Timaru Civic Trust: Botanic Gardens band rotunda

By Roselyn Fauth

Timaru’s Botanic Gardens rotunda commemorates the 1911 coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

This was at a time when brass and military bands were central to civic occasions and public recreation, and rotundas gave musicians a place to perform and communities a place to gather.

Rotundas and bandstands were built across New Zealand, and examples still survive in public parks such as Waimate and Temuka. Timaru used to have a rotunda at Caroline Bay, built around 1905 by private subscription, and another at Alexandra Sq, gifted by Charles Bowker and opened in 1904.

The Government had a subsidy scheme for coronation projects to express loyalty to the Crown and the British Empire, and to create something useful for communities.

Coronation projects for our neighbouring boroughs included halls at Woodbury and Ōrari, and Coronation Baths, a memorial fountain, and a boundary fence in Temuka.

In 1911, the Rugby Union (footballers), led by its president Arthur Shirtcliffe, discussed creating a coronation memorial for Timaru. James Craigie, who was mayor at the time, suggested a rotunda.

​A football match raised £60, Craigie gave £30, the Borough Council £50, and the balance came from public subscriptions and other local support. The Government matched the coronation project fundraising with £157, making the final total £314.

The timber ceiling was designed to curve downward to spread the sound, and the location by the pond was chosen to work like a natural amphitheatre. It had an octagonal footprint, 23 feet in diameter (approximately 7 metres), eight fluted concrete columns, grey cement work, and brown-stained shingled eaves beneath a russet brown roof. Hall and Marchant architects designed it, and Messrs Baird and Sons built it.

The rotunda officially opened on March 14, 1912. Crowds gathered on the slopes, Arthur Shirtcliffe handed the rotunda over on behalf of the footballers, mayoress Catherine Craigie cut the ribbon, and the Garrison and Marine bands played. The Timaru Herald described the grounds as the Botanical Gardens, “formerly the Park, but no longer so”. The rotunda was part of that development.

A year later, James Craigie presented the Robert Burns statue to the people of Timaru in the gardens. In 1914, a Floral Fete committee formed to raise funds for improvements. By 1927, attractions included possums, kea, swans, deer, emu, and even a monkey called Bridget. The Queen Victoria Fountain was relocated in 1960 from King George Place into the gardens, and trees have been planted over the years to mark royal milestones.

Since The Park was set aside as a reserve in 1864, its transformation into a Botanic Garden had been shaped by council staff and the community. The built heritage is woven through that history. The Gloucester Gates, fountains, caretaker’s cottage, conservatory, 1922 tea kiosk, and band rotunda each mark stages in the gardens’ growth. The built heritage is both useful and beautiful. The rotunda belongs firmly in that legacy.

Brought to you by the Timaru Civic Trust, celebrating our built heritage and the people who keep it alive.