New Zealand Odyssey: Havelock Post Office (1988)

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

In 1988 this was the post office in Havelock, a charming little village at the southern end of Pelorus Sound. It was a rather grand post office and it was said that the plans for it had been mixed up with those for a church. Apocryphal? Must be, but it makes a good story.

In those days, when New Zealand Post still had some pride, they came out every day at opening time to hoist the flag which then flew until closing time. I haven't been to Havelock lately but I'm sure the building still exists - perhaps it's a restaurant? Or museum? Or library? I doubt if they still sell stamps.

Oh, and that telephone box is historic, too.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz

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Country Churches of NZ 146. St. Peter's, Havelock, Marlborough

I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

ST. PETER'S, HAVELOCK

I've made no secret of my admiration for the work of Frederick de Jersey Clere. Most of his works that I have illustrated are in the North Island so it was a thrill for me to realise (immediately when I saw the spire of St. Peter's) that this was without doubt his work.

If his first design for St. Peter’s had been accepted it would have been a typical timber church but the vestry committee insisted on stone; it's actually brick sheathed in mica schist. It was built by H. G. Daikep in 1905 for £560.

I found the interior disappointing. There were no pews, just rows of what looked like temporary cinema seats. But, as always, it's the external architecture that matters to me, and St Peter's, overlooking the calm waters of Pelorus Sound, is just fine.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz
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