Handing over history
A PIECE of civic history was returned to Dunedin yesterday, when Mayor Dave Cull was presented with a trowel given to another Dunedin mayor more than 100 years ago.
The heirloom — a silver trowel with a pounamu handle — was given to Mayor John Wilson in 1913 to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the Dunedin Municipal Tepid Baths.
The baths opened in lower Moray Pl in 1914 and were where generations of Dunedin children — including Mr Wilson’s grandchildren — learned to swim.
The baths were closed after they were superceded by Moana Pool, and the site is now a Dunedin City Counciloperated car park.
Although the trowel is a Wilson family treasure, Mr Wilson’s grandchildren recently decided to return the heirloom to Dunedin.
Two out of three Australianbased grandchildren — Susan Bremner and Judy Church — flew to the city for the presentation and for a reunion with their Dunedin cousin, Russell Thew.
‘‘It’s a beautiful thing. I don’t think it was ever used to plaster concrete,’’ Mr Cull said.
Such objects were usually stored away but Mr Cull said he was keen for more of the city’s heritage to be on display and intended the trowel to go on show in the Plaza reception area.
John Wilson (18671953) had a short stint as mayor from 191213 but his civic service was much longer.
Elected as a Caversham Borough councillor in 1896 and Caversham Mayor in 1906, Mr Wilson — who sold blinds and window fixtures from Scott and Wilson in St Andrew St — successfully ran for the Dunedin City Council when the local bodies merged.
He was a Dunedin councillor from 190433, then from 193844.
He was also a member of the Ocean Beach Domain Board and as a result of his service, the road through the domain — John Wilson Ocean Drive — was named after him.
‘‘We have fond memories of our grandfather as a kind and generous man,’’ Mrs Bremner said.
‘‘Despite the demands of his public life and business interests, John always found time for his family, including his six daughters.’’