Hawke’s Bay Branch Committee certainly found a very unique venue for our first function for 2023 our Annual New Year Lunch. Members attending were delighted to find they were dining in the “Night Club area” of the Thirsty Whale Restaurant & Bar in the Ahuriri Port of Napier. A special welcome was on the extra large screen – see attached photo.
Branch President Paddy Bayley welcomed 79 attendees, which included visitors from Australia and Whangarei. During the afternoon, Paddy made a special welcome to our delightful centurion Audrey Densham, now 101, and another member, a “Friend of Hawke’s Bay Branch” Frank Wilkins who was turning 95 in February.
Following presentation of New Zealand Founders membership certificates and badges to four new members, President Paddy read our special Founders Grace prior to the meal.
The after-lunch guest speaker, Matthew Bonnett, Marketing Manager at the Napier Art Deco Trust, gave an illustrated talk about “British Regiments in Napier” in early colonial days. Added attraction was provided by a pair of army uniforms from the period which could be closely examined if desired.
After a brief explanation of the structure and organisation of the British Army throughout the 19th century world, Matthew spoke in more detail about the regiments that were stationed at Scinde Island, on Bluff Hill, in Napier from the 1850s and 60s. Early settlers in the area had asked for military protection because of fighting between the forces of two powerful local Maori chiefs [Moananui and Te Hapuku] over rights to sell land. By the end of 1858 about 160 men of the 65th Regiment under the command of Lt-Col Wyatt along with some families were stationed on what is now Hospital Hill where the barracks were built.
The 65th Regiment [The Hickety-Pips] was well-known in the country where it had already been for over a decade. Like many British regiments its men had served all over the world in various battles. Napier became a garrison town in some ways and the men of the 65th were popular in town. Apart from their military drills and practices, they took part in many of the town’s activities as well as providing labour for new roads and the like.
After the 65th was shipped out to other parts of the North Island by the beginning of 1861, the 14th Regiment took over. The last of its men were in Napier until late 1866 when part of the 70th Regiment arrived under Col Mulock. Later detachments increased the numbers of men to nearly 600 and many of them had to live in tents, some of which were blown away in a bad storm. By 1865, the 70th Regiment was shuffled off to another hotspot and in early 1866 the 17th Regiment came on to the scene. But they were gone after a few months and the 12th Regiment under Maj Gen Shute arrived. Napier locals were left with a reduced army presence and by April 1867 the soldiers were all gone.
At the conclusion of the afternoon, members participated in the reading of our New Zealand Founders Pledge.
Photos:
1 Welcome Screen
2 Lunch setting in the “Night Club” area
3 New Members with Branch President Paddy on left:
Neville Rolls, Joanna Rolls, Stephanie Burridge, Sheron MacGregor
4 Military Uniform worn by British Regiment in Napier