Pioneer Statue Update for Westland District Council. Presented by Jacquie Grant MNZM

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1 Pioneer Statue Update for Westland District Council Presented by Jacquie Grant MNZM

2 Progress to date Cleaning. Some before and after shots of the steps to clean and re letter the inscriptions.

3 Before Cleaning Front View

4 After cleaning Front View

5 Before Cleaning Side View

6 After Cleaning Side View

7 Before Cleaning Back View

8 After Cleaning Back View

9 Before Cleaning Plinth

10 After Cleaning

11 After Cleaning

12 Jacko is worn to a Wurzell

13 All Cleaned and drying out.

14 Cleaning is complete.

15 Dispelling some myths. Building blocks of facts are a beautiful thing. Facts are the foundation of a good argument..

16 Original Site was Refused

17 Taken From Minutes Council Meeting Oct A deputation from the Pioneer Memorial Committee to Council Oct 1913 said in part: the site suggested was the best in the town for the purpose, the reason being the roads from the north and the south east and west converged at the point, it was in every way fitting that such a location should be fixed upon as a site for a monument to the pioneers who had opened up the west coast. He reminded council the that if it had not been for the pioneers none of them would have been present that evening. He contended that it would be a crying shame if the memorial were not placed in the most conspicuous place in the town and one where the most traffic required to pass. The streets at the point mentioned would be wide enough for perhaps another 100 years and if the memorial were then found to be in the way IT COULD BE REMOVED TO ANOTHER PLACE.

18 Pioneer Committee never wanted the site where the statue was installed. It is clear the committee wanted the statue in the centre of the road for the reasons of the plinth design pointing to the four points of the compass. 100 years later we are finally carrying out the wishes of that Pioneer Memorial Committee.

19 Presentation Borough Council Minutes October 1913

20 Carrying out the wishes 100 years on.

21 Who Has The Right To Speak On Behalf of the Statue. Who are the Persons of much interest Those with most interest The long term people? That some divisive elements in our community purport to represent. The statue was given to the Council on trust for the people of Westland. Accordingly it is the people of Westland today and in the future who are the beneficiaries of this gift. To suggest that Westland residents should have less interest or say as compared to those of most interest is nonsense given the people of Westland were gifted the statue. One of the phrases on the statue plinth explains that succinctly. WHERE THE VANGUARD CAMES TODAY THE REAR SHALL REST TOMORROW.

22 Who were / are the Pioneers of Westland? Were they the people who put the statue up as some would claim? Yes they were. Were they the people who the statue commemorated? the Pioneers. Yes they were. Are they every person who has been born here or who has chosen to live here? Yes we are. We are all Pioneers of someone's future.

23 Have we done our Pioneers proud? Who are those young people, they are us.

24 Statue Gift Accepted On Behalf Of The Townspeople.

25 The John White Light Much has been said about the light in Newspapers and at this Council. Many claims as to ownership have been made. Claims as to its historic significance. The urban legend has in some minds become fact.

26 The Light The Facts. The light was a project initiated by a Mr John White as his personal project and contribution to Hokitika. The light was not a Havill Family project it became a community project. The light was given to the community. The Havill Family were among the donors to the John White Light Project.

27 Letter to WDC from John White Sept

28 The John White Fundraiser. Cost was $3.800 John White donated $ John White raised the balance through fund raising from various donors. Fund was two or three hundred dollars short. John White was going to make up shortfall himself but was approached by a Havill Reunion Committee member to attach memorial plaque to the light it was agreed the family could attach a plaque on the basis of the shortfall donation and request. The light was never the memorial, the plaque was, still is, and always will be the memorial.

29 Council Meeting 19 Sept 1996 John White presented his idea at 9.30 am. Interestingly one of the main protagonists against moving both the light and the statue Mrs Anthea Keenan was also present at that meeting talking about sewerage in Kaniere. I am amazed she has failed to mention the factual history of this lamp given she was present during Mr Whites presentation in 1996.

30 Going Forward next steps. New hand is being carved from a solid piece of matching Carrera marble. Pick Axe is being repaired using existing pieces. Chips and small breaks being repaired in Hokitika. Light to be relocated outside Regent Theatre on the edge of the roundabout. Construction of plinth. Relocation and re dedication ceremony. Expected completion date September

31 Project Completion.