End of the hoofbeats? AJC last day, 3 July 2010

We have a racecourse here in Avondale. It started in 1890, was enlarged in the early 20th century, and today was the stage for the last meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, for at least a year. Hopefully. There's no real telling, at this stage, what will happen, due to huge debts, and the nature of gambling in this country.

I doubt that anyone local is terribly surprised to have learned of the venerable institution's woes. It's had tough times, really, since the night racing fiasco late last century. We've watched, and waited, witnessing the decline. Expecting a day like today to come.

So, on the last day of Avondale racing for this year, I wandered on down to say goodbye to a place that is a big part of my love for my home suburb.

The bloke who opens the gate to let the horses onto the track, studying the form.

I'm sure this used to be a tote. Now, it's simply a marker for executive carparks.

The stables used to be where my mum and I would stand, by the fence, watching the horses.

To me as a kiddy in the late 1960 and early 1970s, Avondale racecourse seemed to be huge, vibrant, and packed with people. I was nearly lost one time, in a sea of adult legs. Those days, though. are gone, and not just because I'm one of those adults now.

These used to be totes as well, I'm sure. There used to be so many people attending meetings here, they needed all the totes going that they could possibly fit in. These have been shut up for years.

It was a good day's racing, withn the weather more akin to early spring than the middle of winter. A nice day to say goodbye.

The last race of all.

The starting gates not put away just yet, as we punters, we farewellers of a long-standing part of Avondale's history, wend our way home.

Sunset at the racecourse. We're all crossing fingers, but -- the future will tell whether we're ever here again.

Update 19 December 2010: Just spotted this messageboard which linked to the post -- Racechat.

Newmarket's gun: an update from Auckland City Council

Further to this post and preceding ones.

I received a .pdf letter today from the Group Manager, Arts Community and Recreation Services, regarding the fate of the old gun.

His Worship asked that I investigate the concerns raised and respond to you on his behalf.

The Hobson Community Board resolved at its meeting on 18 April 2006 to support the relocation of the cannon from Lumsden Green to its current location in Olympic Reserve, as part of the upgrade of Lumsden Green.

The new location was suggested by the Newmarket RSA as it provides a connection to the War Memorial in Olympic Reserve.

Auckland City Council recognises the historical significance of the gun that dates back to 1885, when it was installed as part of the fortifications to defend Waitemata Harbour against a feared Russian invasion.

The cannon was placed on a temporary flat base, as the previous wooden support had deteriorated over the years. Work is commencing on constructing a new support for the cannon, which will include a plaque. The new support is expected to be in place towards the end of August.

I'm looking forward to returning to Newmarket in September, then, to check out the gun in its new home. I'll report back with photos.

Update: I see the Herald has put in an article as well today -- and the Newmarket RSA still don't realise they approved the move to Olympic Reserve, apparently.

Newmarket gun hits the headlines

Further to earlier posts here and here.

NZ Herald published this article yesterday.

Newmarket residents are miffed that a historic 125-year-old cannon has been "dumped and forgotten" while the Auckland City Council has approved $120,000 for a book on its own history.

Joan Morrow, who was secretary at the Newmarket RSA before it closed three years ago, is disappointed the cannon has been left "completely out of sight" at Olympic Green, having previously stood at Lumsden Green.

She said old soldiers had approached her wondering what had happened to the seven-tonne cannon, which dates back to 1885 and was part of fortifications overlooking the Waitemata Harbour to defend against a feared Russian invasion.

"It's just been dumped up there and left out of sight. It's ridiculous because it is such an important part of our history," said Mrs Morrow. "We want it mounted and with a plaque in front so that people can have the pleasure of seeing it and understanding it."

More at the link.

I did get a .pdf letter from the Mayor's office last week, promising that the matter had been referred to "senior Council officers" and that I could expect a reply in ten working days. Now, it might be sooner than that, I reckon ...

Timespanner visits Highbury

Sandy, in a comment to an earlier post, linked to her photo of the above piece of street art in Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. So, Sandy -- thanks for the head's up. I took these shots last Sunday, while doing some Birkenhead research.

Then, there is the new library. Opened on 13 March this year, it is truly stunning. If ever you're in Highbury, go have a look. A brilliant piece of arcitecture and design. The interior (which I couldn't photograph) is even better than the exterior. And, it has its share of artworks as well.

These are quite cool, made up of words and phrases reflecting the community and local history.

Plus, a wee memorial for the anniversary of womwen's suffrage -- a plaque on a small rock.

But, walking along the main street towards Onewa Road, I found this.

Monarch butterflies have a speciual significance for me, and this one is a beauty.

Relic of Mangahao

This was an intriguing sight as I ducked down the side streets between the museum and Newmarket township last Saturday,  spotted on George Street. Wondering what on earth it was, I had a closer look.

This is, according to the plaque half-hidden by the bushes, a:

"... Pelton runner ... gifted to Worley by ECNZ to commemorate the Mangahao Power Station upgrading and refurbishing project 1991-1994.

"At Mangahao, the machine driven by this runner generated 872 GWh energy at 270m head from 1924 to 1993."

A Pelton runner or wheel is a water turbine, according to Wiki, the concept around since the 1870s. A bit of a pity that a piece of significant New Zealand technological and hydro-electric history is away on a side-street in an Auckland suburb. I hope it's included on a heritage walk map somewhere -- but, somehow I doubt it.

Update on Newmarket's fallen gun

Further to my post earlier: here.

I rang Auckland City Council this morning, and a staff member from their Streetscapes division was good enough to give me a prompt call back.

There are no immediate plans to build a plinth/strand for the gun, because the budget for the Lumsden Green upgrade (from where the gun was moved) didn't allow for it. There are no funds at present, but in the longer term there are hopes there might be an opportunity this coming year (2010/2011) if funds become available. The person I spoke to said he wasn't particularly happy with the way the gun is at present, which was heartening to hear, but -- without support, both from the public, nearby historical societies and local body politicians, I can't see the situation changing any time soon.

A summary history:

I believe this to be a 7" RML gun, based on contemporary illustrations of this type of arnament. The Government imported 7" and 64-prs guns during the time of the "Russian Scare", starting from 1879. The guns were either placed in storage, or deployed in batteries along North Head, Okahu Point or Judges Bay at Parnell.

The RML guns were obsolete by 1910. Newmarket Borough Council obtained agreement in 1911 for the Permanent Force of Devonport to "render the necessary assistance in removing the Gun promised to the Council", and it was moved by J J Craig Ltd from Devonport and delivered to Newmarket by March that year. Photographs of its installation on the reserve which stretched (in those days) from Olympic Reserve right through to Lumsden Green were published in the Weekly News, 8 June 1911. It appears to have been originally sited at what is now the Lumsden Green end.

It was buried in 1942 due to fears of aerial bombing by the Japanese during World War II, and located  and unearthed in 1968. It was placed on a traffic island out on Broadway. Its original gun carriage had been sent to the tip during the war. It proved to be a traffic hazard on the traffic island, so was relocated yet again, this time back to Lumsden Green.

Sources:

Peter Cooke, Defending New Zealand – Ramparts on the Sea 1840-1950s, 2000,
David Veart, North Head: The Development of a Fort, Science and Research Internal Report No. 79, 1990
Auckland Weekly News, 8 June 1911
Dinah Holman, Newmarket Lost and Found, 2001

Some more info on general coastal fortifications and the old guns here.