Cambridge has two band rotundas dating from early this century when, in addition to recreational activities such as tennis and bowls, domains were used for band concerts. The rotunda in the Te Koutu Domain was built in 1907 while that in the Leamington Domain was built in 1910.
The original site of the band rotunda/pavilion built in the "Leamington Domain Reserve" is unclear. Local histories suggest that the structure was first located at the corner of Bracken Street and Te Awamutu Road in the town belt. The rotunda/pavilion was relocated from this site to its present site in 1921.
By 1901 the Cambridge West Domain Board was gazetted. The domain had an area of 347 acres of which about 246 acres were leased for grazing. In 1904 about 23 acres were in use for general recreation. By 1909 the Domain was being used for tennis, hockey, cricket, football and picnics. It was decided that a pavilion with dressing room and lockers should be erected with swings for the children and seats placed about the grounds. Charles Reid was instructed to prepare plans and specifications for a pavilion and bandstand, and two toilets. The lowest tender of the seven received, that of William Hogan for £225, was accepted. On completion of the building at a cost of just less than £300, a gala day was held to mark the opening on 25 May 1910. The building was officially opened by Mr W H Herries, Member of Parliament for the district.
In 1921, partly in an effort to inhibit vandalism of the structure, the pavilion/rotunda was relocated. Relocation was again briefly considered in 1983. Maintenance work was carried out, however, and the building remains on the Leamington Domain as home to the Cambridge Radio and Electronic Club.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
4193
Date Entered
14th February 1991
Date of Effect
14th February 1991
City/District Council
Waipā District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Allot 569 Town of Cambridge West (RT 451551, NZ Gazette 1984 p.3529), South Auckland Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
4193
Date Entered
14th February 1991
Date of Effect
14th February 1991
City/District Council
Waipā District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Allot 569 Town of Cambridge West (RT 451551, NZ Gazette 1984 p.3529), South Auckland Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Unlike the decorative rotundas used largely as speaking platforms or for concerts in public domains early this century, the Leamington structure, incorporating the sports pavilion with kitchen and dressing-rooms, was a more versatile community facility. It is also a visible reminder of the self-sufficient Leamington community which was not incorporated into Cambridge Borough until 1958.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: The Leamington Band Rotunda is a large example of an Edwardian band rotunda. The scale and quality of its cast-iron decoration and the grand but unusual proportions mark this as one of New Zealand's best rotundas. The provision of a dressing-room underneath an elevated bandstand may well be unique in this country. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Although other Domain amenities are sited close to the rotunda, the park setting and long views from Wordsworth Street give the building a prominence which transcends its small scale.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Unlike the decorative rotundas used largely as speaking platforms or for concerts in public domains early this century, the Leamington structure, incorporating the sports pavilion with kitchen and dressing-rooms, was a more versatile community facility. It is also a visible reminder of the self-sufficient Leamington community which was not incorporated into Cambridge Borough until 1958.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: The Leamington Band Rotunda is a large example of an Edwardian band rotunda. The scale and quality of its cast-iron decoration and the grand but unusual proportions mark this as one of New Zealand's best rotundas. The provision of a dressing-room underneath an elevated bandstand may well be unique in this country. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Although other Domain amenities are sited close to the rotunda, the park setting and long views from Wordsworth Street give the building a prominence which transcends its small scale.
Construction Professional
Name
Reid, Charles
Type
Architect
Biography
Little is known of Charles Reid. He was listed as a practising architect in Cambridge between 1913 and 1915 and later in 1915 appeared registered as an associate to the NZ Institute of Architects. Other buildings known to be designed by Reid include the Whakatane Borough Council Municipal Buildings.
Construction Details
Type
Modification
Description
3-pane swivel windows boarded up. Door of eastern porch blocked in. Access stairs to bandstand removed. Two filigree brackets removed
Start Year
1984
startYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Bandstand repiled and raised approximately 190mm. PVC plumbing installed
Start Year
1910
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Concrete and timber footings. Ground floor, timber frame construction of heart totara and kauri, clad in rusticated weatherboarding. Second floor pavilion supported on eight turned kauri posts. Long run corrugated steel roofing on cupola and verandah. Cast iron valance ornament and roof finial.
Notable Features
Iron work; finial.
Construction Professional
Name
Reid, Charles
Type
Architect
Biography
Little is known of Charles Reid. He was listed as a practising architect in Cambridge between 1913 and 1915 and later in 1915 appeared registered as an associate to the NZ Institute of Architects. Other buildings known to be designed by Reid include the Whakatane Borough Council Municipal Buildings.
Construction Details
Type
Modification
Description
3-pane swivel windows boarded up. Door of eastern porch blocked in. Access stairs to bandstand removed. Two filigree brackets removed
Start Year
1984
startYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Bandstand repiled and raised approximately 190mm. PVC plumbing installed
Start Year
1910
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Concrete and timber footings. Ground floor, timber frame construction of heart totara and kauri, clad in rusticated weatherboarding. Second floor pavilion supported on eight turned kauri posts. Long run corrugated steel roofing on cupola and verandah. Cast iron valance ornament and roof finial.
Notable Features
Iron work; finial.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The band rotunda is an octagonal pavilion, six metres in diameter. A two metre wide verandah with a bull-nose roof encloses three sides of the ground storey. The verandah is supported on turned kauri posts decorated with cast iron brackets with frieze bearing a cornucopia motif. The second floor bandstand has eight turned kauri posts enclosed by a finely detailed balustrade. There is a cast-iron frieze with brackets. A simple bench cantilevered from the posts extends around five sides of the rotunda. The tongue-and-groove ceiling radiates from a plaster patera. The rotunda is capped by a cupola and finial. MODIFICATIONS: Date unknown: - 3-pane swivel windows boarded up - Door of eastern porch blocked in - Access stairs to bandstand removed - two filigree brackets removed C.1984: - Bandstand repiled and raised approximately 190mm - PVC plumbing installed
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The band rotunda is an octagonal pavilion, six metres in diameter. A two metre wide verandah with a bull-nose roof encloses three sides of the ground storey. The verandah is supported on turned kauri posts decorated with cast iron brackets with frieze bearing a cornucopia motif. The second floor bandstand has eight turned kauri posts enclosed by a finely detailed balustrade. There is a cast-iron frieze with brackets. A simple bench cantilevered from the posts extends around five sides of the rotunda. The tongue-and-groove ceiling radiates from a plaster patera. The rotunda is capped by a cupola and finial. MODIFICATIONS: Date unknown: - 3-pane swivel windows boarded up - Door of eastern porch blocked in - Access stairs to bandstand removed - two filigree brackets removed C.1984: - Bandstand repiled and raised approximately 190mm - PVC plumbing installed
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives (AJHR)
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives
Beer, 1975
Plough of the Pakeha. Cambridge: Cambridge Historical Society, 1975.
Wises Post Office Directories
Wises Post Office Directories
New Zealand Building Progress
New Zealand Building Progress
New Zealand Gazette
New Zealand Gazette
Waikato Times
Parker, 1986
S K Parker, Cambridge: An Illustrated History 1886-1986: The Centenary of Local Government in Cambridge, Cambridge 1986
Cambridge Independent
Cambridge Independent
Waikato Argus
Waikato Argus
Waikato Independent
Waikato Independent
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives (AJHR)
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives
Beer, 1975
Plough of the Pakeha. Cambridge: Cambridge Historical Society, 1975.
Wises Post Office Directories
Wises Post Office Directories
New Zealand Building Progress
New Zealand Building Progress
New Zealand Gazette
New Zealand Gazette
Waikato Times
Parker, 1986
S K Parker, Cambridge: An Illustrated History 1886-1986: The Centenary of Local Government in Cambridge, Cambridge 1986
Cambridge Independent
Cambridge Independent
Waikato Argus
Waikato Argus
Waikato Independent
Waikato Independent
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Bandstand/Rotunda
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Bandstand/Rotunda
Location
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