Wellesley Street East
1886 (Burton Brothers) – 2026
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Historical image: School of Art - Auckland, 1880s, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers. Te Papa (C.011233)
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Looking east from Queen Street toward Wellesley Street East and the then-new Public Library and Art Gallery building, with its tower awaiting installation of its clock. Burton Brothers plate number 4343.
The date for the historical image must be 1886, given two prominent advertisements on the hoardings near centre (see detail below). The one at left ('Destroyed Terraces') announces a Burton Brothers Limelight Lecture (essentially a 19th century public slide show, possibly narrated by Alfred Burton) on the destruction of the celebrated Pink and White Terraces and other consequences of the recent eruption of Mount Tararewa on 10 June 1886.
The reference to its right to W. E. Sheridan, 'Tragedian', and Louise Davenport advertises dramatic performances at Abbott's Opera House. See the newspaper announcements below (which appeared together) for details.
New Zealand Herald 13 July 1886 Page 8
Below: The Burton Brothers photographer made another plate of this Wellesley Street scene without changing the camera position. It has survived only (it seems) in the form of a print which crops the view somewhat (click on the image to toggle transition between the two versions).
Historical image: School of Art - Auckland, 1880s, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers. Te Papa (O.036513)
Below: Lastly, a crop from the quite detailed Te Papa plate C.011233, showing children near the Lorne Street corner.
