Arthur Huia Honeyfield, by Max Avery

Book Review contributed by Gill Larsen

Arthur Huia Honeyfield, by Max Avery
published by John Charles Honeyfield under the auspices of the Tauranga Historical Society
Monograph Number One, 2016

Newcomers to Tauranga who are looking to explore the history of their new city, or long-time residents who have been part of its development, will enjoy this monograph of a man central to our story. Arthur Honeyfield’s journey ‘From the farm to the boardroom’ depended on the fertile land of the Bay of Plenty and his astute business activities. From a first position, as a new graduate, with stock and station agent Wright Stephenson, Honeyfield's varied career saw him involved in the management of poultry, vegetable provision for war supplies, forestry, dairying and avocados. He gave many years of service to the Bay of Plenty Harbour Board, key to employment and growth opportunities in both urban and rural Tauranga.

Honeyfield was a bit of a character, adventurous and bold in business and personal affairs. His flight logbook, necessary for his private pilot’s licence, shows some creative accounting. Employees describe a single-minded man whose wife Edith provided a caring influence. Always involved in local initiatives, Honeyfield was the unofficial ‘Mayor of Katikati’ in his later years.

Max Avery’s monograph includes generous images, each of which tells its own story. Throughout the text are names of men who contributed to the Tauranga in which we live. Their names are remembered on our buildings, reserves, businesses and street signs.

Copies are available from the society at $25.00 each. Please contact Julie Green.

Suffrage March, Katikati - 15 September 2018

Suffrage March, Katikati, 15 September 2018. Image: Fiona Kean

This weekend the sun shone on the women of Katikati as they came together to march for Women’s Suffrage. More than 200 women and children, and some men too, many dressed in period costume and holding banners, marched from Uretara Domain to the Katikati War Memorial Hall. While a number of the banners referenced the historic struggle for women’s suffrage, others carried contemporary messages highlighting challenges faced by women today, including ‘#metoo’, ‘pay equality’ and ‘support for midwives.’

Suffrage March, Katikati, 15 September 2018. Image: Fiona Kean

Those taking part were rewarded with friendly toots from passing cars. However, outside the Talisman Hotel, marchers encountered a vocal bystander telling them to ‘go home and get lunch ready!’ Few were phased by his taunts and the red camellias thrown outside the Memorial Hall suggested that it was all part of the re-enactment – red camellias having been worn by anti-suffragists 125 years ago.

The Railway Wharf, Mount Maunganui

Looking at Railway Wharf from Mt. Drury. Showing Tauranga & Railway Bridge in Distance
Undated Postcard by Welsh Photo. Image courtesy of Justine Neal

A temporary wharf and railway line to Te Maunga was built at Mount Maunganui in 1910 by the Public Works Department. The wharf was to service the East Coast railway construction. The intention was to dismantle both the wharf and line after construction had finished. The wharf was known as the Railway Wharf, the D wharf (because of its shape) and the Public Works wharf.

Aeroplane View of Mt. Maunganui Wharf & Workshops. June 1922. Protected 2/5/23
Postcard by Welsh Photo. Image courtesy of Justine Neal

The Bay of Plenty Times reported on 25 November 1910 that the first consignment of stringers, piles, walings etc. for the railway wharf at Maunganui was punted across from Tauranga and on 23 December 1910 that Mr. C A Turner of Paengaroa had in hand the haulage of piles for the Maunganui wharf from the bush at Mangorewa to the Kaituna Landing. Joseph Brain was in charge of the construction. On completion it served as a wharf for large ships, launches and scows discharging material for the Tauranga - Te Puke railway.

In 1924 it was decided to build a new railway wharf at Tauranga opposite the Monmouth Redoubt and by the following year the old wharf at Mount Maunganui had fallen in to disrepair. By 1926 it was in a state of decay and was finally demolished in 1932.

Helen Clark at The Elms

Julie Green, The Elms, 7 September 2018
Photo courtesy of Fiona Kean

The Society was well represented at The Elms last week (Friday, 7 September) for the planting of three Kate Sheppard camellias by former Prime Minister Helen Clark. The occasion was organised to honour Alice Maxwell and the Women’s Suffrage movement currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. Society President and member of the Maxwell family Julie Green spoke of her great great Aunt’s commitment to the preservation of The Elms and fundraising for charities that helped others. Alice was also one of just two Tauranga women who signed the 1893 suffrage petition, the other woman being Margaret Galbraith.

Helen Clark and Debbie McCauley, The Elms, 7 September 2018
Photo courtesy of Fiona Kean

The camellias have been planted near the chapel and alongside the area currently being transformed into a stunning heritage garden. In the evening Helen Clark went on to speak at an event titled "Are We There Yet" that is part of a series of events organised by the "Suffrage 125" Tauranga Committee. For further information visit www.mytauranga.co.nz search word: Suffrage 125.

Monmouth Redoubt Historic Reserve Consultation

View north from Monmouth Redoubt, Undated, Postcard by unidentified photograoher
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Hardy Collection

Tauranga City Council has commissioned a consultant to prepare a conservation plan for the Monmouth Redoubt Historic Reserve. A conservation plan is a "document that explains the significance of a site, identifies how that significance is vulnerable and sets out polices for retaining the significance in any new use, management regime or alteration." (Kate Clark)

Monmouth Redoubt and southern bank, pre-WW1, Postcard by unidentified photographer
The road that once connected The Strand to Cliff Road is seen clearly in this photograph.
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Gifford Collection

On 24 July 2018, Tauranga Historical Society President Julie Green attended a workshop for stakeholders to discuss the plan, and the following day an open session gave the public an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns regarding the site. The conservation plan will be completed by the end of November.

In the mean time, if you are interested in contributing to the discussion, Tauranga City Council will shortly be adding a link to their ‘Have your say’ webpage at
https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/community/have-your-say/open-consultations-and-engagements

A further public consultation session will be held at the BOP Vintage Car Club Hall on Cliff Road, Tauranga between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 19 September. All who have interest in the Redoubt are welcome to attend.