Charles Tringham

Charles Tringham was one a prominent early Wellington architect who designed over 330 buildings from 1867 – 1890.

Tringham was born in Herefordshire, England and appears to have trained as a carpenter. He arrived in Auckland in December 1864 and moved to Wellington where he formed a partnership with a local builder. By the end of 1866 Charles owned his own business as a builder and undertaker, and by 1867 advertised his services as an architect. Tringham married Margaret Hunter Bennett, the daughter of New Zealand’s Registrar General, Dr John Bennett, and his business flourished soon-after. Work included a house for Sir William Fox in Marton, extensions to William Clayton’s former house (now part of Queen Margaret College), and various houses, churches and commercial premises across the lower North Island.

 

Sources:
Mew, Geoff & Adrian Humphris. “Raupo to Deco: Wellington Styles and Architects 1840 – 1940” (Wellington: Steel Roberts Aotearoa, 2014)