Illustrated London News (London, England), Saturday, April 09, 1853; pg. 268 and 269; Issue 616

The Sketch of Christchurch, the capital of the newly-found colony of Canterbury, was taken by one of the earliest settlers [Dr Alfred Charles Barker], who was a member of the party landed from the Charlotte Jane (the leading ship of the four which carried out the founders of the colony), on the 16th of December 1850.

At that time, the site of the future town was not even chosen. Although a general decision had been made that the future capital must be founded in some part of the vast plains to the north of Banks's Peninsula, it had been wisely left for the colonists themselves, upon their arrival, to make the final choice of its exact locality.

In the eleventh number of the Canterbury Papers, published for the Association, a view appeared of the great plains, with the "forty-mile Beach," as seen from the top of the hills around Port Lyttelton, in which the future site of the capital is indicated by smoke arising from the neighbouring farm of Riccarton, in the possession of the Messrs. Deans. The imaginary site has now been converted into a reality; and the above view exhibits the actual state of the town on the 4th of December, 1851, less than twelve months after the landing of the first colonists.

The river Avon flows through the centre of the town, bordered on the banks by bullrushes of enormous growth, and the tói-tói or tufted grass, which often grows to the height of eight feet, and is found in most moist places. Specimens of the flax-plant, also, with which New Zealand abounds, may be seen intermingled, in the foreground of the Sketch.

At the time, the only mode of transit across the river was by the foot bridge, which is here delineated; since that time, however, a wooden bridge, fit for the passage of horses, has been added in another part, and it is hoped that the town may not be long without a bridge of a more substantial nature. The stream is beautifully clear, and abounds with fish, though not in general so good for eating as those which may be found in large quantities in the sea, at four miles' distance.

The principal structure in the foreground of the picture is the land office, where all transactions respecting the sale and transfer of land are carried on; the flagstaff that is attached to it seems both to indicate the seat of local government, and also answers the purposes of a town clock; the time of day being indicated by the flag, which is hoisted when the sun-dial which is erected in the garden opposite has registered the hour of noon.

above: The Land Office

The larger house to the left belongs to Mr. Brittan; and the less pretending one, still more to the left, called, from the hue of the walls, Blackwall-house, is occupied by Mr A. C. Barker, late surgeon-super-intendent of the Charlotte Jane. The building in the distance, to the right, above the wooden bridge, is the temporary church, also of wood.

above: William Guise Brittan's house

above: Dr. Alfred Charles Barker's house in Worcester Street.

The hills that bound the horizon separate Port Cooper from the plains; varying in height from 800 to 1600 feet, and dying out to the right of the picture, where the great Sunmer plains stretch to the southward, forming the southern portion of the Canterbury Block.

At the present time, however, the town of Christchurch is somewhat in advance of the state here depicted, as more houses have been built, and the population considerably increased by emigration; but it is to feared that the continual tide of population that has lately set in to the gold-producing colonies of Australia, must for a time at least retard the growth of this growing colony.

Should the reports be confirmed which have lately arrived, announcing that gold is discovered in New Zealand, it is more than probable that the Canterbury Settlement will have to go through the same fiery ordeal as the neighbouring colonies of Australia; and he must be gifted with far more than ordinary penetration who can foresee the effects of the discovery upon the fortunes of the present settlers.

above: centre, the Church of St Michael and All Angels - the temporary church of wood and the Worcester Street Bridge.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 March 1851, Page 1

Hitherto, the Canterbury Colony has appeared a desirable locality for extensive sheep-farming; its vast plains, being nearly destitute of wood, are suitable for the pasturing of sheep to an almost unlimited extent. But, should such a change as that which is now reported, come over the spirit of their dreams; the well-intentioned plans which were formed by the Canterbury Association, will, in all probability, be rendered abortive by discoveries which no human foresight could have anticipated.

Moorhouse

 
William Sefton Moorhouse 

by George Anderson Lawson (1832-1904)

The William Sefton Moorhouse statue in the Botanic Gardens, Christchurch was based on a portrait by the Christchurch photographer James Elsbee.
Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5521, 30 May 1883, Page 2

Unveiling statue of Mr. W. S. Moorhouse, at Christchurch, New Zealand
Illustrated London News, March 20, 1886; pg. 292; Issue 2448

Star, Issue 5508, 5 January 1886, Page 4

The Moorhouse Statue. - Those who were present at the ceremony of unveiling the Moorhouse statue could not fail to notice a sort of cage-like erection in front of the spot selected for the official platform and near to the entrance gate.

From this Mr Richard Smith, an amateur photographer of no mean ability, took several most excellent views of the proceedings at different stages. These will form a very interesting memento of the important event which then took place, because the series of pictures gives, as it were, a continuous history of events.

In the first one we have Mr John Ollivier requesting his Excellency, the Governor to perform the ceremony of unveiling. This is a very excellent view, all the figures on the platform being easily recognisable.

Then, next is his Excellency the Governor addressing those present, followed by one immediately on his performing the ceremony of unveiling. Strange to say, to those who knew the late Mr Moorhouse intimately, photographic representation of the statue shows a most striking likeness to him in "his habit as he lived." Indeed, as one of his intimate friends said on seeing it, "That is just how Moorhouse used to look when he sat down to have a yarn."

The next of the views shows his Excellency addressing Mr Leonard Harper when handing the statue over to the care of the Domain Board. The last portrays very truthfully what was perhaps the most interesting event of the ceremony, viz., Mr W. Moorhouse addressing those who had congregated to do honor to his late illustrious father. Alike from an artistic and historic point of view, Mr Smith is to be congratulated on the success which he has achieved in this series of pictures, and as he notifies that copies are obtainable, no doubt many will take the opportunity of securing them as a souvenir.

Press, Volume XLIL, Issue 6326, 29 December 1885, Page 2

Past and Present, and Men of the Times by William Jackson Barry
McKee and Gamble, 1897, Wellington New Zealand Electronic Text Centre

 Statue of William Sefton Moorhouse in the Botanical Gardens, Christchurch

Fifty Years Progress in Canterbury - The Jubilee Number of The Weekly Press Christchurch, N.Z., 1900.

In the Gardens, Christchurch - Muir & Moodie
(The Moorhouse Statue)

above - 2004
below - 1 May 2012

A Wooden Cathedral

The Cathedral.

Last Sunday morning we went to church as becomes all good Christians. The morning was cool out of doors from the evaporation caused by a strong breeze. In doors it was oppressively hot the wind being in the North-west.

Being a member of the Church of England, we performed our devotions at St. Michael's, the fashionable church of Christchurch and we must confess we had to do so under disadvantages of a very formidable kind. A long low building, with walls not much above the height of a man, and a not very steep roof, with an aisle of rather less width and height, is not a convenient sort of apartment into which to crush a large congregation of men, women, and children, as closely as is consistent with the compressibility of men's flesh and women's crinoline.

It does not seem to us that human beings are at all more awake to the impulses of piety when in a situation of acute personal discomfort, than when pleasantly accommodated with fresh air and a moderate temperature. Nor, so far as experience has gone, can it be said that religious truths are more successfully inculcated in an unsightly barn than in a decent parish church. The world would not appear to have grown more religious since the time when the Jewish monarch abstained from building himself a house until he had completed a temple for the worship of Jehovah.

With us it is different. We build houses and surround them with every luxury of modern domestic life. Our young men provide themselves with a club, whose substantial comforts reflect in a limited, but really not wholly insignificant manner, the splendour and luxury of the palaces of Pall Mall. Our Provincial Council discusses the temporal welfare of the community under a roof which even amidst the halls and chapels of England would rejoice the hearts of lovers and connoisseurs of medieval architecture. Our houses are daily growing in magnitude, and convenience, and architectural embellishment. Our expenditure on public works and undertakings is the largest in proportion to the population which probably the world has ever seen.

The Christchurch Club

With all this it is a fact that the principal place of worship in the chief town of the province, is exactly the same miserable barrack, with some make-shift additions, in which the few first colonists assembled to worship, within a month or two after first landing on these unoccupied shores.

Let it be remembered we are speaking of the Church of England. No such disgrace hangs over the Wesleyan or Presbyterian communions. A stranger driving through Christchurch could not fail to be struck with the churches erected by both these Christian bodies, and would, no doubt, arrive at the conclusion that they constituted the most numerous, and most wealthy, and most influential sections of the community. He would, did he know nothing of Church history, imagine that it had been the dissenting bodies who had been the students and patrons of Church architecture, whilst the peculiarity of Episcopalians had been to promote simplicity, unsightliness, and discomfort in their places of worship. Amazed indeed would he be to learn that Canterbury had been founded as a specially Church of England community, and that the numbers of that body still exceeded in a great degree those of all the other religious communities combined.

The Wesleyan Church

But we forget. There is another church in Christchurch. That large roof on the north side of the river, which is sometimes mistaken for a riding school or a theatre, is also a church. Having been rescued from the peril of falling down, which it modestly endeavoured to do well nigh before completed, as in despair at its own ugliness, it has been propped and stayed into a ricketty, but let us hope, shortlived existence. We cannot therefore accept St Luke's in satisfaction of what Christchurch ought to do for itself in the way of church building.

Why has not Christchurch a proper decent church to accommodate the large congregation of the Church of England? Is it the fault of the Bishop or of the Synod? or of the Church Trustees? or of the parishioners? or of the Incumbent? The Incumbent, by the way, may console himself for the want of a parsonage, by the consideration that his congregation have not yet even thought it right to build themselves a decent place of worship. Whosesoever fault it is, no one will deny that it is a somewhat discreditable fact that whilst every other building, public and private, increases with the advance of the place, the church building power of the community remains comparatively stationary.

Now we believe there have been two reasons for this. First, when it was most desirable to enlist all the power of the Church on one good central building, the design was set on foot for dividing Christchurch into two parishes, and for having another church on the north side of the river. St. Luke's Church is the result. It was built as an accommodation to that earnest class of Christians who will, it is supposed, go to church if the walk occupies five minutes, but on no account if it demand ten minutes. Unfortunately the smallness of the congregation at St. Luke's hardly justified the greatness of the sacrifice.

Secondly, there is, we believe, an ambitious desire on the part of some persons to see a great cathedral built on Cathedral Square, apart from the parish church. We have seen very beautiful designs by Mr. Gilbert Scott for such a cathedral. The cost of such a building will be, we should imagine, some twenty thousand pounds. But are we to wait till this great structure can be achieved? In our humble opinion such a work is, in the present state of the colony, mere folly.

Fifty years hence ten thousand pounds will be as easily raised in Canterbury for a cathedral as ten hundred now. Nothing that we can possibly build now will satisfy our posterity a few years hence. Our task therefore should be far different. It should be to keep alive in the community, by temporary and convenient church accommodation, and by the ministration of the clergy, that faithful spirit which will one day produce the vast sums which will be required for a cathedral in Christchurch.

A plain handsome church, capable of holding from 800 to 1000 persons, could be built on Cathedral Square for £3ooo or £4000. That money could, we believe, be raised forthwith, especially if arrangements were made with the subscribers for dividing their subscriptions over two or three years, and with the banks for advancing money upon such guaranteed subscriptions. By this time next year a building ought to be standing in Cathedral Square, which would answer all the purposes of a parish church for Christchurch, and of a cathedral for the diocese for many years to come. It ought to be of wood, not of stone.

A wooden building would not cost more than one-fifth the price of a stone building of equal architectural decoration. Stone has little advantage over wood, except in its durability, and durability is not wanted in a country where nothing can possibly be built now which will not be swept away as worthless in twenty or thirty years. Some of the most beautiful churches of England have been of wood. The church of Beovoir, in Cheshire, was repaired but ten years ago, and was built about A.D. 1350. Wood is the material of some of the noblest roofs in Europe. Who is not conversant with the roof of Westminster Hall? Canterbury has often been charged with making broad its phylacteries in church matters. We wish we could see it set itself to work in earnest to build a cathedral on such a plan that it could be done at once.

Press, Volume III, Issue 78, 25 October 1862, Page 1

Christchurch Past and Present.

To look back some quarter of a century in the history of a colonial town and mark the improvements and progress made, is not only instructive, but to many a pleasant reviving of old memories.

The early struggles, the hardships, and the discomforts inseparable from the earlier phases of colonial life are remembered now — whatever they may have been felt at the time - as a rather jovial time.

Those amongst us who after having borne the heat and burden of the day are now enjoying the well earned fruits of their labors, will have an additional feeling of pleasure when they compare the Christchurch of 1854 with that of 1877.

The block map of the city recently issued by Mr Strouts, and which has been accepted by the City Council as the official map, enables one to make this comparison most effectually. By means of the block system, whereby the several houses on each block are shown, one is enabled at a glance to see the extent to which our city has extended. Old colonists will well remember that for many years the inhabited portion of the city was but small. Where now exist rows of handsome villas was then open grass land, and, except a small cluster of houses round what is now the centre of a thriving city, houses were not.

The rapid strides made therefore, which are so clearly delineated on the map referred to, make it an invaluable reference to the old resident, whilst to the new comer it affords a vast amount of information which will be valuable to him in ascertaining the position of any place he may desire to find out. In addition to the blocks and streets being carefully shown, the public buildings of the city are numbered on the plan, and an index given, so that they may at once be discerned.

But the map goes further than this in the matter of furnishing us with some interesting statistics, from which we can make the comparison between Christchurch past and present. After noting the first step in its history, the survey and laying out in 1850, it proceeds to give us the materials for the task of contrasting the two epochs.

In 1854 we find the population to have been 548 all told, and the number of houses 109. In three years, that was in 1857, the population had increased to 953, and the number of houses to 177. Taking now a step of seventeen years, we come to 1874, and the comparison is something wonderful. The population then was 10,284, with an annual assessment of £103,473 and 2000 houses within the city.

Only three years more, or up to the present time, and we find still more gratifying evidences of progress. The population, from 953 in 1857, or twenty years back, has increased to 13,200; the number of buildings from 177 in 1857 to 4178. We have thirty-two miles of streets formed and channelled and partly paved, and gas laid on throughout a considerable portion of the whole. Of our railways, electric telegraphs, &c it is needless to speak. It will be seen that the map to which we have been referring is not only useful as a faithful representation of the city as it is, but enables us to arrive at some idea of the manner in which during the past few years it has extended.

It has been issued by. Mr Frederick Strouts, the compilation having been executed by Mr Lambert, and the lithography by the Press Company. Altogether it is so useful for reference, &c., that everyone should possess a copy.

Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3799, 25 September 1877, Page 3

Reynolds

John Reynolds

John Reynolds J.P.

Mayor of Riccarton from 1913-15.
Riccarton Borough's first Mayor.

Yesterday afternoon a large and representative deputation from tho Riccarton borough waited upon Mr John Reynolds, the Mayor of Riccarton, to ask him to stand again for office. Mr John Graham acted as spokesman. He said that the work of the Mayor had been distinctly creditable, and he was voicing the opinion of the great majority of the people of Riccarton in asking him to serve a further term. Mr Reynolds said he was pleased to learn that his efforts had been appreciated, and he had very much pleasure in acceding to the request.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14625, 28 March 1913, Page 6

Lyttelton

Lyttelton

William Jacques

William Jacques

Mayor of Sydenham 1893 and 1894

born 1850 Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England
son of Ann and William Jacques (shoemaker)
arrived New Zealand about 1874
died 10 January 1930 aged 80 years
buried Linwood Cemetery Christchurch block 41 plot 13

he married 1stly Mary Ann Matilda
she died 16 July 1910 at 95 Montreal Street, Christchurch aged 62.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13789, 19 July 1910, Page 10

he married 2ndly Teresa Agnes Lavinabout 1918 (reg. 1918/3526)
born circa 1872 Ireland, arrived NZ about 1883
died 22 April 1931 aged 59 years
buried Linwood Cemetery Christchurch block 41 plot 13

1930 – retired, 122 Osborne St, Christchurch

Ship Star of India.
Information obtained from Immigrants.

William JACQUES: Married, one child - Carpenter - from Northamptonshire (lately from Kent)

A conversation with Mr Carr of Brighton first made me think of emigrating to New Zealand. Mr Carr had lived in New Zealand and he gave very good accounts of it as a place for working men to go to. He sent me copies of the "Times" with several articles about New Zealand and the prospects for Emigrants. Mr Carr gave me letters of introduction to friends of his in New Zealand. I wrote to the Agent General and received a form to fill up as to my character etc. This I returned duly filled up and I soon after received another letter telling me when to join the ship. I paid my own fare to London and was not kept waiting for the ship. There are no Agents in Kent and the people there know nothing about New Zealand except by chance conversations with some one who has been there or has friends there. An intelligent Agent from New Zealand who could answer the many questions intending Emigrants ask about climate etc and who knew something of the way of living amongst laboring men in the Colony, could induce great numbers to come from Kent. A great many leave there every year for America.

He was the contractor for building the Good Templar Hall at the corner of Manchester and Worcester streets in 1875. The architect being Thomas Cane, the contract price was 455 16s

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3008, 13 April 1875, Page 2

Star, Issue 5779, 18 November 1886, Page 2

Result of the Poll.

The following is the result of the poll taken yesterday for the election of a member of the Sydenham Borough Council, rendered vacant by the resignation of Councillor Fisher: William Jacques, 169; Thomas Green, 167; John Wakefield, 77; John Andrews, 73.

New Butter Cooler, Mr Moorbead, of High street, has in his shop a new butter cooler, which has been constructed by Mr William Jacques, of Montreal street, Sydenham. The cooling tank consists of kauri timber, made water-tight, into which a continuous stream of cold water is allowed to run. The water is allowed to stand about 4in deep, and over it are placed trays capable of holding about 300 lb of butter. The trays being perforated and the sides being free, the cold air is allowed to circulate over the butter. Mr Moorhead has tested the tank during the last few weeks, and is well satisfied with it. During last week some butter arrived in a very soft state he placed it in the cooler for about an hour, when he was enabled to remove it in firm condition.
Star, Issue 7303, 27 October 1891, Page 2

Councillor William Jacques was the only person nominated at noon to-day for the mayoralty of the Borough of Sydenham, he has been declared duly elected.
Star, Issue 7426, 22 November 1892, Page 3

He stood unsuccessful for the Lyttelton Electorate in 1896(1). He was re-elected to the Sydenham Borough Council in September 1897 (2). In 1899 he was Chairman of the Christchurch Domains Board (3). In November 1899 he was nominated as a candidate for the Lyttelton Electorate (4) but was unsuccessful receiving 898 votes, the winning candidate George Laurenson received 2698 votes (5). He was returned to the Sydenham Borough Council again in 1900 representing the Newtown Ward (6).

Yesterday morning a youth, aged about 15, son of Mr W. Jacques, Mayor of Sydenham, met with a painful accident at Tai Tapu. He was in the act of getting on a horse, when he fell and the animal either kicked him on the leg or trod upon it, breaking it below the knee. The sufferer was driven home by his father, and the injured limb was at once set.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8683, 5 January 1894, Page 5

Member of the Cathedral Completion Fund Committee (7) and the Christchurch Hospital Board (8).




Mayors of Sydenham include:
J. Forrester 1886
J. Forrester 1887
1888
1889
George T. Booth 1890
George T. Booth 1891
Thomas J. Gledhill 1892
William Jacques 1893
William Jacques 1894
1896
Nicholas K. Bowden 1897
J. Forrester 1898
John Hadfield 1899

sources:
(1) Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9594, 8 December 1896, Page 1
(2) Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9828, 10 September 1897, Page 1
(3) Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10869, 10 June 1899, Page 1
(4) Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10514, 28 November 1899, Page 6
(5) Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10530, 16 December 1899, Page 9
(6) Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10755, 7 September 1900, Page 1(7) Star, Issue 6479, 6 May 1899, Page 8
(8) Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10331, 27 April 1899, Page 2

census - Tunbridge Wells 1861

Canterbury Engineers

Lieutenant Anderson's Album

Canterbury Engineers

Canterbury Engineers. After the parade of the Canterbury Engineers last night a meeting of the Company was held in the Orderly-room, Captain Webster presiding. Sergeant-Major Lawrence, by permission of the captain, presented Lieutenant Anderson with a handsome album, containing portraits of eight noncommissioned officers whom he had prepared for their examination in the special work of the Company. They had all passed with credit, and were, it is stated, the first non-commissioned officers in Canterbury who had passed in any special branch of the work laid down by the new regulations. They showed their appreciation of their instructor by presenting him with the album, the title page of which was handsomely illuminated by Mr A. M. Owen [Alexander Milsted Owen], and bore the signatures of the donors.


Lieutenant Anderson thanked the noncommissioned officers for their gift, and said that he would be only too happy to instruct any other members of the Company who might come forward. Copies of the photograph of the non-commissioned officers were also presented to Captain Webster and Lieutenant M'Gee, who suitably acknowledged them.

A sterling silver cup, presented by the surgeon of the Company, Dr Moorhoure, as a shooting prize, was received, as was a silver cup presented by Mr Sandstein, to be competed for by the signallers of the Company. Lieutenant Anderson's health was drunk with musical honours, and, after spending some time in conviviality, the members of the Company separated.

Star, Issue 6811, 26 March 1890, Page 3

George Kent Fisher Lawrence, Sergeant Major
Thomas Henry Kay, Quarter-master Sergeant
Albert Partridge, Sergeant
W. J Lebren [Le Cren?], Sergeant
Henry Munday Mardon, Sergeant
George Dennis, Sergeant
John Thomas Midgley, Sergeant
David Lee, Corporal

The other remaining cabinet cards from the album are as follows.

John Henry Fisher

John Henry Fisher

born 7 April 1858 St Pancras, Middlesex, England
the son of Henry Fisher and Prudence Lean Hean
arrived Lyttelton, New Zealand
on the Merope, 27 October 1870 aged 12 years
died 4 October 1948 at his residence 206 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

married 8 March 1883

at St John's Church, Christchurch
by the Rev. H. C. M. Watson

Alice Jane Harrison
eldest daughter of T. Harrison of Christchurch

1861 - 40 Clarence Gardens, St Pancras, London aged 3

above - Alice Jane Fisher nee Harrison and Henry Harrison Fisher in August 1892.
Photograph by Standish & Preece, 218 High street, Christchurch.

above - Gladys Fisher and Henry Harrison Fisher.

above - from left: John Henry Fisher, Gladys Fisher, Alice Jane Fisher nee Harrison, Alan Frederick Fisher and Henry Harrison Fisher about 1898.

Head of Long-Established City Firm is Ninety To-day

"Fifteen two, fifteen four; one for his knob makes five, and I'm out," said Mr J. H. Fisher, pulling the pegs out of the crib board that his father brought to New Zealand nearly eighty years ago.

Mr Fisher, head of an old-established firm of art dealers, was enjoying the eve of his ninetieth birthday with half an hour of his favourite relaxation—a game of cribbage.

Mr Fisher, who is 90 to-day, is known widely throughout New Zea¬land, and many old friends and cus¬tomers called to congratulate him at the shop in Colombo Street this after¬noon. Telegrams had started to flood in yesterday, and plans were well advanced for a family, reunion, which included a visit to the shop.

Genial and alert, his memory unimpaired by the passage of so many busy years, Mr Fisher said to¬day that he was in splendid health for his birthday except that a lame leg restricted his movements. He has a wealth of stories of early Christ¬church, dating back to his arrival at the age of 12, and his life has been one of the threads that make up the yarn that is the history of Christ¬church.

The familiar skull cap on his head, Mr Fisher spoke to-day of the his¬tory of the city, and in particular of the history of the business with which he has been associated for so long. The fourth generation of the family is now represented in the firm.

Trade With Dignity

The record of the firm is more than one of mere commercial success. The making of picture frames and the purchase and sale of pictures is a trade with a quiet dignity derived from the art it serves and those who practise it must have both a love and a know¬ledge of pictures.

Mr Fisher's firm has an associa¬tion with the old families of Canter¬bury which has now extended to the third and fourth generations. It has customers and friends in many dif¬ferent parts of New Zealand. The work of great artists has been exhibited in the shop's gallery and customers of the past included the great Dutch painter, Van der Velden—so worthily represented in the McDougall Art Gallery—who made his home in Canterbury.

Seventy-eight years ago, in 1870, the firm of Steere and Wates, art dealers and picture framers, was bought by Mr Henry Fisher, father of Mr J. H. Fisher. Henry Fisher had been foreman with a leading firm of gilders in London. While with this firm he had carried out many framing commissions for many of the foremost British artists of the day and had been entrusted with the gilding work at Windsor Castle.

For some years, the business was carried on in premises opposite the Bank of New Zealand in Hereford Street, but in 1884 was removed to a site in High Street, and in 1939 to the present premises in Colombo Street. Mr H. Fisher retired from active business in 1905, and two years later, Mr J. H. Fisher was joined by his son, Mr H. H. Fisher. Now, Mr J. H. Fisher is prevented by his lameness from making regular visits to the shop, but two grandsons, Messrs Ken Fisher and David Fisher, are repre¬sentatives of the fourth generation.

John Henry Fisher
Photograph by Steffano Webb, Christchurch

Record of Service

But it is not only the Fisher family which has a record of long service with the firm.Mr
Fisher is proud of the long associa¬tion between the old firm and its employees. He recalled to-day Mr W. H. Cockroft, many years foreman, had retired last year after 60 years' service. The joiner, Mr J. F. Kingdon, has been an employee for 48 years, and another employee, Mr R. Flavell, has a record of 29 years.

One of the most interesting aspects of the firm's work is the restoration of pictures which have deteriorated through age or have been damaged. Mr Fisher recalled that the firm had restored the pictures taken from the old Durham Street Art Gallery, and another achievement was the complete restoration of a Van der Velden which was in a very bad state of repair.

This picture had been rolled up and the canvas was cracked on almost every half inch of its surface.

Commenting further on the work of the firm, Mr Fisher recalled the days of fifty years ago when the framer could not buy hundreds of varieties of ready-made mouldings, but had to make his own. Gilding, too, was done painstakingly by hand. It was a craftsman's job and some of the frames gilded 60 years ago still show no signs of wear.

Many artists have experienced the kindliness of succeeding generations of the Fisher family during the past 78 years. Not only have they been encouraged, and guided in the development of their craft, but instances of tangible assistance have not been wanting and more than one hungry man has had his first good meal for some time after a visit to Mr Fisher's shop.

Early Christchurch

Mr Fisher's memories of early Christchurch are many and varied. It affords remarkable evidence of his long sojourn in the city to learn that as a boy he picked apples on the present site of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association premises, and took part in the Anniversary Day sports on Latimer Square.

When a man has an individual mannerism in dress it often becomes an integral part of his personality. Thousands of Christchurch people recall Mr Fisher's presence in his shop, and it would have surprised them had he not been wearing his little skull cap. Asked to-day when he started to wear this head cover¬ing, Mr Fisher, for the first and last time during the interview: " You have me beaten."

"My father wore one before me," said Mr Fisher. "I lost my hair early and followed the same cus¬tom. I have several of these caps, and two or three women friends have asked if they may have them when I am gone."

Surrounded by members of his family down to great grandchildren and with a well-warranted pride in his achievements as connoisseur and craftsman, Mr Fisher is enjoying his birthday. It is certain that the day's celebrations will include another bout at the crib board with Mrs H. J. D. Shelden, a family friend, with whom he has been conducting a marathon tournament for a number of years.

A Friend of Artists
Death of Mr John H. Fisher

One of Canterbury's earliest art patrons, Mr John H. Fisher, died this week at the age of 90. Mr Fisher, who was well known as the head of a firm of art dealers established by his father in 1870, helped many of the earliest artists in the province. Many experienced his kindliness, were encouraged and guided in their craft, and received more tangible assistance when in need. His shop in Hereford street and later in High street was a meeting place, and his death severs a connexion (sic) with artists which went back s as far as the days of John Gully, one of the first New Zealand landscape painters.

Count Nerli, a notable Italian portrait painter, who painted Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa and sold the portrait for a song in New Zealand (it hangs now in the Scottish Academy) was well known to Mr Fisher.

Petrus van der Velden, the Dutch painter, who gave Christchurch its first experience of the Rembrandtian artists, was also a frequent visitor to the shop. Van der Velden acted as the mentor of many young artists and made of Christchurch the art centre of New Zealand.

During this period, when art societies were flourishing and the first art gallery was opened in Christchurch, van der Velden gathered a school of young artists about him, many of whom lived a Bohemian life and Mr Fisher's shop was their usual meeting place. Maddren, Walsh, and Sprott were among his followers and a tradition of landscape painting which has been continued by several Canterbury artists was established. Van der Velden's insistence on a profound study of his subject matter was implanted in his contemporaries.

John and Menzies Gibb, Lindauer, who painted the Maori and whose best work is in Auckland, near Goldie's collection and Hoyte and James Peele, were other early artists with whom Mr Fisher was connected.

Mr Fisher's father set a high standard in the work displayed and sold in the shop, and this tradition was continued by his son. Because of his acute understanding of human nature Mr Fisher was an expert salesman and a highly-skilled liaison between artists and patrons. Due in some measure to his work, Christchurch now possesses a representative collection of the works of New Zealanders and has been the selling centre of New Zealand. The work of New Zealanders has been stimulated by the importation, by the firm, of many of the best works of overseas artists.

H. Fisher & Son

H. Fisher & Son
Henry Fisher and John Henry Fisher

Fifty Years Ago.
From the "Lyttelton Times'' September 18, 1874.

...Local Industry - Mr Fisher, Hereford Street, has just finished a very handsome picture frame, ordered by a gentleman in Southland, for the purpose of being sent to England. It is intended to enclose a picture of New Zealand scenery for presentation to the "Cotton Lords," of Manchester as a specimen of New Zealand art. The frame is 4ft 10in by 3ft 6in, very neat in design and exceedingly well furnished.

Henry Fisher founder of H. Fisher and Son
Photograph by Standish and Preece
Platinette Process

Half a Century of Business
Messrs H. Fisher and Son
Many Years of Service to Art

The story of H. Fisher and Son, art dealers and picture frame makers, is more than a record of commercial progress, although an outstanding name and reputation achieved during, more than 60 years of business is sufficient witness to the success of the firm. However, the making of picture frames and the buying and selling of pictures is a trade with a dignity derived mainly from the art which it serves. To frame pictures as they should be framed it is necessary to love pictures. The buying and the selling, of course demand discrimination and some of the qualities of the connoisseur.

The firm has been working now for three, and in some cases four, generations of many of the old Canterbury families. The work of great artists has been exhibited in the little gallery in High street from time to time.

The great Dutch painter who made his home in Canterbury, Van der Velden, was a customer, and there is no doubt that he, like many other Canterbury artists had more than the regard of a business acquaintance for the men who framed his works. There were some artists, too, who had reason to be grateful for assistance given them, often without thought of repayment, in early attempts to make their way.

Sixty-five Years Ago

Sixty-five years ago, in 1870, the firm of Steere and Wates, art dealers and picture framers, was bought by Mr Henry Fisher, the father of Mr J. H. Fisher, the present senior part¬ner. Henry Fisher had been foreman with a leading firm of gliders in London, J. R. Chance. While with them, he had carried out framing commissions for many of the foremost British artists of the day, and had been entrusted with gilding work at Windsor Castle.

For a number of years Mr Fisher carried on the business in premises on the corner of High street and Hereford street, opposite the Bank of New Zealand. In 1884 he moved to the present site in High street. He retired from active business in 1905. In 1907 Mr J. H. Fisher was joined by his son, Mr H. H. Fisher, who later became a partner.

The firm has just cause for pride in the length of service of some of its employees. The present foreman, Mr W. H. Cockroft, joined the firm years ago, and the joiner, Mr J. F. Kingdon, 35 years ago. Even the junior workman has been with the firm for 16 years, and the average length of service of the whole staff is more than 33 years. There are eight employees
in all.

Henry Fisher founder of H. Fisher and Son
Photographer unknown

Restoration of Pictures

The restoration of pictures which have lost their freshness, or have been damaged, is work only for experts. Abroad it is a highly regarded professional service. Yet this work has been done by H. Fisher and Son since the firm began in business.

The firm was en¬trusted a few years ago with the restoration of the pictures which were taken from the old Durham Street Gallery. Quite recently the complete restoration was effected of a Van der Velden which was in a very bad state of repair. This picture had been rolled up and the canvas was cracked on almost every half-inch of its surface.

Picture-framing does not demand to¬day the detailed craftsmanship necessary 50 years ago. Then it was not possible to buy hundreds of varieties of mouldings ready made, needing only to be cut into lengths and built into frames. Every moulding had to be made by the framer.

Gilding, too, was not a mechanical process. It was done with gold leaf—thin leaves of 22 carat gold—which had to be applied to the moulding with expert care so that no mark appeared on the smooth golden surface. Some of the frames gilded in this way have been returned to the shop after 60 years, showing no trace of wear; this is only another indication of the way in which the craftsmen of the old tradition did their work to stand the test of time.

Help for an Artist

One example of the assistance so willingly given by the firm to artists in difficulties, and also of the way in which generosity may be imposed upon, is an incident which occurred many years ago in Mr Fisher's shop. A well-known artist came into the shop, dressed, in the style of the day, in frock-coat and "bell-topper." Before he left his night's lodging had been paid for, and his fare to Wellington. Mr Fisher recalls that this artist carried all his painting materials in the case of his "topper."

By some operation of the "whirligig of time," the original label of the firm advertises a branch of' work which has only recently, after 30 years or more, returned to popularity. Among the many undertakings of the firm was mentioned, "ladies" needlework mounted." Probably the style of the needlework was different from that of the embroidered designs popular today, but the moral is the same.

Not many Christchurch people realise the extent of the business of H. Fisher and Son, in represented only to them by the shop and gallery in High street. Actually, the firm undertakes commissions from all parts of New Zealand, and sends a good deal of work abroad. Much of this work outside the city is sent at the expense of the customers, which indicates the wide recognition of the quality of the work of the Christchurch firm.

The Press, Saturday 10 August 1935

Obituary
Mr J. H. Fisher

Mr John Henry Fisher, aged 90, died at his home in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Fisher, who was born in London came to Christchurch with his parents in 1870. His father established a business as a picture framer and art dealer when he arrived in Christchurch, and Mr Fisher entered the business as a young man, and was actively engaged in it until about a year ago.

He was educated at St. John's Day School, and in his youth was a keen cricketer. Mr Fisher was well known in Christ­church, and was an authority on the early history of the city.

Mr Fisher's wife died in 1914, and he is survived by three children, Miss Gladys Fisher and Messrs Harry and Alan Fisher, all of Christchurch.

A Friend of Artists
Death of Mr John H. Fisher

One of Canterbury's earliest art patrons, Mr John H. Fisher, died this week at the age of 90. Mr Fisher, who was well known as the head of a firm of art dealers established by his father in 1870, helped many of the earliest artists in the province. Many experienced his kindliness, were encouraged and guided in their craft, and received more tangible assistance when in need. His shop in Hereford street and later in High street was a meeting place, and his death severs a connexion (sic) with artists which went back s as far as the days of John Gully, one of the first New Zealand landscape painters.

Count Nerli, a notable Italian portrait painter, who painted Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa and sold the portrait for a song in New Zealand (it hangs now in the Scottish Academy) was well known to Mr Fisher.

Petrus van der Velden, the Dutch painter, who gave Christchurch its first experience of the Rembrandtian artists, was also a frequent visitor to the shop. Van der Velden acted as the mentor of many young artists and made of Christchurch the art centre of New Zealand.

During this period, when art societies were flourishing and the first art gallery was opened in Christchurch, van der Velden gathered a school of young artists about him, many of whom lived a Bohemian life and Mr Fisher's shop was their usual meeting place. Maddren, Walsh, and Sprott were among his followers and a tradition of landscape painting which has been continued by several Canterbury artists was established. Van der Velden's insistence on a profound study of his subject matter was implanted in his contemporaries.

John and Menzies Gibb, Lindauer, who painted the Maori and whose best work is in Auckland, near Goldie's collection and Hoyte and James Peele, were other early artists with whom Mr Fisher was connected.

Mr Fisher's father set a high standard in the work displayed and sold in the shop, and this tradition was continued by his son. Because of his acute understanding of human nature Mr Fisher was an expert salesman and a highly-skilled liaison between artists and patrons. Due in some measure to his work, Christchurch now possesses a representative collection of the works of New Zealanders and has been the selling centre of New Zealand. The work of New Zealanders has been stimulated by the importation, by the firm, of many of the best works of overseas artists.



Family:
John Fisher, confectioner and pastry cook of Bath, (1834 - of no. 5 Beaufort Square) born circa 1805 married Anne Fisher born circa 1808, her family were cloth weavers and farmers of Bradford, Somerset. He was the son of John and Amy Fisher. Following his death his widow Amy Fisher married Mr May, she had two sons Fred May and Edwin May, one or both of whom went to America.

issue of John Fisher and Anne Fisher:
1. Henry Fisher born 15 November 1834 Bath, son of John Fisher, baptised 7 December 1834 at Walcot Parish, Somerset by G. Barry vol. 43 page 261, arrived Lyttelton, New Zealand on the Merope, 27 October 1870 aged 35, died 24 February 1923 at Christchurch, New Zealand. Married 25 May 1857 St Pancras Church, St Pancras, London by A. L. Redfern, curate, no. 329 page 165, witnessed by Charles Sowden and Grace Sowden, Prudence Leah Hean born 7 March 1838 Plymouth, daughter of Robert Hean and Elizabeth Davies (or Davis), arrived Lyttelton, New Zealand on the Merope, 27 October 1870 aged 32, died 1 August 1923 at Christchurch, New Zealand.
1857 - joiner of Charlotte Place, St Pancras, London

issue:
a. John Henry Fisher born 7 April 1858, arrived Lyttelton, New Zealand on the Merope, 27 October 1870 aged 12, died 4 October 1948. Married 8 March 1883 Alice Jane Harrison
b. Robert Lewis Fisher born 25 November 1860, died 9 December 1860
c. Frederick Lewis Fisher born 1 December 1862, died 29 April 1864
d. Minnie Prudence Fisher born 19 March 1865, died 29 March 1865
(e. Agnes Dawkins Fisher born about 1867 married - Harrison?)

Henry Harrison Fisher born 30 July 1891, died 9 July 1970. Married 26 March 1916
Dorothy Elizabeth Reynolds
Gladys Leah Fisher
Alan Frederick Fisher, married Ruby Bateman

2. Prudence Fisher born 31 October 1836, married James Mortimer 27 May 1858, died 29 March 1859
a. daughter born 21 March 1859

3. Sarah Fisher born 17 January 1839
4. Caroline Fisher born 9 November 1841, married Charles Henry Bishop born circa 1827
5. Fredrick Fisher born 17 January 1844 (or Frederick?)
6. William Fisher born 21 March 1846
7. Charles Fisher born 8 September 1848

John Davis Hean born 5 November 1834 married Ann Bussell 19 August 1867
Prudence Mary Hean daughter of above born 25 June 1868
Prudence Leah Hean born 7 March 1838
John Davies died 22 February 1863 aged 63 years (not spelt as Davis)
Sarah Jane Paddon died 28 September 1863 aged 34 years
Mary Ann Allen born 8 May 1841