Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a Province
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 2
Contents
Page 3 1858-1867
Page 4 1868-1877
Page 6 1878-1887
Page 8 1888-1897
Page 10 1898-1907
Page 12 1908-1917
Page 14 1918-1927
Page 16 1928-1937
Page 18 1938-1947
Page 20 1948-1957
Page 22 1958-1967
Page 24 1968-1977
Page 26 1978-1987
Page 28 1988-1997
Page 30 1998-2007
Page 31 2008
Credits
Publication Manager:
Jillene Seddon
Researcher and Writer:
Kate Scannell
Publication Designer:
Ian Thorburn.
Acknowlegements
Hawke’s Bay Newspapers are proud of celebrate with the Hawke’s Bay region – 150 years as a province. We would like to thank the following people for their contributions to this commemorative issue.
Hastings District Council, Rodda family, Chambers family and Clive Ralph for photography.
Hastings Public Libraries for the use of research material by Matthew Wright, RJ Paterson, Claire Regnault, Michael Fowler, and Dr MDN Campbell.
Back in 1857, Government Land Purchase Commissioner Donald McLean, ambitious for the district then called Ahuriri, and keen to see it a province independent of Wellington, recognised the role that a newspaper would play in progress. The Herald a Hawke’s Bay newspaper appeared weekly on Saturday mornings and took a lead in campaigning for the separation of Hawke’s Bay from Wellington, a campaign that ended on November 1, 1858 with the gazetting of an Order in Council establishing “Hawke’s Bay as a province”
In 1858, the new Provinces Act empowered the Governor of New Zealand to create fresh provinces. On 1st November, Napier became the capital of the Hawke’s Bay Province. Provincial government in New Zealand was short lived however, and only 18 years later it was dissolved. But by that time, Hawke’s Bay had already established itself as the enduring entity it is today and the town of Napier had a population creeping towards 4,000.
A timeline of Hawke’s Bay and Napier’s part in it, is disrupted greatly by the earthquake of 1931. The mayor at the time, John Vigor Brown, had held office 3 times and his last term 1927-33 was interupted by this catastrophic event. John Barton and Lachlan Campbell were appointed Government Commissioners in place of the Council – their part in the rebuilding of Napier is to be commemorated in an art work commissioned for Dickens Street next year.
Vigor Brown held sway in Napier for over 2 decades. Described as “a very forceful and somewhat egotistical person” he had shrewdness, drive and perseverance. During his time, Napier saw the building of the saltwater baths on Marine Parade, the Municipal Theatre, an electric power plant, and the installation of the tramway system. All these amenities and facilities were hard won with residents protesting the cost and inability of the baths and trams to pay their way. The Vigor Brown years were an important period of progress but overshadowed by the 1914-18 war, the influenza epidemic and the depression.
Nothing of course prepared any politician for the devastation of the 1931 Earthquake and it was this tragic event that did more to shape the lives of Napier people than any other.
In 2006, we commemorated 75 years since the earthquake with a series of events that included the many earthquake survivors. I was proud to stand with the Prime Minister at the soundshell, be part of our unique history and lead the city that has contributed so much to the region.
We’re celebrating Hawke’s Bay on 1st November, I’m celebrating the faith and courage of the people, from the first footfall on the land today. In the words of one earthquake survivor who epitomises the attitude that has kept Hawke’s Bay going strong – “no matter what happened, we just got on with it”.
Barbara Arnott
MAYOR OF NAPIER
Debate over the best way to utilise and protect the stunning, and more importantly fertile, Hawke’s Bay region is not a recent phenomenon.
The balancing act for the Heretaunga Plains has changed over the years; firstly between the established Maori and colonial settlers, pastoral farmers and horticulturalists; orchardists and wineries and more between recently residential development and sustainable management of productive land.
In 1858, 150 years ago this month, Hawke’s Bay was named an independent province, and what a proud and thriving region it has become.
However, developing provincial pride was not the motivator for the region’s official status, it was to give local authorities the power in part to control the development of settlements and the use of the Heretaunga Plains.
By 1860 Havelock (the North was added later) came into existence and by 1884 Hastings was constituted a town board.
In 1886 Robert Wellwood was elected the first Mayor of Hastings, the first of 21 mayors to follow in his footsteps so far.
Seventy years later, in 1956, Hastings was proclaimed a city and in 1989 Hastings City Council, Havelock North Borough Council and Hawke’s Bay County Council amalgamated into what is now Hastings District Council.
Throughout that time Hastings, Napier and the settlements around them have developed their own unique identities, local governments, infrastructure and distinct civic pride.
Despite those distinct identities, people who live here hold a proud sense of belonging to the province of Hawke’s Bay.
During tough times, such as the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake or good times, such as prosperous agricultural seasons or the success of the Magpies, the region pulls together.
In its first 150 years Hawke’s Bay local government built the foundations of a great region. Going into the next 150 years and beyond, Hawke’s Bay councils continue to face the challenge of making the most of the region’s natural, built and social assets, while protecting them for future generations. I am confident Hawke’s Bay will continue to gain its strength from the land and the people who are proud to call Hawke’s Bay home.
Lawrence Yule
MAYOR OF HASTINGS
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 3
1858 – 1867
On 24 September 1857, Editor James Wood printed the first edition of the Hawke’s Bay Herald at the Napier printing office in Ahuriri. The Herald was a sign of progress for the Hawke’s Bay area, and was produced as a weekly Saturday morning paper consisting of local advertising, an editorial and a section for the weekly news. Around 200 copies of the paper were printed each week and these were distributed by varying means including horseback, coach, post, and even by canoe.
At this time in history Hawke’s Bay was encompassed by the province of Wellington. This government had hindered the development of Hawke’s Bay, with land sales not being permitted until early 1855 as they may have drawn people away from Wellington. In 1857 the proposed town centre of Hawke’s Bay was Clive, however Napier soon attracted people, facilities and businesses and took this honour despite the noxious gases of the adjacent swamp. Dissatisfaction towards the governing body of Wellington grew within the population of Hawke’s Bay, with the Herald leading the movement for the separation from the Wellington province. On 1 November 1858 Hawke’s Bay was named as an independent province, with the Herald as its official newspaper. Over the next nine years, the number of settlers in Hawke’s Bay increased rapidly and towns from Waipukurau through to Napier emerged, with Hastings as one of last to appear in the province.
In 1867 Hawke’s Bay was hit by a massive flood when the Ngaruroro River broke through its banks and resulted in heavy flooding of the Heretaunga plains. Torrential rain hit just three days after the completion of the new bridge in Clive, and brought drastic changes to the river beds. Initially the rivers coped, but as the rain persisted, water spilled out over the plains and stretched from Puketapu to Clive.
This catastrophe in our history has given rise to one of the greatest grape growing regions in New Zealand, the ‘Gimblett Gravels’. The redirection of the Ngaruroro River left behind deposits of fine sands and stony gravels, which up until the late 1980’s meant the ‘Gimblett Gravels’ region was regarded as one of the most infertile and poorest quality areas of land in Hawke’s Bay. Planting of grape vines began in the 1970’s and by the 1990’s the area had become renowned as a premium grape growing district, with a reputation for producing exceptional quality wines, in particular Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The reality however, is that in 1867 the fortuitous aspect of this flood was not known to the residents of Hawke’s Bay. The flood caused extensive devastation and brought calls for greater river control and flood protection for the region. Various town meetings were held to discuss possible solutions to this issue.
Photo caption – The first Hawke’s Bay newspaper was printed at Ahuriri, next to the Commercial Hotel, in the shed at the extreme right.
Hawke’s Bay Herald AND AHURIRI ADVOCATE
No. 1 Vol 1. 24 September 1857
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 4
1868 – 1877
Between 1868 and 1870 the ‘Sale of Heretaunga’ took place. The details of this event, although published in 1874, were buried by historians for many years, who viewed this as a dark time in Hawke’s Bay history. The Heretaunga block of around 18,000 acres, was the only significant block of land still retained by Maori hands. The land was leased to Thomas Tanner in 1864, who approached various prominent pastoralists and eventually acquired seven partners as shareholders in his lease hold land. The men were referred to as the ‘Twelve Apostles’ as Tanner divided the land into twelve unequal blocks. The lease was eventually legalised in court and ten Maori grantees were chosen. It was stipulated that one grantee could not sell without the consent of the remainder. A few years later the powerful ‘Twelve Apostles’ syndicate purchased the partly swamp block, which having been drained, offered the best land of the Heretaunga plains. The sale, which was believed to be worth around 30 shillings per acre, caused a national scandal as the land was purchased by illegally dealing with individual grantees and exploiting their personal debt. The means employed to secure this land were proven as illegal and certainly immoral, but did not invalidate the sale. Although the acquisition of the Heretaunga land began as a torrid affair, the ‘Twelve Apostles’ are credited with shaping the area into what it has become, including developing the city of Hastings.
A centre portion of land in the Heretaunga block was gifted as the site for the Hastings railway station. The 100 surrounding acres were subdivided and sold, thus beginning the formation of Hastings city. Hastings was connected to Napier by rail in 1874. Construction of the railway began from Napier in 1872, with 10,000 sleepers being cut and rafted down the Tukituki River. The construction of the track failed to meet the proposed deadline, so on its completion in 1874, celebrations were limited to solely a demonstration. In that same year Napier was proclaimed a borough and its boundaries were defined. The first meeting of the Napier Borough Council was held on 4 February 1875, almost 56 years to the day before the city was rocked by the Napier Earthquake. Nine city councillors had been elected, with Robert Stuart chosen as the first Mayor of Napier.
This decade saw great progress in our region with Hastings hosting its first Agricultural & Pastoral show, as well as the founding of Napier Boys’ Trust School, which would later become Napier Boys’ High School. During this time Hawke’s Bay readers enjoyed The Daily Telegraph, which was first published in 1871 and was initially a voice for liberalism calling for the division of the large land blocks which posed a barrier to enterprising settlers.
Photo captions –
LEFT: The popularity and size of the annual Hawke’s Bay Agricultural & Pastoral Society Show.
BELOW RIGHT: A passenger train on the Napier line.
BELOW: A panorama of Hastings around 1900, looking over the railway lines. Hastings District Council.
1876
Hawke’s Bay Rivers Act
From the minutes book of 1876
From early times legislation was passed to allow local government bodies to reduce flooding in the Hawke’s Bay region.
Photo captions –
Flood control work started as early as 1877 and stopbank construction and maintenance has been essential to protect the plains from frequent flooding.
Flooding on the Heretaunga Plains was frequent and disruptive such as the floods of 1935.
Celebrating your region
You are invited to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Hawke’s Bay at the Tutira Country Park Open Day, 11am-3pm, 30 November.
Enjoy a day in the country, with activities for all ages. See what has been done over 10 years as a Regional Council country park to provide walks, camping facilities and improve the land and water. There will be a free bus going from Napier, Hastings and Wairoa (depending on interest). Or you can drive to Tutira. Bring a picnic and enjoy all the activities – kayaks guided walks, orienteering and games for children.
In 1882 Herbert Guthrie Smith and Arthur Cunningham bought the 24,000 acres of bracken covered Tutira Station for £9,750, the amount for which it was mortgaged. The economic depression that was to last 20 years had just begun. During that time the men battled the bracken and improved the productivity of the land and their fortunes.
However Guthrie-Smith had a sea change – in 1908 he began to pay attention to his hobby of bird photography and the idea that clearing the land had not been kind to birds. This was the start of his conservation efforts. He also believed that Lake Tutira would, with the build up of silt and the gradual over growth, one day be no more.
Efforts in recent years have meant that the people of Hawke’s Bay can enjoy Tutira Country Park and surrounds. This is a great lesson about the changes in our land and our attitudes to the environment.
Photo captions –
Tutira Post Bola 1988.
View from Tutira Country Park.
150 YEARS
HAWKE’S BAY
HAWKE’S BAY
REGIONAL COUNCIL
[www].hbrc.govt.nz 0800 108 838
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 6
1878 – 1887
April 1878 resulted in 23 deaths in Napier, due to intestinal infections that plagued the inhabitants of the low lying areas in the vicinity of the swamp. The council took action against the owners of swamp sections, who were compelled to fill in their land, sell it to the borough, or guarantee the cost of reclamation. In addition to the implementation of these regulations, the environment for Napier’s residents began to improve when the council accepted a tender by the Napier Gas Company to keep 36 lamps lit every night. The following year, the beautiful Napier Botanical Gardens began to take shape, with conifers planted and paths laid by prison labour.
1880 saw the development of a boiling-down works at Tomoana, which made ‘extract of meat’ from carcasses, and in 1881 added meat preserving to its repertoire. The ‘blast-freezing technique’ offered the prospect of exporting, which gave rise to the construction of the Tomoana Freezing Works in 1883. The site processed up to 400 sheep per day and offered a well needed boost to the Hawke’s Bay economy, exporting 41,000 sheep in its first season.
In 1880 Mr F.W. Williams opened a general store at Port Ahuriri. After several years of successful trading Mr N. Kettle joined the vastly expanding business, which eventually became Williams & Kettle Limited in 1891. This firm quickly became a well know identity in the Hawke’s Bay agricultural sector, and expanded throughout the region establishing branches in many of the rural towns.
In 1884 the beautification of Napier’s Clive Square began. This important gathering point was originally planted with a variety of small trees that now tower over those who visit the Square. The original band rotunda, which was located in the very centre of the Square, was destroyed in the 1931 earthquake, and has now been replaced by a large, stone pond.
In August of 1886 Hastings was proclaimed a borough, however the most significant event of this year took place on December 18, when Napier was hit by its most destructive fire in its history prior to 1931. The fire was discovered in the yard of Banner & Liddle’s warehouse between Emmerson and Tennyson Street. At the time, The Daily Telegraph building was situated in Tennyson Street and was one of the first premises to be ravaged by flames. According to records, the fire brigade arrived promptly, however low water pressure hindered their efforts. It originally appeared that the fire was contained to its inception site, but within several minutes it had leapt to The Daily Telegraph building. The bound volumes of past papers were rescued by workers and willing members of the public. The ‘Great Fire’ of Napier destroyed 26 buildings and caused nearly £60,000 worth of damage
Photo captions –
ABOVE: Tomoana Freezing Works 1883. Photo courtesy Hawke’s Bay Museum, Napier.
ABOVE: Williams & Kettle Ltd’s Railway siding – note the bullock team.
BELOW: Fire at The Daily Telegraph’s building in Napier.
Heretaunga Free Kindergarten
Kindergartens in Hastings, Havelock North and Central Hawke’s Bay can trace their origins back to a home in Omahu Road, Hastings, in 1927 where the idea of establishing a free kindergarten in the town was first discussed.
Meetings were held by Mr and Mrs K G Chamberlain in their Omahu Road home in Hastings to set up a local association. In 1928, a public meeting launched the Hastings Free Kindergarten Association.
While some opposed the idea, saying Hastings should wait until it was “more like a city and more congested”, its supporters won the day and the first kindergarten opened in a room at the YMCA in Market Street, where the National Service Club now stands.
However a rent rise and YMCA plans for a new building prompted a search for alternative premises which continued for another 23 years. Temporary accommodation was found in the Seventh Day Adventist Church Hall but as numbers grew, the association moved back to the YMCA with 50 children on its books.
In November 1951, the association opened the Central Kindergarten in Hastings Street, one of three kindergartens operating in the town. The others were in Mahora and Parkvale. Napier’s first kindergarten opened the same year.
Two years later another was opened in Raureka and nine years later, another was established in Mayfair. Camberley’s followed in 1966.
Havelock North had a private kindergarten in the Domain Pavilion by 1957 and planning for a second, the Lucknow Kindergarten in Lipscombe Crescent, began almost immediately. It opened in 1967 and six years later, the Te Mata Kindergarten in Te Mata Road opened, catering for 40 children.
With other kindergartens later established in Central Hawke’s Bay and in Flaxmere, and 72 associations throughout the country, merger talks were initiated between the Hastings and Havelock North associations, culminating in the formation of the Heretaunga Free Kindergarten Association in 1979. Central Hawke’s Bay merged in 1997.
“We’re driven by community needs because we’re not for profit and proud of it” – Joyce Clark.
Today the Heretaunga Free Kindergarten Association’s Head Office operates from premises in Heretaunga Street East. Its president of five years, Joyce Clark, has this year overseen the publication of A Proud Heritage: A history of the Heretaunga Free Kindergarten Association 1928-2008, written by Havelock North author Michael Fowler, to mark its 80th anniversary.
From fledgling beginnings in 1928, it is one of 30 kindergarten associations throughout New Zealand and manages 15 kindergartens in the Hastings-CHB area.
“We’re driven by community needs because we’re not for profit and proud of it,” says Joyce.
As an umbrella organisation, the association looks after licensing, regulatory requirements and has Educational Managers helping with the vocational needs of teachers. lt employs only qualified registered teachers and with part time staff included, has a staff of up to 100 people.
Photo captions –
These trainee kindergarten teachers pictured in Wellington in 1928 would be highly sought after. Even so, it was a tow-paying occupation – a situation which would exist for many years, even during the shortages of the 1950s.
Hastings Free Kindergarten in late 1939 at the Methodist Hall in Hastings Street. Some of the children that can be named are – Back row: 2nd from left, Don Palmer; 3rd, Reg Lambert; 4th, Peter Grant; 5th, Graeme Kelly; 6th, Don Trask; 9th, Robert Frater; 10th, Noel Whitton; and 11th Brian Thomas. Second row: 1st left, Jim Starnes; 5th Anne Wilding; 8th, Betty Crawford; 9th, Roseanne Starnes; 12th, Judith Dagg. Front row: 3rd from left, Pauline Tong; 7th, Derek Burns; 8th, Margaret Lane; 9th, Anita Dagg; 10th, Hazel Burns; 12th, Lorna Richardson.
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 8
1888 – 1897
Hoadley and Lyon was the first firm to begin a regular trade in local wool, and offered a service for farmers producing an insufficient number of bales to warrant their exportation to England. Local turnover increased when the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency began to hold sales in Hawke’s Bay. As clips improved in quality and quantity, a new store and auction room was opened in Port Ahuriri, with a holding capacity of 2,500 bales. The success gained from the establishment of the auction room in 1888 encouraged other wool agents such as Williams & Kettle and Dalgety & Company to hold their first local sales in the early 1890’s.
1890 was a significant year in Napier’s history with the planting of the Norfolk pines which line Marine Parade. These trees often feature in iconic images of the city and were resilient enough to survive the 1931 earthquake that destroyed so many of Napier’s buildings. Hastings suffered a great loss in 1893 with the fire that broke out in McEwan’s Drapery. Once again the fire brigade arrived promptly, but insufficient water supply saw most of the nine shops in the block between Market Street and the railway line, burned in the first twenty minutes. The Bank of New Zealand and Williams & Kettle building, along with another drapery and restaurant, were destroyed in the blaze. Williams & Kettle established their new building in Heretaunga Street in 1894.
Easter of 1897 brought the worst flood in Hawke’s Bay’s history, with water covering most of the Heretaunga plains and washing away much of the railway embankment between Awatoto and Farndon. Heavy rain began falling on the evening of Thursday 15 April 1897, and continued to fall on Good Friday. Dalton and Emmerson Streets were flooded with surface water, along with parts of Hastings Street. Although rain ceased in Napier, heavier falls had been experienced further north and the rivers were yet to find their level.
A rumbling noise that resembled thunder was heard throughout Napier, as the Tutaekuri River filled the lagoon with water, which then spilled over into Meeanee. A party of ten men set out from Waitangi to assist those in badly affected areas such as Clive, where residents were seeking refuge on top of their houses. But before the boats got clear, the washout at Waitangi occurred and the men were swept out into extremely rough seas. A memorial for these brave men, who attempted to help others in danger, was erected on Marine Parade.
The effects of this disastrous flood were observed by engineers, who realised that the process by which the Tutaekuri River spread silt over the plains, could be replicated in order to reclaim the swamp area, now known as Napier South.
Photo captions –
ABOVE: Coach and team on the Taihape run 1896. Hastings District Council.
LEFT: Norfolk pines planted along the Marine Parade, Napier.
BELOW: 1897 brought the worst floods in Hawke’s Bay – Hastings Street Napier.
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Few businesses are better-placed to have witnessed the passage of Hawke’s Bay history and the people who have made it than Dunstall’s Funeral Services, Napier. Through three generations and 108 years, the Dunstall family has been helping other Hawke’s Bay people through the deaths of those they care about.
Founder Walter Dunstall began the business in 1900 in Nelson Crescent, as a cabinet-making and funeral service, but by 1932 when his sons Colin and Keith joined him the emphasis was on funeral work, then in 1961 Dunstall’s became full-time funeral directors and moved into the current site on the corner of Edwardes and Bower streets. There, it has a 150-seat chapel with adjacent covered standing area, a lounge and kitchen for post-service gatherings, plus an adjoining smaller sitting room that can be closed off for private needs.
Now the oldest family-owned business of its kind in Hawke’s Bay, Dunstall’s is run by Colin’s son Paul, who, beginning in 1972, worked for eight years for his father before becoming company director. His sister Noeline Burgess has managed the office since 1966 and together they have seen significant changes in the way people deal with grief as families play more part in funeral, helping make every service a personal celebration.
Dunstall’as also has the help of another registered funeral director, Mike Bates, and Janine Howard, registered funeral director and qualified embalmer.
“Over the years, we have developed the expertise and facilities to make the grieving period as smooth as possible,” says Paul. “We try to lessen the pain and our guiding principles are dignity, simplicity and reverence.”
1931 Premises
1910 Paper Notice
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Get out and enjoy your region with the new ‘four in one’ pass.
More than 1.2 million visitors come to Hawke’s Bay every year. The majority of those come in the months December to March, and are visiting friends and relations.
Hence, during the next few weeks it is relatively quiet tourist-wise in Hawke’s Bay, and an ideal time for locals to experience some of Napier’s highlights.
There are seven more weekends in between now and Christmas, so why not get out and enjoy the region for yourselves? Find out first hand what all the visitors rave about.
If you are wondering where to start this local adventure, then purchasing the new ‘Napier on Parade’ pass would be an excellent way to solve your dilemma.
A ‘Napier on Parade’ pass enables you to visit four leading Marine Parade attractions at a discounted rate.
This pass encompasses the National Aquarium of New Zealand, The Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery, Par 2 Marine Parade MiniGolf and Ocean Spa – all these attractions are within walking distance of each other, and very close to the centre of Napier.
The pass prices are excellent value at $96 (saving you $10.50) for the new family pass which comprises two adults and two children 14 years and under, $37 for an adult and $21 for a child (3 – 14 years). You don’t have to visit all the attractions in one day, you have three months to do so.
Why not a new adventure each weekend for the next four weekends? The ‘Napier on Parade’ tickets can be purchased at the Napier and Hastings i-SITE Visitor Centres, Kennedy Park Top 10 Resort, as well as at the four attractions included in the pass.
So get out and enjoy your region, and when you have friends and family to stay during the ‘busy’ season, you can recommend activities to them, from your own ‘first hand’ experiences.
These passes are also an excellent Christmas present or stocking filler.
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 10
1898 – 1907
In 1898 J.N. Williams offered 21 acres of his land for use as a public park, provided it would be planted with trees of his choosing. Thomas Horton kindly donated the trees and in 1901 the land was named Cornwall Park to commemorate the visit to Wellington by the Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall. In 1899 J.N. Williams met with various fruit growers to discuss the prospect of a canning factory. A public meeting was held and the vision of Hastings being the centre of a great fruit growing industry was born. This strong move towards horticulture would complement the already established agriculture sector in Hawke’s Bay, which in 1903 saw the opening of the historic Stortford Lodge Saleyards.
The construction of the Frimley Canning factory began in 1904, and was built on two acres of land in Frimley Avenue. During its busiest period, the factory employed around 120 staff, and in its first season produced 150,000 cans of peaches, pears, apricots, tomatoes and fruit pulp. Demand increased rapidly and supply followed suit. At this time more than 21,000 peach trees had been planted in Hawke’s Bay and a variety of nurseries had been established to cope with the high demand for plants.
In 1905 J.G. Nimon established a passenger transport company after purchasing the BeeCroft’s coach business, for which he had worked as an employee since 1895. The business originally included twenty horses and two horse buses, and incorporated motor buses in 1912 on the insistence of sons Joe and Bill Nimon. This family business has continued to provide transport services to Hawke’s Bay for over 100 years, and is now known as Nimon & Sons.
By 1907 a morning bus service had been established to transport workers from the Hastings Post Office through to the Frimley Cannery. In that same year, Hastings was blessed with a public library, which was a two-storyed brick building located in Market Street. In addition, the Hastings golf club moved to the end of Southland Road, and an all night telephone exchange was opened.
Amongst these developments of 1907, was a most unfortunate incident which saw the second Williams & Kettle building engulfed by flames. The previous Williams & Kettle establishment had been destroyed by fire in 1893, thus the new premise had been erected in Heretaunga Street. Fire fighters battled to contain the blaze, however with its location, hoses had to be laid over the railway tracks to reach the building. When the fire was under reasonable control, the hoses were disconnected in order to let a train carrying His majesty’s mail pass along the tracks. As the train travelled through, the fire regained its hold and in the process destroyed three other buildings
Photo captions –
ABOVE: J J Niven’s shop and foundary [foundry] at Ahuriri, 1899.
RIGHT: 1910 Cornwall Park, land gifted by Thomas Horton.
BELOW: The Stortford Lodge Saleyards.
BELOW: Havelock North Bus Service. Taken over by J.G. Nimon in in 1900.
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Hawke’s Bay District Health Board working with our community to improve health and well-being
WHAKAWATEATIA
HAWKE’S BAY
District Health Board
Napier Girls’ High School has been a landmark institution for the city since its establishment in 1884.
The school, which celebrates 125 years next March, has come a long way since its modest beginnings as a two-storeyed building on the same site as its hostel today, opening with 39 pupils including a single boarder. Today it has 920 pupils and 155 boarders.
Originally the Napier Boys’ High was on the opposite side of Clyde Road but now the NGHS extends to both sides, linked by an underpass tunnel.
When the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake devastated the town, a replacement brick school was almost complete. It was subsequently demolished and a new weatherboard school took its place in 1932, enhanced today by magnificent new Paris Magdilinos [Magdalinos] designed buildings on both sides of the road.
A prized asset of the school is a stunning Rita Angus mural which includes images of the earthquake devastation, the sweeping views of Hawke’s Bay, its rural hinterland and the familiar sight of One Tree Hill and the mountains in the distance, as well as special school features.
Napier Girls’ High retains many traditions, a source of pride to its pupils, but also keeps pace with changing times and vocational needs. Girls are taught woodwork, along with sophisticated computer technology, and a wide range of academic subjects, and are challenged to strive for excellence in whatever they pursue.
The outdoor curriculum includes a strong tradition of life saving as part of the summer programme, with many new activities such as canoe polo, orienteering, athletics and rowing to name a few, alongside more traditional sporting activities, tennis, cricket, netball, hockey.
And among its successful pupils is Emma Twigg, a former Head Girl, who narrowly finished fourth in the semifinal heat of the single sculls at the Beijing Olympics, after a year in which she received the Westpac Halberg Emerging Talent Award to recognise her achievements in 2007. These included winning the under-23 Women’s Single Sculls World Title and reaching the final of the full World Championships.
Drama and music are strengths of the school, which in alternate years stages major productions in the Napier Municipal Theatre, this year presenting the musical Chicago.
In its 124-year history Napier Girls’ High has had |11 outstanding principals. The current principal, Mary Nixon, who has an educational vision for the needs of the 21st century girl, today leads a staff of nearly 100.
A focus now is to attract as many former pupils as possible to reunion celebrations from March 20 to 22 next year. Registrations can be made through [email protected] or [www].nghs.school.nz or by telephoning 06 843 5379.
We are proud of the strong traditions and extensive educational opportunities that we offer our students
NAPIER GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL
Established 1884
Clyde Road, Napier. Phone: (06) 335 1969. Fax: (06) 835 8164 Email: nghs.school.nz
[www].nghs.school.nz.
AD LUCEM
“towards the light”
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 12
1908 – 1917
Napier relied greatly on the reclamation of its submerged land for the expansion of its residential areas. Necessity fueled [fuelled] the reclamation process; almost all accessible land had been utilised and this valuable, water covered area offered the much needed space to house numerous Hawke’s Bay residents and businesses. The majority of Napier South was eventually won back from the originally worthless area covered in mud and water.
A private syndicate known as Kennedy and Co. took on this immense project which had been planned by engineer C.D. Kennedy, and was financed by Mr William Nelson of Tomoana. An extensive series of channels were constructed across the area to be reclaimed. Silt deposits from the regularly flooding Tutaekuri River were trapped, and this method was used to slowly build up the land. The successful reclamation of the Napier South area was completed in 1908.
In November of that same year, construction of the Municipal Baths began. Also designed by C.D. Kennedy, the baths were located on Marine Parade, on a site leased from the Napier Harbour Board. Jas J. Niven and Company, which would later become Napier Engineering Limited, supplied all the necessary pumping plant and machinery to fill the baths with salt water. The new complex was completed in October 1909 and included seven hot salt water baths installed for those with rheumatism and other muscular diseases.
In 1910 Sir Douglas McLean donated land for what would become McLean Park, and a grant was approved for the development of Nelson Park. February of 1911 saw the Napier City Council appoint the Honorable William Pitt to design new municipal theatre. The initial proposed location was within Clive Square, however many citizens opposed this idea, and Tennyson Street was instead chosen. The theatre reflected an Italian Renaissance style and consisted of stalls seating 500, a dress circle of 250 and a gallery of 650. On opening night, 12 November 1912, theatre-goers enjoyed a production of ‘A Greek Slave’.
In August of 1914 World War One broke out. Within three weeks 290 infantry and reservists had volunteered and left Hawke’s Bay. On the day after war was declared, the Hastings band took to the main street and played patriotic songs to a crowd of 1,000. The conclusion of the war resulted in the deaths of 300 Hawke’s Bay men.
The war period had forced many Hawke’s Bay residents to ‘tighten their belts’, however this did not dampen the demand for electrification throughout Hastings and its surrounding districts. Electricity had become a symbol of status, with Napier leading the way. Numerous letters were received by the Hastings and Havelock North Board offices each week requesting domestic connections. After much delay – and various problems, electricity spread through the district.
Photo captions –
ABOVE: Mechanical potato digger at Havelock North 1910. Photo courtesy Hastings District Council.
LEFT: Mokopeka Hydro in the foreground is the early generator. Photo courtesy Chamber’s family.
BELOW: Race Course, Hastings on New Zealand Show day, taken around 1903-04.
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THE OLD MILL NAPIER
EST. 1902 NZ HISTORIC PLACES TRUST
“The Old Mill Napier’, located in Corunna Bay, is a historic collection of brick buildings which originally housed the ‘Hawkes Bay Woollen Company’. The buildings were constructed in 1902 on ‘Main Street’ which, as its name suggests, was the main street of Napier at the time. Families woke to the sound of the horn calling them to their work at the Mill. The Mill thrived through the 1920’s creating items such as ‘Homeleigh’ and ‘Pania of the Reef’ blanket. Tweeds and dress fabrics were also produced and exported, until production ceased in the late 1960’s.
The present owner Anne Vink says that ‘The Old Mill’ survived not only the 1931 Napier earthquake but also a huge slip in 1969 from the Napier Hospital site above. It was her late husband Frits who fell in love with the buildings, and in 1973 they purchased the Mill and began their life as dedicated ‘caretakers’ of these historic buildings. The distinctive red bricks housed their woollen handcraft business ‘Kane Carding Company’ and they became renowned throughout the community of wool crafters, providing carded wool for New Zealand home spinners and weavers from 1969 through to 1992.
In 1984 ‘The Old Mill’ was listed with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, and the “Loomshed’ was sandblasted to prepare the building for the installation of three 1901 Platt Brothers Carding machines. The carding operation grew steadily and Frits and Anne established a large exporting business, which operated until 1995. During this time Anne also developed an indoor riding school offering dressage coaching. This arena is now available as a large venue for functions, events or performances. The 18 x 35 m building offers a generous space with the original stables and yards providing additional charm.
These historic buildings have undergone a transformation into a beautiful function venue, perfect for weddings, while still preserving their wonderful heritage. The ambient song of hundreds of birds in the towering gum trees creates a rural atmosphere in a location only minutes from Napier’s town centre. ‘The Old Mill’ has private courtyards and stunning gardens where guests can relax with a glass of wine. Downstairs the candlelit dining room and bar offer an intimate setting, while the dance floor provides the evening’s entertainment with music from the resident DJ.
Uncovering the past is an ongoing project for Anne. Recent landscaping has uncovered artesian wells which were possibly the source of water for soldiers of the 65th regiment in 1856 and the 14th Regiment of Foot in 1865. This site is identified as their first encampment. In 1902 the water from these four brick wells was used for washing wool in the Mill’s ‘wool scour’.
‘The Old Mill’ is a fantastic piece of Hawke’s Bay history and an important part of the historic Napier Wool industry.
This venue is simply magical.
WEDDINGS & PRIVATE
FUNCTIONS AT THE
OLD MILL NAPIER
32 MAIN ST, CORUNNA BAY
NAPIER HILL
W06 835 4322
[WWW].OLDMILLNAPIER.CO.NZ
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 14
1918 – 1927
At the conclusion of the war, the residents of Hawke’s Bay were hit by a devastating influenza epidemic, which was widely blamed on the returning soldiers. An isolation hospital was established at the Hastings racecourse, with all schools and churches closed. Streets, trains, taxis and pubs were disinfected daily and people were deterred from embracing. Many women were recruited as nurses, but most cases were cared for at home. Nearly 300 people died from the influenza epidemic in Hawke’s Bay.
The 1920’s heralded a new era for Hawke’s Bay, with Hollywood movies and bold new fashions taking centre stage. Visiting the cinema became the norm, and The Daily Telegraph’s ‘Hollywood Gossip’ column was a must read for the public of Hawke’s Bay. Films not only graced our region on the silver screen, but also came to town in the form of a Rudall Hayward’s short comedy set in Napier. ‘Natalie of Napier’ starred local actors Florence Carpenter, Pat Murphy and Stan Gleadow and depicted a fast moving abduction and chase story.
1921 saw the development of Memorial Park in Napier, which included the building of the centotaph [cenotaph] that honours those that served and died during the war. In that same year the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce set out to publicise Hastings and attract trade and industry. The Chamber of Commerce was established in 1883 to provide support for Hawke’s Bay businesses and improve their success both within and outside of the region.
For rugby enthusiasts this decade will be remembered for the success of the Hawke’s Bay rugby team, coached by Norman McKenzie. In 1922 the Hawke’s Bay side defeated Wellington and won the coveted Ranfurly Shield. This momentous occasion in our region’s sporting history saw the onset of ‘Shield fever’ throughout Hawke’s Bay. During the 1920’s the Hawke’s Bay team was blessed with rugby greats such as George Nepia, Maurice and Cyril Brownlie, Alex Kirkpatrick,
Bert Cooke, Jimmy Mill, Jackie Blake and Bert Grenside. The Magpies had some notable victories in 1926 including 77-14 against Wairarapa, 58-8 against Wellington and 41-11 against Auckland. The Hawke’s Bay team successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield against 24 challengers before being defeated by Wairarapa in 1927.
During Hawke’s Bay’s reign as the Ranfurly Shield champions, the residents were struck by Polio and Scarlet Fever epidemics. This brought calls for an auxiliary hospital to be established in Hastings. Land had been previously purchased but delays occurred as the plans were instead submitted to Napier. Another development of the time was the construction of the Mohaka River bridge in 1922. This timber truss structure, nicknamed ‘The Rabbit Bridge’ due to its rabbit proof gate, was one of the first bridges in New Zealand designed to absorb earthquake force by means of movement.
Photo captions –
BELOW: A late 1920s photo of Robert Holt and Sons Ltd mill at Puketitiri.
BOTTOM: Peace celebrations held in July 1919 in Havelock North. The village was decorated for the occasion.
ABOVE: Shield challenge Hawke’s Bay against Canterbury in the 1926 tour of the South Island.
RIGHT: Norman McKenzie coach of the Hawke’s Bay team.
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1857-2008
151 years of recording events that have affected the people of Hawke’s Bay since 1857. Joy, success, prosperity, war, disaster and tragedy, all have been chronicled.
Hawke’s Bay Today
113 Karamu Road Hastings Phone 873 0800
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Wattie’s (Heinz Wattie’s Ltd) has been a major component of the Hawke’s Bay province for seven decades.
From its founding in 1934, on its present King Street location, the company has continued to expand to become today’s world-wide supplier of good food products.
Today, the company, in its 74th year, is processing 125,000 tonnes of products at its King Street plant (with more than 400 permanent staff and up to 800 seasonal workers) and 45,000 tonnes at its Tomoana site with 300 permanent staff and up to 100 temporary.
Factory Workers
Wattie’s
Proud to be located in the Hawke’s Bay Province
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 16
1928 – 1937
The most significant event of this decade was undoubtedly the 1931 Napier Earthquake which struck at 10.46 am on Tuesday 3 February. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and was centred about fifteen kilometres north of Napier, near Whirinaki. This devastating earthquake lasted two and a half minutes, with an intermittent pause, and resulted in the deaths of approximately 258 Hawke’s Bay residents.
The violent earthquake occurred without warning on an average day in one of Napier’s long, hot summers. The Bluff Hill face crashed to the ground from some 350 feet producing a cloud of dust that blackened the air. Masonry fell from collapsing buildings, crushing pedestrians below. Fissures in the roads caused cars to veer uncontrollably, students dived under desks, and a great roar was heard as the buildings of Napier crumbled onto the streets.
Within minutes of the first shocks, fire swept through Hastings Street and the Masonic Hotel was engulfed in flames. The earthquake had destroyed most of Napier’s pipelines, leaving the fire brigade with limited water supply. Only by tapping into a saltwater well in Clive square were the firemen able to stop the spread of fire to the residential areas. The brigade was assisted by volunteers, as well as the crew of the H.M.S Veronica, a small warship that had fortunately anchored in the Napier harbour. The sailors scoured the town for food, bedding and clothing, and together with the residents of Napier, set up emergency camps and hospitals.
The earthquake had left Napier in ruins and severely injured thousands of residents. In the aftermath of the ‘Great Quake’ The Daily Telegraph called for a uniform reconstruction of the Napier city centre, which was well supported by local architects; the ‘Art Deco Capital of the World’ was born.
Out of the ruins of the earthquake emerged one of the most successful businesses to be established in Hawke’s Bay. In 1934 J. Wattie Canneries Ltd opened its King Street premise in Hastings. This was a bold venture, as at the time New Zealand already hosted nine canneries. While working in Hawke’s Bay, James Wattie had discovered that fruit pulp, used to make jam, was being imported from Australia, while local fruit was left to rot on the orchard ground. Wattie acquired shareholders from throughout Hastings and began producing his first products, local peaches and pears.
James Wattie single-handedly rectified the unemployment problem that had plagued Hastings earlier in the decade. Despite utilising a mechanised line, all fruit was hand picked and sliced, and each can was hand filled, hand inspected, manually sealed and hand stacked. The company expanded dramatically, incorporating asparagus, tomatoes, peas and vegetable soup into its repertoire. This Hastings business enjoyed great success and soon became a New Zealand icon.
Photo captions –
ABOVE Fire broke out shortly after the quake, looking along Hastings Street, Napier, toward the hill.
BELOW: Land’s for Bags was a tenant of the Napier Gas Company in Heretaunga street, Hastings, at the time of the quake.
RIGHT: Bluff Hill workers clearing a slip during the 1930’s. Photo supplied by the Rodda family, Napier.
BOTTOM: The earthquake took its toll on the hill; this house was left dangling precariously. Bluff Hill collapsed almost completely, burying the road beneath.
ART DECO TRUST
NAPIER NEW ZEALAND
[www].artdeconapier.com
In the two years of feverish reconstruction after Hawke’s Bay’s devastating 1931 earthquake, Napier people built something more than just bricks and mortar. The hope and vitality of their new city expressed the early 20th century spirit of progress, freedom and style in a unique architectural and cultural legacy for more than 75 years.
For the past 23 years, this legacy has been safeguarded and celebrated by the Art Deco Trust. Working with building owners on enhancements, dealing with preservation issues and helping save threatened buildings, the trust has helped ensure a lasting future for the city’s unique architecture. The trust’s publications, educational and promotional projects have raised local pride in the city’s treasure and its walks and tours introduce the city’s landmarks to thousands of visitors every year.
Once the newest city on the globe, Napier is known today as Art Deco City. The trust’s events, the GEON Art Deco Weekend and the Bluewater Hotel Deco Decanted, are acclaimed as magnificent celebrations of everything Art Deco the sophisticated fashions, the music and dance, fast cars and flying adventure, the art, ideas, energy and style of a world that was discarding the shackles of the past and rapidly discovering its future.
Formed initially to promote a newly published walk guide leaflet and organise the premiere of a television feature telling Napier’s story, the Art Deco Trust generated huge public enthusiasm for Art Deco, and in 1992, supported by Napier City Council, became a full time operation with a home in one of the city’s most dramatic reconstruction buildings, the 1932 former Central Fire Station designed by Louis Hay. Now called Deco Centre, it houses the Art Deco Shop and the trust’s offices. In addition to a chief executive and 8 other full or part-time staff, the trust involves more than 140 wonderful volunteers who lead the guided walks and work in the shop.
It is directed by an elected chair and board and funded by a combination of member subscriptions, donations, sponsorship and profits from the walks, tours, special events and shop.
Planning for next year’s GEON Art Deco Weekend, which begins 17 February 2009, is well advanced and tickets to all events are on sale at the trust’s offices. The staff and board look forward to seeing everyone there and also invite new members to join the Trust and play a part in preserving Napier’s special heritage and character for future generations. For more information, contact the Art Deco Trust, [email protected] or (06) 835 0022.
Photo captions –
The former Napier Fire Station, the home of the Art Deco Trust. (Bruce Jenkins photo)
This composite image showing Hastings Street during the post-earthquake fires and as it is today was used for the Art Deco Weekend poster in 2006, the year the Art Deco Trust marked the 75th anniversary of the 1931 Earthquake.
Crowds enjoy the music at the Soundshell on the Saturday night of Art Deco Weekend.
(H B Today photo)
The completion of the Tom Parker Fountain and the illuminating of the Norfolk pine trees marked the completion of the reconstruction of Napier in 1936.
Two Art Deco Walk Groups enjoy their walk on one of the cruise liner days in 2006.
ART DECO TRUST, TENNYSON STREET, NAPIER
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 18
1938 – 1947
The Second World War brought labour shortages to Hawke’s Bay, as well as a serious shortage of imported goods including almost all manufactured items such as rubber, fuel and chemicals. The Hastings Borough Council declared on 9 September 1939, that the jobs of all soldiers would be kept open for their return from the war. As the Japanese advanced, seven air raid shelters were constructed in an attempt to protect the residents of the Hastings CBD. A test carried out in August showed that the shelters could house and protect 900 residents.
An important part of the war effort for Hastings was offering support to the town in Sussex that shared its name. Residents of Hastings, England, received gifts of Hawke’s Bay honey which were distributed primarily within the rest centres of people who had been bombed out of their homes, with any surplus being given to the local Relief Fund, or to expectant mothers and children. A special package was put together to be sent as a Christmas gift for this war affected English town. In addition to honey, this package contained fifty cases of tomato soup, donated by J. Wattie Canneries, a case of sweets from F.C. Rush-Munro, and a total of 1,480 toys and children’s garments.
The threat of the Japanese raids, combined with the growth of civilian air transport brought calls for an airport in Hawke’s Bay that could cater for large aircrafts [aircraft]. At this time, only two grass fields were being utilised; the Bridge Pa aerodrome which was used primarily for club flying, and Beacons airfield in Napier. Various new sites were discussed including Waipatu, while improvements to the existing airfields were also an option. A lengthy debate raged between the councils of Napier and Hastings, and eventually Beacons airfield was chosen, although construction did not begin until the 1960’s.
For almost 80 years Napier had faced a shortage of space for both housing and industry. The 1931 earthquake had provided a remedy to this situation by creating additional land space. The Napier Harbour Board eventually released 1,065 acres of board land for use as housing; this area is now known as the suburbs of Onekawa and Pirimai. In addition, an area near Pandora Road was reserved by the council for future industrial development.
Due to the destruction of the Napier Municipal Theatre in 1931, a second theatre was designed by city architect J.T. Watson and opened in June of 1938. The economic constraints of the time meant that the new theatre did not echo the grand designs of the original. With modernism a strong feature of Napier architecture, the second Municipal Theatre featured predominant zig-zag motifs. The theatre then underwent major improvements in the 1990s to improve staging and backstage facilities.
Photo caption – BELOW: The fledgling Hawke’s Bay Aero Clubs hanger is shown on a paddock at Longlands. A New Zealand Permanent Air Force Gypsy Moth is refuelling at the Club’s portable bowser. Photo courtesy of Hawke’s Bay East Coast Aero Club.
Celebrating 80 Years
Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club was born in the heady days of early aeroplane flight, when young men dreamt of following air heroes like Kingsford-Smith into the skies.
Kingsford-Smith’s historic 14-hour trans-Tasman flight captured the pioneering spirit of New Zealanders. Aviation was no longer regarded as the domain of World War veterans or a few privileged private pilots; everyone wanted to fly.
Racing after the prize of a free plane for the first aero club to be formed in New Zealand, the Hawke’s Bay club was beaten by just one day, but not for any lack of enthusiasm. A public meeting called to discuss forming a club idea drew 300 people and the new club, launched on 15 November 1928, had 166 members but no plane. That came later, a De Havilland Moth, ZK-AAB that cost £0 and was named Heretaunga.
Its first home was a leased block of land at Longlands where club members built an airstrip and temporary buildings. In 1931 they bought land two miles away, now the site of a fully-fledged aerodrome and home to a club that now runs a full-time pilot training academy, charter and air ambulance services, as well as providing for recreational flying and social activities for its 250 members.
This year, as the club marks its 80th anniversary with a weekend of events in mid-November, it has plenty to celebrate. A pioneer aero club, it was also a leader in establishing pilot training 75 years ago and today has a large fleet of training aircraft. Fixed wing air ambulance services started in 1968 and both activities now rate at the forefront of their kind New Zealand-wide.
Enthusiastic and active, the club members enjoy access to competitive flying rates, monthly activities including competitions and, fly-aways. They organise sight-seeing flights, open days and displays and have the benefit of a modern two-storeyed club room with a lounge bar and viewing deck.
Club president Hamish Ross says the club is trying to trace past members to invite them to join their present-day colleagues at the celebrations which include an anniversary dinner and a flying day. In December the club celebrates again with an open weekend, giving others with an interest in flying the chance to see just what the club offers. A member for 25 years, Hamish says, “For anyone with a passion for flying who wants a new social activity, this is the place to be.”
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 20
1948 – 1957
By 1949 the Hastings Borough Council was attending monthly meetings with the Hawke’s Bay County Council to discuss proposed developments. Due to differences of opinion between the Napier and Hastings councils, Hawke’s Bay was the last region in New Zealand to establish a united council, which occurred in 1876. [1983]
In 1950 approximately 50% of the Heretaunga Plains was used for grazing, while the remainder was utilised for seed and grain crops, fruit growing and vegetables. The production of meat and wool in Hawke’s Bay was also increasing markedly. Agriculture and horticulture had established themselves as prominent industries in Hawke’s Bay. Businesses were also booming and populations growing. In 1950 Napier’s residents numbered over 20,000 thus crossing the threshold to proclaim it a city.
Hastings, according to businessman H.B. Poppelwell, required a lift in its spirits. He called a public meeting and ‘Greater Hastings Incorporated’ was established. This new group coordinated the first Hastings Blossom Festival, held in 1950. The shop windows of Hastings were decorated and a procession of floats travelled through the streets. People danced in the streets until 10.30 pm and the event became an annual celebration that attracted around 45,000 people, providing a great boost to the retail trade.
1954 saw Hawke’s Bay receive a Royal visit from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Over 70 Hawke’s Bay men and women were presented to the Queen at a ceremony in Napier’s McLean Park. These residents represented various sectors of the community from Napier through to Northern Hawke’s Bay. The great popularity of the Queen was evident in the reaction of the crowd. Onlookers broke through police barriers in an attempt to get as close as possible to Her Majesty, and even when she retired to her suite in the Masonic Hotel, crowds gathered outside and began to chant ‘We want the Queen!” Her Majesty dutifully obeyed her adoring public and made a brief appearance on the hotel balcony.
During the 1950s, Napier prospered. Pania of the reef, a bronze statue with a head modeled on that of a pupil from Hukarere Maori Girls’ School, was unveiled in 1954. 1955 saw the floral clock installed on Marine Parade, with the War Memorial officially opening in 1957. Hastings too, enjoyed great growth during this decade, with the borough being declared a city. The new city celebrated this occasion with the Blossom Festival, which had now become an annual event.
By 1957 Bird’s Eye frozen foods, produced by Watties Canneries since 1947, opened their own Hastings factory. Watties had achieved great success and this was attributed to their advances in science and technology. The business utilised mobile pea viners and harvesters for beans and corn. The efficiency of this technology meant that beans were canned within 90 minutes of harvest.
Photo captions –
BELOW LEFT: The Hastings Blossom Parade, drew huge crowd’s.
BELOW: Marine Parade in 1950.
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[www].aratakihoneyhb.co.nz
ARATAKI HONEY
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Hawke’s Bay Radiology
Hawke’s Bay Radiology is proud to have been providing Imaging Services to this community for nearly 60 years. X rays were only discovered in 1895 by Roentgen. Their importance in early diagnosis of disease was rapidly realized and led to a fantastic Century of Imaging development. This now includes non ionizing radiation methods (ultrasound and MRI).
Dr C P (Pat) Feltham’s first private radiology rooms in Napier in the T & G building were established in 1953. He attracted Drs Nathan, Vaughan and Shipp to work with him until he retired in 1979, then they continued to develop the practice.
In 1987 the practice moved to specially designed consulting rooms at Princess Alexandra Hospital (later Southern Cross Hospital). Technology was advancing rapidly. The first private ultrasound facility in Hawke’s Bay began here, closely followed in the early 1990’s with private mammography.
Meanwhile Royston X Ray had been established by the same team in 1985 at Prospect Road Hastings, joined by Dr Fan. This is where the major growth in the practice occurred.
After Southern Cross Hospital closed in 2004 Hawke’s Bay Radiology moved to our current Napier location at 522 Kennedy Road. We offer general x-ray, ultrasound & mammography at our Napier site.
Facilities at our Hastings site now include general x-ray, ultrasound, mammography, bone densitometry (DEXA), fluoroscopy, CT and MRI.
This comprehensive Imaging Service is run by Drs Shipp, Fan and Bowmer. It has been our great pleasure to be able to move with the times and offer Hawke’s Bay people the quality Diagnostic Service they deserve.
Ph: Hastings 873 1166 or Napier 845 3306
Photo captions –
Doctor Heather Bowmer showing old X-ray film far left and new digital images in front of her.
L-R Julie, Morag, Trish pictured at the reception desk of Hawke’s Bay Radiology.
The MRI Scanner at Hawke’s Bay Radiology Hastings.
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 22
1958 – 1967
During 1958 the Wallabies toured New Zealand and came to McLean Park for a scheduled game against Hawke’s Bay. The Australian national team was defeated by eight points to six, in front of a crowd of 9,000 Hawke’s Bay supporters. The 1958 victory was Hawke’s Bay’s third win against the Wallabies, which included games in 1936 and 1955.
By 1961 the airport debate had resurfaced. The Hastings City Council lobbied for a site south of Napier, that was as close as possible to the Northern boundary of Hastings. The main concerns were the cost of freight to transport goods from Hastings through to the Napier Beacons site, and the accessibility of the site for Hawke’s Bay’s Southern residents. The Hastings City Council decided that if the government opted to proceed with the Beacons site, a compromise was required in the form of a highway from Hastings to Napier; what is now the expressway. Construction of the 4,300 foot runway began, and in February 1964 the Hawke’s Bay airport was officially opened.
In 1962, one of the most prosperous businesses in Hawke’s Bay was devastated by fire. The huge Hastings cannery and quick freeze factory of J. Wattie Canneries Ltd, caught ablaze on the afternoon of Monday 19 February. Factory workers had resumed their duties following their afternoon tea break, when heavy smoke poured onto the first floor. Staff members were evacuated and the fire spread rapidly due to lack of ventilation, with a quarter of the premise quickly engulfed in flames. Again a water shortage hampered the firemen’s efforts, but once the jets were connected to the artesian wells on the Wattie property, sufficient water was available to combat the blaze.
The two hour fire destroyed the quick freezing department, the labeling [labelling] and air compressor plants, the laboratory, and numerous electric motors, as well as New Zealand’s only beer canister lacquering plant.
Overall about a third of the plant was destroyed, but the fireman had managed to save the vital boiler room, which if destroyed would have seen the factory immobilised for months. Damage was estimated at £500,000 but production resumed two days later with no job loses and produced a record season.
1964 saw work begin on the first dolphin pool at Napier’s Marineland, as well as the completion of the main outdoor pool at the new Onekawa swimming complex. In Hastings, a proposal was made to turn Windsor Park into a unique amusement garden, with a children’s playground, a model railway, putting green, boats and a tea kiosk. In 1965 a model of a five acre park was produced and submitted to the Council for approval. By 1967 the Heretaunga Plains, originally purchased for around 30 shillings per acre, were worth a staggering $12,000-$14,000 per acre
Photo captions –
RIGHT: Marineland, Napier – the first training of dolphins in the new pool.
BELOW: 1962 fire devastated J. Wattie Canneries Ltd in Hastings.
NZ ARMY
NGATI TUMATAUENGA
Tena Koutou Katoa,
The Commanding Officer, Officers and Soldiers of the 7th Wellington (City of Wellington’s Own) and Hawke’s Bay Battalion Group congratulates the Province of Hawke’s Bay in reaching 150 years.
The Unit has a long and proud history of service to the province and Hawke’s Bay people since the formation of the Napier Rifle Volunteers 1 July 1863.
This service has continued with operations and deployments up until this present day:
1858 Hawke’s Bay declared a Province
1863-1883 Hawke’s Bay Regiment and associated units formed
1900-1902 Boer War South Africa
1914-1918 The Great War
1939-1945 The World War
1957 Freedom of Napier City
1964 Amalgamation of 1st Battalion, Wellington and 1st Battalion, Hawke’s Bay into what is today 7th Wellington (City of Wellington’s Own) and Hawke’s Bay Battalion Group
2006-Present Solomon Islands and East Timor
The Freedom of the Citys’ Charters set out privileges granted to the Battalion. These include the right to march through each respective city with Colours flying, band playing and bayonets fixed. There is a requirement to do so at regular intervals and provide certain officers to assist the Council’s at various formal functions. These ceremonies are very important in the forging of relationships between the Battalion and the Cities; every opportunity is taken to exercise these rights so granted.
Once again congratulations to Hawke’s Bay and those wishing to find out more information about enlisting in our Territorial Force should contact Staff Sergeant Wayne Palmer
0800NZARMY or [www].army.mil.nz
TAMATEA
HIGH SCHOOL
Tamatea High School was established in 1975 and has played a significant part in Hawke’s Bay education. Although the school has gone through many changes since 1975 it still follows the same doctrines as set down by the school at its inception.
Below is the editorial published in the first Tamatea High School magazine.
Beginnings are important. Without sound foundations, nothing can be developed to the full, be it concrete building, human personality or newly opened school.
The pupils and staff of Tamatea High School have put their first year to good use, in that at the end of one year the shape of a firm foundation for future development is evident. Good organisation, good habits of study and play, close involvement with the wider community, all these have been established and can be “felt” as part of the school atmosphere. Making haste slowly, taking time to decide, has been a wise policy which will allow traditions to grow healthily at their own speed rather than be imposed by a desire to be seen, to be established in those aspects of school life which characterise and “old school”. The wearing of a distinguishing uniform is one example of this. Involvement with the community is likely to be a keynote of education in the next era of its development and Tamatea High School has established the sort of relationship with the parents of pupils and the community at large which will serve as a firm base for future co-operation in many directions.
Those who are privileged to be concerned with the growth of the school in the future will be fortunate in that they have such firm foundations on which to build.
61 Freyberg Ave, Tamatea. Ph: 844 6600 E: [email protected]
ST JOHN in Hawke’s Bay
The Order of St John, St John Ambulance or simply St John has been active in Hawke’s Bay for just over 100 years. Starting in Napier in 1907 and in Hastings in 1934.
In the early years all services were provided by volunteers, from teaching first aid courses and providing first aid at sporting events, to ambulance services.
Member numbers were in the hundreds but over the years personal and work commitments have reduced volunteer numbers considerably. Together with paid ambulance and administration staff, first aid tutors and sales representatives, St John volunteers are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of Hawke’s Bay and its citizens, from Wairoa down to Central Hawke’s Bay. The wide range of services includes:
Ambulance services
First aid at events
Youth programmes
First aid courses, kits & supplies
Lifelink medical alarms
Friends of the Emergency Dept (FEDs)
Caring Caller
St John has seen many changes within its organisation over the years but its purpose has always remained the same.
St John is a non profit charitable organisation and relies on donations and other financial support. For more information or to contribute to this essential service, call Karen or Di at the HB Area office in Hastings on 06 878 9515
Congratulations to Hawke’s Bay on reaching your 150th anniversary
Photo caption – The St John team at the HB A & P Show 2008
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 24
1968 – 1977
By 1968 the amusement park that had been proposed by Harry Poppelwell was open and almost fully functional. ‘Fantasyland’, whose centre piece cinder-block castle was inspired by Disneyland, began to take shape in 1965 and was constructed over the next three years. Community effort was the key in the early development of Fantasyland, with many volunteers providing the labour and equipment required. The third of mile long railway track was laid by the Lions Club and was not a simple task. What was thought to be just a few weekends’ work resulted in 700 hours of volunteer labour.
The miniature train was built by Cyril Barclay out of an eighteen horse power Massey Ferguson tractor. The carriages were donated, and the cost of the £500 railway station was covered by the Hastings Rotary Club. However, despite donations and the efforts of volunteers, all funds were depleted in May 1968, with more work still required on the castle train and lake.
40,000 people visited the unfinished park, and due to its overwhelming popularity, the Hastings City Council took ownership of Fantasyland and carried out its successful completion.
1968 also saw the incorporation of Taradale into Napier the Borough. Prior to the 1931 earthquake, the swamp had been a barrier between the two towns and even after this obstacle was eliminated, each town still valued its independence. As Napier gradually spread towards Taradale, the prospect of a merger was mooted and serious discussions began in 1965. The favourable public opinion, combined with a large bill for new roads looming on the horizon, tipped the balance and the merger was approved.
The early 1970s brought further developments in Napier, the Planetarium had been opened in 1969, and in 1971 the ‘Spirit of Napier’ statue was erected. The bronze sculpture, also referred to as Gilray Fountain, represents Napier’s rise from the ashes of the 1931 earthquake. The indoor swimming pool at the Onekawa complex was also opened in 1971, with the Princess Alexander Community Hospital opening the following year.
Hastings also saw development in the form of the ring road, which surrounded the central building district that was now closed off to traffic. South of Whakatu, the Pacific Freezing Works opened its doors in 1973. During this decade Hastings saw the end of era, with the passing of Sir James Wattie in June of 1974, at his Mangapapa home. He had received his knighthood in 1966 and was 72 years of age when he died. He was a hugely popular man, with great charisma and true economic foresight. From the midst of the depression, Sir James Wattie had created a company that not only contributed to the prosperity of the region, but became one of the most significant food processors in the country
Photo captions –
LEFT: Norsewear founder Ola Rian came upon this building on a visit to Norsewood in 1968. He moved his operations up from Wellington in 1969 to this building.
BELOW RIGHT: Gilray Fountain in 1971.
BELOW: Fantasyland was completed in 1968.
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Napier Returned & Services Ass. Inc
NZ RETURNED SERVICES ASSOCIATION
Napier Returned Services Ass. Inc
“Proudly serving the community since 1916”
FOOD – BEVERAGE – ENTERTAINMENT
Open every day from 9.00 am for Members, Guests of Members and Affiliates – Visitors Welcome Ph: 835-7629
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IONA COLLEGE
HAVELOCK NORTH HAWKE’S BAY
Pursuing Personal Best
Iona College was officially opened in February 1914, a purpose-built boarding school for 50 girls. Today, Iona is home to 250 boarders and daygirls from Years 7 to 13. A broad, well balanced academic curriculum is offered together with a wide range of cultural and sporting activities and a supportive environment in which students live, learn and achieve.
Private Bag 1000, Havelock North 4157
06 877 814 [email protected]
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60 Years
J.J O’CONNOR LTD
MASTER PLUMBERS – EST 1948
ROOFING, PLUMBING & DRAINAGE
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Master Plumbers
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Alexandra Crescent
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NAPIER ENGINEERING & CONTRACTING LIMITED
Est 1886 by Jas J Niven
“Napier’s Oldest Engineering Company”
Photo caption – Machine Room Photo taken from the turn of last century. Originally Jas J Niven.
In 1886 Jas J Niven established an engineering company in Ahuriri and by the early 1900’s had expanded to become one of New Zealand’s largest engineering companies with branches throughout the country. Head office eventually moved to Wellington. In 1987 Napier Engineering and Contracting Limited was formed and the Ahuriri works, established by Niven, returned to local ownership. In 1998, due to changes of land use and pressure from residents the company relocated to Onekawa.
Napier Engineering
PH (06) 843 880
Angus Place, Onekawa, Napier
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Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a Province
The Hastings i-Site Visitor Centre has operated out of the 1932 Westerman’s Department store since 2002.
The Spanish Mission architecture of the building is one of the most superb examples of shop front design in New Zealand.
Contact us for Information on:
Activities and Attractions
Transport
Souvenirs
Accommodation
Bookings and Advice
Ticketek
i SITE
Open 7 days a week (Closed Christmas Day)
Phone 06 873 0080 Email [email protected]
0800 HASTINGS (427846)
[www].hastings.co.nz
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 26
1978 – 1987
In 1979 Hastings suffered its most costly fire in terms of monetary value. The fire at the Tomoana Freezing Works caused $15 million worth of damages. The fire began on the afternoon of Monday 17 September and originated in the historic 1890 freezer tunnel. The fire gutted the top two floors of the four-storey complex, destroying the various slaughterhouses, as well as the boning room, beef chiller and carton room.
According to records, the fire brigade had its first pumps at the fire within three minutes of the initial call, with its total of eight appliances and 50 firemen all arriving at the scene by the fifteen minute mark. Thankfully the fire had started during lunch time when the premise was mostly empty. The fire was quickly contained and not one of the 800 workers suffered any serious injury, although several of the firefighters were treated for ammonia inhalation. Lou Jillings, the Chief Fire Officer at the time, who recently passed away in 2007, said “It travelled like lightening through the building – I haven’t seen a fire move like it.”
The 1980’s brought further developments to Hawke’s Bay. Wattie and Goodman merged in 1980, and in 1982 bought the King Street property from the Apple and Pear Board. In that same year, Leopard Brewery celebrated 100 years of brewing with a hangi at their Hastings premise. 1982 also saw Cranford Hospice open its doors. Since then, this remarkable hospice has cared for around 6,000 Hawke’s Bay residents and continues to provide a key health service that is highly valued by the community.
The 1980’s also spurred a revival of interest in the Art Deco style of architecture that had put Napier on the world map. February 1985 saw the formation of the Art Deco Trust, whose aim was to promote the newly published leaflet ‘Take a Walk Through Art Deco Napier’ In June 1985, the Trust organised a showing of the Peter Wells’ film ‘Newest City On The Globe’. This event brought a crowd of 1,100 people, who prior to the film, toured the streets of Napier viewing its range of Art Deco buildings. The enthusiasm of the public encouraged the Art Deco Trust to continue to preserve, enhance and promote Napier’s unique architecture.
In 1986 the Whakatu meat processing works suddenly closed its doors. The closure put the workers and their families under great financial pressure, and saw the unemployment level in Hastings rise to over 15%. The effects of the closure were widespread throughout the Napier and Hastings communities. The Hawke’s Bay County Council responded by not increasing rates during 1986. In 1987 the County Council moved into their newly completed offices in Oak Avenue, having been given the task of planning for the twenty-first century.
Photo captions –
BELOW: Jo Smith from Ngatarawa Winery holds a selection of wines from the first vintage
BELOW BOTTOM: Sainsbury Logan & Williams. Napier Art Deco building interior.
BELOW: Tomoana Freezing Works huge fire. 17th September 1979. $20,000,000 loss, New Zealand’s largest insurance loss at the time.
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NAPIER BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL
JUSTUM PERFICITO NIHIL TIMETO
Established 1872
“Proven Success”
We were there from the start (1872)
“Proud to be serving boys’ education in the Bay”
Phone 833 5900 Fax 833 5909
[www].nbhs.school.nz
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Pernel
FRUIT WORLD
1910 saw the beginning Grandparents Harry & Mabel Mardon purchased 10 acres in Evendon Rd
1936 Parents Percy & Nel purchased 7 acres on Pakowhai Rd doubling the Orchard
1953-54 Sons David & Philip joined the family business, another 21 acres adjoining the property were purchased. Pernel Orchard was then formed, combining the first names of their parents Percy & Nel.
1996 Fire destroyed existing fruit shop and stone fruit packhouse
1997 New premises built incorporating Cafe, Fruit Shop, Museum and Gift Shop
As a long established Hawke’s Bay business we are proud to be associated with the 150th celebrations of this wonderful province.
Percy and Nel with their family, 1978
Percy and Nel, circa 1938
Pernel
FRUITWORLD
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Hastings
Leader
NAPIER
Courier
Pakowhai School:
A long rich history.
The buildings on the left were erected in 1970 but the school’s rich history dates back to the 4th of February 1895 when a classroom was first established in the men’s dining room at Mr George Bee’s Oakleigh Station. A school was not built for these pupils until the 8th of April, 1897 after the two bridges were constructed allowing road access to Hastings. The photo on the right was taken on March 19, 1913 and shows the original school building. It still stands today on Whitfield’s orchard property on Pakowhai road. The land had been donated by Mr John Grant, owner of a greater part of the Pakowhai area.
Mr G.M. Piper was the first headmaster and the school then had a roll of 27. The school hit its highest numbers in the mid 1970s when the roll sat around 200. Today it sits at 40.
The pool, which is to be refurbished later this term, was built in approximately 1939, under the guidance of the then Principal, Mr John Cowan. According to Joan Treadwell, a past pupil of the school, the pool was partially excavated by horseback and the opening ceremony was attended by most of the Pakowhai community and many dignitaries from Napier, including the mayor, and prominent art deco architects.
The history of the school was celebrated in 1995 on the occasion of the centenary and since then it has continued to progress and develop while maintaining its important links with the community and the past.
Brendon Mitchell
Principal
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STEWART Financial Group
Stewart Financial Group
Proud to operate in Hawke’s Bay
Stewart Financial Group is a family owned, financial services business that is proud to have been operating in Hawke’s Bay for over 20 years.
Don Stewart, Executive Director and founding principal, established an independent financial advisory company – formerly DL Stewart and Associates in 1986. Don’s son Nick joined the company as Executive Director and General Manager in 2000. Insurance Manager, Tony Maidens joined the team in 2003 and became shareholder and partner in 2007, following in the footsteps of his father Bob who has been with the company since 1994.
Relationships with Stewart Group are long standing. They are built on trust that is earned through the integrity of our business relationships with our clients and our unwavering commitment to providing superior levels of service and professionalism.
Congratulations Hawke’s Bay on 150 years as a province. Our team is proud to have the opportunity to live and work in the region and we celebrate a further milestone this year when we relocate to new premises in December.
Don Stewart Tony Maidens Nick Stewart
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 28
1988 – 1997
In March of 1988 Cyclone Bola struck Hawke’s Bay. This tropical cyclone resulted in 90mm of rain falling over the country between March 5 and 10. Torrential rain began on March 6 and continued for a three day period, during which 90% of the total rain fell. The heavy downpour affected the entire North Island, and resulted in the flooding of most of the major rivers. The East Coast was hit particularly hard by the cyclone, with Hawke’s Bay suffering immense devastation.
The Tukituki River flooded Clive, cut the road and rail link between Napier and Hastings, and drowned 1,500 sheep in the stockyards. The river also broke through its banks at Waipukurau, resulting in the evacuation of 70 houses, and caused thousands of sheep and cattle to drown. Another river to flood was the Esk River, which expanded its width to over a kilometre. The water began to flow down an old existing channel, and threatened the township, until the river mouth, which had been closed by the high sea, was reopened.
The floods that accompanied Cyclone Bola came dangerously close to flowing through the town of Wairoa, with the water level approaching the top of the river banks on 7 March 1988. The town avoided this disaster but suffered a serious blow when the central span of the bridge across the river was washed away. The bridge had provided a link between the two sides of the town and carried the water supply and sewerage pipes. The affects [effects] of Cyclone Bola are still strong in memory of Hawke’s Bay residents.
In 1989 the councils of Havelock North and Hastings City amalgamated to form the Hastings District Council. The idea had been first mooted when Taradale was considering its merge with Napier, but the residents of Havelock North strongly opposed the merger and continued to do so for many years. The change in local government structure saw the emergence of four new district bodies between Wairoa and Waipukurau, with Hastings District Council encompassing the largest area.
In 1994, the Tomoana Freezing Works closure resulted in the loss of 1,500 jobs. In that same year, the Holly Bacon Company celebrated its 80th anniversary and continues to be one of the leading local suppliers in Hawke’s Bay. 1995 saw Fantasyland reach its 30th birthday, with plans submitted in 1997 for the development of Splash Planet.
1997 also saw work begin on the motorway between Hastings and Taradale, which had been promised as part of the Beacons Airport agreement. Planning began in the 1960’s, but various arguments broke out between the councils which delayed the process for many years. Although the motorway had taken decades worth of planning, the final project was completed in 1999, six months ahead of schedule.
Photo captions –
LEFT: The Taradale Hastings link of the motorway finally finished.
BELOW LEFT: Cyclone Bola hits Hawke’s Bay in 1988.
BELOW: Wairoa was cut in two when the main bridge was swept away during Bola.
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HASTINGS BOYS: HIGH SCHOOL
Quality Education for Young Men
Since 1904
[www].hastingsboys.school.nz
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So get your Club Card now and be ready for a whole day’s fun when our gates open on Monday 17 November.
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Phone: (06) 873.8033
Email: [email protected]
Wairoa District
Your Community, Your Future
On behalf of the District of Wairoa I am pleased to be able to contribute to the milestone celebration of Hawke’s Bay’s 150 years as a province.
Wairoa has played a significant part in the development and economy of the Hawke’s Bay Province since the very beginning. Originally called Te Wairoa (the Long River), the first settlement near the mouth of the Wairoa River was inhabited by Ngati Kahungunu.
European settlement of the district during the 1850s saw Wairoa develop a busy sea trade with Napier (then called Ahuriri) in flax, fruit, and timber, while several areas were leased for sheep and cattle runs.
The first Crown purchase of Maori land took place in 1865, and this included 4,750 acres for a town site, named Clyde, which saw the urban hub stretch to take up both sides of the river. From the time when there was limited access by pack track, coach roads and coastal shipping, to the present day with modern transport and much improved roads, we have seen much progress.
Agriculture continues to be a mainstay of the economy, supported by forestry and a growing tourism industry.
Contributions to the province by talented people from Wairoa are also noticeable in many fields, including sport, arts and politics. An outstanding example would be Sir James Carroll, who earned a name for himself through politics with many achievements, even taking on the role of Acting Prime Minister for several months in 1911. A number of All Blacks have begun their career on local sports grounds and the district also boasts an impressive collection of well known carvers and artists. Wairoa has a strong history and is proud to have been involved in the development of Hawke’s Bay Province over the past 150 years.
Taking the time to celebrate and reflect on our history is important, to see how far we’ve come and to inspire us all to look ahead to where we may be in the future.
Les Probert
Mayor of Wairoa
For more information about the Wairoa District please phone (06) 838 7309 or visit [www].wairoadc.govt.nz
1858 Hawke’s Bay province established.
1865 First Crown purchase of Maori land including 4750 acres for a town site, named Clyde.
1876 Wairoa County established (Counties’ Act 1876)
1888 The first, mostly wooden, bridge opens lost in the 1931 earthquake.
1909 Borough of Wairoa formed.
1910 Cyclone causes considerable damage to numerous bridges and plays havoc with roads.
1915 Approval for the Wairoa Farmers’ Co-operative Meat Co Ltd to erect a freezing works.
1920 Wairoa Electric Power Board established.
1923 Commencement of Waikaremoana Hydro Development (completed 1948).
1927 First oil exploration.
1931 Devastating earthquake (3 February).
1933 Second bridge, concrete and steel opens 31 May lost in Cyclone Bola 1988
1938 Kopuawhara disaster (21 people die in flash flood on Mahia Peninsula)
1946 Hydroelectric development lowers Lake Waikaremoana level by 5 metres.
1949 Ruakituri Valley suffers severe flooding, Erepiti community is completely isolated.
1954 Opening of new Wairoa High School; establishment of a National Library Service for district.
1959 Wairoa War Memorial Hall opens.
1976 Wairoa County Council acknowledges 100 years of administration.
1986 Wairoa Borough Council and Wairoa County Council amalgamate to become the current Wairoa District Council.
1988 Cyclone Bola.
1990 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opens the new bridge; Wairoa wins Top Town.
1998 Significant finds of gas in the Wairoa District; Wairoa Community Centre opens.
2007 Construction commences on the Wairoa Township River Walkway/Cycleway.
2008 Wairoa District declared carbon negative.
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 30
1998 – 2007
In 1998 the majority of hospital services were moved from Napier Hospital on the hill, to the regional site in Hastings. The decision had been made in 1994 to regionalise acute services and to scale down the facilities offered in Napier. As in the past, there was a heated debate between the Napier and Hastings Councils regarding the location of the new Hawke’s Bay hospital site. With the closure of the Napier Hospital in 2000, the Health Centre on Wellesley Road opened its doors to the Napier public.
3 May 1999 brought the first issue of the Hawke’s Bay Today to our region’s residents. The history of newspapers in Hawke’s Bay encompasses numerous titles which were distributed both within our main centres, and throughout our rural areas. The Hawke’s Bay Today was born out of The Daily Telegraph and the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune, with staff members from both papers combining to provide readers with a modern Hawke’s Bay newspaper.
Jim Eagles was the Editor at the time of the amalgamation and refers to the process as “The most exciting yet unpleasant, difficult yet fulfilling job I’ve done in nearly 50 years of journalism.” The establishment a newspaper is a rare opportunity, therefore the public of Hawke’s Bay were called upon to offer their views in order to create a well accepted publication. Residents were asked to decide on a range of features including the choice of typefaces, placement of death notices and television programmes, as well as the incorporation of crosswords and puzzles.
During the first year of production, a record 240 tonnes of newsprint and 3,000 kgs of ink were utilised to create a daily circulation of 31,571 newspapers. The Hawke’s Bay Today’s blue and gold masthead was said to be inspired by the public’s love of blue sky and sunshine. In 2007 Hawke’s Bay celebrated 150 years of newsprint, a history in which the Hawke’s Bay Today now proudly takes its place.
2005 saw Ahuriri’s landmark British American Tobacco Factory close its doors. The decline in tobacco sales was cited as the reason for the closure, which would leave 170 workers unemployed. The greatest concern for Hawke’s Bay residents was that the historic Art Deco building would be sold along with the land. The public were assured that as the building was registered as ‘Classification One’, no harm could come to the magnificent structure that is possibly the most famous building in New Zealand.
The spotlight landed once again on Napier’s famous Art Deco architecture in 2006. The Art Deco Trust won the ‘Special Event Award’ at the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, as well as ‘Best Provincial Arts Sponsorship’ at the Television New Zealand & New Zealand Herald Sponsorship Awards; high honours for Napier.
Photo captions –
ABOVE: Hot off the press – Hawke’s Bay Today 1999.
LEFT: Outside National Tobacco Co, Ahuriri, Napier, known as Rothmans – Deco Decanted, mid-winter Art Deco celebration 2003.
BELOW LEFT: Dressed as paper kids from the art deco era Hawke’s Bay Today Newspapers being sold over the Art Deco weekend in Napier
BELOW: Napier Hospital on the hill, Napier – closure was 2000.
Hawke’s Bay 150 Years as a province PAGE 31
2008
On 21 April 2008, the first shovel of earth was removed from the Nelson Park embankment. The former sport ground is set to become the site of a large scale retail centre. Following the demolition of Nelson Park, was the completion of the new athletics track in July, at Percival Road, Hastings. The all-weather track is the first stage in the development of the Hastings District Council’s Regional Sports Park, which will also incorporate a grandstand and associated buildings, with later stages including the construction of an indoor velodrome, as well as tennis and netball courts.
This year sporting enthusiasts also saw the demolition of the McKenzie Stand at Napier’s McLean Park. The revamp includes the construction of the new 3,500 seat ‘Graham Lowe Stand’, as well as improved lighting throughout the park. The alterations should see McLean Park become a prime venue candidate for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. 2008 has also seen a second fantastic season exhibited by the Kelt Capital Magpies, who will no doubt benefit from the greater seating capacity that the new stand will provide.
Over the years Hawke’s Bay has experienced its fair share of major fires, and 2008 has been no exception. The blaze at the Mahora coolstore began at around 9am on Thursday 17 July. The 3,000 square metre building was fully engulfed by flames within half an hour, and was said to have spread rapidly due to the use of polystyrene foam insulation. No sooner had the firefighters contained the coolstore blaze, a second fire broke out in a packaging plant a mere 150 metres away. Embers from the first fire had ignited a stack of cardboard fruit packaging trays which resulted in a massive blaze that could be seen from Napier, and caused ash to rain over much of the surrounding area.
On 10 September 2008, the world’s oldest captive dolphin died after spending 34 years entertaining visitors to Napier’s Marineland. Kelly’s death marks the end of an era, with Marineland set to close to the public, or undergo an extensive revamp. The complex has enjoyed a fantastic history and its performing dolphins have won the hearts of Hawke’s Bay residents who continue to campaign for Marineland’s survival.
On 1 November 2008, Hawke’s Bay celebrated its 150th year as a province. The history of Hawke’s Bay is a treasure trove of events that have shaped the land, businesses and people of our region. Hawke’s Bay remains a prominent player in the agriculture sector and has become a highly recognised identity in the wine industry. Hawke’s Bay offers an enviable lifestyle, with a fantastic climate, superb food and wine and a wealth of sporting and recreational facilities. The 150th anniversary of our province is an occasion truly worth celebrating.
Photo captions –
LEFT: Havelock North resident, Marnie Mackesy, eldest great grand daughter of James Wood, founder of the Hawkes Bay Herald which later became the Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune newspaper.
RIGHT: The fire at Ludowici Packaging, kept crews working into the night.
BELOW: Kelt Capital Magpies Danny Lee this year’s captain, on form through a great 2008 Air New Zealand Cup Season.
BELOW RIGHT: New Athletics track at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park.
[Advertisement]
Taylors
6 November
1928 to 2008
80 Years Birthday Store-Wide Sale
Well-known Napier firm, Taylors Furniture, was established on November 6, 1928 by Syd and Rita Taylor in Emerson Street, Napier, selling new and second-hand furniture on the ground floor with the family living upstairs.
The building was destroyed in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake and subsequent fire and the Taylors re-established their business, selling new furniture, camping gear, blinds, curtains, carpet and linoleum flooring in the Clive Square temporary shopping centre known as Tin Town, moving back into their rebuilt premises in Emerson Street late in 1932.
In 1962 their son David and a partner, Dave Burn, bought the business and worked to pay back the bank loans they had borrowed. In 1969 high rents prompted them to take the plunge and purchase their present building at 142 Dickens Street. The cost was paid off in seven years.
In 1983 Dave Burn retired and David Taylor’s son Scott became the new partner. Father and son run the business today. Today their merchandise is more specialised, Sleepyhead beds being their largest seller throughout their Beds R Us franchise. Taylors were the first retail outlet for Sleepyhead spring beds in Hawke’s Bay, introducing a new type of mattress in 1939.
Sleepyhead, a privately owned family business, manufactures the majority of spring beds in New Zealand and is expanding in Australia.
Taylors’ other big seller is their Award recliners which they have developed and which are produced exclusively for Hawke’s Bay by Swisscraft Ltd. The recliners are made to Taylors’ specifications, fitting the customer to one of four different-height chairs of the same design. Customers can have higher recliners with a longer footrest, higher backs and a large choice of colours.
The recliners are made as fixed chairs, manual recliners, electric recliners or electric lifter-recliners. More than 1000 have been sold in the past seven years. The Taylors recommend spending an hour sitting in one of the recliners, saying they are the most comfortable available.
They say 95 percent of all chairs made worldwide are sold on looks alone. Taylors also sell the electrically-operated bed produced by Trendtek, complete with a luxury latex mattress, which elevates the head and/or foot end to relieve pressure points and breathing problems.
The firm also offers three ranges of Compac bedroom furniture and sideboards, made in Dargaville, at great prices and with a five-year warranty on workmanship. They have solid timber bookcases, occasional tables and smaller dining furniture made by Coastwood in Greymouth.
Another big seller is NZ Merchants Supreme pillows, shaped to the customer’s requirements, which do not flatten, are washable, have a three-year warranty, are non-allergic and don’t support bed mites. David and Scott sell New Zealand-made products in which they have confidence, to customers who have supported them over the firm’s 80-year history. They are celebrating the milestone with a birthday month of storewide specials and discounts.
Photo captions –
David and Scott Taylor
David, Rita & Syd Taylor in the remains of the Taylors building, Emerson St after the 1931 earthquake
TAYLOR’S FURNITURE BEDS R US
42 Dickens Street,
Napier. Ph 835 6895
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$120.00 $299.00
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swisscraft
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RECLINERS FROM
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We make this chair exclusively for Taylors Furniture.
Available in four heights.
Manual recliner, electrical recliner or lifter recliner.
Settees made to match.
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PROUD TO SUPPORT TAYLORS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
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PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING TAYLORS FURNISHERS.
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Description
Other surnames in this document –
Barclay, Barton, Blake, Bowmer, Brownlie, Burgess, Burns, Campbell, Carpenter, Chamberlain, Chambers, Clark, Cooke, Cowan, Crawford, Cunningham, Dagg, Dunstall, Fan, Feltham, Frater, Gleadow, Grant, Grenside, Jenkins, Kelly, Kennedy, Lambert, Lane, Magdalinos, Maidens, McKenzie, Mill, Mitchell, Murphy, Nathan, Nimon, Niven, Palmer, Piper, Pitt, Probert, Ralph, Regnault, Richardson, Rodda, Ross, Rush-Munro, Scannell, Seddon, Shipp, Smith, Starnes, Stewart, Stuart, Taylor, Thomas, Thorburn, Tong, Trask, Treadwell, Twigg, Vaughan, Vigor Brown, Watson, Whitton, Wilding, Wright
Format of the original
Newspaper supplementDate published
November 2008Publisher
Hawke's Bay TodayAcknowledgements
Published with permission of Hawke's Bay Today
People
- Mayor Barbara Arnott
- George Bee
- Michael Fowler
- Herbert Guthrie-Smith
- Louis Hay
- N Kettle
- Alex Kirkpatrick
- Marnie Mackesy
- David Mardon
- Harry Mardon
- Mabel Mardon
- Percy Mardon
- Philip Mardon
- Donald McLean
- Sir Douglas McLean
- William Nelson
- George Nepia
- J J O'Connor
- R J Paterson
- H B Poppelwell
- Ola Rian
- Frits Vink
- Sir James Wattie
- F W Williams
- J N Williams
- James Wood
- Mayor Lawrence Yule
Accession number
418866Supporters and sponsors
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