1912: We Have Got The Maxim Gun

January 26, 2021

By AHNZ

Victoria Square, Christchurch, has been a State preserve since about 1896. Prior to this it was known as Market Place, a commercial location for free market activity. Government literally, either deliberately or ignorantly, taxed Market Place to death¹ then claimed the site for a park for the glory of Queen and Crown. Soon, the square became decorated by a statue of Victoria and a captured gun from the Boer War.

By 1912 a new generation of young men arose to challenge the Boer War trophy gun. These were a civic-minded generation during a time period that keeps presenting itself as one of Victimhood Culture². At first, the group sent a deputation to the Christchurch City Council stating that it was time for the gun to go. The older generation, the councillors, essentially laughed in the Passive Resister’s faces and mocked them in the newspaper by way of response.

“…nine young anti-militarists wearing red ties and the red badges of the Passive Resisters’ Union, requested the removal of the gun in Victoria Square as it had been used by the Boers against New Zealand soldiers and was sited in front of a statue with the names of men who fell in the war.”

“”We think it is time that things that have taken part in murder should be taken away from public places…glorifying over a fallen foe….oppression on the Boers.””- Thomas (2016)

“The matter ended with one councillor’s remark “that it must be the silly season when young men supposed to be representing some body, came to the Council with such a request. It was a disgrace to the city.””- Star, (23/7/1923,) Thomas (2016)

On September 4th, protesters of this “pom pom” gun (QF 1-pounder pom-pom Maxim Gun) decided to take direct action. The civil disobedience consisted of loosing the gun from its pad and making off with it!

Naturally, the Pacifists were suspected of making off in the night with this monument to British triumph.

Later the same day, the Boer’s gun was discovered deep underwater in the adjacent river, Avon!

It was a pretty straight run from Victoria Square right into the Avon River, the attackers would be able to keep on giving the gun a drink ad infinitum. It must have occurred to the Council that, unless they guarded the gun nightly, the protest would drag on and make the number of times Hone Heke chopped down the flag at Kororareka look like spare change.

So, the new location for the gun would be a few hundred meters away outside the Supreme Court and Magistrates Building. This was a more built-up area, more guarded, so harder to confiscate municipal monuments from.

At least 20 years later the Maxim gun appears to be still in place outside the Court and looking well re-conditioned. If it’s the same one (image left) then it has gained a nice blast shield since its Victoria Square  days. It also has company, a much heavier bit or artillery also lining the entrance way to the Court.

“An old artillery gun that had stood in the east side of the square went missing. It was found, submerged in the Avon River. Pacifists were suspected of dragging it there overnight and pushing it in.”

“It was later mounted in front of the Supreme Court building, on the west bank of the river.”- Victoria Square once a Wild West scene, Stuff (2014)

What next happened to the old gun I do not know and have not tried to find out. It was probably long gone by 1980 when the Supreme Court was demolished after standing since 1868.

—

1 Ref. Market Place Victoria Square; DISCO

2 Specifically, Dominion Victimhood Culture (1907-1912)

Ref. May Your Shadow Never Grow Less, Thomas (2016)

Image ref. Victoria Square, Christchurch, 1910 : a panorama looking towards the north-east; Christchurch City Libraries

Image ref. A Pom Pom Gun Captured From The Boers In Front Of The Statue Of Queen Victoria; Christchurch City Libraries

Image ref. The gun outside the Supreme Court(?); Photo-News Agency. New Zealand Free Lance; Alexander Turnbull Library

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