Band Rotunda. PHOTO/EMMA BROWN
Rotunda dedicated to King
EMMA BROWN
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The Band Rotunda, and Memorial Square and War Memorial in Carterton become historic places yesterday.
The landmarks have been entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero as Category 2 historic places.
This means they are recognised as places of historical or cultural heritage significance or value.
“Both these places are important places within Carterton and shed light on different aspects of the town’s history and community,” Heritage NZ area manager Karen Astwood said.
Carterton mayor Greg Lang said it was “great to have them recognised”.
“The standard and depth of their [Heritage NZ] research shows the significance of the sites,” he said.
Lang said the sites reflected a different time and place, and the listing showed how the community feel about the period.
The Band Rotunda, officially opened in 1912, in Carrington Park was designed by architect MR Varnham.
It was funded by the community and a government subsidy and used over the decades as a site for many bands and events.
Heritage New Zealand said the rotunda was an elegant example of a late Edwardian band rotunda.
“It has much aesthetic value and contributes a small piece of Edwardian whimsy to modern-day Carterton.”
It has historic and social significance related to its long community use as a musical and public speaking platform, the report said.
“Built in 1911-12, the rotunda is a reminder of the importance to Carterton’s community of outdoor entertainment in the Edwardian period, but also their excitement at the crowning of King George V, who the rotunda was dedicated to.”
Designed by Alfred William Buxton in 1919 and constructed in 1920, Carterton’s Memorial Square and War Memorial features the names and ranks of 114 local soldiers who lost their lives.
“The on-going relevance of Memorial Square and War Memorial, originally constructed in 1920, is plain to see on ANZAC Day and for anyone who spends time in the pleasant park surroundings,” Astwood said.
“Fundraising for the square and memorial was a big community effort because they wanted a place worthy of remembering those who died during the First World War.
“Regrettably, of course, the memorial also needed expanding after the Second World War.”
Heritage New Zealand’s report said the square and memorial were historically significant as a physical reminder of New Zealand’s war effort and specifically the community’s grief and pride in the sacrifice of its people, reiterated after World War II.
“As with all our new list entries, it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to recognise important heritage places and to help get their stories out.”
with the War Memorial, pity a lot of soldiers who were from the area are not on it, some like Clareville School are listed on a board which was at the School, other names are on War Memorials out of town. When the white crosses were done for Carterton, a lot of the names there I couldnt recognise as Carterton folk, as their names were not on the War Memorial either.