Civic Treasures Pamphlet

CIVIC TREASURES

Art & Artefacts

on Display in Hastings District Council Buildings

Hastings District Council’s “Civic Treasures” collection of art and artefacts demonstrates that Hawke’s Bay is a culturally significant area. I invite visitors and citizens alike to share and experience these treasures of our heritage.

Our local identity is drawn from a mix of many things: our environment; the people who live here; how we interact with the world around us; and our unique cultural traditions. Council has a special contribution to make in fostering this community’s special character.

The first borough council met in October 1885. In just 110 years it is extraordinary what the Hastings and wider Hawke’s Bay community has produced. Many items have been generously gifted to Council, others commissioned and purchased. Your Council is “care taker” of these treasures.

Mayoral portraits dating back to Mayor Robert Wellwood in 1886 hang in the foyer. These works by such distinguished artists as Lindauer and McIntyre are just one of the extraordinary collections we pass every day as we go about our business as Councillors. By “theming” Council’s meeting rooms we hope to draw visitors attention to the items on display within our own Council building.

I extend a warm welcome to you to enjoy the art and artefacts on display in Council’s community buildings, with the aid of this brochure researched by Kath La Rooy and archivist Chris Johnston.

JP Dwyer
Jeremy Dwyer
MAYOR

Administration Building Ground Floor And Foyer

On entering the Civic Administration building in Lyndon Road, check with Reception about room access.

As you pass through the Foyer notice the “wallpaper” mural, a montage of Historic photographs of Hastings.

The Council Chamber Foyer contains a very special collection of Mayoral portraits painted by renowned artist Gottfried Lindauer and other notable NZ portrait artists. For some 115 years Hastings has upheld the tradition of commissioning a portrait of the current Mayor. The portraits range from the first Mayor, Robert Wellwood c. 1886, to that of Jeremy Dwyer.

Also in this area is a collection of Maori carvings, known as the Ebbett Park carvings. The land for Ebbett Park and the 26 carvings were gifted to the City by Mr George Ebbett in 1924.

Acquired by G. Ebbett around 1917, the carvings represent three different groups of carvers of Arawa and Mataatua tribes, between 1865 and 1878. They appear to be from three different houses and were on display in Ebbett Park until 1974. Following identification in 1974 by Roger Neich, Ethnologist, National Museum, as being of national importance they were moved indoors and later underwent restoration at Porangahau Marae, under the direction of Jack Fry, National Museum.

Council Chamber

The large tapestry mounted on the walls of the Council Chamber was commissioned in 1989. The 64 panels represent a prodigious effort by a dedicated group of some 70 members of the Womens Division of Federated Farmers, co-ordinated by Jean Hill. Based on a design which Keith Brazier created as a decoration for the Hastings Centennial celebrations in 1984, the tapestry depicts events from the inception of Hastings in 1884, to 1990.

Landmarks Room

At the right of the Foyer is the Landmarks Room, acknowledging the recently formed Hastings Landmarks Commission.

The four ingredients of Landmarks: Architecture, Landscape, Art in Public Places and our History are reflected in pictures and plans on display in this room.

A plan dated 1878 shows the first Hastings subdivision. The painting of Te Mata Peak is by local artist Barbara Dentice.

Meetings are held here to plan and implement the many and varied Landmarks projects, involving different people in our community.

Council Committees also meet here to plan and discuss Works and Services matters related to the Hastings District.

As with this brochure, it is all about building community identity, improving the visual image of Hastings and inspiring civic pride.

Portraits of prominent Hastings businessman Christopher Mills and his wife Maria grace the wall opposite the Landmarks Room.

Painted by G. Lindauer, the portraits were gifted to the Council by the Mills Family Estate in 1990.

Hastings Room

The Hastings Room is used as the Councillors Lounge and for informal meetings.

Paintings of the Hastings area by prominent local artists, and craft items are displayed here, as well as memorabilia of Hastings City and District.

Hastings Central Library

Almost opposite the Civic Admin Building, on Eastbourne Street is the Hastings Central Library. The War Memorial Hall of Memories, opened in 1959, is located at the Civic Square entrance to the building. As you enter note the two plaster relief panels on the exterior wall and the figures sandblasted on the glass doors, designed by war artist, Peter McIntyre.

Inside the Hall, the dominant feature is a large mural painting by McIntyre depicting a joint assault by the three branches of the Armed Services at an unspecified beach.

A plaque lists the names of those of the District who gave their lives in both World Wars.

In the main Library area, on the mezzanine in the Business section hangs a fine portrait of Sir James Wattie, painted by noted NZ artist W. (Bill)Sutton. The Womens Suffrage Quilt is on the ground floor.

In Civic Square at Eastbourne Street stands a sculpture by Martin Selman, commissioned by Hastings 2000 to mark the dawn of the new millennium.

Guilin Room

The Guilin Room celebrates our relationship with our Sister-City in China which was established in 1981.

The framed photographs of scenes of Guilin and its people are part of a collection, now held in the Guilin Resource Centre at Frimley School. They were gifted to Hastings in 1996 when the two cities exchanged photographic exhibitions.

The original protocol document and various gifts presented to Hastings to commemorate special events and Delegation visits are on display here. These gifts are an indication of the fine craft items produced in Southern China.

First Floor Foyer

Follow the main stairway from the Reception area to the First Floor.

In this Foyer frequently changing exhibitions of art by elected Local Artists decorate the walls.

A magnificent Suit of Armour stands by the entrance to the Mayors office. Believed to date from the 15-16 century, the armour was bought in Scotland in 1929 by H.W.C. Baird. Originally a field officers suit, built for combat from horseback, it was restored in 1994.

Mayors Office

The Mayors office, which may be viewed by arrangement, contains several paintings by local artists. A large work by Geoffrey Fuller was specially commissioned by Richmond Ltd in 1988 to hang in this room. Paintings by Barbara Dentice depict early Hastings buildings.

Animism, a bronze sculpture by Napier artist Edgar Mansfield was purchased by Council in 1979.

The fine Grandfather clock was presented by Governor-General Lord Bledisloe after his visit following the 1931 earthquake.

Other items include gifts from our sister-city and other areas, and a collection of crests and plaques presented by visiting dignatories [dignitaries].

Anagama Fired Platter by Bruce and Estelle Martin

Havelock North Library

A short drive from Hastings, in the heart of ‘the village’ is the Havelock North Library. Several art works are housed here as well as an extensive archive collection.

Mounted on the wall behind the Circulation Desk is a large ceramic wall sculpture depicting the Landforms of Te Mata peak, designed and made by prominent Hastings potters, Chloe King and Jan Bell in 1980 on completion of the library building.

A Kauri sculpture “Waiting for the Bus” and donated to the library by Iain MacLean.

The Havelock North Spinners and Weavers presented two hooked wall hangings and the HB Embroiderers Guild made and donated the Hawkes Bay Quilt hanging in the Childrens Section.

Duart House

At Duart House, 51 Duart Road, a collection of oil paintings by George Thompson Pritchard may be viewed.

Born in c1877, Pritchard left NZ at about age 20 to pursue an artistic career. Following the first World War, in which he lost an arm, he settled in USA finding a good market for his work. He gifted 27 paintings to the Havelock North Borough in 1950. Duart House was built in 1875 for Allan McLean and was designed to look like his family home Duart Castle, Isle of Mull, Scotland.

A collection of early furniture and other historical items is on display in the house.

Duart House is open on the 1st Sunday of each month, or by arrangement. Phone (06) 8776334

As the Council Chamber, Mayors Office and Themed Rooms are ‘working rooms’ viewing may not always be possible.

Groups or School Parties please arrange with Reception in advance.

Visitors are asked to check with Reception on Ground Floor to find out if rooms are free.

VIEWING TIMES

Main Council Administration Building –
During Normal Working Hours: Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm
Telephone 06.878 0500
Libraries – During Working Hours
Hastings Ph. 06.878 0520
Havelock Nth 06.877 7878