Waitaki District Council building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waitaki District Council building |
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The building in 2013
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| Former names | Oamaru Chief Post Office |
| General information | |
| Address |
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| Coordinates | 45°06′03″S 170°58′08″E / 45.1009°S 170.9689°E |
| Construction started | 1883 |
| Completed | 1884 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Forrester |
| Designated: | 28 June 1990 |
| Reference #: | 2294 |
The Waitaki District Council building is a very important building in Oamaru, New Zealand. It used to be the main post office for the town. Now, it's where the Waitaki District Council meets. The Council helps run the local area.
Contents
A New Post Office for Oamaru
Oamaru was growing fast in the 1800s. The first post office, built in 1864, quickly became too small. People needed a bigger place to send and receive their mail.
Designing the Building
In 1883, plans were made for a brand new, larger post office. The government gave about NZ£4,000 to help build it. The design was in a style called Italian architecture. It was meant to look strong and handsome, but not too fancy.
The building would use local materials. Its base would be made of blue stone. The rest of the building would be built with famous Oamaru stone. This stone is a light-coloured limestone found nearby.
Opening Day and the Missing Clock
The new post office opened in 1884. Everyone was excited, but there was one big thing missing: a clock tower! The original design included a tall, decorated tower. People were a bit disappointed it wasn't there yet.
Even without the tower, the building was very popular. It appeared on postcards, calendars, and even plates. It was a symbol of Oamaru.
Adding the Clock Tower
Ten years later, the clock tower was finally added. The Post and Telegraph Department, which ran the post office, said the town of Oamaru had to pay for the clock and its chimes.
A Gift from John McLean
A rich businessman named John McLean helped out. He had lived in Oamaru for many years. When he passed away in 1902, he left money in his will specifically for the clock.
Since Mr. McLean never married, his nephew, John Buckley, helped with the unveiling. The clock and chimes were officially revealed on 17 September 1903.
Protecting a Historic Building
In the 1940s, many post offices had their heavy clocks taken down. This was because they could be dangerous in an earthquake. However, people in Oamaru fought to keep their clock. They were successful, and the clock in the Oamaru post office stayed.
The building is now very important for its history. On 28 June 1990, it was officially recognized by Heritage New Zealand. It has a "Category I" listing, which means it's a place of special historical value.
In 1994, the post office moved out. Since then, the building has been used by the Waitaki District Council. It continues to be a central part of Oamaru's community.
