News & Events

29 May 2017

HAWKE'S BAY FOUNDERS ANNUAL “MYSTERY TRIP”

HAWKE'S BAY FOUNDERS ANNUAL “MYSTERY TRIP”

On a sunny but fresh Autumn Day,  57 members of Hawkes Bay Branch ventured on, what has now become their annual “Mystery Trip”.  Members were amazed at the sea swell and massive waves along the coastline, both on the drive to our lunch stop at the Quality Inn on Marine Parade, Napier,  and the journey along the highway north to Bay View.

The historic King George's Hall, in Bay View was our final stop.  Stuart Robertson gave a talk on the History of this Hall.    Interestingly one of our Founders Branch Members, Judy Siers was commissioned to write the book “King George's Hall – 1911-2011” for the Centenary of this hall.

Bay View was originally called Petane.  When King Edward VII died in 1910,  George V became King.  The New Zealand Government offered communities a 250 pound subsidy towards a commemorative coronation building of their choice.  The people of Petane (Bay View) with a population of less than 200 decided to build a public hall, and call it King George's Hall. Catherine Eleanor McHardy and her husband John generously donated land to the community to build this hall.  On Coronation Day 22 June 1911 the people of Petane gathered for the laying of the foundation pile.  Five year old Kathleen McHardy broke the bottle of champagne over the foundation pile.  All this was happening, unbeknown to King George V, across the other side of the world, as he was attending his Coronation.

Architect of the Hall was Louis Hay, and J E Humphries the builder.  The Hall was built in timber, with an iron roof.  It is the epitome of the English -styled Arts & Crafts design, with detailing to suit a grand building, and was completed by 1912.  Opening night was 24th May, Empire Day 1912 and Mr Thomas Clark, elected member of Hawke's Bay Country Council had the honour.

It was most interesting to hear that, since first opening, King George's Hall has been used by many diverse groups.  Fancy dress balls, film evenings,  and Women's Institute meetings, just to mention a few.  During World War One it was a drill hall for soldiers.  During the influenza epidemic after the war it became a medical centre and emergency hospital.  When war was declared in 1939, it became a drill hall once again.  In the 1940's it was the “Hub of the Village”.  Anglican Church services and Sunday School were held there during the war. Post war the Hall became the venue for many new groups, including the Indoor Sports Club in 1947,  Buffalo Lodge in 1949.  A young Peoples Club met fortnightly organising dances and events to fund the Roll of Honour Board.  The Tennis club also helped with costs.  This Roll of Honour Board hangs proudly in the Hall today.  “Lest we forget”.

There were many special occasions in the hall, including birthdays, dances,  weddings, and Golden Jubilee.  In the 1950's came square dancing, card evenings, indoor bowls and in 1959 “It's in the Bag” with Selwyn Toogood came to Bay View.  Today, this “community spirit” is very evident in Bay View as this hall is still widely used by the community groups.

David Hills then gave members a brief history of the Bay View Area.  The Maori settlement of the area and surrounds had many ancient names reflecting on a particular period in history.  Captain Cook was the first European to record the area when he named it Hawke Bay.  Reverend William Colenso, arriving in 1844,  was the first resident missionary for the Church of England.   There was confusion of the name Petane, with Petone (near Wellington) as early as 1890's.  However it was not until 16 April 1924 that the Government officially announced the new name of Bay View.  To quote Judy Siers - “It is said that John McHardy proposed Bay View as a new name and it stuck.”.

 

Footnote:  Judy Siers is in Wellington researching a book she is writing on Immigrant families in Wellington.  Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of her book King George's Hall 1911-2011, please contact Hawke's Bay Branch of New Zealand Founders Society.

 

Photo 1 -           King George's Hall exterior

Photo 2 -           King George's Hall interior

Photo 3 -           Members Liz Gunn & Brian Field in deep conversation with David Hills

Photo 4 -           Stuart Robertson who spoke on the history of the Hall

 

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