OLD DRILLSHED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 13

OLD DRILLSHED

An Opening Which Was Postponed VOLUNTEER DAYS For many years the old volunteer drillshed iu Alaginnity Street, Wellington, now to bh demolished, has been kept out of the public eye by the tall surrounding buildings. When it was erected in 18S0 this semi-circle of corrugated iron stood out by itself on the then newly-reclaimed land —a unique landmark for a mile around. It was considered to be then in a very handy position, as the volunteer regiments —the Wellington Guards, the Wellington City Rifles, the D Battery of the Artillery, and AVellington Navals —had only to march out of tlie doors to arrive on their parade ground, the reclaimed land.

There, too, every Alay 24 the late Queen Victoria’s birthday was honoured by a special parade and march past. The drillshed was erected for the Government by the late Air. Samuel Brown, afterward Alayor of Wellingtorn Tlie work was commenced on March 24, 1880, and all was ready for the official opening on Saturday, August 21, 1880. ' Bat the building stood out by itself fully exposed to every blast. Just before 3 p.m, on the Saturday two of the iron straining rods gave way and fell with a clatter on to the improvised platform. Immediately the roof began to bulge ominously and it looked as though serious trouble was pending. As it happened the damage, serious enough to cause the opening to be postponed, was made good at tlie expenditure of from £4O to £5O.

The actual opening took place on Saturday, August 28, when three bands were present, and a massed choir sang Mozart’s “Twelfth Mass,” under the conductorsbip of Mr. Angelo Forrest, then organist and choirmaster at St. Peter’s Church. Captain A. T. Maginnity was the secretary of the function.

The drlllshed was a semi-circle of corrugated iron, the two under edges resting on stout totara piles. The drillhall became Wellington’s largest ballroom, and was used for many important functions, as well as for bazaars, music festivals, fairs and band contests. On one occasion it formed the concert chamber of an industrial exhibition, and on another was used (in bad weather) for a bowling tournament. It lapsed as a drillshed when a new one was provided at Buckle Street. It has for over a quarter of a century been in the possession of the Post and Telegraph Department as a depot and store for its linesmen and fault men. a depot now being transferred to Abel Smith Street.