Catalogue
Catalogue
Object Type
Name/Title
Account book
Primary Maker
Date
1841
Physical Description
Level of Current Record
Parent
Related Object Notes
Franklin, Eric Cyril. 'Mount Eden's first hundred years: borough golden jubilee, 1906-1956', Whitcombe and Tombs, Auckland, 1956. [Call No. DU 436.12]
Stacpoole, John Massy. 'William Mason: the first New Zealand architect', Auckland University Press, Auckland, 1971. [Call No. NA 1606 Sta]
MS 951
Subject Notes
William Mason (1810-1897) and Thomas Paton (1815-1901) were notable early Auckland settlers who entered into a brief partnership as auctioneers and architects for several years during the early 1840s. Mason, who was already an accomplished architect before his arrival in New Zealand, is credited with designing the former government house in Auckland and St Matthew's Church in Dunedin. He designed and built Auckland's first flour windmill, 'Eden Mill' (later known as Bycroft's Mill), at Mt Eden in 1844, as well as his friend Paton's family homestead at Eden Hill Farm, Epsom. Mason was also one of the promoters and early proprietors of one of New Zealand's early newspapers, the New Zealand Herald, and later became Dunedin's first mayor in 1865. Mason and Paton were avid land speculators, and through this activity amassed significant land holdings in the Auckland area. They dissolved their partnership in 1844 to pursue separate farming and business interests.
Last Update
04 Nov 2022
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