Know your town
A look back in time
2019 will be the start to a number of milestones or celebration for Waihinga Martinborough. On the first of April 1919 Martinborough inaugurated continuous service at the Martinborough telephone exchange with someone on duty all the time. Thus heading off both Featherston and Greytown which only had restricted daytime facilities.
On the weekend of July 19 th 1919 Martinborough honoured her service personal with three days of events. Saturday was ‘soldier’s day’ with with a parade of floats, a bonfire, dancing – night time dances must cease before midnight – football matches, a tug of war, and athletics.
Sunday was thanksgiving day with church services and Monday was ‘children’s’ day’ with sports.
2019 is also the libraries one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary. The library, reading room and chess room was opened on Thursday 18 th October 1894 by John Martin. Quote from the paper of early 1885 “The library possesses a very good assortment of books, suitable for all tastes and descriptions. The librarian, Mr Green, is eager to please. The institution must be a considerable boon for the settlers and outlying districts’.
The Natusch designed building* was modelled after the style of a club house . It was very well stocked with books and periodicals . Going by the list of names of those at the opening the gentry was well represented. The opening was marked by entertainment in the new Town Hall which was followed by dancing which went on well into the small hours. These being the days before killjoy ‘s midnight rule was implemented.
It is also a hundred and forty years since John Martin purchased the land which is now Martinborough from J.D Baird with his then unveiling of the town plan in 1879.
Anniversaries to celebrate in coming years include First Church’s in 2021 when it will celebrate it’s one hundred and fiftieth birthday. Martinborough School will celebrate its’ one hundred and fiftieth on the following year – 2022.
If any person has an old photo of the Martinborough Gospel Hall could they pleas contact me.
Mate Higginson
- Now the Museum
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