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The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
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ContributorTom Hartill
ContributorTom HartillShown in this image
Location (city or town)GreymouthLandmark (Place)Boundary Street
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LinkWW1Date Created15th April 2015Comments
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· Judnst tStecndoponswomredio ·
Donald Hibbs writes: In 1920 the Hokitika Chamber of Commerce applied for two WW1 trophy guns to be displayed as memorials either side of the Seddon statue. They were part of 150 trophy guns that were to be housed in a museum but this plan fell flat and councils were invited to apply to have them as memorials.
Having been mounted in concrete and painted the Guns Flanked the statue of Richard Seddon for some 20 years, complete with gardens, a picket fence and Marble plaques ex… See More
Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
WESTCOAST.RECOLLECT.CO.NZ
Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
Location (city or town): Hokitika | Contributor: Donald Hibbs | Read the full record details for Photograph: Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
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· tSrp2onshorteld ·
Geoffrey Bell.."Something at the back of my mind tells me that this Cannon was buried at the Westport Race Course. This used to happen when War broke out so it couldn't be used if the Country was occupied. Happened in Christchurch when a Cannon was buried on a property on Carmen Road. Can anyone offer more information about the Westport theory?"
The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
WESTCOAST.RECOLLECT.CO.NZ
The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
Location (city or town): Greymouth | Contributor: Tom Hartill | Read the full record details for Photograph: The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
Geoffrey Bell
I think we have this sorted now after the recent postings about the cannons and their placements. This one and the Hokitika one were the same or similar and were fort defence guns. The Westport one was a field gun. The Hokitika one still exists, the Greymouth one was buried and the Westport one blew up when fired during later celebrations, killing the gunner and wounding onlookers.
Steve Lowe
The story I heard when I was young was the Hokitika one was due to be sent away to be melted down during WWII - Some quickly poured concrete down the barrel (actually it was just plugged) and that save it... I'm fairly sure the story went the cannon was on a railway wagon! I thought the story was the Greymouth one was sent away for scrap... If it is buried and I wonder where and could it be recovered???
Andrew John Wilson
Westport had the only Rail Gun in NZ . It also had a gun near the Boer War memorial. I did hear that the guns displayed at the Westport memorial gates went to Wellington and are now displayed (not certain how) at the gate or entrance to defences house. It was suggested by locals that they should be returned. Lots of military display pieces were buried early 40s due to thoughts they my be of use to others
George Gardner
Geoffrey, my historical research notes indicate that the Westport gun that blew up as you say, occurred on New Years Eve 1895/96. Would you be referring to a later incident as this date is surely way back in time to the present discussion?
Geoffrey Bell
I think we have this sorted now after the recent postings about the cannons and their placements. This one and the Hokitika one were the same or similar and were fort defence guns. The Westport one was a field gun. The Hokitika one still exists, the Gr… See More
Steve Lowe
The story I heard when I was young was the Hokitika one was due to be sent away to be melted down during WWII - Some quickly poured concrete down the barrel (actually it was just plugged) and that save it... I'm fairly sure the story went the cannon was on a railway wagon! I thought the story was the Greymouth one was sent away for scrap... If it is buried and I wonder where and could it be recovered???
Andrew John Wilson
Westport had the only Rail Gun in NZ . It also had a gun near the Boer War memorial. I did hear that the guns displayed at the Westport memorial gates went to Wellington and are now displayed (not certain how) at the gate or entrance to defences house. It was suggested by locals that they should be returned. Lots of military display pieces were buried early 40s due to thoughts they my be of use to others
George Gardner
Geoffrey, my historical research notes indicate that the Westport gun that blew up as you say, occurred on New Years Eve 1895/96. Would you be referring to a later incident as this date is surely way back in time to the present discussion?
Trevor Alty
There were two cannons situated at Victoria Square, close to the Memorial gates. One from the Maori war era and one from the Boer War as I recall from researching this. As stated one blew up when fired New Years Eve. The other finally made its way to the Army Museum at Waiouru where it is currently on display .
Trevor Alty
Here is what I found out about the Westport cannons. A while back I posted this pic of two light Artillery pieces that sat in Victoria Square Westport. Early 1900"s.
Cannons
Cannons.jpg
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62370645_1812972098806044_286282187576180736_n.jpg
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There was talk that they had been buried at the beginning of WW11. However on a Westport FB Page. The true story surfaced thanks to the Local News Paper and local Historians. Makes an intresting read. Sure you will like the story Lammerlaw.
A reporter from the Westport News recently contacted the National Army Museum in the pursuit of trying to find out what ever happened to a 40 pounder artillery gun that used to stand in Victoria Park in Westport. Much to their delight we realised it was in fact the same gun that now sits in front of the museum here in Waiouru.
In 1863 two 40-pounder Rifled Breech Loading (RBL) Armstrong field guns were landed in New Zealand along with their 6, 9 and 12 pound contemporaries. These guns equipped 3 Battery, 4 Brigade of the Royal Artillery. The Armstrong 40 Pounder guns first saw action at the battle for Mere Mere and were in the process of being moved to the siege at Rangiriri when they became stuck. Because of their weight they were both moved to Auckland and in 1870 were sold to the New Zealand Government, rather than be taken back to England.
The two 40-pounders were sited at North Head for coastal defence until one was destroyed in an explosion in 1878. In 1895 the last 40-pounder was moved to Takapuna for storage where it lay until 1903. At which time it was shipped to Westport to defend the port should the Russian Pacific Fleet try to take fuel (coal) by force. In 1906 the threat had passed and the gun was moved to Westport’s Victoria Park as a monument to the Boer War.
When the original carriage collapsed the barrel was moved to the Council yard until it was donated to the National Army Museum.
Calibre: 120 mm
Weight: 1,803 kg
There were two guns at the square, one used to be fired with a dummy load on special occasions just to create a bang. The last time it was fired they got a bit over zealous with the amount of charge and the gun had a catastrophic failure, lots of broken windows and serious injuries, can’t remember if anyone was killed. What was left was scrapped.
The cannon that burst was an old five-pounder gun, which was fired to celebrate the advent of the New Year in 1894/95. A boy named Charles Green was killed (buried in the old cemetery), James Howard (buried in the middle cemetery), had his right arm shattered and Paterson, master of the harbour dredge at the time, had two ribs broken. Howard petitioned parliament many times before finally receiving a small sum in compensation for his injury.
Trevor Alty
The Westport Cannons.
Trevor Alty
A close up
Image may contain: outdoor, text that says 'RELIO OF THE MAORI WAR: AN OLD 40-POUNDER ARMSTRONG GUN, PRESENTED TO THE BOROUGH OP WESTPORT BY THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. D. Maloney, Photo.'
· Reply · 3h
Kerry Molloy
Geoff. Re the cannon buried on the Carmen rd Hornby propertyThat property was once a independent living unit for patients of the old sunnsyside hospital.My mate Dave Long was charge nurse at one point and he in fact researched this ..Seems extensive excavations and latterly radar probes of the lawns in front of the mansion were carried out in accordance with where it was calimed the gun was buried ,but nowt was ever found to even suggest it was actually there.Id heard some years ago (in another variation) that it was ?recovered and smelted down,although i regard that with extreme scepticism
Brian McIntyre
John McIntyre
Mary Phillips
Is this Mawhera Quay Tom Hartill do you know ?
John McIntyre
Wear is the cannon now
Tom Hartill
I don't know where this is in Greymouth Mary Phillips
Brian McIntyre
Is that the cannon that was in an earlier posting at the Boundary St rotunda Margaret Elaine Sadler
Heather Newby
didnt it go to Westport?
Tom Hartill
Does anyone know what the flag is?
Margaret Elaine Sadler
Do you mean the one where my grandmother did her courting?
Brian McIntyre
I think so Margaret Elaine Sadler
Margaret Elaine Sadler
It was pointing the right way?
Brian McIntyre
This one appears to have smaller wheels and i cant tell how long the barrel is in comparison
Brian McIntyre
John McIntyre
John Rosanowski
Is this the cannon the judges used when adjudicating brass band contests ??
Margaret Elaine Sadler
Same flag anyone know what it represented? Or King Dick personal flag.?
Brian McIntyre
Was that the flag tht was flying at the Arahura Pa in a recent post. Was it the Confederation of tribes flag?
Geoffrey Bell
Tom Hartill. The flag is a "Civil Jack", or "Pilot Jack". Used by British Merchant or Civil Vessels, when in Harbour or Anchored, and particularly Pilot Boats. It featured a Union Jack with a white border. The one Margaret posted, with Dick Seddon, seems to have the head of Queen Victoria on the side.
Geoffrey Bell
The flag flown at the Arahura Pa, Brian McIntyre, was different.
Geoffrey Bell
The cannon is probably a British 24 pounder and mounted on a 24 pounder Iron Carriage.
Geoffrey Bell
Something at the back of my mind tells me that this Cannon was buried at the Westport Race Course. This used to happen when War broke out so it couldn't be used if the Country was occupied. Happened in Christchurch when a Cannon was buried on a property on Carmen Road. A number of years ago an excavation team went digging for it. I can't remember whether it was found or not. Can anyone offer more information about the Westport theory?
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Laura Mills Detlaff shared a link.
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· Judnst tStecndoponswomredio ·
Donald Hibbs writes: In 1920 the Hokitika Chamber of Commerce applied for two WW1 trophy guns to be displayed as memorials either side of the Seddon statue. They were part of 150 trophy guns that were to be housed in a museum but this plan fell flat and councils were invited to apply to have them as memorials.
Having been mounted in concrete and painted the Guns Flanked the statue of Richard Seddon for some 20 years, complete with gardens, a picket fence and Marble plaques ex… See More
Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
WESTCOAST.RECOLLECT.CO.NZ
Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
Location (city or town): Hokitika | Contributor: Donald Hibbs | Read the full record details for Photograph: Hokitika trophy guns *PHOTO ALBUM*
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Heather Newby shared a link.
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· tSrp2onshorteld ·
Geoffrey Bell.."Something at the back of my mind tells me that this Cannon was buried at the Westport Race Course. This used to happen when War broke out so it couldn't be used if the Country was occupied. Happened in Christchurch when a Cannon was buried on a property on Carmen Road. Can anyone offer more information about the Westport theory?"
The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
WESTCOAST.RECOLLECT.CO.NZ
The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
Location (city or town): Greymouth | Contributor: Tom Hartill | Read the full record details for Photograph: The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.
Geoffrey Bell
I think we have this sorted now after the recent postings about the cannons and their placements. This one and the Hokitika one were the same or similar and were fort defence guns. The Westport one was a field gun. The Hokitika one still exists, the Greymouth one was buried and the Westport one blew up when fired during later celebrations, killing the gunner and wounding onlookers.
Steve Lowe
The story I heard when I was young was the Hokitika one was due to be sent away to be melted down during WWII - Some quickly poured concrete down the barrel (actually it was just plugged) and that save it... I'm fairly sure the story went the cannon was on a railway wagon! I thought the story was the Greymouth one was sent away for scrap... If it is buried and I wonder where and could it be recovered???
Andrew John Wilson
Westport had the only Rail Gun in NZ . It also had a gun near the Boer War memorial. I did hear that the guns displayed at the Westport memorial gates went to Wellington and are now displayed (not certain how) at the gate or entrance to defences house. It was suggested by locals that they should be returned. Lots of military display pieces were buried early 40s due to thoughts they my be of use to others
George Gardner
Geoffrey, my historical research notes indicate that the Westport gun that blew up as you say, occurred on New Years Eve 1895/96. Would you be referring to a later incident as this date is surely way back in time to the present discussion?
Geoffrey Bell
I think we have this sorted now after the recent postings about the cannons and their placements. This one and the Hokitika one were the same or similar and were fort defence guns. The Westport one was a field gun. The Hokitika one still exists, the Gr… See More
Steve Lowe
The story I heard when I was young was the Hokitika one was due to be sent away to be melted down during WWII - Some quickly poured concrete down the barrel (actually it was just plugged) and that save it... I'm fairly sure the story went the cannon was on a railway wagon! I thought the story was the Greymouth one was sent away for scrap... If it is buried and I wonder where and could it be recovered???
Andrew John Wilson
Westport had the only Rail Gun in NZ . It also had a gun near the Boer War memorial. I did hear that the guns displayed at the Westport memorial gates went to Wellington and are now displayed (not certain how) at the gate or entrance to defences house. It was suggested by locals that they should be returned. Lots of military display pieces were buried early 40s due to thoughts they my be of use to others
George Gardner
Geoffrey, my historical research notes indicate that the Westport gun that blew up as you say, occurred on New Years Eve 1895/96. Would you be referring to a later incident as this date is surely way back in time to the present discussion?
Trevor Alty
There were two cannons situated at Victoria Square, close to the Memorial gates. One from the Maori war era and one from the Boer War as I recall from researching this. As stated one blew up when fired New Years Eve. The other finally made its way to the Army Museum at Waiouru where it is currently on display .
Trevor Alty
Here is what I found out about the Westport cannons. A while back I posted this pic of two light Artillery pieces that sat in Victoria Square Westport. Early 1900"s.
Cannons
Cannons.jpg
935×537 66.4 KB
62370645_1812972098806044_286282187576180736_n
62370645_1812972098806044_286282187576180736_n.jpg
960×792 142 KB
There was talk that they had been buried at the beginning of WW11. However on a Westport FB Page. The true story surfaced thanks to the Local News Paper and local Historians. Makes an intresting read. Sure you will like the story Lammerlaw.
A reporter from the Westport News recently contacted the National Army Museum in the pursuit of trying to find out what ever happened to a 40 pounder artillery gun that used to stand in Victoria Park in Westport. Much to their delight we realised it was in fact the same gun that now sits in front of the museum here in Waiouru.
In 1863 two 40-pounder Rifled Breech Loading (RBL) Armstrong field guns were landed in New Zealand along with their 6, 9 and 12 pound contemporaries. These guns equipped 3 Battery, 4 Brigade of the Royal Artillery. The Armstrong 40 Pounder guns first saw action at the battle for Mere Mere and were in the process of being moved to the siege at Rangiriri when they became stuck. Because of their weight they were both moved to Auckland and in 1870 were sold to the New Zealand Government, rather than be taken back to England.
The two 40-pounders were sited at North Head for coastal defence until one was destroyed in an explosion in 1878. In 1895 the last 40-pounder was moved to Takapuna for storage where it lay until 1903. At which time it was shipped to Westport to defend the port should the Russian Pacific Fleet try to take fuel (coal) by force. In 1906 the threat had passed and the gun was moved to Westport’s Victoria Park as a monument to the Boer War.
When the original carriage collapsed the barrel was moved to the Council yard until it was donated to the National Army Museum.
Calibre: 120 mm
Weight: 1,803 kg
There were two guns at the square, one used to be fired with a dummy load on special occasions just to create a bang. The last time it was fired they got a bit over zealous with the amount of charge and the gun had a catastrophic failure, lots of broken windows and serious injuries, can’t remember if anyone was killed. What was left was scrapped.
The cannon that burst was an old five-pounder gun, which was fired to celebrate the advent of the New Year in 1894/95. A boy named Charles Green was killed (buried in the old cemetery), James Howard (buried in the middle cemetery), had his right arm shattered and Paterson, master of the harbour dredge at the time, had two ribs broken. Howard petitioned parliament many times before finally receiving a small sum in compensation for his injury.
Trevor Alty
The Westport Cannons.
Trevor Alty
A close up
Image may contain: outdoor, text that says 'RELIO OF THE MAORI WAR: AN OLD 40-POUNDER ARMSTRONG GUN, PRESENTED TO THE BOROUGH OP WESTPORT BY THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. D. Maloney, Photo.'
· Reply · 3h
Kerry Molloy
Geoff. Re the cannon buried on the Carmen rd Hornby propertyThat property was once a independent living unit for patients of the old sunnsyside hospital.My mate Dave Long was charge nurse at one point and he in fact researched this ..Seems extensive excavations and latterly radar probes of the lawns in front of the mansion were carried out in accordance with where it was calimed the gun was buried ,but nowt was ever found to even suggest it was actually there.Id heard some years ago (in another variation) that it was ?recovered and smelted down,although i regard that with extreme scepticism
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West Coast New Zealand History (5th Sep 2020). The Boer War cannon that went missing from Greymouth.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 09:55, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/9618