Dunedin Law Courts facts for kids
The Dunedin Law Courts is an important old building in central Dunedin, in the South Island of New Zealand. You can find it at the corner of Lower Stuart Street and Anzac Square. It's right across from the city's famous railway station. Since 1902, this building has been used as the city's main court building. It has four courtrooms, including the grand High Court. It also holds offices and a library for the Law Society.
Building Design and History
The Law Courts building was one of the first big projects designed by a government architect named John Campbell. It was built between 1901 and 1902. The building officially opened its doors in April 1902.
The Law Courts are next to the old Dunedin Central Police Station. This police station was also designed by John Campbell, but it looks very different! The police station was built in the 1890s. It was designed in a style called Queen Anne, which was not common in New Zealand. It was meant to look like New Scotland Yard in London.
The Law Courts, however, are built in a fancy but serious style called Victorian Gothic. This style is similar to some buildings at Dunedin's University of Otago Registry Building.
What the Building is Made Of
Like many other big, old buildings in Dunedin, the Law Courts are made from special local materials. The main part of the building uses dark rock called Port Chalmers breccia. This rock is decorated with lighter Oamaru stone. Oamaru stone is a type of compacted limestone found north of Dunedin. The roof of the building is made of slate and granite.
The main entrance to the court is at the bottom of a short tower. This tower has a special statue on it. It's a white marble statue of Justice, and she does not have a blindfold on.
A Special Historic Area
The Dunedin Law Courts building is very important. It has a Category I rating on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust register. This means it's a highly valued historic building.
The courts, the railway station, the old police station, and other nearby buildings create a special historic area. This area is close to the heart of the city. It stretches along State Highway 1 and up Lower Stuart Street towards The Octagon.
One of Dunedin's oldest hotels, the Law Courts Hotel, is also in this historic area on Lower Stuart Street. It's a large building with an Art Deco design. This hotel is also listed by the Historic Places Trust. Its location near the courts and the Otago Daily Times newspaper office has made it an important part of the city's history. It first opened way back in 1863 as the Auld Scotland Hotel.
