Time Capsule Letter
John Brodie, Maker
This is one of the
letters
in our collection.
It was made in
Whanganui, Whanganui Region, New Zealand
in 28 Jan 1918.
See full details
Object Detail
About the Work
TRANSCRIPT
OF
LETTER
WRITTEN
BY
J.C.
BRODIE,
discovered
inside
time
capsule
discovered
within
an
internal
wall
at
Sarjeant
Gallery
redevelopment
site
on
8
April
2021
Wanganui Jan 28 1918
This is the 4th year of the great war.
I John Cornfoot Brodie Clerk of Works - on this contract deposit this note in this jar. Some of the hands are speculating as to when it may be opened. very hard to say. at any rate my race will be run then as I am 59 next birthday.
I wonder if the vexed question as to who is really the designer of this building will have been settled by then. It is common report that the – who gets the credit and benefits did not but that a young man killed in France should have all the kudos however that may be if it is so that – has done what is commonly believed then he is no gentleman. Personally from my intimate knowledge of the drawings which is not shared by – I am of opinion that the common report is right.
The foreman and contractors are of the same mind also the chairman of Comm [*] and leading solicitors.
I have enclosed a Photo of myself and my 2 sons who may or may not be on top when this is opened – the elder is a member of the firm Treadwell Gordon & Brodie the younger is also a Barrister at present in France. Capt H G Brodie may he be spared to come home to us all.
Revolution in Venice
*Committee
Wanganui Jan 28 1918
This is the 4th year of the great war.
I John Cornfoot Brodie Clerk of Works - on this contract deposit this note in this jar. Some of the hands are speculating as to when it may be opened. very hard to say. at any rate my race will be run then as I am 59 next birthday.
I wonder if the vexed question as to who is really the designer of this building will have been settled by then. It is common report that the – who gets the credit and benefits did not but that a young man killed in France should have all the kudos however that may be if it is so that – has done what is commonly believed then he is no gentleman. Personally from my intimate knowledge of the drawings which is not shared by – I am of opinion that the common report is right.
The foreman and contractors are of the same mind also the chairman of Comm [*] and leading solicitors.
I have enclosed a Photo of myself and my 2 sons who may or may not be on top when this is opened – the elder is a member of the firm Treadwell Gordon & Brodie the younger is also a Barrister at present in France. Capt H G Brodie may he be spared to come home to us all.
Revolution in Venice
*Committee
This record represents an archive item.
Measurements
246 x 186mm h x w
Media
pencil on paper
Description
Handwritten note on letter paper by John Cornfoot Brodie, Clerk of Works for the Sarjeant Gallery build. The note was part of a time capsule Brodie placed in the wall of the Sarjeant Gallery during construction in January 1918. The note features a printed photograph of Whanganui, possibly taken from the Sarjeant Gallery site at Pukenamu.
Credit Line
Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Acquired 2021
Collection Type
Archives
Acquisition Date
09 Apr 2021