Wednesday 31 July 2019

Family History Month at Rotorua Library

Every August we celebrate Family History Month, a time to promote the family research resources we hold in the library to assist with family research and to inspire people in the community to delve into their own family histories.

So what will we be offering this year?

Displays

There will be a photographic display of early Rotorua settlers. Do you have any connections to those early settlers? Come and check it out.

On the ground floor and also on the 2nd floor will be display cabinets displaying toys and memorabilia from the family histories of staff members.


Drop-in Assistance

As in previous years, members of the local Rotorua Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists will be up on the 2nd floor each Wednesday from 10-2 pm offering free assistance. This could be for someone just beginning to delve into their family history or for those who are stuck and don't know where to try next.

Ben Manley will also conduct a free drop-in session on Maori Land Court research on Monday 19 August from 10-2 pm.

Workshops

Each Friday from 10 am-12 noon there will be a workshop conducted by one of the Heritage and Research Team in the i-Mac Suite on the 2nd Floor. Topics covered will be Papers Past, Cenotaph database, Maori Maps/Maori Land Online, Maori Land Court Research and Ancestry.com. These workshops cost $6.00 each and can be booked on EventFinda.

On Monday 26 August 10 am-12 noon Ben Manley will conduct a Mapping Histories workshop in the i-Mac suite, cost $6.00. Again, this can be booked on EventFinda.

Free Events

This year we have six special events, all of which are free and will be held in the Discovery Space on the 2nd Floor.

We are very fortunate as on Thursday 8 August 10.30 am-12 noon. Raymon Naisbitt from Utah, USA will be presenting on Exploring FamilySearch.org from a British Isles perspective. Raymon works for FamilySearch.org. so will have many tips to share. He's an enthusiastic family researcher, and has been doing so for many years. Many thanks to the local Genealogy group for supporting this event.



Thursday 8 August 1-3 pm, the discussion will be on an Introduction to DNA. Jan heads the DNA group, and will share about the DNA research process, some things to watch for, some successes and will also answer questions.



We're very excited to have Alex Gilbert from I'm Adopted with us on Saturday 10 August from 2-2.30 pm. Alex was in a Russian orphanage until being adopted by a New Zealand couple. In his teens he located his birth parents. Since then he's written a book, done a documentary which screened on TV and set up an organisation helping other adoptees to find their birth parents called I'm Adopted.



On Thursday 15 August 1-3 pm a panel will be sharing on presenting family history. Once you've begun researching and gathering photographs, documents and sometimes memorabilia how do you store, manage and put it together so it's able to be shared with others? There will be examples shared by our panel on these aspects of family history.



Thursday 22 August from 5-6 pm, Ben Manley will give an introduction to Mapping Technologies. This lecture will introduce free, basic tools that combine maps with narrative text, images or video to create interactive, visual narratives.

Tuesday 27 August 1-2.30, we're Talking Adoption. Marianne and her team form the Oranga Tamariki Adoption Services team will share about the adoption process, how to go about finding birth family if you've been adopted or gave a child up for adoption, and the services their team offers.


So, we hope you come along, get inspired and hopefully we'll be able to offer you assistance on your family research journey in the months ahead. Check out the posters in the library, the library website, Facebook or EventFinda for further details.

Friday 26 July 2019

The Red Brick Building


This post is a historical snapshot of a brick building on the corner of Tutanekai and Haupapa streets, Rotorua, New Zealand. The building presently houses the Pig & Whistle restaurant and bar, and wasn’t always a cosy place where you can get a delicious bite to eat. In fact, its origins had nothing to do with the hospitality industry. The Pig ‘n’ Whistle used to be a police station.


Photographer: Faeryl Rotherham, 2012. “The Pig n Whistle Restaurant and Bar” corner of Haupapa and Tutanekai streets.

Rotorua as a police station was first recorded in 1886 with two constables. By 1921 Rotorua became a part of the Hamilton Police District with 3 constables and Senior Sergeant William John Quinn was given command of the station. In 1966 the Bay of Plenty area separated from the Hamilton Police District and became its own police district, with the district headquarters located in Rotorua. 

Timeline
Rotorua Morning Post
Mon 19 February 1940
Foundation stone laid
Rotorua Morning Post
Tues 27 August 1940
Station officially opened
Rotorua Post
Mon 4 April 1955
New police station denied. New cell block, garages and housing for single staff at rear of station approved
Daily Post
Fri 1 April 1966  
Rotorua police are set to become the centre for the Bay of Plenty police district. There are 17 stations in the area and Rotorua is to be the new headquarters
Daily Post
Sat 11 October 1969       
Old Tutanekai Street police station has become the new headquarters for the probation service and audit department
Rotorua Review
Fri 17 January 1986
The archives in Wellington also report that Rotorua as a police station was first recorded in the Journals of the House of Representatives in 1886

Former police reporter Keith Johnstone shared many memories of what went on in, the Red Brick police station. It was a two-storey building with a tiled floor in the tea room (a converted toilet). It was a place where staff did ‘long, tiring searches for people lost in the Ureweras, long days in court and have a quiet cuppa in the team room’. Johnston recalls a time when he went to Hinehopu in the work vehicle, a Ford Anglia, narrowly missing a black heifer in the dark and when he arrived, ‘…nothing had happened…’ He also remembers a particularly elusive fugitive named George Wilder who was difficult to capture. There were many long cold nights out with police staff on Wilder-type patrols and stakeouts.

Rotorua Daily Post, Thursday 10 March, 1994.

In the newspaper article above, Jack Lander mentions that the only transport available to the police were pushbikes. However in other parts of the country a 1955 Ford Consul, capable of up to 60mph was being used.
Rotorua Daily Post,  Thursday  3 March 1994
A 1929 annual report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts recorded two thefts in Rotorua. The first incident was the theft of 40 towels from the bathhouse laundry. The second theft recorded that 41 fowls were taken from the departmental poultry-yard. In both cases the culprits weren’t caught.  The station and gaol adjoined the courthouse. There were five rooms in the residence area and two cells behind.

Parliamentary Papers, Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session - Papers Past

This post was written by Ani Sharland. My thanks to the Rotorua Daily Post, Papers Past and Faeryl Rotherham. 

Friday 19 July 2019

Rotorua Police Station - 50 years in Fenton Street


The news for Tuesday 22nd July 1969 was dominated by the Moon Landing, but also in the news that day was the new Rotorua police station, which opened on Fenton Street for business at 8am. At that time the telephones and radios were changed over, and the doors of the old Tutanekai Street station (now the Pig n Whistle) were closed by Inspector E. C. Welsh.

Inspector E. C. Welsh closes the doors of the old Tutanekai Street station. Credit: The Daily Post, Tuesday 22 July 1969, 3


The new police station


The watch-house was located on the ground floor directly opposite the main entrance. The two-storey, 22-cell block building had facilities for both male and female prisoners, with proper meal, recreation and toilet facilities, and thermal heating.

Also on the ground floor were the uniform senior-sergeants, sergeants, and constables offices, and muster rooms, with a self-contained kitchen for night shift staff. The arm office was also on the ground floor to the left of the watch-house.

The Criminal Investigation Branch was based on the first floor, along with Inspector Welsh, the officer in charge of the station, and Superintendent B. R. Alty, the officer in charge of the Rotorua police district.

The top floor had a photography darkroom, a large recreation room, and the records and administration offices.

The site for the new Rotorua police station in Fenton Street in August 1967 (left), and construction work under way in November 1967 (right). Source: Policing two peoples: a history of police in the Bay of Plenty (Jinty Rorke, 1993)

Police Station, Fenton Street. Credit: The Daily Post, Tuesday 29 July 1969, p. 11.

Official opening


The new station, which was Rotorua's fourth station since 1886 and cost $207,000 was officially opened a week later on Tuesday 29th July by Minister of Police Hon. Percy B. Allen. Other dignitaries present included Mayor Murray Linton, Rotorua MP Harry Lapwood, F.O. Scott (Assistant Commissioner of Police, Auckland), S. C. Browne (retired Superintendent of Police, who had served in Rotorua), P. A. Byrne (Chief Superintendent, Auckland), W. H. A. Sharp (Assistant Commissioner of Police, Wellington), and Joseph Saunders (Superintendent of Police, Wellington).

The opening was preceded by a parade led by the Auckland Highland Pipe Band under Drum Major P. Faulkner. The parade featured members of the uniform branch, the Criminal Investigation Branch, the women's division, and the dog unit.

The Rotorua Aero Club also flew three Cessna aircraft over the parade.

After the official ceremony, members of the public were invited to view the station and tea and light refreshments were served in the canteen.

Click on the images below to see them full size.

The Daily Post, Wednesday 30 July 1969, p. 9.



Rotorua Photo News, No. 72, 30 August 1969, pp. 22-25.

Rotorua Police Station in the 1980s. Credit: The Daily Post.

An upgrade


There have been minor changes to the station building over the years. For example, in 1989 the station was painted lilac with eden green and chetwode blue highlights. A colour scheme, which divided opinion at the time.

The first part of a major redevelopment occurred in 2008 when the cell block was replaced with a $14 million custody centre.

In 2012 the Fenton Street Police Station underwent a much needed $18.5 million upgrade.

During the demolition and construction of the new building the temporary police station was located across the road in the former Spence's building. Some staff, such as the patrol group, road patrol group, dog handlers and tactical group worked from the existing Fenton Street site out of temporary buildings located behind the custody centre.

The newly renovated station was blessed at 5.15am on Monday 19th May 2014 by several iwi representatives. It had its official opening on 6th June 2014.


Police station under construction. Credit: The Daily Post. Photographer: Stephen Parker

This post was written by Graeme. Thanks to The Daily Post and Policing two peoples: a history of police in the Bay of Plenty (Jinty Rorke, 1993).


Friday 12 July 2019

Rotorua's First Police Force

Armed Constabulary and Road Builders

Don Stafford records for us in his book "The Founding Years” that the first police requirement for the town involved Armed Constabulary from 1870 located mostly at Kaiteriria (Green Lake) building roads and occasionally doing Police work.  At this time they supported the Arawa troops led by Gilbert Mair.

There was also what was called ‘a station’ at Ohinemutu where Constables Nicholas Marsh and James Kelly operated from a hut in 1873.  The next known policeman was Constable Henshaw, he did not stay long in the area as he married in 1874 and a Sub-Inspector Forster was left in charge when Mair went to Maketu.

In the 1880’s there was a paid contingent of Native Police which included Constables Hare Takerei (1879-1888), Hiwinui Haupapa, Mikaere Te Kati, Hingawaka (1889-1984), Arama Karaka (1894-1899) and George Pratt (1899-1907) 

During this early period of Rotorua’s settlement a constable was stationed here to mostly handle what was listed in the ‘Armed Constabulary Force’ Charge book as ‘drunk and disorderly’.

By 1905 a gaol was situated behind the courthouse, this was still in use in 1965. 

The gaol was also used for the Queen Victoria bust which arrived in 1883, as reported around the country : "An event causing considerable amusement and consternation occurred on Saturday. A Statue of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, lately presented to the Arawas, was being placed in position in Tamatekapu[a], when a cart arrived with an escort of police who took possession of the statue and carried it off to the lockup. No reason given for the proceedings" Wanganui Herald, 24 April 1883, pg. 2 


Here we have a brief biography of one Constable Bill Neil who joined the Rotorua Police in 1907.
Rotorua Photo News 5 May 1967, pg.83

With thanks to Jinty Rorke’s 1993 Policing two peoples: a history of police in the Bay of Plenty, 1867-1992 for the following list of officers : 

1898-1905 Constable William Bern ; 1904-1906 Sergeant William J. Phair ; 1905-1906 Constable Francis J. Blake ; 1906-1909 Sergeant John Watt ; 1906-1909 Constable Luke Spellman ; 1907-1909 Constable James A. Annison ; 1907-1924 Constable William (Bill) Neill ; 1908-1911 Constable Peter Giles ; 1909-1910 Constable Sydney H. Bishop ; 1909-1911 Sergeant Lawrence Carroll ; 1909-1915 Constable Albert Clark ; 1909 Constable William G. Wright ; 1911-1915 Sergeant Edward Eales ; 1913-1916 Constable Patrick J. O'Hara ; 1915-1918 Sergeant Denis J. Cummings ; 1915-1929 Constable Thomas Johnson ; 1916-1927 Constable Donald A. C. McLean ; 1918-1921 Snr. Sergeant Michael McKeefy.  

There are many more men (and Women) who have served our community since then and you can read about them in Jinty Rorke's interesting book.

Our second Police Station as written about in another blog post this month 

Photo courtesy of Kete Rotorua, photographer Faeryl Rotherham, 2012


This post written by Alison. 



Saturday 6 July 2019

June Berry: the first policewoman to be appointed to Rotorua

June Ann Berry joined the New Zealand Police Force on 1st August, 1955. She was one of four women on the six-week training course which was held in Lyttleton. After her training she was posted to Christchurch where she served till September, 1956. This was followed by some years in Palmerston North. On 1st September, 1964 June came to Rotorua, making her the first policewoman in the Bay of Plenty.

Her early years in Rotorua involved what would now be called Youth Aid, working with young offenders, plus accompanying female offenders during interviews (a role previously filled by policemen's wives), to court, and escorting them to prison. In 1970, she was appointed bodyguard to Princess Anne, while she was visiting Rotorua.

Outside of the force, June had many pursuits. She was a charter member of Zonta when that club formed in 1973, becoming the president in 1978. She played golf and was part of the Arawa Women's Bowling Club. She was also apparently a very good baker. In her obituary, Jill Nicholas of the Daily Post told how June, with much secrecy, created her wedding cake.

In  May 1980, a photo of June and two young policewoman appeared in the Daily Post, along with an interview, celebrating her approaching 25 years in the Police Force. By this time, June was working as a full-time plainclothes officer, following up on serious accidents and other incidents. In 1983, June was once again a bodyguard when Princess Siu'ilikutapu of Tonga visited Rotorua.

Daily Post 17 May 1980, p 4

In 1985 June became the Police's first woman District Arms Officer. By 1986 the New Zealand Police Force had been in existence for 100 years.  An ecumenical service was held at St Michael's church to commemorate. Flags from around the world were paraded into the church to show the diversity of past and present police members. June was one of those flag-bearers. On the 3rd February, 1988 June retired. At that point she was the longest-serving female police officer in the country.

In 1993 New Zealand celebrated the Women's Suffrage Centennial. Enid Brinkler compiled a book as part of the celebrations entitled Women to remember: Rotorua and District. June Berry was one of the women featured and in November, 1993, that information was published in the Daily Post.

Daily Post 13 November 1993, p 18


Jinty Rorke released her book Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty, in December, 1993. The launch of the book was combined with the Police retired officers Christmas luncheon. In an article in the Daily Post 2nd December 1993, p 2,  June Berry reminisced about prisoners having to escape from the cells due to flooding!


Daily Post 2 December 1993, p 2

In 1996, June Berry was one of the recipients of the Rotorua Community Awards, presented by Mayor Graham Hall to acknowledge the contribution people had made to the city.

Daily Post 14 December, 1996, p 1

In 1999 June organised a successful reunion of those who'd served part of their policing careers in what is now The Pig and Whistle.

June Berry died on 12th March, 2000. Death notices from family, police and staff of Joe's Diner all appeared in the Daily Post. Her obituary featured in the Daily Post on 20th  March 2000, p 2.

Rotorua Library holds two books which contain references to June Berry which I used in the writing of this blog:
  • Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty by Jinty Rorke (1993)
  • Women to remember Rotorua and Districts compiled by Enid Brinkler (1993) for the Women's Suffrage Centennial
This blog is written by Trish, with thanks to Daily Post, Jinty Rorke and Enid Brinkler.