Local historians John Neilson (left) and Ian Church inspect
the decrepit state of the Garrison Hall in Port Chalmers.
The loss of the Garrison Hall in Port Chalmers is
"demolition by neglect", local historian John Neilson says.
The hall, built in 1887, once farewelled Boer War troops, and
was a relic of when Port Chalmers had a significant military
presence, fellow local historian Ian Church said.
The Dunedin City Council is pulling the hall down early next
month.
Both men accepted as inevitable the old hall would be pulled
down because it had deteriorated to such a degree.
Mr Neilson, a former Chalmers Community Board member, said
the hall had "outlived its economic life and its social
life". No agency had wanted it and the hall was neglected for
"years and years".
Mr Church said two of the 11 New Zealand contingents that
fought in the Boer War (1900-02) departed from Port Chalmers.
Garrison Hall. Photos by Gerard O'Brien.
They were among the earliest contingents (second and
fourth) to go to the war, and their drills, as well as welcome
and farewell parties, were held in the hall.
Until the end of World War 1, Port Chalmers had separate
naval and garrison artillery militia, reflecting its
significant position as Otago's third biggest town, after
Dunedin and Oamaru.
When it was not required for military purposes, the hall was
used for the sea cadets, flower shows, dances, and sports, Mr
Church said.
Historic Places Trust Otago Southland archaeologist Dr
Matthew Schmidt said the hall was not listed with the trust,
but the council had required archaeological authority as the
building was pre-1900.
The trust opposed demolition, but its position had no legal
standing, he said.
Chalmers Community Board chairwoman Jan Tucker said it was
sad to lose the historic hall, but years ago the community
was asked to nominate one hall to be maintained by the city
council. The Port Chalmers Town Hall had been identified and
served the area well.
In a serious state of disrepair for the past 20 years, the
old hall would take a huge amount of work to upgrade, and
money was scarce, she said.
In her report to this month's community board meeting, Mrs
Tucker recommended community feedback be sought as to how the
land should be used.
- eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.