Keeping in Touch Newsletter for New Zealand History Federation Inc Volume 8 Issue 4 November 2014 www.nzhistoricalsocieties.org.nz A New Name: New Zealand History Federation Inc. As from 19 September 2014, the name for the Society has changed officially from New Zealand Federation of Histori- cal Societies to the New Zealand History Federation. This is the culmination of a process starting some two years or so ago, when it was raised that we all want not only historical societies to feel welcome to be part of our Federation, but also museums, history groups, and other institutions and organisations with a focus on our country’s heritage. The change of name was approved at the Annual General Meeting held in Te Awamutu in April this year. You will soon see the new name reflected on our website; the Legacy Editorial Board have already altered NZ Legacy . 2015 NZ History Federation Annual General Meeting and Conference, in Wellington Hosted by Onslow Historical Society Lambton Quay, c.1906. Editor’s collection . The 2015 Conference incorporating the Annual General Meeting will be held in Wellington 1st to 3rd May hosted by Onslow Historical Society. A fun and educational weekend mixed with networking is planned and attendees will be hosted to a guided tour of the new War Memorial Park (Opening ANZAC day 2015). Put the dates in your 2015 diary NOW. Enquiries to Secretary, Neil Curgenven, [email protected] or 0272441348. Calendar 2015 7-9 March Okato & Districts Sesquicentennial celebrations (Taranaki Anniversary weekend) 1-3 May 2015 NZ History Federation Annual General Meeing and Conference in Wellington 2016 Keep watch for commemorations of the HMS Buffalo, involving the Mercury Bay Museum. More info soon. Next issue due out March 2015 Contact Lisa Truttman (editor) : 19 Methuen Road, Avondale, Auckland 0600,phone (09) 828-8494 or email [email protected] Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the New Zealand History Federation Inc. 2 November 2014 ranged as much as possible to gain sunlight or they Closing the Door on included a special room known as the sun room. The War, New Homes Casement windows that opened right out be- came a feature to let in fresh air and wide porches for a New Era referred to as sleeping porches offered a semi out- door environment. Moreover, roofs became less A review of the seminar held on October 9 this year, steep so they blended with the environment and front in conjunction with the Auckland Heritage Festival. doors opened into alcoves or living rooms rather than formal central hallways. Furthermore, art deco Jeremy Salmond is a well known heritage architect houses concentrated on colour by being painted in and a published author. He gave an interesting ad- soft pastels or terracotta, therefore, presenting a re- dress to a large audience during the recent Auckland laxing visual effect. Finally, it became important to Heritage Festival. This seminar was held in Saint have indoor facilities such as flushing latrines, Ninian's Church in Avondale and it was organised which were a healthier option to outhouses that by the New Zealand History Federation. required night soil attendance. In 1901 New Zealand had about 158,000 dwellings. Many of these were small houses, but they were of a Kenneth Stringer high quality. Most dwellings were stand alone build- ings, but there were examples of terraced houses in Dunedin. They were built of local materials, there- World War One, or fore, wooden structures were more common in the First World War? North Island, while those in the South Island were likely to feature brick or stone walls. These build- ings were predominately a combination of classical David Verran, as many of you will know, is one of and gothic designs. Hence, they had steep pitched the team who put together and distribute roofs in common with gothic architecture as well as NZ Legacy for the Federation three times a year. classical features such as being symmetrical with a The following was meant for inclusion in Legacy , hallway in the centre. Moreover, they were designed but space didn’t permit. I thought, though, that to make a statement, therefore, they faced the road David’s points would be of interest to our members, and presented their most decorative features in this so asked if I could publish them here. — Editor direction. For example, many had iron or wooden fretwork decorating their verandas as well as finials I recently learnt that WW100 is promoting the at the apexes of their gables. following terms for writing about the war: • ‘The First World War’, and not ‘World War There was an attempt to move in a different direc- One’ or ‘The Great War’. tion. The Liberal Government passed the 1905 • ‘WWI’ not ‘WW1’ Workers' Dwelling Act to make housing affordable • ‘Commemorate’ not ‘Celebrate’ to working people. The idea was to build 5,000 ar- chitecturally designed houses in suburbs such as • ‘Served’ not ‘Fought’ Petone in Wellington and Epsom in Auckland. ‘Ottoman Empire’ not ‘Turks or Turkish’. Unfortunately, the scheme failed, because only 126 houses were built and they were sold by the suc- I approached WW100, particularly about the use of ceeding Reform Government. Moreover, the rent ‘First World War’ as opposed to ‘World War One’, was 10 shillings 6 pence per week, which meant that and they pointed me to book titles from 1920 to only well paid workers could afford to live in these 2000. Their Ngram research on Google Books con- houses. clusively shows that while the phrase ‘The Great Many soldiers experienced terrible horrors during War’ predominated from 1920 to 1940, from then the First World War. Hence, there was a social reac- on ‘The First World War’ took over as the most tion towards: comfortable living, healthy environ- used phrase in relevant book titles. ‘World War ments, fresh air and sunlight. This was reflected in One’ was hardly used as part of a book title. the styles of housing, which gave birth to: bunga- WW100 also noted that New Zealand's War History low, arts and crafts and art deco designs. These Branch always used ‘The Second World War’ in houses were not primarily designed to make a visual their many post-war publications. New Zealand impression by facing the street with decorative fea- Legacy has hitherto mainly used ‘World War One’, tures. For example, their living quarters were ar- November 2014 3 but we are certainly willing to follow WW100 recommendations. We can also agree, I believe, that the war wasn’t ‘Great’, that war is never something to ‘Celebrate’, that some ‘Served’ as for example stretcher bearers but didn’t actually fight, and that the Ottoman Em- pire was made up of many nationalities and not Just Turkish people. Interestingly, others have carried out similar re- search on Google Books and ‘New Zealand Wars’ certainly has the highest current use, according to http://historygeek.co.nz. However over the whole 1860 to 2013 period, ‘Maori Wars’ was used more often, particularly from the late 1950s to 1990. The latter was a term popularised by the late Professor Sir Keith Sinclair. David Verran Society News & Views Franklin (From the Society’s November newsletter.) Saturday 14 March 10.00am to 3.00pm Family Fes- tival 150th anniversary reunion of Bombay settlers. This will be held at the Bombay School grounds and will include a Farmers Market, formal welcome and “The organisers of this event have really put a fun run prize giving, photographs, fun & games, his- brilliant programme together and they can be very torical displays and meeting place and afternoon ath- proud of themselves. Three days of celebration are letics. The fun run is separate as it is a Lions Club planned on 13, 14 & 15 March next year. fundraiser. Registration is $25.00pp. Anyone who registers will At 6.00pm on Saturday night there is a dinner & receive a name badge and their own registration pack dance cabaret at the Bombay School Hall. Cost is which will contain 150 th Anniversary keepsakes, the $60.00 per person and includes a delicious gourmet 150 th Programme of Events and other goodies and buffet dinner and dessert. Cash bar available. information about the weekend. Registrations close on 30 th January 2015. Sunday 15 March The local churches Join together in a special thanksgiving service at the Bombay Below is a brief synopsis of the programme that has School Hall at 9.30am and will be followed by morn- been put together for the three days of celebrations. ing tea. For a copy of the full programme and registration form please contact Linton Stuart either by phoning From 11.30am to 2.30pm the Historical Bus Tour 09 2387299 or email [email protected] will take place. The cost is $25.00pp. Lunch will be provided at a brief comfort stop Friday 13 March 5.30pm Mix & Mingle at the From 12.00pm to 3.00pm Bombay’s Amazing Race Bombay Rugby Club The cost is $25.00 per person and is restricted to per- will take place. Cost is $10.00 per car. Each team will sons aged 18+. Nibbles and a light meal will be be given a list of clues with destinations to find and served and there will be a cash bar available. tasks to perform in a set order. And then to wrap up 4 November 2014 from the Street now. It was an interesting exercise getting it from the old site to the new one … We used John [Fissenden]’s transporter to put the Jail on, and Jill [Fissenden] as the lead vehicle for traffic control.