EXCHANGE BUILDING

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 63, 15 March 1934, Page 12

EXCHANGE BUILDING

FOUNDATION-STONE RELIC

EARLY WELLINGTON HISTORY

Laid by the Marquis of Norcnanby in 1877, the foundation stone of the old Exchange building was discovered yesterday during the final stages of the demolition of the building, which was long known to the older generation of WeMngtonians as the Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute. Beneath the stone, which was a 30----inch cube, was a well-sealed bottle reposing in an orifice left in the brickwork below. The neck of the bottle had to be broken before it's contents could be ascertained. These were found to be in a perfect state of preservation, and consisted of a copy of the '^Evening Post," dated January 19, 1877, copies of the "New Zealand Times" and "Mail" of January 20, a copy of the "Evening Argus" of January 19, 1877, and a statement inscribed on two pages of vellum setting out the constitution and purpose of the Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute. In addition to these documents were six coins, id, Id, 3d, 6d, Is, and 2s. Beneath the foundation stone'were also two copper plates, the inscription on the older one recording the laying of the foundation stone in 1844 of the first building on the site, and on the other the laying of -the foundation stone of the building which has just been demolished. Most of the inscription on the older plate is still legible. It reads as follows :— The Port Nicholson . . . School. This stone was laid May 2, 1844 . . . 5844, by His Honour Major Richmond, Superintendent of the Southern District of New Zealand, assisted by the "Worshipful Master and_ Brethren of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge, in the presence of the Management and Members- of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Governor R. Fitz. . ~ W. Wakeficld, Esq., . . . Swainson, Esq., VicePresident W. Wallace, Esq., Jno. Knowles, Esq., Secretary. The inscription on the newer plate I is as follows:— Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute. This memorial was laid by His Excellency the Most Honourable George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, X.C.M.6., etc., etc., Governor of New Zealand, son January 20, 1877. Thomas Turnbull, Architect. James Ranson, Builder.