Napier’s Forgotten Building.

Mayor Bill Dalton has revealed a proposal being explored by the Napier City Council to build a new “Memorial Library” in Clive Square.

In order for this plan to be brought to fruition, Mr Dalton says it would be necessary to demolish the former Mothers’ Rest building (Community Centre). Mr Dalton also suggests that a new library on that site could house the Eternal Flame and plaques listing those who gave their lives in World War II,  that have been removed from the renovated and extended Napier Conference Centre on the Marine Parade.

These proposals overlook the fact that the former Mothers’ Rest building has an important history of its own and, for this reason, is listed on the Council’s District Plan as a heritage building.  Not only was it built in 1925 as a memorial to the citizens of Napier who gave their lives in the First World War, it is also a landmark building as part of women’s social history in New Zealand.  (more…)