Town Hall
The Town Hall Committee was very pleased that, at the last Council meeting, the District Council voted unanimously to keep the near-100 year old Hall, so much a feature of the town centre.
Our Committee was set up by the Community Board in March 2009 and the first two years were spent in developing outline proposals for improving the Hall. Our concept plans, prepared by architects, were well received by the Board, the Council and the public.
Amongst other things, our founding document required us “To develop a vision and plan for the future of the Town Hall . . . ” but the Christchurch earthquakes struck before we could give this task our full attention. Now, following the Council’s 4th of April positive resolution, the long-term future of the historic building can at last receive proper consideration.
First, however, there will be the joyous occasion of the Hall’s Centennial, to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone on 17 September 1912 by WC (later Sir Walter) Buchanan. A Centennial Committee will be required and we ask for expressions of interest from members of the local community. Please give your name to reception at South Wairarapa District Council, Kitchener Street, Martinborough.
Ian Cresswell
Chairman Martinborough Town Hall Committee.
Snow Rolls
I was interested in the article on Snow Rolls. His father Buster Rolls had the mail run from Martinborough to Hinakura three days a week and the other two days were delivering mail and goods to the out-back stations such as Glendhu. Pahaoau, Glenburn and suchlike.
The Rolls lived in the house right opposite what used to be the old Post Office at Hinakura.
My father used to have that business in the 1920s and early 1930s and all the Grant family were reared in that house where Rolls lived.
My father had a contracting business along with the mail run and he had a team of draught horses and wagons and took all the supplies into the stations many of whom only had access by horse, and carted the wool clips out.
In the early 20s the wool was loaded onto a boat at Pahaoau in the surf but later he bought one of the first trucks a Commer and carted the wool to the Featherston railhead 12 bales at a time. He sold the business somewhere about 1933 and a Mr. Mac Reid bought it. He was there a long time and I think he sold it to buster Rolls. When my father sold the business the family moved into Martinborough – I was a preschooler at that time.
Bob Grant
