Turnbull, Thomas, F.R.I.B.A., M.G.I.A., etc. Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Telephone 191; P.O. Box 271. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. London agent, Batsford, Publisher, High Holborn. Mr. Turnbull was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was the only son of Joshua Turnbull, an eminent lawyer of that city. At an early age he was bereft of his parents, and was brought up by page 584 a relative of the family. After leaving school he was articled to his cousin, in order that he might acquire a practical knowledge of the building trade, and quality himself for the profession he had decided to follow. As his cousin conducted a considerable business as a builder, he had excellent opportunities of effecting this. After serving his articles, Mr. Turnbull entered the office of Mr. David Bryce, of Edinburgh, who held the important appointment of Her Majesty's architect for Scotland. Endowed with rare artistic abilities, Mr. Turnbull made rapid progress as a pupil, and the opportunities offered to him of becoming a master of his profession stimulated him to diligently search out the minutest details of his art. On leaving Mr. Bryce's office, he conceived the idea that he ought to see something of the world, and after visiting the various cities throughout the United Kingdom, he left the Old Land in 1851, and sailed for Melbourne. Here he remained for nine years practising his profession and assisting in the development of the sister colony. In 1861, attracted by the news from California, he went to San Francisco, entering the Golden Gate the same year. A short time after his arrival, Mr. Turnbull entered into partnership with Mr. England, of some professional celebrity, and the firm carried on an extensive business. On the death of Mr. England in 1867, the business was personally conducted by Mr. Turnbull, and many notable buildings were erected by him, among which may be mentioned Bancroft's publishing establishment, Trinity Church (illustrated herein), Market Street Presbyterian Church, and many others, as well as a large number of warehouses and city residences. Mr. Turnbull held the office of honorary secretary to the Architectural Association of San Francisco. Mr. Turnbull's health failing him from the severe strain of conducting his business under pressure of American professional tactics, he was ordered by his medical adviser to seek rest from business, and to take a long sea voyage. He decided page 585 to visit New Zealand, and in the early part of 1871 Mr. Turnbull was shaping his course once more towards the Southern Cross, and landed in Auckland at the close of the summer of the latter year. Deciding to see the Colony, he went south, and remained for a short time in Dunedin the Scotch settlement of New Zealand. Realising that Wellington, which had not then long been created the seat of the Colonial Government, must ultimately become the leading city of the Colony by reason of its central position, he disposed of his business in America, and removed his family before the expiration of the first year of his life in this country. A short time after his arrival, Mr. Turnbull entered the service of the Government as assistant to Mr. Clayton, the Colonial Architect at that time, which position he held with satisfaction till 1872, when the present business was established. Since 1872 Wellington has increased enormously. In the early days, owing to the prevalence of earthquakes, grave fears were felt as to the safety of buildings erected in brick, but as the buildings-erected by Mr. Turnbull on the American principle of construction showed no signs of being affected by the shakes, these fears were dispelled, and of late years substantial buildings have multiplied rapidly. None of the local architects have done more designing and erecting in premises of the latter class than the subject of this sketch. Of the public buildings, a few may be mentioned which were built from plans prepared by Mr. Turnbull, and erected under his personal supervision:—The Post and Telegraph offices, the School of Design and offices of the Education Board, Bellamy's and the handsome corridor connecting therewith at the Parliamentary Buildings, the City Council offices—are all from Mr. Turnbull's plans, as also are the offices of many local institutions such as the South British Insurance Company, and the Colonial Bank, the Colonial Insurance Company (now the Commercial Assurance Company), the Union Steam Ship Company, and the fine block occupied by the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, of which an illustration appears herein. Mr. Turnbull has erected churches all over the Wellington provincial district, and in the City he is represented by many splendid edifices, such as St. John's Presbyterian and St. Peter's Episcopalenn Churches, and St. Patrick's College. A large number of the leading warehouses, factories, and business premises have been erected by him. The following may be noted:—Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull's warehouse and factory, Mr. Jacob Joseph's premises, Messrs. John Duthie and Co.'a wholesale and retail establishment, page 586 Messrs. R. Hannah and Co.'s factory and retail shops, besides Messrs. Bing, Harris and Co.' warehouse, the premises of Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co., Messrs. Johnston and Co., the noted drapery establishment of Te Aro House, the premises of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and many others. At Petone Mr. Turnbull superintended the erection of the Wellington Woollen Company's factory, as well as that of the Gear Meat Company. He has also erected the building at Longburn used by the Fellmongery Company. In addition to this long list, he has designed and supervised a vast number of hotels and private dwellings. For the past fifteen years he has held the important appointment of architect to the Wellington Education Board. Mr. Turnbull has been a close observer of the progress made in all sciences pertaining to architecture. His London agent, Mr. Batsford, for very many years has had a standing order to send out all the best works published about architecture and kindred subjects. His extensive library therefore contains a valuable collection of architectural works, supposed to be the finest private collection in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1893 Mr. Turnbull was entrusted with the ventilation of the House of Representatives, on the basis of the report submitted by him to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, and he ultimately carried out the scheme to a successful issue. By reason of his ability as an architect, and the high merit of his executed works, Mr. Turnbull was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and a member of the Glasgow Institute of Architects. When the Wellington Association of Architects was inaugurated he was elected its first president, and at the present time holds the office of vice-president of that institution. In private life, as in business matters Mr. Turnbull has many warm friends, among whom he is more than ordinarily popular. His youngest son, Mr. Wm. Turnbull, is engaged in the business, and rapidly advancing in his profession. It is both hoped and believed that Mr. William Turnbull will prove a worthy successor to the much respected name and title of “Turnbull, Architect, Wellington.” It would be unfair to close Mr. Turnbull's article without some mention of his prize design for the then projected Government Insurance Buildings. It will, of course, be seen that Mr. Turnbull's design was not adopted. In fact, it was placed second in order of merit; and Mr. Turnbull thus became entitled to a prize of £. So firm, however, was his conviction that he had been unfairly treated that he refused the prize, rather than, by its acceptance, how to the decision of those at the time in authority. The difficulty was got over by discarding all the competitive designs; but Mr. Turnbull is naturally rather sore on the point. The accompanying illustration gives Mr. Turnbull's elevation in perspective. It certainly makes an page 587 imposing picture, and one of which Mr. Turnbull may well be proud.