Gaul's Portrait Rooms

John Gaul
(c. 1831 - died 27 November 1876)

Jan 1870 - at W. H. PERKINS, London Portrait Rooms., Hokitika.
Feb 1871 - Mawhera Quay, Greymouth
Oct 1871 to Nov 1875 - Colombo Street, Christchurch.

FAMILY INFORMATION
John Gaul was born in Alvah, Banffshire, Scotland about 1831 the son of John Gaul, a brewer and his wife Ann nee Mackintoch (MacIntoch/McIntosh). The 1851 census shows him living with his parents at the Mill of Baniff, he was then aged 20 years and employed as a cabinet maker.(3)

He married firstly at Baniff on 8 May 1857 to Jessie Gossip the daughter of James Gossip, a stoneware merchant and Barbara nee Hay. A son Joseph Gaul was born 4 April 1858 at Baniff. The family arrived in Melbourne sometime before 1860 when a second son James Alexander Gaul was born (reg. 13056); he died in 1862, another son James Gossip Gaul was born in 1862 (reg.7694) and a daughter Ann Mcintoch Gaul was born in 1865 (reg. 15207). His wife Jessie Gaul died in July 1867 leaving three surviving children.

He remarried aged 37 to Margaret Dillon on 25 July 1868 at 55 Webb Street, Fitzroy according to the rites of the Baptist Church. His wife was born about 1847 in "Kintuckey" County Limerick, Ireland, the daughter of Michael Dillon, a farmer and Ellen nee Ryan. John Gaul was a photographer living in Regent Street, Fitzroy at this time. Witnesses to the marriage was Alexander Gaul and Jessie Gaul. From this second marriage he had a daughter Jessie Mary Margaret Gaul born 1868 (reg. 22710) in Melbourne (married John Bagley in 1889), sons Aloysius Anwell Gaul born about 1872, John Gaul born about 1873, Joseph George Gaul born 1875 and a daughter Ellen Gaul born November 1876 (married Richard William Walker). Following John Gaul's death in 1876 his widow married Michael Mahony or Mahoney on 12 April 1880 at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch, she was at this time a boarding house keeper. Her second husband died in 1894 and she married John McGrath on 5 October 1897 also at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch.

John Gaul - a professional photographer, was taking photographs in Melbourne in the 1860s. In 1863 he worked from his home, 2 Market Street, Emerald Hill (now South Melbourne), but he had established a separate studio at 77 Swanston Street by 1866. Gaul received a medal for his untouched portrait photographs at the 1866 Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition. During 1867 he expanded into the building next door and remained at 75-77 Swanston Street until 1869. In 1868-69 he made Frederick Alexander Dunn a partner, but by 1870 was on his own again, at 7 Bourke Street, Melbourne - Dictionary of Australian Artists Online

(He may be the John and Mrs Gall that departed Melbourne in Dec 1869 on the ship "Mary" and arrived at Westport on 17 Dec 1869 - refer: Index to Outward Passengers to Interstate, UK, NZ and Foreign Ports 1852-1896, Public Record Office of Victoria and West Coast Times, Issue 1323, 18 December 1869, Page 2)

We have much pleasure in noticing the arrival here of Mr Gaul, a photographic artist of some celebrity. Mr Gaul has taken up his quarters at the studio of Mr Perkins, in Revell street, (Hokitika) the light, and other arrangements at this studio being more perfect than any other in town, enabling portraits to be taken in a first-class style at almost any hour of the day. Mr Gaul was a prize medallist at the last Melbourne Exhibition. - West Coast Times, Issue 1354, 26 January 1870, Page 2

MR GAUL,

Photographic Artist, from Melbourne,
(Prize Medallist,). THOSE desirous of securing First-class Photographs are requested to pay an early visit, as Mr Gaul's stay will be limited. W. H. PERKINS, London Portrait Rooms.

PHOTOGRAPHY,

FINDING Mr. Perkins' Studio the best adapted for my work, and it also being the best one in town, I shall be prepared to execute first-class CARTE DE VISITE and CABINET PORTRAITS, &c, &c.

JOHN GAUL, of Melbourne,
London Portrait Rooms, Hokitika.
West Coast Times, Issue 1353, 25 January 1870, Page 3

We notice that Mr J. Gaul, photographic artist from Melbourne, is at present visiting town professionally, and will remain here during the holidays. He may be visied (sic) next to Mr Williams' Medical Hall, Mawhera Quay. - Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 766, 15 December 1870, Page 2

PHOTOGRAPHY.

MR J. GAUL, Photographer, Artist and Prize Medalist, from Melbourne, begs to state that— induced by the large share of patronage he has received, and for which he returns his grateful thanks - he will prolong his residence in Greymouth. His Studio is still the one expressly erected for him next to Mr. H. Williams's Medical Hall, Mawhera Quay. - Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 798, 16 February 1871, Page 3

Photography - Mr J. Gaul, First Prize Medalist, Victorian Exhibition, has Opened a new Studio for the production of FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY, above Professor Ayers', next door to Dr Foster's, Colombo Street, Christchurch. 4572 - The Star 28 October 1871, page 1.

SATURDAY, 16th MARCH,
At 12. o'clock.
SALE OF PROPERTY,
By Order of the Mortgagee,
Under power of Sale.

NANCARROW, "HENDERSON, & CO, favored with instructions, will sell by public auction, on the premises, on Saturday, the 16th instant, at 12 o'clock noon -
All that piece of Land being part of allotment No. 259, Native Reserve, Greymouth, having a front age to Hospital street of 50 links, by a depth of 150 links, together with the substantially-built Cottage thereon, only recently erected by Mr John Gaul, photographer. Terms at Sale. - Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1132, 14 March 1872, Page 3

Mr. Gaul, the well-known photographer of Colombo street, has just finished a group of photographs of those of the colonial representatives who fired at the recent meeting in the match between North and South. The group contains twenty photographs, including representatives from various parts of the colony — eight from Otago, three from Wellington, five from Auckland, one from Taranaki, one from Canterbury, one from Marlborough, and one from the Armed Constabulary Force of the North Island. The photographs have been very tastefully arranged on a large ornamental card, Captain Wales, the New Zealand champion, occupying the centre position. The card is surmounted by the New Zealand coat of arms, the crown and cross-rifle, and a scroll setting forth the number of points obtained collectively by the Northern and Southern representatives. The name and province is given under each of the competitors, and a souveneir (sic) of the first Colonial Prize Firing in this province, the picture is particularly interesting. The admirable manner in which the order has been executed by Mr. Gaul reflects the highest credit on that gentleman, and shows to what a state of perfection the art of photography has attained in this city. It is his intention to reduce the group into carte size, so that the general public may procure copies at a reasonable cost. - Lyttelton Times. - Evening Post, Volume VIII, Issue 80, 4 May 1872, Page 2.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2494, 2 August 1873, Page 1

A pamphlet is at present in course of publication by the Provincial Government of Canterbury, containing a variety of information with regard to that province. It is being published for circulation in the old country, so that intending immigrants will be supplied with information of an authoritative character, showing the resources of the province and the inducements it affords to those desirous of immigrating. In addition to the exhaustive information it will contain, the book will be illustrated, which is a new and commendable feature in publications of this kind. To effect this very desirable end, the Government have engaged the services of Mr Gaul, the well-Known photographer, who is now busily employed in finishing a number of views which he has already taken for the book. Amongst others, there is an exceedingly comprehensive view of Lyttelton, its harbor and shipping, the Government Buildings, Christchurch (including an interior view of the Council chamber), the Provincial Hospital, the Railway Station, besides a number of views taken in Kaiapoi and other districts in the province. - Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1630, 25 October 1873, Page 2. [This publication was not illustrated, so the proposal to use photographs by John Gaul appears to have been canceled.]

At the 1874 Exhibition held in Christchurch, John Gaul received a Certificate of High Commendation for photography. - The Star, Issue 1928, 9 May 1874, Page 2

Star , Issue 1957, 13 June 1874, Page 1

Mr Sherlock, of Gaul's photograph establishment, Christchurch, has succeeded in turning out ten excellent views of West Coast road scenery, taken in the neighborhood of Power's accommodation house, It is Mr. Gaul's intention says the Lyttelton Times, to obtain views of the best portions of the scenery right through to Hokitika, and he will commence the tour early next month, taking with him all the necessary apparatus to enable him to carry out his project satisfactorily. - West Coast Times, Issue 2890, 30 December 1874, Page 2

On 10 July 1876 John Gaul announced in The Star that he had purchased the photographic business of Mr Bowers in Canterbury Street, Lyttelton. He advised he was able to photograph views of houses, shipping, general landscapes etc.
The Star 10 July 1876 page 2




Supposed Suicide.- The Lyttelton Times of Tuesday says:- “Mr Gaul, photographer, Colombo street, died under somewhat peculiar circumstances yesterday morning. He had been in monetary difficulties for some time, and in talking to his assistant, Charles Parker, early in the morning, remarked that he could not see his way out of them, but he did not use any expression to induce the belief that he intended to commit suicide. A little time afterwards Parker saw him take something from his pocket and put it into his mouth, after which he sat down in a chair. Parker, being alarmed by Mr Gaul’s appearance, sent for medical assistance, and Drs Deamer and Doyle soon arrived, but death supervened before they could render any assistance. Deceased was unconscious when first noticed in the chair by his assistant, and remained so until he died, which was about 15 minutes afterwards. It is said that both medical men were of opinion death had resulted from poison. The body was removed by the police to the Hospital, where an inquest will be held at two o'clock this afternoon.
Timaru Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 1588, Wednesday 29 November 1876, Page 3

Charles Parker said at the inquest into John Gaul’s death that he had been employed as an assistant for the previous three years. John Gaul was married and had a least one son.(1)
He was buried in the Barbadoes Street Cemetery aged 42 years.(2)

Archives New Zealand – Christchurch branch has his probate records – refer CAHX 2989 CH171 CH 77/1876

Nelson Cherrill purchased his negatives.

(1) Timaru Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 1589, 30 November 1876, Page 3
(2) Cemetery transcript 1950
(3) Parish: Banff; ED: 8; Page: 14; Line: 1; Roll: 1115; Year: 1851.


The Press 1 June 1875














The ship "Varuna" arrived at Lyttelton on 27 May 1874 under Captain T. Y. Rowe.
























































Wise's Directory for 1872-73
Gaul, J., Colombo Street, Christchurch

The Southern Provinces Almanac 1873
J. Gaul, Colombo Street

The Southern Provinces Almanac 1874
J. Gaul, Colombo Street

The Southern Provinces Almanac 1875
J. Gaul, Colombo Street

Wise's Directory for 1875-76
Gaul, J., Colombo Street, Christchurch

The Southern Provinces Almanac 1876
J. Gaul, Colombo Street

The Southern Provinces Almanac 1877
J. Gaul, Colombo Street