STOCKS, GAOL AND GALLOWS—A VIVID RELIC OF OLD AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 23, 7 December 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

STOCKS, GAOL AND GALLOWS—A VIVID RELIC OF OLD AUCKLAND.

The above reproduction is of especial interest at the present time owing to the case Concerning this block, which has recently bon decided by the Court. It is the block of city property at the foot of Victoria-street West, running to Darby-street, and estimated in value at £250,000. It 1$ an endowme t for educational purposes in the Auckland district, and was for many years the security for a loan for the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, recently paid off. The bridg on the right was thrown across the Elgar I’anal at the foot of Victoria-street. Facing this are the old gallows, for in those early days executions were public. The gaol s also seen on the corner. Another relic of old Auckland is shown fronting Queen-street, viz., the stocks, in which inebriates were wont to repose under the astonished gze of Maoris. Along the Queen-street^front-age was the courthouse and guard-room, while near by was the gaol. In those days the remains of people who had been hanged were ’ uried within the precincts of the ga<d. and when foundations for the old City Hall were dug some skeletons were exhumed. Prior to the erection of that building the site was occupied by a lot of “Johnny All Sorts” shops, with right of way between, on the lines of a public market. This gave way to the City Hall, which, in turn, was replaced by the present block. Drawn specially for the “Weekly Graphic” by Mr. Edward Bartley, Auckland.