Martin Square, Soldier’s Memorial Park: Truth or Fiction?

1907: The Square is fully fenced and planted in English trees and pines.

By Mate Higginson

There is always truth and fiction in all the stories that are told and retold, about events in relationship to certain places.

To start with: Martinborough’s founder John Martin did not make provision for Parks or a Cemetery. However, in the plan of his town, he did have a Square with four roads going through it.

In the beginning, this open area acted as a gathering place for people.

The first notable occasion was Queen Victoria’s 60^th Jubilee. They planted an English tree in each segment of the Square with wooden fencing around them for protection.

The next planting may have been at the time of the new King’s Coronation. Who planted what at the time is not recorded.

April 27,  1905 Martinborough became a “District,” a Town with a population of 603.

Prior to that the Featherston Roads Board, under Ward 5 Greytown Otaraia Riding, administered the area. More planting could have taken place to mark these significant moments.

One story is that four Oak trees were planted: one in each segment of the Square to honour Mr George Pain, Mr T F Evans, (both Commissioners of this new town), Mr. Wi Hutana, a noted Maori businessman and later a Commissioner, and Mr A Gilles one of the early settlers. But there is no record of the occasion.

Another story is that trees were planted for Chieftain Mr Hiko and Mr Giles, perhaps the youngest and oldest members of the community. There is truth to all these stories but some details are missing.

Then after the First World War the Memorial Gates were erected. This required an Act of Parliament, to close off the roads through the Square. Fences were erected, the Memorial Gates built and hedges planted.

All the trees previously planted, (Pines, Te Kauka, Pitos, dead trees and other vegetation), had to be removed, and grass planted. All this was done in 1920, ready for the Grand Opening, on 16 October 1921.

At this time a great number of trees were planted.

Oaks, Elms, Wattles, Gums, Prunus, to name a few, as well as some Native varieties.

The theme: “The strongest will survive”.

By this time, there was one water tap in the Square, a Mr Maurice Smith watered the new plantings, and thus most survived. The question is, however, did they also replant certain trees, to honour the previous people?

In 1942 the Council removed a number of trees from Soldier’s Memorial Park.

In October 1950 the Council removed three large Wattle trees.

From October 1921, the outer area was known as Martin Square, and the fenced off grassed

area, became known as “The Soldiers Memorial Park.”

The Second World War Gates and Large Stone, recognised later conflicts. All in Remembrance.

The earliest Memorial is that of The Cenotaph.