Mount Victoria (Wellington hill)

Hill in Wellington, New Zealand

For Mount Victoria, Auckland, see Mount Victoria (Auckland).

Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria seen from Oriental Bay

Highest point
Elevation| 196 m (643 ft)
Coordinates| 41°17′46″S 174°47′46″E﻿ / ﻿41.296056°S 174.796083°E﻿ / -41.296056; 174.796083
Geography

Location| North Island, New Zealand

Mount Victoria, also known as Matairangi and colloquially as Mt Vic, is a prominent 196-metre (643 ft) hill immediately to the east of central Wellington, New Zealand. About 4 kilometres due south is a spur named Mount Albert and the two are linked by a ridge. Mount Victoria gives its name to the suburb of Mount Victoria to the west. It is bounded by the suburbs of Oriental Bay to the north, Roseneath and Hataitai to the east and Newtown to the south of the suburb of Mount Victoria. Constable Street, Newtown and Wellington Road, Hataitai mark the southern boundary.

## History

[edit]

Mount Victoria's original Māori name is Tangi Te Keo,[1] though Matairangi is also used.[2] The first name derives from a legend in which two taniwha tried to escape from Wellington Harbour which was then an enclosed lake. One taniwha became stranded and died, and its spirit turned into a bird named Te Keo, which flew to the top of the mountain and mourned (tangi).[1] The second name translates as "to examine the sky".[3]

### New Zealand Company - Town Belt

[edit]

Main article: Wellington Town Belt

Mount Victoria is within the area of land set aside when Wellington was laid out in 1840 by the New Zealand Company to form access to green areas for all the towns citizens. It was intended to be a broad belt of land, the Wellington Town Belt, which ... the Company intends to be public property, on condition that no buildings ever be erected upon it.[4]

In May 1877 a letter from a Wellington resident was published in the New Zealand Times which pointed out that lessees of the Town Belt, including Mount Victoria, did not have the right to lease the land, and fencing should not be erected by them on the land as it was open to the public. This appears to have ignored by the Council as in June it was announced that some almost 900 acres of the Town Belt were to be leased for 14 years, including almost 70 acres on Mount Victoria.[5][6]

In July 1897 the Mayor, Francis Bell, put forward a scheme whereby most of the eastern side of the town belt being some 267 acres, except the top of Mount Victoria and Newtown Park, would be sold in exchange for acquiring the Miramar Peninsula and turning that area into a replacement park.[7] At the Council meeting in August his ideas were discussed and after a vote the proposed sale of the town belt land was declined.[8]

The Provincial Government took under the Wellington City Reserves Act 1872 143 acres town belt at Mount Victoria in 1872 for what is now Wellington College in 1874, and Wellington Hospital including a Lunatic Asylum in 1876.[9] A further 5 acres were set apart for the Signal Station under the Second Schedule of the Act. This was followed by Central Government taking land for Government House in 1910, and Wellington East Girls' College in 1925.

### Scenic and recreational use

[edit]

Mount Victoria was used for casual and organised walks from the early days of Wellington's settlement.[10] The view of Wellington and its surrounds was already notable by 1846.

> From that elevation, the scenic effects are superb; hill, dale, and water are spread out in infinite variety and majesty. Wellington is completely commanded from this sublime birdseve view; the full extent of the valley of the Hutt, with its clustering tiers of lordly mountains, lies open to your ken. Evans' Bay, with the adjacent sheet of Burnham water, glanced blue and beautiful in the glorious sunlight; whilst,. harbour-wards, the towering spars and square I yards of the men-of-war appeared to be diminished to mere whip-sticks. It was, truly, a heavenly day.

> — Voyager, "From North Cape to the Bluff - 1846", New Zealander, volume XIX, issue 1863, page 3 (11 April 1863)[11]

In 1901 Jessie Mackay, writing in the Otago Witness, gave a description in a poetic manner of the panoramic view from the summit by the Signal Station. The climb was described as steep, the Kaikōura Ranges obscured by haze, Lyall Bay, Kilbirnie, Berhampore, Brooklyn were all in view with Mackay commenting on the steepness of the slopes on which the city was being built. The views of Te Aro flat and Thorndon are also described with the Manawatu railway line diving into the hills in the north of the city. Further around the view of the Hutt Valley, Tararua Range, Remutaka Range, and Matiu / Somes Island.[12]

The first event recorded on Mount Victoria was a running race from the summit to The New Zealander, Mr Jenkins public bar, on Te Aro Flat in January 1844. A harrier club, the Wellington Beagles, in 1886 used the ridge from Kilibirnie to the top of Mount Victoria as part of their long distance run.[13][14][15]

### Roads and tracks

[edit]

From the 1870's there was a track running roughly north-south from Mount Victoria, along the ridge to Constable Street, Newtown and then across the road to Mount Albert.[16] Another track from a similar time ran from Pirie Street, across Mount Victoria's southern ridge to Kilbirnie.[17]

Access to Roseneath from Oriental Bay was created by a right of way extending Grass Street across the Town Belt to The Crescent, Roseneath in 1891. The main route to Roseneath was up Maidavale Road to Grafton Road and The Crescent.[18]

In 1898 a correspondent to the local paper suggested that a carriage road should be created from Kilbirnie to the signal station on Mount Victoria.[19] Prior to July 1899 a cutting had been made at the top of Constable Street, Newtown through the Town Belt to connect Newtown and Kilbirnie by Road. The cutting divided the ridge to Mount Victoria from the ridge to Mount Albert[20]

### Vegetation

[edit]

In 1880 the Council began plantings of pines on the western face of Mount Victoria.[21] By 1888 gorse had become a significant problem in the areas of Mount Victoria that were used for grazing prompting requests for it to be brought under control due to it being a fire hazard. Occasional fires did break out bringing danger to adjoining houses.[22][23]

In 1895 comment was made about the barren slopes of Mount Victoria and suggested Australian Wattle should be planted on it.[24] The Council began planting some 500 trees and fence some 12 acres overlooking Oriental Bay.[25]

### Mysteries and oddities

[edit]

* In 1852 some children playing near the top of the hill came across a human skeleton. It was believed to have been that of a Maori lady and to have been there many years.[26]
* On what is now Brougham Street, there was an estimated 20 foot deep hole called locally Drans-feldts Lug or the Devils Ear. It was reported in the paper in 1870, but had been there for many years prior.[27]
* In 1878 a Roman coin from Julius Caesar's time was found buried about two feet under the ground on Mount Victoria. Its origins were unknown.[28]
* In the 1893 New Zealand general election, on being challenged as to his sincerity and fitness to stand, William Thomas Locke Travis challenged his opponents who were over 30 years age to walk with him up the steepest track to the top of Mount Vicotris. The story of this challenge was picked up in numerous newspapers throughout New Zealand. Travis lost the election to Robert Stout and came last overall. As to the Mount Victoria challenge, no mention of it being accepted was made in the papers.[29][30]

### Farming

[edit]

Sheep and cattle were casually farmed on Mount Victoria for a number years from the 1850's. In December 1864 the Town Board sought tenders to rent some 70 acres of the Mount Victoria Reserve for 14 years.[6] In 1880 an almost 27 acre block around the Signal Station was put up for pastoral lease with a 14 year term.[31]

### Military

[edit]

Under the Militia Ordinance of 1845 a Militia was formed in Wellington. It undertook occasional training and on one occurrence had to drag a heavy cannon up to the summit of Mount Victoria.[32] Soldiers of the 65th Regiment were stationed at Mt Cook barracks in Wellington. They were involved in fire fighting around the township while stationed there, including a bush fire on Mount Victoria in 1851.[33] The eastern side of Mt Victoria was used by the Militia for target practice in 1860.[34] By 1863 the Militia was also joined by Volunteers who practiced skirmishing on Mount Victoria under Major Edward Gorton's instruction.[35]

In 1884 and 1885 the Signaling Squad of the Wellington Guards used Mount's Victoria and Albert for signalling practice.[36] In 1900 the Wellington Rifle Battalion used Mount Victoria for field exercises.[37]

The installation of a couple of heavy cannons and machine guns on the Mount Victoria overlooking the inner harbour were suggested in 1886. This suggestion arose out of the Russian scares of the 1870-1880 period. At the time this article was published the Russian cruiser Vestnik was visiting Wellington. A focus at the time was also on the defense of Wellington in case of landings on the south coast. Major-General Henry Schaw, CB (1829—1902), Royal Engineers, stated in a lecture on cities defense that Mount Victoria would be a strategic target for any such invading force.[38][39]

### Gold

[edit]

In 1863 a Mr Haybittle reported finding gold on Mount Victoria and on the beach below.[40] Nothing further was published until 1870 when the Wellington Independent reported that a drive of 100 feet had been driven in on the Evans Bay side of Mount Victoria in the hope of finding a gold bearing quartz reef. This was hoped to be linked to the one at Ngauranga.[41]

### Signal station

[edit]

In 1866 a signal relay station was set up on the summit by the Wellington Harbour Master on 5 acres of land vested in the Harbour Board. It had previously been located on Mt Albert. Mrs Ruth France was appointed its keeper. Later notices that same year had Frederick France who had married an Isabella Ross as being the keeper. Frederick France was not appointed as keeper until August 1873, replacing Ruth France.[42][43][44][45][46]

In April 1877 a suggestion was made by the Venerable Archdeacon Stock to place a time gun on Mount Victoria, to be managed by the keeper. This was in replacement of the time-ball as it was no longer generally visible due to the development of the City. The matter was discussed by the Council with it being suggested that the gun and ammunition be supplied by the Council if the Government gave consent. This the Government, through the Customs Department, agreed to ordering the signal keeper to fire the gun. Because of this the City Surveyor was tasked with obtaining the time gun. A gun, an old 24 pounder from Fort Britomart, was shipped on the Stella to Wellington, arriving in October.[47][48][49][50][51]

The gun was initially taken to the Council depot while the Council tried to find a way to get it to the top of Mount Victoria. After tenders were called for the task and declined Council decided to ask the Artillery Volunteers to undertake the task. This they agreed to do for the sum of £25, well below the lowest tender of £60. The Volunteers began to move the gun on 24 November, reaching the top of Marjoribanks Street that day. The local paper quipped that at this rate of progress it should be in place for the 1900 new years celebrations. The gun was in place by 1 December. Mount Victoria to its top from Majoribanks Street is very steep, with the Volunteers using block and tackle to raise the gun up this slope.[52][53][54][55][56]

The guns first use as a time gun was on 2 February 1878, although it had been fired on at least three occasions prior, when first placed on Mount Victoria, on New Years Eve, and to celebrate the return of Major Pearce to Wellington. Later that year a wire was run from the Telegraph office to the gun so it could be remotely set off. By July 1879 it was reported the gun, while used on special occasions, was no longer in use as a time gun. Whether this was correct is unknown as in April 1880 the Council had voted to continue its use. By 1888 the gun had fallen into disuse and a local firm J Robinson and Foley approached the Harbour Board to ask if they could use it. Robinson and Foley used the gun to indicate the start of the 1889 new year.[57][58][59][60][61]

The time ball was also in use throughout this period. In 1882 a mariner suggested that it should be moved up on to Mount Victoria as well. Its then location on the Customs Building was difficult to see. After deliberation by the Harbour Board and the an investigation by the Marine Department the Department decided in 1884 that a time ball on Mount Victoria was impractical. The Harbour Board Engineer, in June 1885, reported that either Mount Victoria or the hill behind the Terrace School were the best sites.[62][63][64]

In December 1883 the keeper, France, tendered his resignation due to ill health. Mr Luman, the Chief Signalman at Beacon Hill, replaced him. At some point between 1866 and 1885 a residence had been built next to the Signal Station for the keeper as approval was granted to add an extra room to it in 1885. In 1891 a tender was accepted for a new house for the signalman on Mount Victoria. The tender was from T O'Laughlin for £240 13s 11d.[65][66][67]

### Quarry

[edit]

In 1867 R M Skeet, City Surveyor, noted that there was suitable metal (gravel) for streets on Mount Victoria. This was used by the contractor, a Mr Tonks, for work on metalling Cuba Street.[68][69] By July there were probably several quarries operating on Mount Victoria. Dr Hector advised the Town Board that the material quarried there was very suitable for roading. An issue arose in 1875 with Council workers blasting the rocks in the quarry adjoining Marjoribanks Street. Rocks and debris rained down on residential properties nearby.[70][71]

By 1880 a writer to the Evening Post complained about the immense excavation destroying Mount Victoria. This prompted similar letters along the same lines. These complaints must have had sufficient backing because Councils Public Works Committee sought to have the quarries closed.[72][73]

### Tunnels

[edit]

#### Transport

[edit]

The first suggestion of a tunnel through Mount Victoria from the suburb to Evans Bay was in 1876. James Crawford raised the issue again in 1884.[74][75] With the development of Kilbirnie through the late 1800's calls were renewed for a tunnel from the city under Mount Victoria. Kilbirnie at that time was part of the Melrose Borough Council area. This became a major election issue in the 1901 Melrose Borough elections with canditdates either supporting or opposing funding a tunnel.[76][77] The syndicate that bought the Jenkins Estate (now know as Hataitai) put forward a proposal whereby they would contribute 1/12th the cost of the tunnel and pay a further contribution through levied rates for the construction of a tunnel from Elizabeth Street, Mount Victoria to Hataitai.[78]

In 1931, the Mount Victoria Tunnel was opened,[79] connecting the suburbs of Mount Victoria and Hataitai.

#### Tram

[edit]

With the commencement of tramways in Wellington mention was made of creating a tunnel under Mount Victoria to bring trams to Kilbirnie. A suggestion was made that a double tack tunnel would be best if the lines were likely to be extended to Miramar.[80]

#### Railway

[edit]

In 1889 the Railways Department was considering putting a branch line from its Wellington Station across Te Aro flat to the base of Mount Victoria. As part of this, thought was being given to extending the line as far as Kilbirnie by way of a tunnel through Mount Victoria to Hataitai.[81]

#### Sewage

[edit]

A Council meeting in January 1877 received a report from Daniel Climie, City Engineer, for the disposal of sewage from the city by way of a tunnel through Mount Victoria to Evans Bay. At Evans Bay, Coutts Crawford, the owner of all the land on the Miramar Peninsula, intended to use it for fertilizer.[82] Construction of the sewage scheme, including the tunnnel, did not commence until 1897 with completion on 11 March 1898.[83] The tunnel runs from Hospital Road, Newtown to Duncan Terrace, Kilbirnie crossing undergound just inside of Mount Vicotria's then southern boundary.[84]

### Broadcasting transmitters

[edit]

Television broadcasts began in Wellington on 1 July 1961, broadcast from a transmitter atop Mount Victoria. In 1967, the Mount Victoria transmitter was replaced with a more powerful transmitter at Mount Kaukau.[85]

## Amenities

[edit]

Mount Victoria is a popular walk for tourists and Wellingtonians alike, as from the summit one can see most of Wellington. There are numerous mountain bike and walking tracks on the hill.

## Gallery

[edit]

* Mount Victoria in 1885

* The New Zealand National Memorial to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd

* The Mount Victoria Transmission Tower

* View of Wellington City from Mount Victoria

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Keane, Basil (24 September 2007). "Taniwha – Taniwha of the sea". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
2. ^ Wellington City Council (1 September 2016). "Mount Victoria / Matairangi Master Plan".
3. ^ Wright + Associates (June 2015). "Mount Victoria – Matairangi Master Plan – June 2015" (PDF). Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
4. ^ City Parks and green spaces, Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Quoted in Walter Cook, 'Wellington's town belt – a people's park and a heritage for everyone. The 1991 Ian Galloway Memorial Lecture.' Horticulture in New Zealand 2, no. 2 (Winter 1991), p.15. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand accessed 17 February 2016
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