A popular commuter hub with a very special historical twist. The Flagpole here is to commemorate the collegiality of Railway workers from Petone and those from Hornsby New South Wales when posted to the First World War together. The pole, made from Kauri and Australian timber was put up during the war rather than after, the 1916 service being attended by high level dignitaries from Australia and New Zealand as well as the community. Hornsby now has a large Granite memorial and roll of honour, completed in 1923. In turn, the Petone flagpole is painted white, somewhat obscured by a large windblown Pohutakawa and doesn't often fly a flag.
Heritage New Zealand tells us*,"Petone Railway Workshop, . . played a central role in establishing Petone as an important industrial and manufacturing centre in New Zealand."*
Image Credit: Railway Workshops, Petone, Wellington, New Zealand, by Burton Brothers studio, maker unknown. Te Papa (C.014808)
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