E. Wheeler and Son - Christchurch in Panorama

Edmund Wheeler and Son's
1881

PANORAMA of CHRISTCHURCH

The Cathedral.— The contractors for the erection of the Cathedral have commenced to lay the concrete foundations for the floor which is to be formed of Minton tiles laid upon a bed or substratum of concrete. The work of slating the roof is making progress, and the whole fabric of the building is undergoing a thorough cleaning and scraping. It has been decided to erect the spire of white stone, springing directly from the present top of the tower; it will rise to the height of about 100ft from the summit, or to a total height of about 200ft from the ground. It may be mentioned that Mr Wheeler, photographer, has succeeded in taking a complete set of panoramic views of the city from the top of the tower.

Star, Issue 3978, 19 January 1881, Page 2

"Christchurch in embryo" would have, formed a fitting title for a picture recently exhibited. In the loan section of the exhibition recently held under the auspices of the Canterbury Society of Arts, was a spirited water-colour painting by Mr Peel, of Rangiora. It gained a very large share of attention, for it was a faithful presentment of the Christchurch of 1853. Standing on the primitive looking bridge which then spanned the river at Worcester street, only some half dozen houses were "within cooey;" and though the scene had something of romance about it, and something too of pastoral simplicity, it was not a "valley of Avilion, where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow, nor ever wind blows loudly." Many a "bogged" waggon had to be eased out in those early days; much privation had to be endured, and many hardships had to be borne. Those were days in which the "pilgrims" could scarcely have dreamed of a railway tunnel, of a graving dock, or of that "finger pointing heavenward " which is now steadily rising in Cathedral Square.

The contrast to the watercolour painting has just been published by Messrs Wheeler and Co., photographers, Cathedral square. When the tower of the Cathedral had been completed, some of the citizens took advantage of the opportunity to look down, from a height of about 100 feet, upon the City of the Plains— a city having within its belts about 3700 rateable properties, assessed at considerably more than £200,000, and with a population of about 15,000. But those who ascended the Cathedral Tower had no limited view. Beyond the Belts they could see thriving and populous suburbs, and, in every directions, indications that the growth of the community is proceeding with undiminished rigour.

Using the Cathedral tower as an observing station, Messrs Wheeler have obtained a series of ten photographic pictures which, when joined together, form as perfect a panorama us could reasonably be desired. In this panorama is included nearly all that can be seen by an observer, stationed on the tower, and turning slowly round. It is a “mercator's projection" of a very tiny bit of the world, but a bit that abounds with interest both for it inhabitants and for the thousands of relatives and friends in other places.

The executive skill displayed in this photographic panorama can scarcely fail to be appreciated, and the pictures are well calculated to afford much surprise of an agreeable nature, insomuch us they are not the mere "picture of roofs and chimneys" which might perhaps have been anticipated. True, there are roofs in plenty, but the height of the station was sufficient to allow of looks in between them, and to present the immense aggregation of buildings after the manner of a projection drawing. As especially effective may be noticed the third and fourth pictures, in the centre of which is the long perspective of Colombo street south. Other admirable perspectives are the lines of Worcester street west and Colombo street north and the view looking down upon the new Government buildings, may be indicated as an example of sharp definition and effective treatment. As a whole, this photographic panorama, nicely mounted in book form, is a most effective and highly creditable example of the status in this Colony of one of the artistic pursuits. - Star, Issue 4020, 9 March 1881, Page 3

The skylight for Wheeler's newly erected studio in Cathedral Square can be
seen in this view taken by Wheelers in 1881.

In April 1880 Wheeler's studio moved from Colombo Street to Cathedral Square, a notice that first appeared in The Star of 10 April 1880 advised that:- E. Wheeler & Son have removed to their new studio, Cathedral Square, directly opposite (the) Post Office. The glass-room has been constructed from designs received on the principle of that of the celebrated Adam-Salomon, of Paris, with the special object of obtaining effects of transparent shading so much in fashionable request.

The Photographic Case

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Civil Cases.— Carl Gersten Korn v. Eden George, claim .£8O. Mr Joynt for plaintiff; Mr Holmes for defendant. Plaintiff had been a photographic dry-plate manufacturer for three years in Sydney, and was constantly at work. In February last (1888) George called on him in Sydney, having written to him on August 30, 1887, asking him on what terms he would come to New Zealand. Defendant wrote on Oct. 1 (1887) asking what price plaintiff would charge for lessons, and suggesting that for £20 plaintiff should send over particulars of his process. Defendant again wrote on March 20 (1888). Several letters had passed, and witness then wrote to say he was coming to Christchurch, bringing his plant and 14lb of gelatine (Hendrieks and Kelson's). Witness arrived in the beginning of July (1888), and began work the latter end of the month. [left Sitting.]
Star , Issue 6414, 6 December 1888, Page 3



The Photographic Case.
THIS DAY
(Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M.)
The case of Gerstenkorn v. Eden George was resumed at the Provincial Council Chamber this morning at 10.30. Mr Joynt called — Fyfe, formerly operating artist for Mr George: Both witness and defendant operated with a large number of the eighteen dozen trial batch of plates. They made good pictures. They were very rapid, but if over developed became , very dense. Over development would be the fault of the operator. Could not desire better plates than most of plaintiff's that witness worked with. Cross-examined by Mr Holmes: Had seen Ilford plates develop green fog. Charles Henry Manning, photographer, of eighteen years experience: Had tried the "Eden" plates. Found them very good indeed. [left sitting.]
Star, Issue 6424, 19 December 1888, Page 3



The Photographic Case.
This Day. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M.) This ease was resumed at 10.30 a.m. Mr Holmes opened for the defence, and called E. R. Wheeler, a photographer: Had purchased a dozen plates from defendant, after having tried one which was very good. Found the dozen fearfully fogged. Complained, and got some others from George, but they were just as bad. Ordered no more. There was often a touch of green fog, which did not interfere with printing. The fog in some of the plates produced could not be got rid of, and would interfere with the printing. Cross-examined by Mr Joynt: The plates were surprisingly sensitive. The defects may have been caused by bad manipulation, as well as the original making. The cause of the defects was not light getting on them; there must have been something wrong with the emulsion. Re-examined: Imperfect washing could, not have caused the fog.
Harry Batchelor, engaged at Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co.'s: Had sold Mr George no gelatine. Had sold him absolute alcohol
William Sorrel, and Albert Noble also gave evidence. [Left Sitting.]
Star, Issue 6425, 20 December 1888, Page 3



THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S DISPUTE.
Gerstenkorn v. Eden George
The hearing of this case was resumed at the Police Court, at 10.30 a.m. to-day, before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M.
John French, examined by Mr Holmes, gave evidence to the effect that he had developed negatives at Eden George's establishment which turned out to be green-fogged, and identified several of them. One that had been put into the plaintiff's own developer was worse than the others. None of the plates developed in the presence o£ the three expert witnesses were unfit for pictures.
To Mr Joynt: With the exception of the trial batch first made by plaintiff and a batch of nine gross, which were bad, the plates were good.
Mr Joynt here subjected the witness to a vigorous cross-examination as to his change of demeanour during the progress of the case, during which it came out that witness had said he expected to give Mr George offence by his evidence. James Heslop, a retired photographer, said he had been in the trade nineteen years. Saw Messrs French, Wheeler and Chatteris that morning, and saw the plates taken out of the box and put through the developer slide according to plaintiff's formula. The plates produced had no mercantile value, because they were green-fogged and no good for negatives.
Minnie Hooper gave a description of the various rooms in Mr George's establishment, and the processes through which the photographs went in each. She worked in all the rooms, packed and sorted plates, and assisted in making the emulsion. Plaintiff worked close to her (witness) in this room. Once plaintiff pinched witness in this room. He frequently chased witness and her companion when they were engaged in the coatingroom, and frequently pinched and squeezed them. On two occasions he had caught hold of witness' legs under her clothes. She was going upstairs. He had done this intentionally, as he had no necessity to come near them or interfere with them while at work. He had caused witness to scream when he touched her on the leg, and he threatened, if witness made a noise, to turn her away from the factory. In the dark room they carried a dark ruby lantern, but in the front room there was a window. One of the batches of plates was spoilt because, as Miss Allison was carrying the rack upstairs, plaintiff had interfered with her, and she opened the lamp. Plaintiff had told witness afterwards that there was too much light on that batch. Running round in the coating room raised dust,and spots were left on the plates. On the Tuesday after plaintiff left and Miss Allison had complained to Mr George of plaintiff's conduct. Had not complained before, because they had not an opportunity of seeing him except in the plaintiff's company, and he had threatened to discharge them both if they made any complaint.
To Mr Joynt: Witness had told Mr George on the Tuesday evening, after plaintiff left, part of plaintiff's behaviour, but had not said anything about Miss Allison having opened the lamp on the staircase. The plaintiff had continued this behaviour from a few weeks after they had been at the factory till he left. Witness was sixteen years of age. They had not complained to Mr George of the plaintiff's behaviour before because they were afraid of losing their employment. On the following Thursday Mr George sent for witness and Miss Allison to his office, and they had then told him all about plaintiffs behaviour to them and the way the light was let in to the plates. Re-examined by Mr Holmes: The door of the drying-room opens on to the stairs, and if white light was let on to the stair it would enter the drying-room. The door was generally left open to assist in the drying. On the day following that on which the plaintiff left the factory, witness and Miss Allison had told Mr George how he had behaved without any prompting or suggestion from him. Had told him very little then, as it was late, but gave him full particulars on the Thursday. The corners of the plates were broken off through putting them into their places in a hurry. They had sometimes to hurry because plaintiff detained them during the day. Witness and Miss Allison had both been retained in the employ of the defendant at the studio since the factory had been closed. [Left sitting.]
Star, Issue 6428, 24 December 1888, Page 3



THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CASE.
Gerstenkorn v. George. This case was resumed before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., at the Provincial Council Chamber.
Mr Joynt appeared for the plaintiff; Mr Holmes for the defendant. Eden George, defendant, examined by Mr Holmes: Bought plaintiff's formula and a small copper for £13. Plaintiff arranged to come from Sydney to take the management of a dry-plate factory. Witness sent £70 to his father for plaintiff's passage, &c. Produced correspondence. One letter was so offensive that witness refused to employ plaintiff when the latter arrived here. Plaintiff expressed regret, and witness made a weekly engagement with him. The witness detailed the history of the dry plates made, by the plaintiff. (Left Sitting.)
Star , Issue 6457, 29 January 1889, Page 3



THE PHOTOGRAPHERS' CASE.
Gerstenkorn v. George. Mr Joynt for plaintiff; Mr Holmes for defendant. This case was resumed in the Provincial Council Chambers at 10.30 a.m., when Mr Joynt began the cross-examination of the defendant. Witness would not go so far as to swear that he had not written "for three months," but was confident that he had not. Would have taken a note of it if he had. The slope of the writing was different from his usual writing, and the t's were not crossed. Started crossing his t's about twelve months ago. Would say that the "3" in "three months" and the" 3" in "from the 30th" were not written by the same person. [Left sitting.]
Star , Issue 6462, 4 February 1889, Page

Soldiers

above: a photograph by the Temuka photographer Charles Winn.

above: a photograph by J. R. Stewart. Trentham

Provincial Council Buildings

Provincial Council Buildings

above - the Provincial Council Buildings in 1864.

Photographer unknown.

Our new Council-chamber is fast rising, and will certainly be something for Canterbury to be proud of. The dimensions are something like 65 feet by 35 feet; the style, pointed and freely treated; the two-light windows on either side are deeply recessed behind an arcade, to which shafts, of a stone resembling Purbeck marble, will give an excellent effect. The timber roof, or rather ceiling, may be described as "ridge and furrow," in the form of a well pronounced pointed arch. It is to be divided by ribs into bays at each window, over which the ridges and furrows terminate in section, the principal ribbing arches being carried on columned corbels.

Mountfort's Provincial Council Chamber was the first New Zealand building to receive statutory protection with the enactment of the Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Act in 1928. In 1937 the Act was amended to extend protection to the whole complex.
Photographer unknown.

There is much of novelty in the design of this roof; and one thing is certain, it will imperatively demand colour; and here will be the difficulty; it would really be worth while to send to England for an artist who would do it well; for to mar such a piece of work by any paltry makeshifts, for the sake of temporary effect, would be a thousand pities.

A range of buildings, to be used as refreshment or retiring-rooms, is also going forward. Mr. Mountfort is the architect, and may be congratulated on such a success as I venture to say this building will be. The same artist has also in hand the buildings for the Supreme Court, which will be erected on a block of land adjacent to the present Government Buildings, and which will eventually continue the facade along the river.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 150, 12 December 1864, Page 6

Government Building, Christchurch, N.Z
no. 18286 J.V.

by James Valentine and Co. of Dundee, Scotland.
Archive held by the University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Government Buildings, Christchurch
photographed by James Gardner sometime before 1914

Old Provincial Buildings, Christchurch, NZ.
Tourist Series 1826
Photographer unknown

Nurses

Nurses

28/6/06
"This is not a very good one, but hope you will like it.
F. A. Newbury"
photographer unknown

not identified

not identified

Bateman & Son, Portrait Specialists, Weymouth

not identified

R.A.P. Galleries, Royal Arcade, Weymouth

20/1/07
Puzzle "Find me"
This was taken the day after Xmas, it is suppose to be very good. The room is just off the Wards. How are you? Flossie Newbury

by Pattillo, "The Bridal Photographer" Dunedin

by William Ferrier, Timaru