Colour conundrum prompts call for help

The hunt is on to uncover the original colours of Addington’s historic water tower.

Tests done on paint scrapings taken from the historic tower have failed to shed light on its original colour scheme so now Christchurch City Council is appealing for the public’s help.

An 1886 photograph of the Addington water tower.

“Our research shows when the tower was originally built it was decoratively painted but of course we only have black and white photos of the tower so we don’t know what colours were used,’’ says Christchurch City Council Heritage Programme Manager Richie Moyle.

“We’re about to start earthquake repairs on the tower and as part of that work we would like to replicate the original colour scheme. We’re hoping someone might have a painting of the tower or an old newspaper clipping that gives us the detail we need.’’

The Addington water tower stands 21.9 metre tall and dates back to 1883 when it was built to supply water for Addington’s railway workshops.

It was designed by Peter Ellis, the then Chief Draughtsman for the Railways Department, and built using prison labour.

The Addington water tower.

While originally painted in Victorian colours, it was later painted grey, then black, possibly because of the coal smoke from the railway workshops.

The octagonal-shaped tower sits on a slight lean because it was built on a base of quicksand and clay – it sunk 22 centimetres during construction – and carries the highest possible Historic Places rating. That is because it was the first reinforced concrete water tower built in the world.

Like many other heritage buildings in Christchurch, the tower was damaged in the earthquakes and needs to be repaired and strengthened.

“The damage to the tower isn’t too bad but there are some cracks in the concrete walls and in the foundation which need to be repaired. The exterior plaster has also cracked extensively.

“It is very important we retain as much of the heritage fabric of the tower as possible so that means we will be patching the plaster rather than re-plastering the whole building,’’ Mr Moyle said.

The Council hoped to have work on the tower completed by the year’s end.

• If you have any information about the original colour scheme of the Addington water tower please email Newsline.