Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Image
Linked To
Map
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
Menu
Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Dunsandel Domain Board
Description
TitleUse of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Dunsandel Domain Board
Description“In July, 1887, a provisional committee with Parker Westenra as chairman was set up to consider the provision of a public domain”, (Mackie,1979 [1]).
According to the Lyttleton Times of July 1889 [2] “The people of Dunsandel are highly delighted with our member, Sir John Hall, who asked Government, and secured a reserve situated near the Dunsandel Hotel for them as a recreation ground.
This has been a want long felt, and consequently will be a great boon to the township.
On July 29 1889, the Provisional Committee of the recreation ground held their first meeting in the library. All the members were present.
Parker Westenra was elected Chairman, and Mr G. Sheat, Treasurer and Secretary.
It was resolved that tenders be called for stubbing the gorse, cutting the fence and burning. Messrs G. Lill, F. Wright and W. Walker were appointed a Sub-Committee to accept a tender.
Hugh Brown was to continue renting the house in the domain.
A subscription list was opened in the room and £5 10s was the result [3,4].
Two further meetings of the provisional committee were held and at the second (30 September, 1889) it was decided to hold a public meeting to elect seven householders to constitute a Domain Board [5].
In October 1889 the Lyttelton Times reported that “On Saturday evening a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, for the purpose of electing seven persons to constitute a Domain Board.
Mr Parker Westenra was voted to the chair.
After a deal of discussion the following were elected :—Messrs P. Westenra (Chairman), J. Dilloway F. Wright, A. Irvine, J. Henry, J. McMillan and J. M. Furze. Messrs F. Lill and J. Simpson acted as scrutineers.
It is very questionable if the Committee will meet with the success that the previous one did, as several residents who took a leading part in procuring the Reserve from the Government were, as the saying goes, “kicked out.”
However, all that the new Board have to do is to get the ground in good order for outdoor amusements, and no doubt the present ill-feeling will soon “blow over.” It is hoped it will [6].”
From January 1890 until October 1895 the Domain Board met in the library, except on two occasions when the venue was, rather surprisingly, the platform of the Dunsandel Railway Station.
At a meeting held in the hall on 8th April 1890, after a consideration of their financial position, the Board decided to organise a concert to be held on May 2nd (presumably in the hall) [7].
Initially the area had to be prepared for fencing, and planting grass and shelter trees.
During the 1890s, a football field, tennis court, cycling track, running track, cricket pitch, bowling green, and New Year’s Day sports events were authorised (Mackie,1979).
At a meeting on the 8th October 1895 it was decided to build a pavilion and it appears that the January 14th meeting, and subsequent meetings, were held in this building with the exception of two public meetings which were held in the library.
On the 30th November 1914 the Board decided to interview Hugh Brown to provide an estimate of the cost of additions, including a tearoom, to the pavilion.
At the December 15th 1914 meeting it was decided to arrange for the erection of the tearoom and by the 6th March 1916 meetings were being held in the tearoom [8]. This arrangement continued until at least 1920
Date1887-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
Description“In July, 1887, a provisional committee with Parker Westenra as chairman was set up to consider the provision of a public domain”, (Mackie,1979 [1]).According to the Lyttleton Times of July 1889 [2] “The people of Dunsandel are highly delighted with our member, Sir John Hall, who asked Government, and secured a reserve situated near the Dunsandel Hotel for them as a recreation ground.
This has been a want long felt, and consequently will be a great boon to the township.
On July 29 1889, the Provisional Committee of the recreation ground held their first meeting in the library. All the members were present.
Parker Westenra was elected Chairman, and Mr G. Sheat, Treasurer and Secretary.
It was resolved that tenders be called for stubbing the gorse, cutting the fence and burning. Messrs G. Lill, F. Wright and W. Walker were appointed a Sub-Committee to accept a tender.
Hugh Brown was to continue renting the house in the domain.
A subscription list was opened in the room and £5 10s was the result [3,4].
Two further meetings of the provisional committee were held and at the second (30 September, 1889) it was decided to hold a public meeting to elect seven householders to constitute a Domain Board [5].
In October 1889 the Lyttelton Times reported that “On Saturday evening a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, for the purpose of electing seven persons to constitute a Domain Board.
Mr Parker Westenra was voted to the chair.
After a deal of discussion the following were elected :—Messrs P. Westenra (Chairman), J. Dilloway F. Wright, A. Irvine, J. Henry, J. McMillan and J. M. Furze. Messrs F. Lill and J. Simpson acted as scrutineers.
It is very questionable if the Committee will meet with the success that the previous one did, as several residents who took a leading part in procuring the Reserve from the Government were, as the saying goes, “kicked out.”
However, all that the new Board have to do is to get the ground in good order for outdoor amusements, and no doubt the present ill-feeling will soon “blow over.” It is hoped it will [6].”
From January 1890 until October 1895 the Domain Board met in the library, except on two occasions when the venue was, rather surprisingly, the platform of the Dunsandel Railway Station.
At a meeting held in the hall on 8th April 1890, after a consideration of their financial position, the Board decided to organise a concert to be held on May 2nd (presumably in the hall) [7].
Initially the area had to be prepared for fencing, and planting grass and shelter trees.
During the 1890s, a football field, tennis court, cycling track, running track, cricket pitch, bowling green, and New Year’s Day sports events were authorised (Mackie,1979).
At a meeting on the 8th October 1895 it was decided to build a pavilion and it appears that the January 14th meeting, and subsequent meetings, were held in this building with the exception of two public meetings which were held in the library.
On the 30th November 1914 the Board decided to interview Hugh Brown to provide an estimate of the cost of additions, including a tearoom, to the pavilion.
At the December 15th 1914 meeting it was decided to arrange for the erection of the tearoom and by the 6th March 1916 meetings were being held in the tearoom [8]. This arrangement continued until at least 1920
Date1887-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4] <Domain minutes>[5] <Domain minutes>[6][7][8] <Domain minutes>
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4] <Domain minutes>[5] <Domain minutes>[6][7][8] <Domain minutes>Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
Written ByMike NoonanClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
loading google map....
Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Dunsandel Domain Board (1887-1920). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5509