Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Social/Historical: The Timaru reservoir is a relatively intact example of a late Victorian town reservoir system.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Aesthetic: The [1870s] reservoir has the appearance of both massive size and quality masonry construction. The regular courses of basalt blocks are remarkably true. Architectural: In terms of design, the Timaru reservoir exemplifies the quality of civil engineering in colonial times where major projects such as this were constructed without the benefit of modern technology. Archaeological: As the reservoir was built in [1874-5] it has archaeological significance. Technological: This reservoir is an example of 19th century methods for constructing a town water supply including stone walled reservoirs, [open water races], and cast iron filtration equipment.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history: The provision of a reliable water supply was important to the development of colonial New Zealand towns. This was especially so on the eastern seaboard of the South Island where seasonal droughts restricted water supplies and increased fire dangers in towns and cities such as Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch. b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: The provision of safe, reliable supplies of water was crucial to the development of colonial New Zealand towns. An 1864 Dunedin Sanitation Commission pointed out that "the absence of any reliable supply of pure water led 'frequently to the use of polluted streams and wells' causing scarlet fever, typhoid, diphtheria, infantile dysentery, and diarrhoea." (Olssen, 1984:82) Timaru was not as crowded as Dunedin, but the same concerns probably would have prevailed. c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history: The reservoir demonstrates how such dams were constructed and the storage capacity needs of the people at the time. g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: The Timaru reservoir consists of two structures, being the bluestone walled [1874-5] reservoir and the [1910-12] reservoir which is constructed of concrete. Also included in the area are the brick walls, water races and screens houses. The reservoir complex is noted particularly for its rectangular and polygonal plan, and the method of construction involving 50% excavation and 50% earth embankment with dry stone walling using local stone in the case of the 1874 reservoir. The stone was well dressed, squared [and carefully fitted]. The construction of the reservoir appears to be of a very high quality. Conclusion: The Bluestone Reservoir, Timaru, is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The provision of a town water supply in colonial days was an important industrial undertaking for towns such as Timaru. [The] reservoir therefore has historical and technological significance. The [1870s] structure, in particular, has aesthetic appeal due to the quality of its bluestone walls.