Unknown Photographer

This painted photograph is blind stamped "MACLEOD" probably indicating the painter rather than the photographer. The reverse is inscribed "No. 338 Mr Gill, Winton". 

BEERE, Daniel Manders

Messrs. Beere
Daniel Manders Beere and probably Gerald Butler Beere

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2043, 5 February 1864, Page 5

 Military camp at Drury, Auckland 

Photograph taken by Daniel Manders Beere. Marvin, W G (Captain) :Marvin family photographs. Ref: PA1-q-320-27-1. 

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. 
http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22641000

 Queen's Redoubt and military camp at Pokeno south of Auckland 

Photograph taken by Daniel Manders Beere. Marvin, W G (Captain) :Marvin family photographs. Ref: PA1-q-320-27-2. 

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.  
http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23150427

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.
Last Meeting of the Session.

The last meeting of the session was held on Monday night in the Museum room, there being very few present, no doubt on account of the bad weather prevailing at the time ... Donations to the Museum ... an album of 24 photographic views in the province of Auckland, D. M. Beere ...

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 271, 17 November 1886, Page 6

Watercolours by 
Gerald Butler Beere
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand

Hikurangi Pah, Wanganui River.
Beere, Gerald Butler, 1836-1914: Hikurangi Pah, Wanganui River. [1880s].. Ref: B-139-008. 
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.  
http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23151685

Totaratiatia, Wanganui River from the Waimarino Road. [1880-1890s]
Beere, Gerald Butler, 1836-1914: Totaratiatia, Wanganui River from the Waimarino Road. [1880-1890s]. Ref: B-160-021. 
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.  
http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23239362

Ruananakia [militia armed forces camp at Taupo or Tauranga Harbour. 1870-1880s?] Beere, Gerald Butler, 1836-1914: Ruananakia [militia armed forces camp at Taupo or Tauranga Harbour. 1870-1880s?]. Ref: C-014-012. 
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
 http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22762968

 Mt Ruapehu
Beere, Gerald Butler, 1836-1914: Mt Ruapehu. [1880-1910?]. Ref: B-159-001. 
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. 
http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22876745

Family

Gerald Butler Beere (1796-1876)
Gerald first served an apprenticeship to his father Daniel, a goldsmith and Freeman of Dublin. He then took Holy Orders and became Rector of the Parish of Kilbixy, which is near the town of Ballynacargy in Westmeath County and later Rector of Adare, Prebendary of Ballycahane, both in the County of Limerick and also Prebendary of Limerick Cathedral.  He married Mary Florence Armstrong, 5th child of General Alexander Armstrong. 1851 census records show that they leased property in Main St Blackabbey, near Adare, from the Earl of Dunraven. [died 20 June 1876 at Adare in his 81st year]

 

Gerald and his wife Mary appear to have had nine children:
Margaretta Jacques Beere. (c. 1830–1868+) married Thomas Gabbett.

 
Alexander Nenon Beere – married Alice Maunsell. Alice’s family were most important in drawing the Beeres to New Zealand. The Lord of the Manor at Adare in Ireland was the Earl of Dunraven, one of whose daughters married a George Maunsell who, with other family members, owned the Bank of Limerick. The eldest son of this match, Richard Maunsell, entered the Church of Ireland and was appointed to the living of Rector of Adare.  The 7th son, Robert, came to New Zealand as a missionary in 1835 and became a noted Maori scholar[1]. A contemporary rated him as, “the best there has ever been”. He spent many years translating the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into Maori. Robert and his wife Susan established schools to educate the Maoris at his mission at the Waikato Heads. He helped collect signatures for the Treaty of Waitangi but was later very outspoken about the injustice of the Taranaki War. He conducted the first church service in the new town of Auckland, and later became the Archdeacon of that city from 1870.

 
Edward Holroyd Beere (1843-1906) served as a volunteer during the Maori Wars and completed survey work in the Waikato district.  He was known by his second name.  It was customary in those days to give children a middle name to honour a wealthy relative, usually a godfather, in the hope that they would sponsor the child’s education.  This accounts for the number of Butler, Armstrong and Wyndham names given to the Beere sons in the 19th century and later.  During Maori Land Wars he was awarded the War Medal for Service. He served as a scout and was with von Tempsky for a time.  Later he was Borough Engineer in Patea and finally set up practice in Wellington (6 Lambton Quay) where he planned, surveyed and graded areas from Mirimar, Kilbirnie, to Seatoun and other parts of the SE suburbs.  He lived adjacent to “Beerehaven Steps” in Seatoun until he died in 1906.  Holroyd was born in Kilbixy and educated in Limerick.  He was a close friend of the Earl of Dunraven who lived at Adare Manor, an 840 acre estate, and was well known later for his two attempts to win the America's Cup.

At the time of the creation of the 1875/76 electoral roll, Edward was recorded as living on a leasehold property described as Lots 3, 4, Church Mission property, Shortland. Shortland and Grahamstown on the Coromandel later merged to become what we now know as Thames. He did suffer bankruptcy later in the 1870’s but was discharged in 1880. Married Mary Brewer.

 
Daniel Manders Beere (1833-1909) was a civil engineer, a very good artist and photographer.  He travelled to Canada and USA in 1855 doing survey work on the railways and sketching all the time.  Daniel was educated in Ballynacargy, Westmeath County.  At an early age he went as a cadet to his Uncle, William Armstrong, a bridge engineer in Canada and came to New Zealand in 1863. 

A Maritime Exhibition to commemorate the founding of the Port of Auckland included a series of photographs attributed to him.  These are now in the Auckland City Archives.  There are others in the National Library in Wellington.  Other examples of his photographs survive in an album, which has been passed down and now gifted to the Coromandel Heritage Trust.  Although these photographs are now discoloured and stained they remain remarkably sharp.  Among them are photographs of the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana that were destroyed by the Mt Tarawera eruption.

Daniel was first appointed to serve under the Provincial Government as a Surveyor in 1864 at Auckland and was later engaged in the Waikato District.  He left the service on October 1867 after completion of the road from Mercer to Ngaruawhahia.  He was responsible for the “laying out” of the first railway in the region, which was from Auckland to Helensville.  Later he was responsible for laying out the railway from the Manawatu to Wanganui, the Pakipaki to Waipukuraua section of the Napier-Woodville railway and the construction of the Hamilton Railway bridge. 

From 1868 to 1873 he and brother Holroyd were living in Thames, surveying the Coromandel goldfields and dealing in fractions and shares of claims.  This was
necessary as prospectors could only pay them that way.  After 1886 he travelled extensively and finally settled in Melbourne.

Daniel never married
[died 26 September 1909 at the Holy Trinity Church, Kew, Melbourne - refer The Argus, 28 September 1909, page 1]

 
Gerald Butler Beere (1836-1914) was also born in the Parish of Kilbixy and educated in Ballynacargy.  He joined the Army (62nd Regiment) and after spending three years in North America and four with the 15th Foot in the Mediterranean. He married Matilda Brady and came to New Zealand in 1864 where as Captain he was given command of the 4th Regiment of the Waikato Militia.  Later he became an engineer with the Public Works Department and was, like his brother engaged upon railway construction, especially the Rotorua Railway.  He spent some years in Australia as inspector of Roads and Bridges for the district of Denilquin, NSW but returned to New Zealand where he died in Devonport in 1914. Gerald was a competent artist and his work is in the Alexander Turnbull library.

Gerald married Matilda Brady. 

Gerald Butler Beere and family. 

Beere, Daniel Manders, 1833-1909: Negatives of New Zealand and Australia. Ref: 1/2-096223-G. 

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.  

http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22683539

Nenon Francis Beere who married Thomasina Brown Brady (sister of Matilda who married Gerald. See above) and remained living in Ireland except for a period during which they lived on the island of St Helena.  One of his children, Lionel, became a missionary in Korea and finally settled in New Zealand after being driven out by the Japanese in 1940.

 
Walter Villiers Beere also came to New Zealand.  He was an engraver. Walter never married.

George Armstrong Beere 
Charles Pelham Browne, Gisborne
courtesy of Alan Turner

George Armstrong Beere was born in 1840 in County Limerick, Ireland.  He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and served on the railways in Ireland.

He came to New Zealand from Ireland on the "Shalimar" with his brother Holroyd Beere arriving in Auckland on 20 December 1862. Four days later, George married Georgina Emily Armstrong, his cousin (also a passenger on the “Shalimar"), on 24 December 1862, at Old St Paul’s Auckland. He was employed for years at Marlborough Municipal living at Havelock and Picton.  In 1868 he went to the Thames goldfields and joined with his brothers as mining engineers and surveyors working under the name of Beere Bros. Around 1875 he was recorded as living in Grey Street, Shortland.

In 1891-92 George and his brothers prepared a large map of the goldfields with details of mines and reefs.  This map was observed hanging in the Thames School of Mines in 2010.  Amongst projects they were responsible for were the Town Belt, Lowry Bay Wharf and sub-division, Greytown Railway line, Mungaroa to Waikanae and Kilburnie Road.  In about 1873 George and Edward went to Wellington in private practice.

In 1881 he went to Gisborne as engineer and draughtsman with the East Coast Land Co remaining until his death in 1915.

George owned one of the first cameras bought to New Zealand. Unfortunately it was lost in an accident (burnt) but not before a number of 8’ x 6’ photos of the minefields had been taken.  These were kept at the School of Mines. 

George married Georgina Emily Armstrong, a first cousin, and daughter of Fanny Louisa (nee Bell) and Alexander Armstrong. [Death reg. 1915/686 George Armstrong Beere aged 77 years]

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

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

Portrait of
James Elsbee
pioneer Christchurch photographer by
Daniel Louis Mundy

Description: Portrait of James Elsbee, pioneer Christchurch photographer, taken by Daniel Louis Mundy of Christchurch. ID: PA2-1455

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

 

 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.

Collis and Davis

Collis and Davis
 opposite the Provincial Hotel, Ridgway Street, Wanganui

December 1899 -  March 1901

Emily May Collis [Emmie]

daughter of Mary and William Collis, sister of the photographer William Andrews Collis

born circa 1870, reg. 1870/12842

  died 23 August 1903 Ingestre Street, Wanganui [1] aged 33 years

reg. 1903/5432

 married 30 September 1901 

at the residence of the bride's parents, Vivian Street, New Plymouth, reg.  1901/2779 

Francis Alexander Shaw Carlisle

issue:    

Doreen May Carlisle, born 6 September 1902, reg 1902/14670,  died circa 1975, reg. 1975/47182, married circa 1928, reg. 1928/1646 George Gothorp

Mrs Carlyle, whose death was announced from Wanganui this week, was a lady of considerable artistic capability and promise. Before her marriage, when she was Miss Emily Collis, she gained quite a reputation for her clever and humourous black and white work, some of which appeared in the Observer from time to time in the form of caricatures and sketches from New Plymouth. The deceased lady was the youngest daughter of the late Mr W. Collis, photographer [sic], of New Plymouth.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 50, 29 August 1903, Page 4

Mr W. A. Collis has forwarded to us some specimens of his Christmas photograph cards, which are very artistically got up. The chief feature in the cards this year is the Jubilee gathering in the centre of the town in March last, although, of course considerably reduced, the figures are very distinct. The border of flowers around the picture is pretty, and adds to the attractiveness of the cards. Mr Collis has also views of a waterfall on the Waiwakaiho some of which have been artistically coloured by Miss E. Collis, and form a very pretty picture. On one of the boughs of a tree are the words "Compliments of the Season." There should be a large demand for these cards.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9208, 20 October 1891, Page 2 

We understand that the Misses Davis and Collis, both well and favourably known in connection with the photographic art, and who were recently with Mr Martin at his studio in the Avenue, have decided to commence business for themselves. To that end they have leased promises in Ridgway Street, next Mr Hogg's confectionery establishment, and will open the same next week under the title of the Ridgway Studio. It is to the credit of these ladies that they have the enterprise to thus start business for themselves, and, knowing their capabilities, we wish them every success.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9912, 30 November 1899, Page 2

 


A new departure in the photographic line is the enterprise displayed by two young ladies of Wanganui. Miss Davis, whose woik as a mounter and finisher is well known, and Miss Collis, an artist of considerable talent and repute, have taken the up-stairs portion of the Ridgway buildings, and will open Ridgway Studio next week. The Studio is being fitted up in keeping with the most modern ideas, while the ladies' dressing, room, office, laboratory, and appliances are all up-to-date. We congratulate these young ladies on their enterprise, and 
anticipate good business for them.— Wanganui Chronicle.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11696, 11 December 1899, Page 2

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9912, 12 December 1899, Page 3

Misses Collis and Davis, the enterprising young ladies who have opened a photographic studio in Ridgway Street, four doors from the Post Office, announce that they are now prepared to fulfil all orders entrusted to their care, including re-touching and enlarging.

Miss Collis is an artist of no mean ability, whose lightning sketches and other work is not unknown in Wanganui, and in addition she has had considerable experience in photographic studios in Auckland and New Plymouth.

Miss Davis was connected with Mr A. Martin's studio for many years, and also with Messrs Wrigglesworth and Binns of Wellington, so that both ladies are well qualified to conduct a business that we sincerely trust will be highly successful. such enterprise, especially when undertaken by the fair sex, deserves hearty support.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9912, 12 December 1899, Page 3

Misses Collis and Davis, the enterprising young ladies who have decided to enter into the photographic business on their own account, announce that their Ridgway Studio is now open. The studio, which is situated four doors from the Post Office, is replete with all the necessary conveniences, and is, we need hardly add, most artistically arranged. Misses Collis and Davis are deserving of encouragement for their enterprise, and it is pleasing to note that yesterday, when their studio was first opened to the pubic, they had quite a number of sittings.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 14 December 1899, Page 2 

The photographic art practised in Wanganui is generally criticised by those in a position to pass opinion as being equal to anything of the kind in the colony.

Within the past four weeks the Ridgway Studio has been established and fitted in an up-to-date manner by the Misses Collis and Davis, and during that time they have been kept busily employed in attending to the requirements of many clients from town and country. The result to-day is a display in the show cases of some really excellent specimens of their skill, including some beautiful enlargements, bearing most favourable comparison in quality with work turned out from more pretentious ateliers, and at prices practically lower than those charged in the larger centres.

The Misses Collis and Davis have a happy idea as to the posing of the subjects brought under the camera, and the finishing and mounting by the aid of the latest bromide process gives an effect which is decidedly satisfactory. The works of art referred to include not only adults, but a number of juveniles, the latter taken in some new and novel positions, artistic and at the same time pleasing to the eye. We heartily compliment the Misses Collis and Davis on the undoubted success which has so quickly attended their business enterprise, and anticipate for them a long continuance of that public and practical support which they so much deserve.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9937, 13 January 1900, Page 2

 The two large show cases on either side of the entrance to the Ridgway Studio, containing as they do many beautifully-finished photographs, give ample evidence of the large amount of work recently perfected at the establishment, proving also how successful the Misses Collis and Davis have been during the few months since they commenced business. Particular attention is directed to the show case with the artistic display of children's photographs, without doubt a speciality of this up-to-date atelier.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10017, 21 April 1900, Page 2

Misses Collis and Davis are progressing in Wanganui. An enlarged photograph recently finished by them for presentation was declared by the Wanganui Herald to be the best yet turned out in Wanganui.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11821, 14 May 1900, Page 2 

 The show cases at the entrance to the studio of Misses Collis and Davis are at the present time filled with splendid photographs, indicative of much skill on the part of the well-known lady photographers. Misses Collis and Davis are prepared to undertake any class of photographic work, and it is superfluous to say that patrons may rest assured that the very best results will be the outcome.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 29 December 1900, Page 2

The Misses Collis and Davis, who have been in business in Wanganui for the last fifteen months having disposed of their interests in the Ridgway studio, request that all accounts owing to them be paid forthwith, and state that they will be in attendance up till Saturday, 16th March, to receive the same.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10280, 5 March 1901, Page 2 

 Sketches by Emily May Collis (EMC)
Observer, Volume XI, Issue 761, 29 July 1893, Page 12

  

 His Excellency the Governor at New Plymouth.
Sketches by Emily May Collis (EMC)
 Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 990, 25 December 1897, Page 17

  A New Plymouth Sketch
 The above represents what befel three New Plymouth sports. Their tin gee-gee, it is supposed, having come from the wilds of Bell Block, was not accustomed to meeting so much youth and beauty at one swoop. Accordingly he shied, and shot the three sports into the ditch.
A sketch by Emily May Collis (EMC)
Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1023, 6 August 1898, Page 22

Women named Davis on the 1900 Wanganui Electoral Roll:

Annie Davis

Beatrice Maude Davis

Elizabeth Davis

Emily Mary Davis

Mary Davis

Sarah Ann Davis

Sarah Davis

Minnie Davis

Mary Davis

[1] Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 201, 24 August 1903, Page 8

Brogan

Louis Gladstone Brogan
born 9 January 1870 Wellington, New Zealand
son of Emma and Patrick Brogan
died 18 October 1943 Wellington, New Zealand

Mr L. G. Brogan, late of Christchurch, has purchased the interests of Misses Collis and Davis in the Ridgway Street Studio, and will in future carry on the photographic business in those premises, giving prompt attention to all orders that may be entrusted to him. It may be mentioned that Mr Brogan has also bought out the whole of the plant and appliances connected with Mr. Dunlop's studio in the Avenue, and will concentrate the same in carrying on the Ridgway Street Studio, possession of which was taken to-day.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10280, 5 March 1901, Page 2

 


Mr. L. Brogan, who has acquired the joint photographic businesses of Misses Collis and Davis and Mr. Dunlop, comes to Wanganui with a first class reputation as an artistic photographer. He has filled responsible positions with some of the best known city firms, and samples of his work, now on view at the Ridgway street Studio, speak eloquently as to his ability as a finished and painstaking artist.

Among the more prominent pictures, on view in the cases is a charming child study, depicting an infant in the full enjoyment of a morning tub, several nicely arranged and artistically finished family groups, and a striking panel enlargements. One of the best pieces of photographic work we have seen was a beautiful feminine study in negrette, in which, we should imagine, Mr. Brogan has obtained the very results in the application of light and shade effects.

Mr. Brogan is up-to-date in his methods, and we notice that in the manipulation of the camera he has discarded the use of the "cap" the absence of which, he says, enables him to obtain a better control of the sitters, and to secure in all cases a natural expression. Mr. Brogan says he is determined to please patrons, and to that end, should a first sitting not give satisfactory results, he is prepared to give a second sitting without extra charge.

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 May 1901, Page 2

BROWN, James

James Brown

Tay Street, Invercargill

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 44, 17 February 1864, Page 1

Optimus Studio Co. Milton

Optimus Studio Co.
Milton


Bruce Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 137, 19 May 1903, Page 4

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 73, 23 September 1904, Page 4

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2114, 1 May 1908, Page 4

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXV, Issue 2116, 18 December 1908, Page 4

  Clutha Leader, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 20 April 1909, Page 6

W. Moffat

Clinton

 

WALLIS, Robert

Robert Wallis

reverse inscription - "ac 1951/143 Claphams [1] Station, Pati Tapu, Alfredton
Pres T. W. Clapham [2], 58 Pipitea St, [3]"

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 12014, 26 June 1914, Page 1

[1] Alfred Robert Clapham

[2] Thomas William Clapham

[3] Wellington

BAVERSTOCK, William Sykes

William Sykes Baverstock

also see Old Canterbury
O.B.E., F.R.S.A.
born 2 August 1893 Norwich, Norfolk, England
died 11 October 1975 Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch
aged 82 years
buried Bromley Cemetery block 34 plot 43NS

 In Memory of William Sykes Baverstock O.B.E., F.R.S.A. by H. S. Baverstock

pages 52-53

He was a skilled and inveterate photographer, many of his photos being published in the Christmas Number of the "Weekly Press," and the "N.Z. Traveller." Over 100 photos of his taking, developing and enlarging were published in N.Z. Annuals, in the "N.Z. Illustrated," Tui's Annual (N.Z. Dairy Exporter Annual), the "Press Junior," N.Z. "Free Lance," N.Z. Railways Magazine, Brett's Annual, the Otago Witness, the N.Z. "Mirror" and the Boy's High School Magazine. He contributed many of his photos to Brett's Annual form 1928-1932 and they were always glad to publish them. His photos of paintings and sculpture were published in "Art in New Zealand." He judged the Photographic Competition for the Canterbury A. and P. Association.

He was a foundation Member of the Christchurch Photographic Society and for several years exhibited in the New Zealand Inter-club Photo Competition. He designed and made a number of coloured advertisements - lantern slides for theatre use. I have over 80 enlarged, mounted and titled photos of West Coast scenes, many of great historic interest. He took intense interest in many Agricultural Shows in the Show Grounds, particularly in the side-shows and the circuses in front of which usually stood that spectacular Aborigine, Queensland Harry. He was meticulously careful in all processes of developing, printing and enlarging. His sepia enlargements are still as good as new. There is a valuable series of photos of those wonderful town site buildings of Canterbury College. He also took a series of photos of the grounds of Boys' High School after I had planted the whole premises in trees and shrubs. His photos depict the South Island from the Sounds to Lake Manapouri and throughout the West Coast.

pages 52-53

Christchurch Photographic Society.

At the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Photographic Society Mr. T. W. Rowe presided over an attendance of 23 members and friends. The lantern lecture, "Across France to the Pyrenees," was not able to be given, owing to unforeseen circumstances. The president gave a most interesting talk, "With Camera and Bicycle in the South Island." He spoke of the scenery, which provided much work for the photographer, also of the hospitality he met with on his cycling trips. The lecture was illustrated by many beautiful photographs. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer. The monthly competition,- "Landscape," brought a large number of entries, and the following awards were made: —Enlargements: F. L. Casbolt 1, T. W. Rowe 2, Miss M. Scott 3. Contact prints: W. S. Baverstock 1, 2, and 3. A field day will be held on Saturday, when a visit will be made to "The Tors and Castle Rock, Heathcote."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18329, 12 March 1925, Page 3

 Baverstock, William Sykes, 1893-1975. Ngaio Marsh - Photograph taken by W S Baverstock. Dacres-Mannings, J: Photographs relating to Dame Ngaio Marsh. Ref: PAColl-0326-09. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23167157

Matakitaki River by William Sykes Baverstock

Christchurch Boys' High School by William Sykes Baverstock

He attended the Christchurch School of Art as an evening pupil in 1915 and received a first class pass for drawing from life. Ngaio Marsh received a second class pass in the same category - Press, Volume LI, Issue 15463, 16 December 1915, Page 10.

Director of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery

Baverstock was Secretary of the Canterbury Society of Arts, part-time Curator of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery from 1943 to 1960 and Director (full time) of the McDougall Art Gallery from 1960 to c.1970.

He was a working member of the Canterbury Society of Arts from 1917 to 1972, although he did not exhibit every year.  

above: William Sykes Baverstock in 1967

Chch authority on art dies at 82

One of Christchurch's authorities on art, Mr W.S. Baverstock, died late last week. He was aged 82.

Mr Baverstock was born in Norwich, England, and came to New Zealand in 1901, when his father took charge of the lithographic department of "The Press."

While at the Canterbury College of Art he won two scholarships, and was awarded a first class diploma by the Society of Arts. His wide range of interests included caricatures, illuminated designs, and drawings, as well as painting.

He was a member of the management committee of Children's Health Camp from 1935, and was responsible for planning the health camps of New Zealand.

He was from its beginning a member of the Glenelg Health Camp committee, and a prominent member of the committee of the Friends of the Canterbury Museum. He was an honorary member of the museum staff and restored its paintings.

He was secretary-treasurer of the Canterbury Society of Arts, and the minute-books he kept constitute a history of art in Canterbury. His service to the society lasted from 1943 to 1959.

In 1948, he was appointed honorary curator of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, and in 1960 he became its first full-time director. In 1950, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He managed 90 major exhibitions for the Christchurch City Council, and 31 for the Arts Society. For many of these he prepared the catalogues and wrote all the advertising. In addition, he developed a print lending scheme and without fee, attended to hundreds of inquiries about works of art.

Mr Baverstock was the longest-serving member of the Christchurch Savage Club, and did many black-and-white caricatures for the club.

He was awarded the O.B.E. for his service to children and the arts. 

The Press, 13 October 1975.

"The Hollyford"
A mountain scene by William Sykes Baverstock
21.7 x  16.5
watercolour

1938 First Day Cover designed by William Sykes Baverstock for the Christchurch Sunlight League Health Camp Committee.
photograph courtesy of Dunedin Stamp Centre

www.dunedinstamps.co.nz

 

 

Family - William Baverstock was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England in 1893 the son of Alice Baverstock nee Sykes and William Baverstock. His father a lithographic artist was born in Pentonville, London about 1866 and his mother was born in Preston, Lancashire about 1862. There were two other known children both also born in Norwich; Harry about 1896 and Doris about 1900. The 1901 census shows the family living at 26 Wellington Road, Norwich. William's grandfather Thomas John Baverstock was a gold wire drawer.

William arrived in New Zealand with his family late in 1901; his sister Doris died nine months after their arrival aged 1 year 9 months. His mother died in 1922 and his father in 1964 aged 98 years. His brother Harry, a school master died in 1984 aged 84 years.

added 20 June 2010