Christchurch High Court’s historic dais is to be gifted to Canterbury Museum once court services move into the new Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, the Ministry of Justice and Canterbury Museum announced today.
“The dais is an important part of Canterbury’s legal history and I am delighted that Canterbury Museum has agreed to take ownership of it.
“I would like to thank Canterbury Museum and Science Alive, the owners of the Durham Street court complex, for their work on the planned relocation of the dais,” says General Manager, Commercial and Property Fraser Gibbs.
“The Ministry would also like to acknowledge the input of the Canterbury Branch of the Law Society and Canterbury University School of Law for their interest and support in securing the future of the dais.”
“We’re pleased to have acquired this significant piece of Canterbury’s judicial history so that it can be preserved for future generations,” says Acting Director Canterbury Museum, Jennifer Storer.
“The dais comes from the same era as Canterbury Museum and is a fine example of neo-Gothic furniture of the time. Objects from the 1870s of this size and quality are very rare. The dais will be a much valued item in the Museum’s collection.”
The dais will be moved from its current location in the Durham Street courthouse later this year.