Court House, Maryborough

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Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Saturday 20 October 1877, page 2

Maryborough Circuit Court.

Thursday, October 18.

The Criminal sittings of the above opened at 10 a.m. on Thursday, before His Honor Mr. Justice Lilley.

The Barristers present were Mr. Hely, acting on behalf of the Attorney-General as Crown Prosecutor, and Mr. Beor ; the other member of the legal profession present were Mr. R. Little, Crown Solicitor, and Messrs. Barns, Lyons, Macnish and Walker.

Before opening the proceedings, His Honor condemned in severe terms the want of proper access for the public to the Court, the only means of entrance thereto, being “a narrow staircase, exposing them to constant danger.” An English Court of Law was a public place, not a private room ; and if any serious inconvenience was experienced, he should take it on himself to order the immediate erection of broad wooden steps outside the front of the building, so that all might come and go freely.

Background

The Maryborough Court House was constructed in 1877 to the design of the then Colonial Architect, FDG Stanley for use as both a court house and government office block. The building is the second Maryborough Court House replacing an earlier 1860s building constructed on another site.

FDG Stanley, the Colonial Architect of Queensland was responsible for the design of the new building. Stanley arrived in Queensland in 1861 from Scotland where he trained. He was appointed to the Office of the Colonial Architect in 1863 as a clerk of works and in 1872 succeeded Charles Tiffin as the Colonial Architect. Prior to being asked to design the Maryborough Court House, Stanley was already experienced in the design of large public buildings, although this was early in his prolific career in Queensland.

Stanley conceived the Maryborough Court House as a double storeyed, arcaded pavilion with towers at each corner, sited between Queens Park and the adjacent street. The footprint of the building was set well back from Wharf Street providing space for a garden forecourt with Jacaranda trees enhancing the principal entrance.

The Maryborough Court House was constructed for about £7345 after Stanley's initial estimation of about £5500. Tenders were called on 20 October 1875 and on 19 November 1876 the lowest tender of local contractor, John Thomas Annear was accepted who undertook to complete the building within twelve months. The building was occupied, at least partially, by August 1877.

Courtesy of the Queensland Heritage Register

 

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