Greymouth South African War memorial

Richard Seddon was a great believer in the propaganda impact of South African War memorials and their potential to inspire national pride and imperial loyalty. On home ground on the South Island’s West Coast, he urged Greymouth, Reefton and Westport to follow Hokitika’s example and erect a memorial honouring their contribution to the war.

The County Chairman, Mr Guinness, responded diplomatically, pointing out Greymouth had lost only one soldier in the conflict.

For its memorial Greymouth chose to erect a band rotunda topped by a metal weathervane in Dixon Park. It was the only town in New Zealand to choose a functional and utilitarian memorial, which could be used for the playing of martial and patriotic music.

Further information

• West Coast Times, 4 June 1903, p. 3
• Chris Maclean and Jock Phillips, The Sorrow and the Pride: New Zealand War Memorials, GP Books, Wellington, 1990