NELSON'S CHURCH HILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21926, 9 October 1934, Page 10

NELSON'S CHURCH HILL

OLD FORTIFICATIONS TWO HISTORIC MOUNDS Iri the year following th« foundation of the settlement of Nelson—on Juno 17, 1843—the tragic affray with Te Rauparaha and his men, took place and caused tho utmost consternation in the young township. By it the aettlement had lost its leading officials and there was a dread that other Maoris nearer the settlement might be encouraged to maka* trouble. Settlers in Nelson onrolled themselves as militiamen and fortified Church Hill, where Nelson Cathedral now stands, in order to provide a placet of safety for the women and children in the case of attack. For a period tho residents occupied the fortifications each niglit. To-day there remains on Church Hill two mounds which are the sole remaining part of those fortifications. In the Nelson Lands and Survey office, says the Evening Mail, there is a plan of the old fortifications, which was known as the "coffin plan," on account of its design. This shows that a ditch and stockade enclosed nearly tho whole of the hill, and within its area, on,the south-eastern side, was a water well, which would have been a valuable asset in the case of attack. Six bastions were erected —on the various extremities. The two mounds that are still outlined are those on the southern end, which can be seen leading off on either side of the present approach to the cathedral. Tho Nelson City Council intends to erect 011 the mounds notices indicating their association with the troublous times of over 90 years ago.