These generous stables, designed by Dunedin architect John Arthur Burnside, have historical and architectural significance. Built in 1903, they formed part of the Oamaru estate of St John McLean Buckley, the heir of wealthy pastoralist and businessman John Mclean.
The former Redcastle Stables are built on the estate of John McLean. Scottish-born McLean came to Australia in 1839 where he entered into pastoral pursuits. Selling his holdings, he came to New Zealand in the 1854 with his brother Allan, taking up large pastoral holdings in South Canterbury and North Otago. At one time they occupied over 500,000 acres and were among the largest flockowners in New Zealand. He was member of the Otago Provincial Council and later the Legislative Council. With his brother-in-law George Buckley, he was a large shareholder in the Bank of New Zealand, and on the Council of the University of Otago. McLean died in July 1902. McLean never married and left his estate to his nephew St John McLean Buckley.
St John McLean Buckley was born in Waikakahi in 1869 and educated privately in England and at Oxford University. He returned to New Zealand in 1891, moving to his uncle’s estate. Buckley set about establishing a country seat at the estate. He engaged Dunedin architect John Arthur Burnside to design a grand residence, and probably at the same time, substantial stables, reflecting Buckley’s enthusiasm for horses and horse racing. The contractors for the house were Joseph E. White and Son and it is likely that they built the stables as well. The house was nearly finished in October 1903.
Buckley built up a stud and training establishment housed in the ‘new and palatial stables that have sprung from the ground to suitably house them.’ The Otago Witness described the establishment as ‘one of the most extensive in the country.’ The reporter was given a tour of the stables: ‘The exterior of the building promised well for the interior, and after being welcomed by our host we entered a well and neatly-paved stable and yard. The reporter saw ‘roomy stalls’, and a ‘well-stocked coach-house’, as well as some impressive thoroughbreds. The building included a ‘training stable ‘a very large and lofty structure, built of Oamaru stone, containing 10 boxes, which are ranged five a-side of a wide passage.’ The building also included feed and gear rooms, the whole being surmounted by a loft. The reporter described the building as ‘as fine a stable as we could wish to enter.’
St John McLean Buckley died in 1915. His eldest son – also John – was not interested in keeping the property, and it was first leased and then sold. Charles Broglie, a leasee in 1917 caused a stir when it was discovered he was an ‘enemy alien’ and he was arrested and sent to Wellington. The property was later sold to a local syndicate (local businessmen flour miller Robert Ireland, Albert Grave (an Oamaru solicitor), company manager Thomas Doyle and William Grave (an Oamaru solicitor)).
The syndicate sold the property the Christian Brothers for a boarding school, with Brother Prunster working to adapt the buildings for a boarding school. St Kevin’s opened on 6 February 1927 as a Catholic boys' boarding and day school. Facilities were developed over the years, with Redcastle becoming the administration block and later providing living accommodation for priests, while the stables were converted to dormitories. In February 1983 St Kevin’s became co-educational and integrated into the state system, with the Christian Brothers remaining the school’s proprietors. In 2015, the former Redcastle Stables remain part of the complex of buildings associated with St Kevin’s College.
The former Redcastle Stables are built on the estate of John McLean. Scottish-born McLean came to Australia in 1839 where he entered into pastoral pursuits. Selling his holdings, he came to New Zealand in the 1854 with his brother Allan, taking up large pastoral holdings in South Canterbury and North Otago. At one time they occupied over 500,000 acres and were among the largest flockowners in New Zealand. He was member of the Otago Provincial Council and later the Legislative Council. With his brother-in-law George Buckley, he was a large shareholder in the Bank of New Zealand, and on the Council of the University of Otago. McLean died in July 1902. McLean never married and left his estate to his nephew St John McLean Buckley.
St John McLean Buckley was born in Waikakahi in 1869 and educated privately in England and at Oxford University. He returned to New Zealand in 1891, moving to his uncle’s estate. Buckley set about establishing a country seat at the estate. He engaged Dunedin architect John Arthur Burnside to design a grand residence, and probably at the same time, substantial stables, reflecting Buckley’s enthusiasm for horses and horse racing. The contractors for the house were Joseph E. White and Son and it is likely that they built the stables as well. The house was nearly finished in October 1903.
Buckley built up a stud and training establishment housed in the ‘new and palatial stables that have sprung from the ground to suitably house them.’ The Otago Witness described the establishment as ‘one of the most extensive in the country.’ The reporter was given a tour of the stables: ‘The exterior of the building promised well for the interior, and after being welcomed by our host we entered a well and neatly-paved stable and yard. The reporter saw ‘roomy stalls’, and a ‘well-stocked coach-house’, as well as some impressive thoroughbreds. The building included a ‘training stable ‘a very large and lofty structure, built of Oamaru stone, containing 10 boxes, which are ranged five a-side of a wide passage.’ The building also included feed and gear rooms, the whole being surmounted by a loft. The reporter described the building as ‘as fine a stable as we could wish to enter.’
St John McLean Buckley died in 1915. His eldest son – also John – was not interested in keeping the property, and it was first leased and then sold. Charles Broglie, a leasee in 1917 caused a stir when it was discovered he was an ‘enemy alien’ and he was arrested and sent to Wellington. The property was later sold to a local syndicate (local businessmen flour miller Robert Ireland, Albert Grave (an Oamaru solicitor), company manager Thomas Doyle and William Grave (an Oamaru solicitor)).
The syndicate sold the property the Christian Brothers for a boarding school, with Brother Prunster working to adapt the buildings for a boarding school. St Kevin’s opened on 6 February 1927 as a Catholic boys' boarding and day school. Facilities were developed over the years, with Redcastle becoming the administration block and later providing living accommodation for priests, while the stables were converted to dormitories. In February 1983 St Kevin’s became co-educational and integrated into the state system, with the Christian Brothers remaining the school’s proprietors. In 2015, the former Redcastle Stables remain part of the complex of buildings associated with St Kevin’s College.
