NORTH SHORE HISTORY with David Verran
Devonport in the 1960’s
When trying to describe the 1960s, many automatically think of ‘flower power’ and psychedelic music, but Devonport residents were more concerned with the type of suburb in which they wished to live.
One continuing issue was alternative access to the new Northern Motorway, leading from the recently opened Auckland Harbour Bridge, given the increase in traffic using Lake Road. A 1929 Royal Commission had recommended a causeway from Northcote Point to Bayswater and another from Bayswater to Stanley Bay. One new option investigated in the 1960s was a causeway from the Motorway at Barrys Point and Esmonde Road to Bayswater and then another causeway to Stanley Bay. Some thought in an even bigger way, including reclaiming large parts of Ngataringa Bay or at least establishing an extensive marina there. Others preferred Devonport the way it was.
Unlike Takapuna, where a number of branches of retail chains were opening, shopping locally in Devonport meant shopping at mainly locally owned and operated shops. Of course, there were still the local offices of the Farmers Trading Company, Barfoot and Thompson, the Auckland Meat Company and Lanes Bakery etc, along with branches of the Australia and New Zealand Bank, the Bank of New Zealand and the Auckland Savings Bank, but these were all longstanding in Devonport. Devonport inaugurated late-night Thursday shopping in 1968, while most other shopping centres had Friday as their late night.
The process of subdividing the traditional quarter acre sections occurred in Devonport, as with elsewhere across greater Auckland. By 1965, it was estimated that Devonport Borough had 2335 private dwellings and 1198 flats, the latter often attached at the back of existing houses. Some architectural design students even floated the idea of Devonport becoming a multi storey marine suburb. The high-rise Devon Park town houses, or luxury apartments, on Stanley Point Road were built in the late 1960s.
In February 1961, Devonport celebrated 75 years as a Borough with a nine-day carnival. Tom Walsh, long time local historian, pointed out that the name Devonport was first used in 1850, but the name Flagstaff continued to be used for sometime yet.
Walsh also revealed that Torpedo Bay was named after speedy steam powered launches each with a torpedo on a boom. Initially based at the Naval base by the Devonport Wharf, they were then moved to the Bay under North Head – henceforth Torpedo Bay.
Use of Council or public land for private profit continued to be a hot issue. In the early 1960s, the Council was asked to set aside 17 acres at Narrow Neck for a motor camp or motel. However, a 100-signature petition successfully opposed there being any motor camp, hotel or even skating rink in the area. In the mid 1960s, there were various plans to develop Windsor Reserve with a sound stage, bathing sheds, a swimming pool and even a restaurant. Previously there had been an unsuccessful attempt at having a model railway there.
In 1968, the Devonport Borough Council at first supported an application by New Zealand Marineland Ltd, who ran similar ventures in Napier and Mount Maunganui, for a ‘marineland’ on Windsor Reserve. This would feature dolphins, seals, stands, a wax museum and seating for 2,000. The Preservation of Windsor Reserve Society opposed this and Devonport residents at the time may well recall the public meetings and petitions for and against the proposal. Instead, a ‘marine park’ opened in Orewa in the late 1960s and closed in 1978.
The decade ended with talk of ambitious schemes for a revolving restaurant on top of Mount Victoria, with cable car access, and lingering deep concerns over the future use of Ngataringa Bay.
David Verran.
Note: These three photos mistakenly were included in the last issue in a similar article on Takapuna.
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