Band Rotunda
Built in 1916 of cast iron and kauri, the Hamilton Band Rotunda is located between Grantham, Victoria and Bridge Streets. It was constructed on Ferrybank, following persuasion by the Hamilton Beautifying Society, as the area was considered at the time to be unattractive. For a number of years it would have hosted performances by brass bands, particularly on Sunday afternoons. Early performances were by the Frankton Municipal Band on 24 September 1916 and the 16th (Waikato) Regimental Band on 15 October 1916. Both were well attended. Other early users were the Hamilton Municipal Band and the Matangi Maori Band. In recent years it has been the host of occasional summer gigs, including the Punk Picnic events.
The structure is classed by the Historic Places Trust as a category II building, and in the Hamilton District plan as having an A rating (i.e., of highly significant heritage value to Hamilton). It was constructed by C.L. Lowe, at a cost of £362 10s. The trees in the area were planted by the Hamilton Beautifying Society in the 1910s.
References
- Architrek: A Walk Through Hamilton's Historic Southend. City of Hamilton Pamphlet, 1995.
