DISTRICT PLAN – LISTED HERITAGE PLACE HERITAGE ASSESSMENT – STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE HERITAGE ITEM NUMBER 1035 TRYPOTS AND SETTING - BEACH ROAD, BETWEEN JOLIE-CHURCH,

PHOTOGRAPH: ROSEMARY BAIRD 2013

HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE Historical and social values that demonstrate or are associated with: a particular person, group, organisation, institution, event, phase or activity; the continuity and/or change of a phase or activity; social, historical, traditional, economic, political or other patterns.

The three trypots on Beach Road have historical and social significance for their links to the early whaling stations of and to the whaling industry, which played an important part in early Akaroa in the first half of the 19th century. The trypots are some of the oldest European artefacts to remain on Banks Peninsula (Wallace, 2003) and were in use during in the mid 1830s to the mid 1840s. Trypots are large pots used to ‘try out’ or render the oil from whale blubber which was then transported to Australia and the northern hemisphere. The pots were generally fabricated in England and the same type of cast iron trypots was used on board whaling ships and at the shore stations.

The central pot is believed to originate from George Hempleman’s whaling station at Peraki and was made at the Coalbrookdale foundry at Ironbridge in Shropshire, England. Louis Vangioni, a local Akaroa amateur historian and collector brought the central trypot from Peraki Bay to Akaroa where it was originally located in front of his property in Rue Jolie in 1913. The outer two pots are thought to have been associated with the Wright Brothers whaling station at Whakamoa (Adamski, 2012).

From about 1912 onwards collecting and displaying whaling relics became increasingly common. Photographic evidence shows all three pots were displayed in the children’s

Page 1 playground area near Daly’s Wharf in 1916 and were planted with natives and bedding plants. They were subsequently moved to their current location on Beach Road near the French landing site in 1970 and had a substantial brick surround constructed around them.

Although not directly connected with the Akaroa township the whale trypots are part of the wider Banks Peninsular history and are a tangible reminder of this early 19th century industry.

CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE Cultural and spiritual values that demonstrate or are associated with the distinctive characteristics of a way of life, philosophy, tradition, religion, or other belief, including: the symbolic or commemorative value of the place; significance to Tangata Whenua; and/or associations with an identifiable group and esteemed by this group for its cultural values.

The trypots are of cultural significance for their association with the way of life of whalers who were of many nationalities and established shore-based stations in Banks Peninsula from 1837 onwards. Also of cultural significance is the way the trypots evidence the early twentieth century interest in collecting historical artefacts as well as the desire of Akaroa residents to beautify the town, and make it attractive to the growing tourist trade. Much of this emphasis on a beautiful town can be traced back to the formation of the Akaroa Beautifying Association in 1907. The group fundraised, planted flowers, bushes and trees, worked to improve the streetscapes, and advocated for improved civic facilities. The retrieval and public display of the trypots in the early 20th century can be seen as a marking of the importance of whaling in the early history of the area.

ARCHITECTURAL AND AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE Architectural and aesthetic values that demonstrate or are associated with: a particular style, period or designer, design values, form, scale, colour, texture and material of the place.

The trypots have aesthetic significance due to their form, material, colour and texture. All three try pots were cleaned out, coated with preservative and had drain holes installed in 1965. The 1970s brick surround relates to the pots in terms of the colour, and reflects aspects of early whaling tryworks.

TECHNOLOGICAL AND CRAFTSMANSHIP SIGNIFICANCE Technological and craftsmanship values that demonstrate or are associated with: the nature and use of materials, finishes and/or technological or constructional methods which were innovative, or of notable quality for the period.

The iron trypots are of technological and craftsmanship significance as they evidence materials and production methods of the period. The central trypot of the three was made at the Coalbrookdale foundry at Ironbridge, Shropshire England - the word COALBROOKDALE’ is cast in the upper edge. This foundry was noted for its quality of cast iron production. The Peacock Fountain in Botanical Gardens and the fountain in Mona Vale were also manufactured at Coalbrookdale.

CONTEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE Contextual values that demonstrate or are associated with: a relationship to the environment (constructed and natural), a landscape, setting, group, precinct or streetscape; a degree of consistency in terms of type, scale, form, materials, texture, colour, style and/or detail; recognised landmarks and landscape which are recognised and contribute to the unique identity of the environment.

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The three trypots have contextual significance. Together with Fisherman’s Rest shelter, Wharf Office and Britomart Reserve, they form part of an important streetscape linked to the historic wharves of Akaroa. They occupy a significant position at the start of the Beach Road street scene which includes other historic (especially commercial) buildings with verandas – a number of which are now used as cafes and restaurants – and established Norfolk Pines and Ngaio trees. Their position on the sea front links them to the wider views of the esplanade walk, harbour, sea, and hills. The trypots are also part of a larger group or trypots within Akaroa; one is located on the Rue Lavaud Bathing Reserve and one is in the Akaroa Museum. A further four trypots are known to exist in other parts of Banks Peninsula; two at the former Little River Railway Station, one at the Museum and another at Peraki. The Beach Road trypots are a landmark feature on the waterfront.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Archaeological or scientific values that demonstrate or are associated with: the potential to provide information through physical or scientific evidence an understanding about social historical, cultural, spiritual, technological or other values of past events, activities, structures or people.

The trypots and their setting have archaeological significance. As the trypots have been moved from their original positions in the whaling stations around Banks Peninsula, their site does not have archaeological significance relating to the whaling industry. However, there is potential for the site to contain archaeological remains related to pre 1900 fishing or commercial activity. The trypots themselves pre-date 1900 and have archaeological value.

ASSESSMENT STATEMENT

The trypots have overall significance to Banks Peninsula and Christchurch. They have historical and social significance for their links to the whaling industry which played an important part in the development of Banks Peninsula in the first half of the 19th century, and as one of the oldest European artefacts to remain on Banks Peninsula. The trypots have cultural significance for their association with the whalers’ way of life and as a manifestation of the early 20th century interest in collecting artefacts and the desire to beautify Akaroa. They have aesthetic significance due to their form, material, colour and texture and are of technological and craftsmanship significance as they demonstrate materials and production methods of the period. The trypots have contextual significance are a distinctive landmark feature within an important streetscape in Akaroa; and as part of a small group of trypots located on Akaroa’s esplanade. The site has the potential to provide archaeological evidence relating to human activity, including that which occurred prior to 1900 and the trypot, as an early 19th century artefact, has archaeological value in its own right.

REFERENCES:

Christchurch City Council Heritage File – Tri-pots, Beach Road, Akaroa

Wallace, L. The Trypots in Akaroa: A report on the history and significance of the trypots around the Akaroa foreshore, April 2003, pp 1-2

Page 3 Wilson, J. et al (2009) Akaroa Heritage Overview, (Christchurch)

Beaumont, L., Carter, M., & Wilson, J. (2014) Banks Peninsula contextual historical overview and thematic framework, (Christchurch)

Akaroa Whale Pots, Memorandum from M. Adamski to the Akaroa/Waiwera Community Board, 14 March 2012, p 2

REPORT DATED: 8 MARCH 2014

PLEASE NOTE THIS ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF WRITING. DUE TO

THE ONGOING NATURE OF HERITAGE RESEARCH, FUTURE REASSESSMENT OF THIS HERITAGE ITEM MAY BE NECESSARY TO REFLECT ANY CHANGES IN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF ITS HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE.

PLEASE USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CCC HERITAGE FILES.

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