Heritage building again holds court

Keen observers may notice a new addition to the Akaroa Court House. The decorative finial missing from the historic building’s front gable for more than 55 years has been replicated and put back.

The restored Akaroa Court House.

The finial was returned as part of the recent work done to restore the building and fix the damage caused by the Canterbury earthquakes.

The original finial was burnt when the Court House almost caught alight in January 1962 when a fire at the Metropole Hotel threatened to spread to neighbouring properties.

“It’s great to see the finial restored and the Court House looking as it would have when it was originally built,’’ says Akaroa Museum Director Lynda Wallace.

“The Court House is one of Akaroa’s largest remaining 19th century public buildings and a lot of work has been put in over the past 12 months to ensure its preservation. We’re thrilled with the result and are pleased to be able to again welcome visitors through its doors,’’ Ms Wallace said.

The Court House dates back to 1880 and was used for court hearings until 1979.  It has been part of Akaroa Museum since 1990. In recent years it has been used by the Museum to screen an audio-visual presentation on Akaroa to visitors.

A 1962 photo showing the fire damage to the Akaroa Court House.