Charles Beatson

Charles Beatson
Beatson Family, Charles is in centre at front
Born1846
London, England
Died1927 (aged 81)[1]
Ngatimoti, Waimea County New Zealand
OccupationArchitect
Years active1851–1889

Charles Edward Beatson (1846–1927) was a New Zealand architect who worked in the Colonial Architect's office. Beatson took over his father's, William Beatson, practice following his death and was initially active in the Nelson Province before moving to Wellington to work as William Clayton's assistant. Following the death of Clayton Beatson was assistant to his successor, Pierre Burrows, before eventually heading the office himself. Beatson eventually left the office and went into a private practice before retiring to Ngatimoti. Most of Beatson's work did not survive although several buildings he worked on have heritage status.

Early life

Charles Edward Beatson was born in 1846 in London as the son of William Beatson, a London architect.[1] Beatson arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand with his father 8 September 1851.[2]

Architectural career

Beatson trained under his father until his father's death in 1870. Beatson then took over his father's portfolio in Richmond and Nelson. Including work on the Holy Trinity Church in Richmond.[1][3]

Beatson's design for the General Assembly Library building

In May 1873 Beatson took up a role in Wellington as assistant to William Clayton, the Colonial Architect. After Clayton's death in 1877 Beatson was assistant to his successor, Pierre Burrows. After Burrows lost the role in 1884 Beatson held the position and titled himself as Colonial Architect.[1][a] In 1884 Beatson drafted an Italianate for the General Assembly Library, although the building was never constructed under Beatson's design.[5] In 1886 Beatson became director of the Petone & Hutt Building & Investment Company.[1] Following his departure from the position of Colonial Architect on 31 August 1887 he established his own private practice in Wellington, designing 28 buildings. His last known work was in 11 December 1888 and he left Wellington in 1889.[1][5]

Beatson was a juror for the 1885 New Zealand Exhibition's architectural competitions.[2]: 140 

Retirement and personal life

Beatson was recorded as living in Ngatimoti at the 1890 election with his occupation listed as architect. Beatson owned land at Ngatimoti with his brother Arthur. By 1893 election his occupation was listed as farmer. Beatson designed several homes in Ngatimoti including his own retirement home. His family home remains but the other Ngatimoti buildings have been demolished.[1]

In 1876 Beatson married Mary Alice Guy. Beatson died in 1927 at Ngatimoti.[1]

Legacy

Holy Trinity Church, Richmond has a memorial window to Beatson; Beatson designed the Holy Trinity Church.[2]: 130 

List of works

Name Date Image Note Ref
All Saints' Church, Nelson 1871 William Beatson designed the church and Charles Edward Beatson designed the chancel. [6]
Holy Trinity Church, Richmond 1872 Designed by William Beatson originally and following his death Charles Edward Beatson removed the chancel, vestry, and belfry to save costs. These were all later added to the church. An addition to the rear of the church was designed by a different architect, possibly based on designs by Beatson. [3][7]
Nelson Asylum c.1873 [8]
The Wigwam c.1877 Personal home for Beatson and his family. Demolished in 2018 [8]
St James Church, Lower Hutt 1880 Destroyed by fire in 1946 [8][9]
Nelson College for Girls 1883 [10][11]
Te Matai Native School c.1885 [5]
Government Printing Office 1884–1866 Only partially completed. Expanded and significantly altered in 1896 by John Campbell. Demolished in 1962. [1][5][3][12]
Whau Lunatic Asylum extension wing c.1885 Now demolished [2]: 140 [13]
Petone Town Board office 1886 [8]
Rangiora Post Office 1887 Demolished in 1934 [14][5]
Wellington Post Office 1887 Beatson was the architect for the restoration/reconstruction of the original building designed by Thomas Turnbull that was destroyed by fire. [3][5]
Port Chalmers Municipal Building 1889 Registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand [15]

Notes

  1. ^ Despite Beatson referring to himself as the Colonial Architect and a newspaper referring to him as such it is unknown whether he actually held the position; officially only William Clayton ever held the position of Colonial Architect.[1][3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mew, G.; Humphris, Adrian (October 2014). Raupo to Deco. pp. 66–67. ISBN 978-1-927242-56-8.
  2. ^ a b c d Bowman, Ian (2005). "New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Nelson branch". William Beatson, a Colonial Architect. p. 44. ISBN 0-9582625-4-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e Astwood, Karen (21 October 2009). Holy Trinity Church (Anglican) (Report). Heritage New Zealand.
  4. ^ "The government architect's office: 1940-1992". New Zealand Institute of Architects.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Richardson, Peter (1997). Building the Dominion: Government Architecture in New Zealand, 1840–1922 (PDF) (Thesis). Vol. 1.
  6. ^ "All Saints' Church (Nelson, N.Z.)". National Library of New Zealand.
  7. ^ Marriage, Guy; Marriage, Robin; Bowman, Ian (8 December 2013). "Stead Ellis, Architect". Architectural History Aotearoa. 10: 101–118. doi:10.26686/aha.v10i.7779. ISSN 2703-6626.
  8. ^ a b c d Grouden, Victoria (May 2019). Building Archaeology and Demolition Clearance of “The Wigwam” and Studio, 125 Western Hutt Road, Tirohanga, Lower Hutt (NZAA Site R27/625) (Report).
  9. ^ "St. James' Anglican Church (Lower Hutt, N.Z.)". National Library of New Zealand.
  10. ^ "Beatson, Charles Edward, 1846-1927".
  11. ^ Wilson, John (October 2011). Thematic Historical Overview of Nelson City (PDF) (Report). Nelson City Council.
  12. ^ "Campbell, John, 1857-1942 :Government Printing Office, Wellington - partly erected in 1887. Now in course of completion. J Campbell delt [1896 or 1897]". National Library.
  13. ^ Smith, Sam (18 February 2024). "What is going on with this derelict former psychiatric hospital?". Stuff.
  14. ^ "Rangiora Post Office". Landmarks. Waimakariri District Council.
  15. ^ "4373". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
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