Petone Historical Society Winter Chronicle
Petone Historical Society Inc.
Winter 2024 Chronicle
Note from the President – Nik Zangouropoulos
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Greetings fellow members, winter is here so snuggle in.
We have just had our AGM with a good turnout to listen to
a fascinating talk by Dr Jamie Jacobs of Heritage New
Zealand (see more below).
The Society and its members have been active in the past
month or two with submissions to the 2024-34 Hutt City
Council Long Term Plan. A huge congratulations and
heartfelt thanks to Pam, Sylvia, Alex, and Alfred (among
others) for their indispensable efforts that literally have
saved Petone Wharf (see more below). We however need
to remain mega-vigilant, so watch this space.
The Society is in very good heart and ready for a very
active year ahead. First up is Ngā Pou Taunaha o
Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board’s proposal to
change the name of our town to Pito One (see more
below). We would like to hear your views, but more
importantly we encourage everyone to read about the
proposal and make a submission to the Board.
Ngā mihi.
Nik
Annual General Meeting
At the AGM on 6th June, we bid a sad farewell from the
Committee to Ruth Dickson, who felt after forty-one years,
it was time for her to retire. Yes - Ruth has been with the Society from the very start, and we hope
to see her around for a long time yet. We will be marking Ruth’s service in an appropriate manner
at a future date.
The remainder of the Committee was re-elected to their existing positions.
The attendees were treated to a tour de force by Dr Jamie Jacobs, the Director of the Central
Region of Heritage New Zealand, Pouhere Taonga, which is summarised below.
President
Nik Zangouropoulos
Secretary
Pam Hanna
Treasurer
Alex Voutratzis
Committee
Sylvia Allan
Alfred Memelink
Janice Shramka
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Newsletter
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Jamie’s talk was entitled Overturning Myths: Heritage
and Heritage Conservation as Flexible Concepts and
Adaptable Practices. His several years in New Zealand
at HNZPT has enabled him to understand both the
issues raised in relation to heritage recognition of
places and buildings, and the extent to which the issues
and arguments are reasonable. The five myths he
discussed were:
Myth 1 – Heritage recognition restricts development
and adds costs.
Myth 2 – Heritage recognition places unacceptable
burdens on property owners.
Myth 3 – Heritage recognition increases the cost of seismic strengthening or prevents changes.
Myth 4 – Heritage conservation should only focus on the most important places.
Myth 5 - Heritage conservation is a colonial relic that has no place in contemporary Aotearoa
New Zealand.
The talk covered each of the myths in detail, including photographic examples. In relation to
Myth 1, heritage recognition does not actually block further development of a city or suburb, as it
usually applies only to a very small part of an area. Land banking and the availability of capital,
and constraints in the building industry are much bigger issues holding back development.
It was acknowledged heritage recognition can drive up property values in terms of Myth 2, as
heritage recognition does signal the wider community recognising a place or building is special.
However, this does not justify higher insurance costs, though some councils may reduce some
consenting costs and rates, and some financial support for owners may be available.
In terms of Myth 3, Jamie considers strengthening of heritage building should be treated the same
as for other buildings and he questions the very high level of expectation of safety in buildings
under our current system (and very low level of risk acceptance), while roads and sports and
many other areas of human activity are associated with high levels of risk. He also noted that
heritage values can be used to mask costs which are not related to seismic strengthening (such as
scope creep after contracts have been signed).
Myth 4 led to a discussion of the importance of precincts, such as Jackson Street, where the
heritage values are associated with a place and its social and economic history, rather than
specific buildings within the street.
Addressing Myth 5, it was pointed out that many of our heritage places in New Zealand recognise
stories of the past that may be hard or uncomfortable from present generations but should not be
lost. It is not appropriate to purge places from heritage recognition simply because they raise
ghosts from the past.
In conclusion, we were reminded of the many benefits of retaining old buildings and recognising
history, including sustainability benefits and continuity of sense of place for people in an area.
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District Plan Review
We have not had any further information on the Council’s current work on the District Plan. In the
last Chronicle we set out several concerns about the listings in the Draft District Plan – made public
in the middle of last year.
The Proposed District Plan is expected to be notified about the middle of the year. It will be open
for submissions, and then further submissions on submissions already made. Anyone with an
interest in heritage in Petone needs to keep a careful eye on this. We are still planning to offer to
help people make any submissions.
Petone Wharf
In response to the massive support and
action from people everywhere, Hutt
City Council has changed its mind
about Petone Wharf and there is now
a good chance the whole of the wharf
can be repaired and reopened for
public use. Hutt City Council has
voted to endorse the decision it made
earlier at its 17th May LTP Committee
Meeting to fund repairs to the wharf
over the next three financial years. This means $12 million for the wharf in total - $500,000
budgeted in the 2024/45 financial year, then $6 million in the 2025/26 year and $5.5 million in the
2026/27 year. This should all be finalised when the final Long-Term Plan is determined on 27th June.
The first stage is to engage an advisor to map out the best way forward. This will include looking
at the various options that have been put forward over the past few years, and especially over
the past six months. This may have to include options which may result in the demolition of some
parts of the wharf. The Save Petone Wharf Group provided information to the Council that the
whole of the wharf could be retained and repaired within the $6 million demolition budget. The
additional money that the Council has now set aside will provide for additional work (which could
have been spread out over a much longer period), and possibly the return and reinstatement of
some of the heritage features of the Wharf. We will be keeping a close eye on the Council's
actions and decision-making to make sure that the community and ratepayers of the city get the
best value for money.
There were well over 6,800 signatories to the petition, both on-line and hard copy, which were
presented to the Council. Also, many people made written submissions on the Long-Term Plan
seeking to save the wharf, and many people turned up and made their submissions in person.
Thanks go out to everyone involved, including the many individuals and businesses who
provided such great physical and financial support to saving the wharf over the last six months.
We will continue our involvement in the Wharf over the next few years. Keep an eye on the Save
Petone Wharf 2024 Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SavePetoneWharf2024/ - for
updates.
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Grandstand in Petone Recreation Grounds
The other structure of interest to PHS in the Petone Projects page in the Council’s LTP consultation
was the Grandstand. This building has been found to be structurally unsound, cleared, and then
yellow stickered again over recent years. It was one of the buildings put forward for heritage
listing by PHS to the Council, and it has been assessed by the Council’s consultants and proposed
to be included in the heritage listings in the Draft District Plan.
The Council has now set aside $3 million for this structure in the LTP. As with the wharf, PHS as well
as a number of individuals and other organisations made submissions on the Grandstand to the
Council on its importance to the community. We will also be watching the progress of this building
in both the District Plan and Council works programmes.
Wellington Heritage Festival 2024
A quick note to advise that the annual festival will run from 26th October to 17th November. PHS is
proposing to host guided walks of Central Petone and Patrick Street (Heretaunga Settlement) and
their history. Alfred Memelink is also looking at running an exhibition about Petone Wharf at the
Artspace Gallery on the Esplanade. More details will be included in the next Chronicle.
Possible change of name for Petone to Pito One
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand have opened consultation on a proposal to
change the spelling of Petone to Pito One.
The proposal was made to Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board by The
Wellington Tenths Trust and the Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust with support from the Hutt
City Council, the Petone Community Board and numerous other iwi groups from the region.
Pito One refers to the burial of “pito” (umbilical cord) in the “one” (sand) as a symbolic tethering
of a newborn to the land and their tūrangawaewae (place to stand) and as an expression of ahi
kā (continuous occupation). Pito One pā, the environs of which ‘stretched between the
foreshore and Jackson Street, and between Korokoro Stream in the west and Victoria Street in the
east’ was the place where senior Rangatira Hōniana Te Puni met William Wakefield and the New
Zealand Company settlers in 1839.
Early correspondence and maps show the use of Pitoni, Pito One, Pito-One and Pitoone, however
over time Petone became commonly used. In 1930 the Honorary Board ruled that Pito-one was
the correct spelling but had no power to enforce it.
At various times since then, the Geographic Board has recognised that the spelling of the name is
incorrect but has never formally resolved the matter. In 1948 Petone (Borough) was gazetted as
official with ‘Pito-one is the correct form’ in the remark’s column.
The spelling Pito One has been confirmed as correct by kaumātua and Te Taura Whiti i te Reo
Māori (Māori Language Commission). The proposal was initially for Pito-one with a hyphen and
lower case second [o]. However, after receiving council support kaumātua considered that the
name should be in the form Pito One as two words to ‘give clarification to the meaning and return
mana to the name.’ This necessitated going back to the council and supporters, all of whom
have provided new letters of support for ‘Pito One’.
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Petone is in long term use (it is146 years since the ‘Town of Petone’ subdivisions). However, an
alteration to Pito One is unlikely to affect practical identification of the location as it is only an
alteration to the spelling and pronunciation.
If the proposal proceeds, updates to signage, promotional material, maps, databases, websites,
etc. would be done over time during routine maintenance – meaning few cost implications.
Here is the link to the Geographic Board ‘s information page.
https://www.linz.govt.nz/consultations/pito-one.
Submissions on the proposal can be made in the following ways:
• Online at Place name proposal - Pito One
• By emailing nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz
• In writing by posting a letter to:
Secretary of the New Zealand Geographic Board
PO Box 5501
Wellington 6145.
Submissions close on 10th September 2024. There are no hearings, but the Geographic Board
takes submissions into account. If there is opposition to a name change, the Board makes a
recommendation (with reasons) to the Minister of Lands, who makes the final decision.
New Book – Forty-Four Fibres in the Fabric of Petone
Nik has completed his fourth book on Petone with the
above title. It is a collection of stories about all manner
of aspects of Petone life past and present. The first 16
“fibres” were articles written for various publications over
time. Nik then added another 28 fibres to achieve the
alliterative title. After his usual assistance from uber
editor Sylvia Allan, he is ready to go, and printing and
launch is scheduled for September.
Subscriptions and Contact Details
Subscriptions for the 2024 calendar year are now due.
They are $15 for an individual and $20 for a family.
Payments online can be made to 03 0543 0101318 00
with your surname for reference. Could you please
then email Janice at petonehistories2@gmail.com to
tell us that you have put your subscription in our account and confirm your contact details.
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Feature Article: The Only Living Lady Parachutist
Novel by Catherine Clarke (based on true events)
Lovers of the sensational are about to enjoy a delightful shock. There is to be a balloon ascent — probably
from the Park Oval on Thursday next — and a lady parachutist is to dart down through the ether and alight
swanlike on Mother Earth. This is a fascinating spectacle which has never yet been presented to the
residents of this town, and it ought to draw better than a circus.
That’s how the Wairarapa Daily Times announced the imminent arrival of The Aerial Queen, Leila
Adair, to Masterton on 1 June 1894. Catherine Clarke’s novel, The Only Living Lady Parachutist is
about this remarkable but little-known woman who earned her living by jumping from a hot air
balloon with a parachute.
Leila Adair made a balloon ascent in Petone from the A
& P Showgrounds located between Cuba, Ava, and
South Street.i Her new manager, Arthur B. Adair, had a
nifty plan, whereby spectators bought the shilling
admission ticket as part of the train fare, thereby hoping
to avoid ‘deadheads’ who watched the exhibition from
outside the grounds for free. Unfortunately, this plan ran
into unforeseen problems when the inflation took longer
than anticipated, forcing Leila to make a brief hurried
ascent before the return train departed.
The Evening Post, 14th June 1894 described the occasion:
After her Petone ascent, the Public Works Committee
recommended to the Wellington City Council that
Leila Adair could have use of the Basin Reserve for
her balloon ascent for a fee of £20 with an extra £20
bond to cover any damage. The Wellington Cricket
Association made strenuous objections – they’d
already spent £100 preparing the ground for next
season, it would put all the work back and result in “a
most disastrous financial loss” — so the Council
reversed their decision.ii
Arthur B. Adair then wrote the following letter to the
Town Clerk on 18 June 1894.iii
Advertising poster. Marlborough Archives
– Marlborough Historical Society
Collection, Hale Collection - 0000.500.0213
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Dear Sir,
Having received a large number of requests from many leading citizens of Wellington who saw our balloon
ascension last Wed to give another show here, Miss Adair has consented to give another performance and
also to do the marvellous parachute drop in addition.
I have been looking at the various grounds in and about the city and have fixed on Newtown Park as being
the most convenient and appropriate for an ascension and am now writing to you to see if your council
could let me have the park for the show next Saturday afternoon. Although we take up very little room for
the purpose of inflation, I would be willing to find sufficient security to compensate you in the event of any
damage being done to your grounds by my workmen.
A balloon ascension has never been seen in Wellington and a parachute drop is a rarity in any part of the
world, but Miss Leila Adair proposes to do both of these feats, if my suggestion meets with your sanction. As
this is a large city and will want a lot of advertising, I should be very much obliged if you could let me have
your answer either tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest.
Hoping to receive a favourable reply.
I remain yours faithfully.
Arthur B. Adair
The Mayor came up with a last-minute alternative and instructed the council to grant permission
for Leila to use the Corporation Drainage Yard instead. Presumably either the proposed site (near
where rubbish was incinerated in the Destructor, now Waitangi Park) or the weather was not in
Leila Adair’s favour, as two weeks later she sailed for Blenheim without making another ascent in
Wellington.
This photo montage was taken at Palmerston North. A
few days before this ascent Leila had been involved in a
stoush with the Manawatu Mounted Rifles who
confiscated her share of the gate takings when the
balloon inflation failed, and a riotous crowd demanded
their money back.
Leila successfully sued Captain Dunk for £28 5s and then
wrote to the American Consul to demand
compensation from the New Zealand Government for
the delay and damage to her reputation. The flurry of
lettersiv ended up on the desk of the Minister of Defence,
none other than the Premier Richard Seddon, who
wasn’t having a bar of it.
i The land was sold off for sections in 1904. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/34321409
ii Wellington City Council Archives, 00233-1894/827
iii Wellington City Council Archives, 00233-1894/886
iv R24332542 ArchivesNZ