An old suitcase, a life of memories
Unearthing the writings of a Tawa stalwart is foremost in the mind of Tawa Historic Society president Bruce Murray. A major focus for the society is publishing the accounts of important local figures. ?Arthur Carman lived in the area for 50 years and was the most fascinating man ? a street in Johnsonville and a park in Tawa are named after him,? says Mr Murray. As well as being a member of the Tawa borough council, heavily involved in cricket, and on the Hospital Board, Arthur Carman and his wife ran a Sunday school for 130 local children. ?On the 1924-25 Invincible Tour of Europe he was the only reported that got to go, he spent time in prison for sedition after opposing conscription during the war. ?The major thing he did for Tawa was writing a book called Tawa Flat and the Old Porirua Road that took account of all the people in the area,? says Mr Murray. The historic society has found Arthur Carman?s note books in an old suitcase and is piecing together a story of his life. Also, next year they will publish a booklet on another local figure called Graham Sutton, who lovingly restored one of Tawa?s oldest homes, built in 1860. Onslow Historic Society president Murray Pillar is excited about the ambiguous nature of next year?s Heritage Promotion Month: Heritage and the Environment. ?For my area the Trelissick Park group will be very interested in the industrial centre that used to be located there. ?For their initiative to clean-up the area it will be good to know the history,? says Mr Pillar. Kaiwharawhara Stream is unique because it is the only urban stream that runs directly into the harbour without a pipeline, he says. Investigating the historic catchment basin of the stream in Wilton, Khandallah and Ngaio could be one angle of historic investigation. He says next year?s theme has a broad range for people to explore. ?People can choose whatever element they like, in Onslow there was an old flour-mill at the back of Ngaio gorge, and the green issues of that time were non-existent. ?The Trelissick Working Group won an environment award last week for their work restoring that stream,? he says. Prior to the formation of Ngaio gorge the area was part of an extensive plain extending from Makara to Khandallah. The present landform developed from earthquake and erosion activity resulting in the formation of the gorge. Petone Historical Society president Roy Hewson says utilising the newly formed Heritage Centre in Petone Library is the group?s current focus. ?In February next year all the societies will gather in Hutt City to discuss issues with the new manager Clarke Styles. ?We want to get the most out of the centre,? says Mr Hewson. The environment theme for Heritage Promotions is an interesting selection, and he says Percy Reserve, handed over to the council in 1949, could be a frontrunner for attention. The reserve is a botanic site of significance in New Zealand, being the location of the first European and Maori attempt to collect and categorise native flora and fauna. Major planting in Jackson Street is also on the cards, as the society looks to boost the appeal of the historic prescient. Also, two current Petone born sporting elites are being eyed up for the local sporting walk of fame. ?They are quite modern people and we will be looking to add their names to the sidewalk,? he says.
