Coronation Band Rotunda and Kiosk (1912)

Funds raised locally (public subscription £170, Borough £153) were subsidised by a Government grant (£250) and the band rotunda with kiosk and tearooms on the ground floor was erected in King Edward Park. The building, to celebrate the coronation of George V, was designed by Hāwera architect John Duffill and built by J. W. Tong. The foundation stone was laid by by the Mayor, E. L'E. Barton on 22 June 1911 (King George V's Coronation Day). The band rotunda was opened by the, then, Mayor, H.K. Whittington on 28 March 1912.

The Hāwera Astronomical Society was formed in 1926 but, in 1952, requested that they be able to build an observatory on the top floor of the kiosk. Approval was obtained and the observatory was opened 1 May 1953. Newton Burrell was appointed director. He then presented a telescope for the society's use. 

The plaque to the left of the door reads:

G    [Crown]    R

Erected

to Commemorate

the Coronation of

KING GEORGE V

22.VI.1911

This stone was laid

by the Mayor

Mr E. L'E. Barton

J. A. Duffill

                                Architect

J. W. Tong

                             Builder

Jones. Sculptor

Related documents:

Observatory Dome Erected in Hawera Park (Taranaki Daily News 28 April 1953)

Hawera's New Observatory Dome (Taranaki Daily News 12 May 1953)

Observatory in King Edward Park Opened (Taranaki Daily News 20 August 1953)

Band Rotunda became an Observatory, Arthur Fryer (Hawera Star 9 March 2000)