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The old Phoenix Assurance building, Greymouth, ca 1983. - 2 PHOTOS -
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DescriptionIt was demolished 20 years ago.
2nd photo from Steve Newby.
Lynnette Beirne.." Edmund Wickes founded the Phoenix Insurance Company and operated his other business interests as well from this building.He was involved in mining,agriculture,timber and the Insurance
His eldest son Ted was the General Manager and Harry became the Accountant
Through the 1890’s and beyond the firm of Wickes Ltd expanded and flourished
Richmond Quay
PhotographerGreg KingDate of Photoca 1983Map[1] ContributorGreg KingSteve Newby
2nd photo from Steve Newby.
Lynnette Beirne.." Edmund Wickes founded the Phoenix Insurance Company and operated his other business interests as well from this building.He was involved in mining,agriculture,timber and the Insurance
His eldest son Ted was the General Manager and Harry became the Accountant
Through the 1890’s and beyond the firm of Wickes Ltd expanded and flourished
Richmond Quay
PhotographerGreg KingDate of Photoca 1983Map[1] ContributorGreg KingSteve Newby
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)Greymouth
Category Information
Category TagOld buildings
From Facebook
Date Created2nd October 2019CommentsPete Muir: My grandfather Ernie Parfitt had his office in this building. There was also offices of Hyde Herring and Thomas Dennehy in here too. I remember going there as a kid and loved watching the steam trains and diesel engines shunting on the wharf.
Alan Messenger: I used to deliver the Argus there.
Florence Gunn: Is that the old bank new south wakes, mawhera quay
Pete Muir My grandfather Ernie Parfitt had his office in this building. There was also offices of Hyde Herring and Thomas Dennehy in here too. I remember going there as a kid and loved watching the steam trains and diesel engines shunting on the wharf.
Alan Messenger I used to deliver the Argus there.
Florence Gunn Is that the old bank new south wakes, mawhera quay
Geoffrey King no BNSW that was down next to Millers 'on the Quay' and from memory that is where Buckley had his accounting office plus he was also the CEO? of Kaniere Gold. He was very well treated by Ron Brierley whos company owned Kaniere Gold.
Percy Billett Down by the old Richmond hotel
Geoffrey King that is the watersiders (union) building next door
Percy Billett Chicky Panther the bricks truck
Pete Muir I used to have the original plans for this building. They were donated to History House when they were seeking historical items when the old Harbour Board offices were being restored. I presume they are still held at history house somewhere. The building had a large board room in the centre with a long wooden table. I can remember clearing the building out with my Grandfather when the building was sold to Sweenings the plumbers. There was a large walk in strongroom between the 2nd & 3rd office.
Lynnette Beirne My Great Grandfather Edmund Wickes was involved with the Phoenix Insurance Company as one of the family business back in the late 1800’s
Lindsay Dowling Next door to the Richmond?
Kirsty Dittmer Yes
Lois Iacoppi How sad it looks
Jessie Guy A grand old building looking very tired
Ianandliz Wilson Reminds me of the Monty python short film about the crimson permanent assurance company lifting anchor and sailing off to fight the corporation that took them over. Poor sad building.
Maureen Burnett I remember seeing that building when we first shifted to Greymouth!
Ken Campbell Didn’t they sell little giant income protection polices. A lot of coasters done well out of them
Deane Blanchfield Some of the buildings still standing in the town today are way sader than that one was
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer Great pic
Anne Honey I remember that building looking a lot better than that. What a shame.
Sapati Galo My father had this place as a workshop in the yard. He used the front part you can see as an office. It was Batty and Sweeny at some part of it.
Lindsay Dowling Yes i remember going in there as a young fella before your dad built the new workshop Sapati Galo
Ian Haussmann More history lost
Noel Thomson Spose U would have restored it?
Judy Davis Fletchers coulda fixed that in 5 minutes -only needed a bit of bog filler
Brian McIntyre I can remember it like that when I was a kid
Gavin Davy At least that one wasn't as ugly as some of the old buildings around town. Looks pretty buggered though.
Denis Ian Skates Fletchers still trying to finish the hospital.
Pamela Jones We used to have hockey meetings there.
Lynnette Beirne Edmund Wickes founded the Phoenix Insurance Company and operated his other business interests as well from this building
He was involved in mining,agriculture,timber and the Insurance
His eldest son Ted was the General Manager and Harry became the Accountant
Through the 1890’s and beyond the firm of Wickes Ltd expanded and flourished
Somewhere I have a photo of family members standing outside this building back then and will post it once I find it
Bill Garth Hyde Herring was the manager in the 50s. I think it was sole charge. Hyde used to ride a bike. Gave clients an unusual calendar every Christmas
Shona Margaret Dixon Worked for WJ Clancy Accountants many years ago we had the agency for Phoenix Assurance Co.
Pete Muir This building once had a large wooden Phoenix Mounted on the centre peak on the front facade. It was taken down after the 1968 earthquake. The original plans for the building should be at History House as my Grandfather, Ernest Parfitt, who waorked in this building for Hyde Herring Accountant had them when he vacated the building. I remember the building very well, it used to smell of books and coal smoke from the trains the went along the wharf. The building had 3 offices at the front , a large strongroom, a big boardroom with a table that seated about 18, 3 offices at the rear of the building. I think Tom Dennehy used one of the back offices for a while. All rooms had an open fire.
Alan Messenger: I used to deliver the Argus there.
Florence Gunn: Is that the old bank new south wakes, mawhera quay
Pete Muir My grandfather Ernie Parfitt had his office in this building. There was also offices of Hyde Herring and Thomas Dennehy in here too. I remember going there as a kid and loved watching the steam trains and diesel engines shunting on the wharf.
Alan Messenger I used to deliver the Argus there.
Florence Gunn Is that the old bank new south wakes, mawhera quay
Geoffrey King no BNSW that was down next to Millers 'on the Quay' and from memory that is where Buckley had his accounting office plus he was also the CEO? of Kaniere Gold. He was very well treated by Ron Brierley whos company owned Kaniere Gold.
Percy Billett Down by the old Richmond hotel
Geoffrey King that is the watersiders (union) building next door
Percy Billett Chicky Panther the bricks truck
Pete Muir I used to have the original plans for this building. They were donated to History House when they were seeking historical items when the old Harbour Board offices were being restored. I presume they are still held at history house somewhere. The building had a large board room in the centre with a long wooden table. I can remember clearing the building out with my Grandfather when the building was sold to Sweenings the plumbers. There was a large walk in strongroom between the 2nd & 3rd office.
Lynnette Beirne My Great Grandfather Edmund Wickes was involved with the Phoenix Insurance Company as one of the family business back in the late 1800’s
Lindsay Dowling Next door to the Richmond?
Kirsty Dittmer Yes
Lois Iacoppi How sad it looks
Jessie Guy A grand old building looking very tired
Ianandliz Wilson Reminds me of the Monty python short film about the crimson permanent assurance company lifting anchor and sailing off to fight the corporation that took them over. Poor sad building.
Maureen Burnett I remember seeing that building when we first shifted to Greymouth!
Ken Campbell Didn’t they sell little giant income protection polices. A lot of coasters done well out of them
Deane Blanchfield Some of the buildings still standing in the town today are way sader than that one was
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer Great pic
Anne Honey I remember that building looking a lot better than that. What a shame.
Sapati Galo My father had this place as a workshop in the yard. He used the front part you can see as an office. It was Batty and Sweeny at some part of it.
Lindsay Dowling Yes i remember going in there as a young fella before your dad built the new workshop Sapati Galo
Ian Haussmann More history lost
Noel Thomson Spose U would have restored it?
Judy Davis Fletchers coulda fixed that in 5 minutes -only needed a bit of bog filler
Brian McIntyre I can remember it like that when I was a kid
Gavin Davy At least that one wasn't as ugly as some of the old buildings around town. Looks pretty buggered though.
Denis Ian Skates Fletchers still trying to finish the hospital.
Pamela Jones We used to have hockey meetings there.
Lynnette Beirne Edmund Wickes founded the Phoenix Insurance Company and operated his other business interests as well from this building
He was involved in mining,agriculture,timber and the Insurance
His eldest son Ted was the General Manager and Harry became the Accountant
Through the 1890’s and beyond the firm of Wickes Ltd expanded and flourished
Somewhere I have a photo of family members standing outside this building back then and will post it once I find it
Bill Garth Hyde Herring was the manager in the 50s. I think it was sole charge. Hyde used to ride a bike. Gave clients an unusual calendar every Christmas
Shona Margaret Dixon Worked for WJ Clancy Accountants many years ago we had the agency for Phoenix Assurance Co.
Pete Muir This building once had a large wooden Phoenix Mounted on the centre peak on the front facade. It was taken down after the 1968 earthquake. The original plans for the building should be at History House as my Grandfather, Ernest Parfitt, who waorked in this building for Hyde Herring Accountant had them when he vacated the building. I remember the building very well, it used to smell of books and coal smoke from the trains the went along the wharf. The building had 3 offices at the front , a large strongroom, a big boardroom with a table that seated about 18, 3 offices at the rear of the building. I think Tom Dennehy used one of the back offices for a while. All rooms had an open fire.
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West Coast New Zealand History (8th May 2020). The old Phoenix Assurance building, Greymouth, ca 1983. - 2 PHOTOS -. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 27th Apr 2026 19:00, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/26207