling and the carved and coloured limestone corbels and capitals are among noteworthy features.
The last session of the Provincial Council was held on 18 June 1875 and the Provincial system of government was abolished on 31 October 1876. The Buildings passed to central government and were used as departmental offices. In 1988 the Buildings were vested in the Canterbury United Council. The Canterbury Regional Council, successor to the United Council, commissioned a management and conservation plan which provided for some areas to remain as leased office accommodation. Structural strengthening has been undertaken. Since July 1993 the buildings have been administered by the Christchurch City Council.
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This was originally derived from the Christchurch City Council handbook of 1998.
