PO Box 56076, Tawa Wellington 5249; Secretary ph 232 5901
Website: tawahistory.org.nz
The Tawa Historian
Newsletter #45 – June 2018
Dear Members and Friends,
We have just concluded your Executive’s June meeting for 2018, and there are a number of matters about which we can report.
1. The Brian Webb Memorial Rose Garden
This garden, established in memory of Dr Brian Webb, a Tawa doctor who was also the Deputy Mayor of the Tawa Borough Council, and who died in 1967 aged only 40, was unmarked as far as many could see by way of some explanation as to its name and who Brian Webb was. This matter was raised with the WCC. As it happened, closer inspection revealed a granite plaque which had for many years been hidden or half hidden beneath surrounding shrubs. It recorded Brian Webb’s name, and the memorial nature of the garden. After discussion with WCC representatives, the plaque will be moved to a more prominent position, and information about Dr Webb will be placed on the WCC website, which all are able to access.
2. The WW1 Memorial ‘Rock’
Currently, in Willowbank Reserve, there is a large rock on which is placed a brass plaque. This plaque records the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of WW1 (11.00am on 11 Nov 1918), and was placed on the rock in 1993. Given that we now have a Tawa Memorial, the WCC have agreed to the Tawa RSA’s request, supported by the THS, to move the rock with its plaque to a point near the Tawa Memorial in Grasslees Reserve. That task will be undertaken by the WCC over the next few months. It is planned that at 11am on Sunday 11 November 2018, a service to commemorate the conclusion of WW1 will be held in the vicinity of the ‘Rock’ and the Tawa Memorial. Members may care to mark that time and date in their diaries.
3. THS publications
At the moment three new books are being worked on for publication.
The first is one dealing with South Tawa, and in particular the area of our suburb in the vicinity of Willowbank Reserve. Here people of historical interest either lived or made their mark, such as Te Patukawenga; William and Elizabeth Earp, and their grandson William Edward Earp, killed at Gallipoli; the Greer family; James and Rachel Taylor; and Lieutenant McCoy. In this area we also find the Bucket Tree; Boscobel Lane (a remnant of the Old Porirua Road); the Earp homestead and orchard; the ‘Deckite’ Church; and Arohata. Here the 1885 and 1937 railway lines have made their mark, as has the motorway. It is an area rich in Tawa’s history. It is hoped this book will be published about September/October.
The second is about the Mexted family, and seeks to provide an answer to the question as to why members of a family, who had lived in Kent in England for literally hundreds of years, should suddenly uproot themselves to travel 25,000 kms to Tawa Flat on the other side of the world.
Thirdly a book is being prepared regarding the history of Takapu Valley. It will cover matters such as early Maori trails through the valley; the efforts of ‘settlers’ such as the Woodmans, Hydes, Crowes, Mexteds, Morgans and Nairns; farming in the valley; the Takapu Aided School (1897-1924); those from the valley who died in wars; the US Marine Ammunition Bunker; and the changing nature of the valley and its land use over the past 30-40 years. The latter two books could well appear in 2019 or 2020.
THS AGM Monday 20 August 2018
Our AGM will again be held in the Tawa Community Centre at 7.30pm, following which it is hoped that Hon. Peter Dunne will address us. Please mark your diaries.
Sleeveless polar vest for THS members
Our Executive is about to order some vests, embroidered with our THS logo, which we will wear when we are ‘on display’ at events such as “Spring into Tawa” and the like. The cost will be about $42 each, depending on numbers ordered. Members who would like to avail themselves of this opportunity should contact Ken Woodgate.
Rules regarding the placement of additional names on the Tawa Memorial
Over the next six months our Executive will be giving consideration to rules to be applied when considering any further names on the Tawa Memorial. The legal team at WCC have already provided a draft set of possible rules, and it is those which we want to give thought to. Any members with views on this matter should contact Bruce Murray on 232 5374.
Kind regards,
Bruce Murray
Chairman,
Tawa Historical Society