WW1 Camp Buildings
The First World War army camp at Tauherenikau was finally dismantled in 1922-23 with many of the buildings being sold by tender at real knock down prices and ending up being distributed all around the Wairapapa.
Many of these tenders were from Martinborough people. One of these was the Rev. John McGregor whose tender of thirty two pounds ($2,930) for Men’s Hutment no 24 made on behalf of the Presbyterian Church Martinborough was accepted. This building is the basis of the First Church Hall.
Others who purchased Hutments for thirty two pounds included Albert Smith whose re-located his at 74 Venice Street to be used as a carpentry workshop. Norm Thomas whose Hutment was re-located to where the video shop now stands and also made a workshop. Other went to John Taylor at ‘Spring Grove, W Jackson at ‘Waiura,’ R.E. Wall at Radium Street, W Chapman and Sons Carriers at Jellicoe Street and J. E . Montgomerie.
Later building to arrive Included A Atchison’s which was made into his Naples Street blacksmiths – now Roger Smith’s. Mechanic, Stan Webley, had one taken to 22 Venice Street for his garage and workshop. Another was taken to Feist’s section on the corner of Cologne and Sackville streets for use as a plumbers workshop. The workshop is still in very good and original down to the windows. These buildings had Malthoid , a heavy tar paper, on their roofs
A.E. Dohnt had his tender of fifteen pounds for the Dry Ration B store accepted. Along with this he tendered sixty five pounds ten shillings for the Night Orderly’s Hut, a gas generator, a Rifle Store, Ladies’ Cloak Room no 2 and Stores. These he removed by traction engine to his property at the corner of the Lake Ferry and White Rock roads. The huts were put together and made a home which is still there. Plus a large workshop from which builder, plumber and tiler businesses worked.
A number of homes were also built in and around Martinborough using timber from the Featherston Camp.
Mate Higginson
