Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers

In the early days of European settlement, government was through six provincial districts, each of which had a Superintendent. The first Canterbury Superintendent commissioned Benjamin Mountfort to design the government offices which were built in three stages.

The heart of the first stage was the timber chamber with galleries for the public and press, and arched ceilings of native timbers. A more elaborate group of Gothic Revival buildings dominated by a large stone tower was completed in 1861. It was connected to the original building by a long, low corridor. With heavy structural beams and flagstone paving, this corridor seems more reminiscent of cloisters than secular government. The third stage, the stone chamber, was built in more prosperous times to accommodate the growing number of councillors.

It is an ornate room in High Victorian Gothic style with elaborate stonework, wonderful tile patterns, fine carvings and colourful stencilled ceilings. According to legend, the French stenciller needed two barrels of brandy to complete the four-month job! Enjoy reading some of the homilies and texts inscribed in the stained glass windows. Unfortunately, the politicians would have found them difficult to read from their seats in the chamber.

Unfortunately the Provincial Council Chambers were extensively damaged in the February 2011 earthquake, since then, stabilisation work has been completed. Investigations indicate that a large part of the facility may need to be re-built. There are also potential land issues to be resolved.