Hastings District Libraries

The Landmarks History Group is holding a series of monthly talks on Hawke's Bay history.  The topics are varied and interesting.  All are welcome to attend.

The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, 5:30pm - 6.30pm, upstairs at Hastings War Memorial Library. 

More at the Landmarks History Group website: www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/sites/localhistory

Meeting -Tuesday 15 November

Adrian Coleman, author of Lust for Land: James Henry Coleman – his life, his fortune, his descendants

November’s Landmarks History Group speaker was Mr A J Coleman, retired solicitor, and recent author on the life of his great-grandfather, James Henry Coleman. Mr Coleman spoke on events surrounding early Hawke’s Bay, in particular the activities of the early pastoralists in connection with their land acquisitions, which he has written about in his book Lust for Land. He focussed on Napier’s early dominance as the seat of power in Hawke’s Bay. 

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Meeting Tuesday 11 October

Hawke's Bay Magpie Rugby History - 1875 - 1945 - Frank Long

October’s speaker was retired sports journalist, and author of Magpie Magic, Frank Long.

To coincide with the Rugby World Cup year, Frank spoke about some of the identities that played for Hawke’s Bay, and who also became All Blacks. Hawke’s Bay has produced not only great All Blacks, but also administrators. Founding partner of Napier law firm Sainsbury, Logan and Williams – Frank Logan, was a co-founder of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Some real characters played for Hawke’s Bay, including John Jamieson, who represented Scotland in the late 1880s.
Frank will recall many of these stories which promises to be very informative for both sports fans, and lovers of general history

The talk will take place upstairs at Hastings War Memorial Library
Tuesday 11 October, 5.30-6.30pm

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Meeting Tuesday 13 September

A History of Woodford House - Gaye Robertson

Woodford House will this year celebrate 100 years of being situated in Havelock North.  The school was started by Miss Mabel Hodge in Hastings in 1894 but moved to Havelock North in 1911.  Miss Hodge was followed as principal in 1923 by Miss Mary Holland.

Both Misses Hodge and Holland were determined and inspirational women who led the school throughout two World Wars, the Great Depression and the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake.

Mrs Gaye Robertson, archivist of Woodford House, will be giving the talk which outlines this school's fascinating and proud history.

The talk will take place upstairs at Hastings War Memorial Library
Tuesday 13 September, 5.30-6.30pm

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Meeting Tuesday 9 August

History of the NZ Apple & Pear Board - David Mardon

Well-known local orchardist David Mardon will be speaking on the history of the New Zealand Apple & Pear Board, which was set up in 1948.

The board was established after growers requested government assistance to find a more effective way to market fruit overseas, and operated under a single desk structure for local and export sales.  The New Zealand Apple and Pear Board later became ENZA. The industry was deregulated in 2001.

David’s talk will provide a fascinating look at the industry of horticulture, which has long had an important association with Hawke’s Bay.

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Meeting Tuesday 12 July 2011

From Shaky Ground : Caroline Fitzgerald spoke on Henry Williams

Christchurch writer, Caroline Fitzgerald discussed her latest book Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North.

The harrowing experiences of the latest Christchurch earthquakes have left Fitzgerald feeling a little ‘shaky’ to say the least, and she welcomed the opportunity to visit the heart of Hawke’s Bay to discuss historical interests with lovers of history and books.

Being the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Williams, Fitzgerald claims that writing this book has given her a greater insight into her family’s contribution to New Zealand history. Ever since Henry Williams (Te Wiremu) translated the Treaty of Waitangi into Māori in 1840, his name has been embroiled in controversy. Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North gives readers another perspective of the life and commitment that Henry Williams made as a missionary and a friend to Māori people.

Fitzgerald gives an account of the personal trials and circumstances that Henry Williams endured as a missionary, teacher, surgeon and an advocate for Māori language. His involvement with local iwi in the North Island was renowned, and he often acted as a peacemaker, successfully saving thousands of lives.

Fitzgerald’s latest book is a companion to her first book, Letters from the Bay of Islands: The Story of Marianne Williams, which was highly successful. There are also whispers of a third book to come.

Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North is available from Hastings District Libraries.

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Meeting - 14 June 2011

Sibling Rivalry : Hastings v Napier - Michael Fowler

Local historian Michael Fowler will talk on the long history of squabbling between Hastings and Napier.  

For 130 years or so, the two communities have engaged in a relationship marked by competition and jealousy.  From the establishment of the Hastings plant of the Napier Gas Co., through controversies around port facilities, hospitals, university (lost to Palmerston North), the airport, Michael contends that this troubled relationship has been to the disadvantage of the region.

Have we learnt any lessons from the past? What chance of amalgamation?

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Meeting - 10 May 2011

A History of Clive - Gary Baines

Gary Baines spoke on the history of Clive. Gary has been researching and writing a book on Clive’s history which will be released later this year. His talk shared selected parts from this publication, including the early involvement of the Rhodes brothers, the punt ferry to cross the Ngaruroro River, the deadly1897 flood, some early businesses and schools and the grandstand that once stood in Clive.

Photo: Clive hotel HPL 99_653

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Meeting - 12 April 2011

History of the NZ Red Cross - Joan Cockburn

Joan Cockburn spoke on the history of Red Cross in New Zealand, with special reference to Hastings. Recent natural disasters, such as the Christchurch Earthquake, reminding us of the work that Red Cross does. 

Joan is a past national president of Red Cross, and now holds the title of Counsellor of Honour.

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Meeting - 8 March 2011

The McLeans of Duart House

Custodian of Duart House in Havelock North, Rose Chapman, spoke about the McLean family of Duart House, from 1882-1915.  Allan “Tuki” McLean was a colourful, and at times unpredictable man, whose family history is not a happy one. Rose described the early history of Duart House and the family that lived there.

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Meeting - 8 February 2011

Gordon Vogtherr
Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham Curing in Hastings

Well-known local Hastings business Holly Bacon Co Ltd has been in family ownership since it was started by Carl Vogtherr in 1914. Carl originated from Germany, but he immigrated to England to avoid conscription, and to learn a trade. Carl apprenticed to become a pork butcher, at which he became very successful.

As an avid fancier of dogs, birds and fowls, Carl was chosen to be judge of Rough Coated Collie Dogs at the Berlin Dog Show in 1907.

When ill-health caused Carl to retire from his butchery, an uncle suggested he move to New Zealand to recover. Carl and his family arrived in Hastings in 1913, and his health recovered sufficiently to once again start in business as a pork butcher, amongst other things.

Gordon talked about his remarkable family, which is one of the few remaining businesses in family ownership in Hastings from the beginning of last century.

Photo: Vogtherr's Elite Bacon Company wooden cool storage building in Stortford Lodge after the 1931 Earthquake.  Hastings Library Archives.

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Meeting - November 2010

Dr David Barry
One Public Hospital for Hawke's Bay - A Tortuous Journey

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board member, Dr David Barry was Landmarks History Group’s guest speaker for November 2010, on the history of how one regional hospital was formed in Hawke’s Bay.

The process which resulted in the regional hospital for Hawke’s Bay had many influences on the decision. A mixture of parochialism, civic pride, Hastings’ growth in population, central and local government influence and medical advances in intensive care, all made the ingredients for a fascinating talk by Dr Barry.

Dr Barry is well-qualified to talk on this subject having been first employed by the hospital as senior pediatrician in 1972, and was chairman of Hastings Memorial Hospital medical staff at the time of the initial moves toward establishing a single hospital.

Photo: Opening of the Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in 1928

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Meeting - 12 October 2010

Jo McGlashan, an old-girl of Iona College and a past chaplain, spoke about the early days of Iona College, including Miss Fraser, founding Principal, an interesting and farsighted lady who is credited with bringing the first Chinese Gooseberry (now Kiwi Fruit) seeds to New Zealand.

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Meeting - 12 September 2010

Blossom Queens, bands, marching girls, a "riot". The Hastings Blossom Festival, which in recent years has been revived, was a major event in the life of Hastings from the time the first one occurred in 1950.

At its peak, 50,000 people lined the streets to watch the decorated floats in the annual procession, and special excursion trains were arranged to bring people from the Gisborne and Wellington regions. The last of original Blossom Festival was in 1972. Cynthia Bowers gave a history of the Blossom Festival.

In 1960 the festival was rained out, and the procession cancelled. Public bars, such as the Albert Hotel were therefore frequented, and as a result a riot broke out ─ which was described as the ‘Battle of Hastings’. A witness to some of the events was James Morgan, future editor of the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune. James will gave his perspective of the riots of that day.

A feature of the early festivals was the selection of a Blossom Queen. Helena La Hood (née Hannah) was Blossom Queen in 1960, and she soke on what it was like to be the Blossom Queen.

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Meeting - 10 August 2010

Judy Siers spoke on researching Hawke's Bay history, with special mention of the Hastings Women's Rest building. 

In 2008 Judy prublished The life and times of James Chapman-Taylor, a project which took 40 years, and resulted in her winning a 2008 Montana Book Award for best biography.  While compiling the book, Judy  visited all of the remaining houses designed by Chapman-Taylor in the North Island - some 94 of them.

Originally from Wellington, and serving as a city councillor in that city, Judy has brought her love of history and domestic architecture to Hawke's Bay.

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Meeting - 13 July 2010

Dr Forbes Bennett spoke on the history of the Lowe Rescue Helicopter.

The earliest form of a rescue helicopter service began in Hawke’s Bay in the 1960s on a part time basis using helicopters engaged in agricultural work.

In 1984 The Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust was formed primarily for water rescues, and in 1989 the service expanded to include accidents, emergencies and patient transfers.

A dedicated helicopter for the work of the trust was secured in 1991. Each year the helicopter flies around 370 missions, and the coverage area is from Takapau Plains and Porangahau in the South to Waikaremoana and Mahia Peninsula in the North.

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