Whanganui District Heritage Inventory

Item 418 Sculpture and Painting Studios 20 Taupo Quay, Whanganui Former Name(s) of Building: Bing Harris & Co. Legal Description: Part Section 73, Town of Wanganui Certificate of Title: WN 160/200 and Transfers 61479, 92917 and 99116 re party walls Current Owner: Whanganui District Council Original Owner: Frederick C Saphir Date: QSA3a: 1903; QSA3B: 1913; altered 1994/96 Architect/Designer: QSA3a: Andrew McFarlane; QSA3b: Unknown; 1994/96 alterations: Southcombe McLean Location of original plans: WDC/BSM Group Architects for 1994/96 alterations Builder: QSA3a: Unknown; QSA3b: Bland & Knight; 1994/96 alterations: CHECK Status: District Plan Class: Contributory, in Old Town Conservation Area

Architect: The son of a Paisley handloom weaver, Andrew McFarlane (1842-1925) emigrated to Wanganui in 1859 and established a business as a builder and contractor in partnership with John Alexander. As well as building operations, the firm undertook railway construction, including the railway between Waikanae and Paekakariki. In 1901, Andrew McFarlane decided to retire from the building trade and announced that he was now available to prepare plans and specifications for buildings. Although not trained as an architect, his long experience as a builder gave him the necessary expertise to embark on this new career. Buildings he designed in Wanganui from 1901 onwards include Berkeley Buildings in Guyton Street; Meteor Printers in Ridgway Street and the Mangamahu church, a contract he would have been given as he was a staunch member

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of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church. Frequent tender notices for houses indicate he was a popular choice as architect in the period up to the First World War. History: Of the site: 1853: Section 73, Town of Wanganui, Crown Grant to William Hair.

1885: Charles Hart Ashforth, Financial Agent purchases the site, pt Sect 73. M Vallier, bootmaker, is noted in 1883 HI Jones Almanack, but not found pn Valuation Rolls. Clearly there was a shop on the site, as shown in all early photographs of Taupo Quay. The land is later mortgaged to Daniel McGregor, John Henson and James Henson, 1889-1901.

1900/01: Borough Council Rates Books give John Henson as owner/occupier of shops on this part of Sect 73, valued at £32.

24 Feb 1902: Frederick Charles Saphir, Commerical Traveller, buys the property. Saphir had been in New Zealand since 1886 and started to represent Bing Harris and Co as a commercial traveller in 1890.

Bing Harris & Co was established in 1858 by Wolf Harris when he started importing goods to Dunedin from Melbourne. A partnership with a Mr Bing was shortlived, but his name was retained for the life of the company. Wolf Harris married Elizabeth Nathan in 1871 and later went to London where he acted as buyer for the company with local managers in New Zealand. Wolf Harris returned to Dunedin, where he endowed the University of Otago with a chair in Physiology; he is also commemorated in the Wolf Harris fountain in Dunedin’s Botanic Gardens. The firm’s fortunes began to crumble by 1914, but having a London office was a great advantage during the War. After the Second World War, Bing Harris had to start manufacturing goods because of import restrictions; the Wanganui base had an important role in this initiative (see below). In the 1930s, Bing Harris had purchased Macky Logan Caldwell and gained an entrée into the Auckland market; in 1973, they took over their main opposition – Sargood’s – and branched out into other manufacturing fields, including car assembly and parts. Subsequently, Brierly Industries took on a major shareholding interest in Bing Harris and wound up the company in 1978, disposing of all its assets.

Of the building:

2 Jan 1903: Andrew McFarlane publishes his tender notice in the Wanganui Herald for a “warehouse, brick and wood, Taupo Quay for FC Saphir, Esq.” This is the front portion of the Bing Harris building (QSA3a), which replaced the old shop on the site.

17 June 1903: Mr FC Saphir moves into his new premises on Taupo Quay. The Wanganui Herald notes that Matthew Russell is leasing the “second portion” of Saphir’s building. The new building is valued at £60 in the 1903/04 Borough Council Rates Book.

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1905: FC Saphir resigns as manager of Bing Harris in Wanganui, after 15 years with the firm. He sets up on his own account as a commercial traveller, having purchased the buildings next door (see QSA4). This was a period when Wanganui was an important centre for commercial travellers; Saphir became Treasurer of the local Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Club, which became the Wanganui Commercial Club.

1906: The new manager of Bing Harris & Co in Wanganui is David Meldrum. Although he was born in Northland, Meldrum was educated in Scotland before returning to NZ and Auckland Grammar. He first came to Wanganui in 1890 when he managed McArthur & Co, but went to Dunedin in 1901 to work for Bing Harris & Co. He returned to manage the Wanganui branch in 1906 and remained in that post for 30 years until his retirement in 1936. As well as his involvement in the warehousing business, Meldrum was an expert sportsman, being a champion golfer as well as a keen canoeist and horserider. In 1895, he had been one of a party that made a record canoeing trip from the Wanganui Rowing Club to Pipiriki and the following year he made an epic horseback journey of 196 miles and then reached the summit of Ruapehu. He died in Wanganui in 1957 aged 90.

March 1907: Bing Harris & Co was one of the main warehouses in Wanganui, together with Sargood, Son & Ewen, Ross & Glendining and Archibald Clark – all of whom announced public holidays for the Wanganui Regatta and Easter, at a time when such holidays were not always noticed.

1913: Bland & Knight, builders based in Taupo Quay, publish a tender notice for removal of a cottage to make room for additions to Bing Harris & Co’s warehouse. This would have been the building shown at the rear of the site on the 1908 Insurance Map. The building permit was issued on 19 June for the warehouse additions, costing £1,100. Since no tender notice has as yet been found naming an architect for this work, it is likely that the builders designed the alterations. The bricks in the rear wall of the building were almost certainly reused to build the extension walls.

1930s: The façade of the building would have been altered after the Napier earthquake. At the time, the upper parapet would have been removed and the Taupo Quay façade given a plaster treatment in Art Deco style. The ground floor windows may have been replaced at this time, or in 1946 when Chilco moved into the building (see below).

1946: The Wanganui company established in May 1943 as Children’s Garments Ltd became Chilco and moved into the Bing Harris building. Chilco had a 50% partnership arrangement with Bing Harris at this time, with the latter firm having responsibility for the distribution of the goods manufactured. Bing Harris needed to move into manufacturing goods because of import restrictions at the time and the Chilco operation was the first factory it set up in New Zealand. Sir Jack Harris, in his 1996 history of the firm, commented that Chilco employed a staff of around 150, but things became more difficult when competition developed and the Unions

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moved in “with restrictive practices.” There were a number of garment factories in Wanganui at this time, and Chilco expanded its business rapidly, recruiting many of its factory workers from the Wanganui Technical College during the 1950s. It produced “Arrow” shirts for boys and men, women’s and children’s underwear and nightwear and “Springmaid” frocks and “Boston” blouses for women. In 1947, Chilco had its main factory on Bell Street, adding to the building in 1958 next to Repertory Theatre (later the Ginza building), but the cutting department remained in the Bing Harris building on Taupo Quay, as did the main stock rooms. Chilco made minor alterations to the Bing Harris building in 1946, including erecting a new fire escape and conveniences.

1980: Chilco closed its Wanganui operations, suffering a loss of $250,000 by April of this year. The Taupo Quay building was put up for sale, as were the Bell Street premises, with a potential buyer being announced in the Herald on 3 July. The Wanganui Darts League purchased the building in October 1980.

1990: Roy Middleton purchased the building, which was vacant at the time.

1993: Quayside Arts Centre buys the building and work commences to rebuild and strengthen it to serve as studios and classrooms.

1994/96: Work for Quay School of the Arts, included rebuilding the rear part (QSA3b).

1997: Wanganui District Council purchases the building.

Description of Heritage Features:

The front building on Taupo Quay (QSA3a): Exterior: This two-storey masonry building includes the Taupo Quay façade that has been subject to 1930s “modernisation” in Art Deco style. Upper parapet and windows surrounds evident in old photographs would have been removed at this time. The front door appears to be original, but the lower windows have been replaced, perhaps in the 1930s or later. The first floor windows are original double-hung sashes. The original side brick wall is still in place with some of the early steel cross-braces. Interior: Brick walls are exposed at both sides and one original cast iron column remains, with its Corinthian top. Most of the timber floors are original on the ground floor, and those throughout the first floor. The upper floor has chamfered wooden pillars with wooden beams supporting the tongue-and-groove ceiling. It is utilitarian in style, suitable for storage, while the ground floor would have been the sample rooms where travellers called to inspect goods.

The rear building (QSA3b) and hallway leading to QSA4: Exterior:

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This has been largely rebuilt, because much of the 1913 brick work was of poor quality and had to be replaced. Interior: Four original cast iron columns with Corinthian tops are still in place, although some are compromised by the position of cable trays. Some original match-lining is evident in the small computer room. Side brick walls are exposed; those on the first floor show timber grounds in the mortar, intended to hold matchlining in place.

Resources Consulted: Wanganui District Council Building File, 20 Taupo Quay: Has 1946 plan for alterations to Bing Harris building for Children’s Garments (fire escape and conveniences). [No other historical references found for Bing Harris building in other Taupo Quay files.] BSM Group Architects Files: TO CHECK Wanganui Borough Council Register of Building Permits, Archives Ref AAF 174:1: Permit issued 19 June 1913 for Bing Harris & Co, additions to warehouse, Taupo Quay, Bland & Knight, £1100. [The Register has no permits listed from Jan 1902-March 1905, so the original permit for the 1903 building is not listed.] LINZ Wellington Registry: (1) CT 39/18 issued 26 June 1885 to Charles Hart Ashforth, Financial Agent for pt Sect 73 (adjacent to Sect 72); refer to original grant dated 18 Jan 1853 to William Hair, ref CT 17/291. Mortgage 6 July 1889 to Daniel McGregor, who died 1890 and mortgage transferred 1891 to John Henson, who died 1901. Transferred 24 Feb 1902 to Frederick Charles Saphir, Commercial Traveller. Transferred in two parts (a) 14 March 1907 to Bing Harris & Co Ltd (Memorandum of Transfer 61479, 18 Feb 1907, refers) and new CT 160/200 issued; (b) 29 April 1907 to Arthur S Burgess and Robert Murdoch and new CT 161/276 issued. (2) CT 160/200 issued 14 March 1907 to Bing Harris & Co Ltd. subject to party wall right created by Transfer 61479. Transfer 92917 (Grant of Easement) 19 Nov 1913 re party wall rights to AS Burgess and R Murdoch (other pt Sect 73). Transfer 99116 (Grant of Easement 17 June 1915 re party wall rights to Percy Rolfe Sargood (re wall between Sects 73 and 72). Transfer 21 Oct 1980 to Wanganui Darts League. Transfer 11 Oct 1990 to Roy Stuart Middleton, managing director of Wanganui. Transfer 3 Dec 1993 to Quayside Arts Centre Ltd. (Lease registered 11 Feb 1994 to Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic.) Transfer 21 Feb 1997 to Wanganui District Council. Wanganui Borough Council Rates Book: 1900/01-1901/02 (Archives Ref AAF 64/6) has John Henson (then his Estate) as owner of shops, Part Section 73, Taupo Quay, value £32. 1902/03 (Archives Ref AAF 64/7) has Fred C Saphir as owner, value £36. 1903/04 has new entry for Saphir for building valued at £60. 1917/18 Rates Book notes David Meldrum as occupier for Bing Harris & Co, Section 73 pt, building valued at £200. Wanganui Borough Council Valuation Rolls Database 1863-1921/22: First entry for David Meldrum, Bing Harris & Co is 1907/08. Wanganui Borough Council 1908 Insurance Assessment map: Shows Bing Harris & Co brick building on Taupo Quay, with wooden dwelling and sheds behind. 1990 Heritage Study – unregistered item with photograph only.

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Wanganui Herald, 2 Jan 1903 – tender notice: “Warehouse, brick and wood, Taupo Quay for FC Saphir, Esq. A. McFarlane, Architect.” Wanganui Herald, 17 June 1903 – Business Notes: “Mr FC Saphir, representing Messrs Bing Harris & Co, Wellington, has removed into his new premises on Taupo Quay. Mr Matthew Russell has also secured a lease of the second portion of Mr Saphir’s building.” Yeoman, 27 July 1905 – “Mr Saphir has resigned as manager of Bing Harris, after 15 years with that firm, to commence business on his own account in Wanganui.” Wanganui Herald, 11 Feb 1907 – report on opening of Wanganui Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Club; lists Mr FC Saphir as Club Treasurer. Wanganui Herald, 23 Feb 1907 – Local & General News: Mr FC Saphir sold premises next to the Herald office to Messrs Burgess & Murdoch (see QSA4). “We understand Mr Saphir intends shortly undertaking a trip to the Old Country after a residence of 21 years in New Zealand.” Wanganui Herald, 2 March 1907 – Bing Harris & Co one of the Taupo Quay soft goods warehouses to close for the afternoon of the Wanganui Regatta. Wanganui Herald, 28 March 1907 – Bing Harris & Co one of the Wanganui warehouses closed for Easter. Wanganui Herald, 30 May 1913 – For sale & removal: 4-roomed cottage to make room for additions to Messrs Bing Harris & Co’s warehouse, Taupo Quay. Cottage with shop window only a few years old. Bland & Knight, Builders & Contractors, Taupo Quay. Wanganui Chronicle, 16 Aug 1957 – obituary for David Meldrum. Wanganui Herald, 11 Oct 1958 – supplement for the opening of an addition to Chilco’s Bell Street factory, which gives a history of the clothing company and its relationship with Bing Harris & Co. Wanganui Herald, 16 June 1980 – notes Chilco’s operating loss; company closes down. Wanganui Herald, 3 July 1980 – report on forthcoming sale of Chilco’s Taupo Quay premises. The History of Bing Harris 1858-1978, Sir Jack Harris, 1996. Unpublished document at Alexander Turnbull Library. Wise’s Directories: 1903 has various shops on Taupo Quay between the Herald and Cock & Co on the corner of Wicksteed Pl. 1914 has Bing Harris & Co, warehouse (David Meldrum, manager) at 40 Taupo Quay. 1929, 1941 & 1955 all have Bing Harris & Co at 40 Taupo Quay.

Comments on Significance:

Historic Bing Harris connections – another soft goods warehousing company with long history in NZ that no longer exists - plus Chilco who moved here after the War. (Although Bell Street building probably a better reminder of Chilco)

Cultural Since 1947, the building has been a workshop – first with Chilco and now Quay School of the Arts, especially woodshop and sculpture studios. The Bing Harris building at 131- 137 High Street, Dunedin is now a contemporary arts centre.

Date: 5 November 2004

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View of the rear of the Bing Harris building which was totally rebuilt in 1996.

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