Cultural Significance

This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Historic Area Assessment Under Section 23 Criteria report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural Significance: Fountaine Square has provided considerable cultural and social value to the community of Woodville. It has hosted visits from many distinguished figures including HRH the Prince of Wales in 1922, Governor-Generals and New Zealand Premiers in the early part of the 20th Century. It has been a place of many commemorative events - farewells and homecomings associated with both World Wars, Anzac Day services and the venue for many concerts in Woodville. Various community groups in Woodville have been closely involved in the development and preservation of Fountaine Square, in particular, the RSA, the former Jaycee Chapter, Rotary and Lions, Playgroups, the Museum, the local Primary school and Woodville Community Board. All have played their part in maintaining the Square as a social and cultural asset for the District. It serves as a regular picnic/leisure area for local residents and visitors to Woodville, and, provides great enhancement for the district because of its attractive setting and historical connections.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Historic Area Assessment Under Section 23 Criteria report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical Significance: Fountaine Square, its monuments, memorials, structures and trees has considerable historical importance, as it provides knowledge of the Woodville's district history and of national events. It is associated with a number of important local occasions - the opening of Ballance Bridge by the then Premier, Richard John Seddon, with the planting of an English Oak in 1904 by the Premier; the planting of a Plane Tree by HRH, the Prince of Wales in 1922 during his visit to our country, and another Plane tree by Lord Jellicoe, Governor General of New Zealand in 1922. Other trees have been planted over the years since the 1920s by Governor Generals. In 1932, the Woodville Primary School planted a Totara Tree to commemorate Arbor Day. Thomas Francis Fountaine, who gifted the land for the Square to the people of Woodville, was born in Buckinghamshire, England 1842, and died at Kumeroa, Woodville in 1934. He worked for the Hon J.D. Ormond at Wallingford and later commenced road working at Norsewood. He gained a contract to build a road from Woodville to Nga-awa -purua, now Ormond Road. In 1876, with J.R. Monteith, he opened Woodville's first store. Fountaine was Chairman of the Woodville Roads Board and represented the district on the Waipawa County Council. He built the homestead "Otawharo", which is registered with the Trust (Category II). Other prominent persons and organisations associated with Fountaine Square have been members of the Fountaine family; Mr Ralph Mountfort, former Mayor of Woodville; the Woodville Returned Services Association; the Bank of New Zealand, Woodville; the former Chapter of Woodville Jaycees and the Woodville Primary School. The plaques set into the structures and lawns on Fountaine Square give the dates and information on the people and events that have been associated with and memorialised in the Square for over 100 years, This gives the Square some uniqueness.

Physical Significance

This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Historic Area Assessment Under Section 23 Criteria report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Physical Significance: The Band Rotunda, is typical of most band rotunda structures around the country. It was built from local totara and matai. A wrought iron lace runs around the octagonal roof. The wrought iron finial has an ornamental bulb and the filigree has been broken and stolen and is no more on the rotunda. The finial, is fortunately beyond the reach of vandals and is of simple construction. The maintenance and protection of the timber construction and roof area is an on-going issue for the local community. The War memorial is of marble construction with gold lettering. It commemorates all wars fought by New Zealanders. The Drinking Font, was donated by Woodville Jaycees and is a memorial to Peter Kensington, a former member of the Jaycee Chapter. The plaques are all made from anodised brass. Those that have been set in the lawn areas have been damaged by the large mowers used in the Square. The timber park benches have suffered with age and are due for replacing. The English Oaks, the Plane Trees and the Totara's all have great visual presence in the Square.