Foxton Courthouse
The Foxton Courthouse is a historic building in the township of Foxton, New Zealand.
Use as a courthouse[edit]
The brick building was constructed in 1929. The previous wooden building, constructed in 1867, was described as a "the eyesore of the main street", prompting calls for its replacement.[1][2] The building work was undertaken by Mr T. W. Hunt of Foxton.[3]
Historian Tony Hunt recorded in his history of Foxton that until 1948 the court heard civil and criminal cases, and after this date civil cases were heard elsewhere.[4] The courthouse closed in 1971.[4]
Notable cases[edit]
The courthouse was the location of the coroner's inquest into the Foxton Tragedy (also known as the Himatangi Tragedy) which occurred in 1929 shortly after the new building opened.[5][6]
Foxton Museum and Foxton Historical Society[edit]
The courthouse became the home of the Foxton Historical Society's museum collection.[7] In 2013 the building was closed by the Horowhenua District Council as it was deemed an earthquake risk.[8] The Foxton Historical Society has signaled its intention to fundraise to undertake the required earthquake strengthening and reopen the building as a museum.[9] In February 2020 it was reported that the society was continuing to work on a business case for the development.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ "Looking back". Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Courthouse at Foxton: New building wanted". Manawatu Standard. 6 September 1927. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Sixty-year old courthouse". Horowhenua Chronicle. 19 January 1929. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ a b Hunt, A. N. (Tony) (1987). Foxton 1888-1988: the first 100 years. Foxton: Foxton Borough Council. p. 155. ISBN 0-473-00590-5.
- ^ "Himatangi Tragedy, 1929". NZHistory. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ "Coroner's Inquest Proved Murder, but Failed To Name The Murderer". NZ Truth. 24 October 1929. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ "Foxton Historical Society Museum". NZ Museums. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ King, Kathryn (9 August 2013). "Quake risk closes two buildings, four at risk". Manawatu Standard.
- ^ Williams, Paul (10 May 2019). "Foxton group hopeful of retaining earthquake-prone building". Horowhenua Chronicle. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ Moore, Rachel (11 February 2020). "More time sought for Foxton Courthouse Museum sale". Manawatū Standard. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
40°28′15″S 175°16′54″E / 40.47091°S 175.28176°E
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