Winton Band Rotunda — Piano & Theory Lessons

Winton, circa 1905, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.013638)

Winton Band Rotunda

The Otago Witness dated 2nd July 1902 states that ‘the Winton Borough Council has resolved to commemorate the King’s Coronations by erecting a band rotunda’.

On the 19th September 1902 the Southland Times reports that the Winton Borough Council has given instructions for the preparation of plans and specifications for a band rotunda.

In the Southland Times dated the 5th September 1903 there is a report on the meeting of the Borough Council that had been adjourned. The construction of the band rotunda had been let to the lowest tender, a Walter Smith, for the cost of £145.

On January 11th, 1904, the Winton Band Rotunda was opened by the Governor General Lord Ranfurly. He arrived at noon, and according to the Evening Star dated the 14th of January 1904 was ‘enthusiastically received by a large assemblage of residents’. The Governor General referred to the reputation of the Winton district in regard to dairy farming being conducted on a co-operative or central factory principle. After the opening of the rotunda the vice-regal party were entertained at lunch before leaving to travel to Invercargill. After the rotunda was opened, the Winton Brass Band entered the rotunda and played the selection “The British Grenadiers’.

In May 1904 the Winton Borough Council invite tenders for lamps for the band rotunda, providing the band provides the council with the specifications of the lamps that they require.

On the 7th June 1905 the Southland Times reports that the Winton Borough Council has a balance of £19 available for expenditure at the band rotunda.

In November 1906 it was announced that six rustic seats were to be constructed round the trees in vicinity of the band rotunda.

On the 9th October 1913 there is a long article concerning a gathering of early Winton settlers. Five hundred people gathered at the band rotunda where the Mayor gave an address. The settlers then marched along the main street headed by the Winton Brass band.

In the Southland Times dated the 12th October 1923 it states ‘the Winton Band gave a concert from the Rotunda on Sunday afternoon. The performance of the band was not at all good, the reason apparently being that the band lost the services of several of it players, including two soloists. This sort of thing should not happen, and it seems a great pity that the Citizen’s Committee, which controls the destinies of the band, would not look into the matter, find out the cause of the trouble and have it removed’.

The Southland Times of the 26th April 1928 has an article about Winton’s Jollity Gala. It describes the decorations for the gala. It states that the ‘band rotunda is also being decorated with coloured lights and streamers’.

On the 21st May 1930 there is an article in the Southland Times that describes the diamond jubilee celebrations for Winton Scholl. The ex-pupils met at the Band Rotunda at 9:00am from where they proceeded to the school. The Winton Municipal Band led the procession to Winton School.

There is a report in the Southland Times on the 8th May 1931 concerning the Winton Borough Council election, where after the declaration of the results, the large crowd was moved to the band rotunda where the Mayor congratulated the successful candidates.

In July 1932 there is an article in the Southland Times on the 27th July 1932 concerning the Winton Municipal Band. During 1931 there had been five open air concerts.

On the 13th November 1933 the Southland Times reports that the Winton Band rotunda is being painted.

On the 6th June 1934 the Southland Times reports that ‘the question of the removal of the fire bell has also been considered and the architect has been asked to secure information regarding the installation of the an electric siren to be placed on the band rotunda, the alarm to be given by pressure applied to a button after the smashing of glass. It is stated that the present fire alarm is unsuitable and frequently is only heard by a few residents who live in close proximity to the bell’.

In 1935 on the 22nd April the celebrations in Winton for the King’s Jubilee Celebrations. The official opening of the celebrations occurred at the band Rotunda. In the afternoon there is a parade at the Rotunda which contained a fancy dress parade, a pets’ parade, an industrial and trades parade which was led by the band and the Pipe Band.

In the Southland Times dated 17th August 1935 it informs their readers that there was more discussion about the Winton fire alarm. Time had been lost with having the brigade having to first proceed to the rotunda. It was decided that the brigade should meet at the station instead.

On the 25th February 1936 there is an article in the Southland Times which describes the celebrations of the diamond jubilee of the Winton Borough Council. Again the band rotunda was one of the focal points of the celebrations as the article states ‘most interest centred around the Band Rotunda, where a loud speaker provided music for street dancing. A large number took part, and there were many onlookers’.

In the Southland Times dated the 19th February 1936 there is an advertisement for the Winton Jubilee Sports that were held on that day. According to the advertisement there would be two bands in attendance and a monster procession would leave the Band Rotunda at 1:00pm.

On the 16th March 1939 the Southland Times notes that the Winton Borough Council states that the band rotunda was badly in need of a coat of paint. It was decided to call tenders and have the work completed immediately.

The death of Charles D. Moore is written about in the Southland Times of the 27th May 1939. He was Mayor of Winton when the Band Rotunda was built to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII and in memory of the Southland troopers who fought and died in the Boer war. His name is on the brass plate on the rotunda along with Lord Ranfurly, the Governor General at the time who opened the memorial.

The Southland Times dated 17th August 1939 contains an article about Winton’s Centennial Park. One of the councillors makes a suggestion about the band rotunda. He thought that it would be a good idea to have the band rotunda moved to Centennial Park. Another of the councillors states that the band rotunda ‘was in a bad pace as far as traffic was concerned. There was sure to be an accident there someday he said’.

On the 11th March 1941 the Southland Times tells of an inspection of the Home Guard by the deputy-commander. There were 400 members of the Guard presents. The parade began at the school, marched through the town arriving at the band rotunda where the deputy-commander took the salute.

The Southland Times of the 26th July 1941 informs their readers of the increased use of the V for Victory symbol. It goes on to say that ‘the V for Victory sign is well displayed in Winton, the Borough Council having erected on the band rotunda two large V signs 8ft by 6in, one facing north and one facing south. They will be illuminated by electric lights in red, white and blue’.

On the 4th August 1941 there is an article in the Southland Times which informs their readers that 500 Guardsmen paraded at the Home Guard display at Winton the previous Saturday. The display was led by the Browns Pipe Band and the parade marched to the band rotunda where ‘platoon and rifle drill were carried out by the different districts’. Afternoon tea was provided by the women of Winton which was followed by company drill carried out in front of the Drill Hall concluding in a march past the band rotunda.

In the Southland Times dated 17th April 1942 there is an article concerning a Home Guard Rally in Winton. It states that ‘the proceedings began with a parade at the band rotunda of four platoons of the Home Guard, numbering 130 men, who marched to the Theatre Royal, where the Winton Brass Band played selections’.

On the 8th March 1945 the Southland Times tells of a special meeting held by the Winton Borough Council held to complete arrangements for the Governor General’s visit the following Monday. There would be a civic reception at the band rotunda as well as other activities.

In the Southland Times on the 18th April 1945 the Winton Borough Council’s meeting is reported. It was decided that the peace celebrations for the end of the war in Europe should not be ‘of a boisterous nature, but more in the nature of thanksgiving.’ The programme would begin with bells and sirens with the public asked to go to the band rotunda. A proclamation would be made, followed by a prayer and the playing of the national anthem. And in the evening there would be thanksgiving services in the local churches.

The Southland Times dated 15th August 1945 informs their readers of the arrangements for the Winton Peace Celebrations. On the second day a fancy dress parade would occur, and all local sporting bodies are asked to attend. A proclamation would be read from the rotunda and afterwards there would be thanksgiving church services. These would be followed by a football and basketball tournament with other attractions taking place at Centennial Park. And in the evening, there would be a community sing, a bonfire and some dancing.

References

www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz