Wooden Buildings

The earliest timber buildings were relatively plain. The Council Chamber – where the councillors actually met – was at the heart of the building and was the most impressive. You can still admire its arched ceiling of native timber and the galleries for the press and public at either end. Something to look out for particularly is the fine tracery on the bay window on the south side.

In 1859 work was begun on the second group of buildings. The province was better off financially and could afford something more elaborate and spacious. The result was a building even more strongly Victorian Gothic Revival in style.

These first two timber buildings were connected by a long, low-ceilinged corridor paved with flagstones. Even today it has an atmosphere that suggests the hushed cloisters of Medieval monks!