4 minute read
Carterton
Pioneer families on display
Carterton
PHOTO/SUPPLIED In celebration of Family History, Carterton Events Centre is hosting an exhibition of historic photographers of three pioneering Wairarapa families – Andersen, Wong, and Lipinski.
The display, compiled by the Carterton Historic Society, features this photo of Christian “Dick” Andersen - whose Scandinavian migrant parents Peder and Johanna Andersen settled in Parkvale in the 1880s, and farmed in the area for many years.
Dick, born in 1900, was the 10th of Peder and Johanna’s 13 children, all born at the family’s tiny cottage.
He was one of the few Andersen children to venture away from Wairarapa, heading to Australia in 1926.
This photo was taken in Carterton, not long before his departure.
A year on, he married Violet Johnson in Penrith, New South Wales, with whom he had three children.
When Dick died in 1987, his ashes were returned to New Zealand and buried at Clareville Cemetery.
Several descendants of the Andersen family still live in Wairarapa - including his great-great niece, Mikimiki local, historian and author Marlene Ditchfi eld.
Here’s a challenge for Midweek readers: does anyone recognise the decorative badge that Dick is wearing on his lapel?
• If you have any information, contact
Marlene via email at marlened@xtra.co.nz.
Council sta˜ propose hall’s disposal
Emily Ireland
emily.ireland@age.co.nz Sta˜ at Carterton District Council have recommended the historic Belvedere Hall be demolished. PHOTO/FILE
Carterton District Council staff have recommended the disposal of a historic community hall that is in signifi cant disrepair.
Belvedere Hall, which was a school in the 1880s, was recently returned to council management in May after the dissolution of the Belvedere Public Hall Board.
The building has a raft of issues that need addressing, which were raised in a 2014 builder’s report — but not acted on.
In a recent report to elected members, council staff said there were two options for the hall: dispose of it or engage a builder to quote on its repair and restoration.
“Given the lack of community use, the winding up of the previous hall committee, and the poor state of repair of the building, offi cers recommend a disposal of the hall at this time,” council staff said.
The hall holds sentimental value in the Carterton community, but it is only used once a year – usually for community Christmas parties.
It has no offi cial heritage value but does have Reserve Act status under the Community Building Reserve Category.
The 2014 builder’s report identifi ed a number of rotten weatherboards, piles, and door sills.
In the middle of the hall, the complete side of the angled ceiling and its connection to the front roof and ceiling construction is fi xed together with ‘number 8 wire’.
The hall also does not have its own water supply.
There have been three past attempts to close the hall due to declining usage and limited funds.
If the council decides to dispose of Belvedere Hall, it would need to consult with the Department of Conservation and Land Information New Zealand.
Once the legal process is followed to revoke the hall’s Reserve Act status, the land would be off ered for sale on the open market.
Disposal of the hall site would require operational expenditure — however, the council would likely recoup those costs through the sale of the land.
Community engagement was undertaken with the Belvedere community in May.
If a decision to dispose of the hall is made, this will trigger the need for public consultation.
The hall is currently closed to the public.
- NZLDR • Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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