Nestled on the overgrown northern slopes of the Ngāmotu Domain is the now neglected and vandalised Honeyfield Seat. The plaque reads "Presented by Mr and Mrs W. Honeyfield 9th December 1925".
The domain was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr F.E. Wilson, on 28 November 1925. Although there was no mention of the Honeyfield Seat in the opening day report an earlier article (Taranaki Herald 26 November 1925) indicated that the seat had been erected. The 9 December 1925 date on the plaque may be the date of its unveiling, although no report of this has yet been found.
A photo (Auckland Weekly News, 10 December 1925) taken on opening day shows the large crowd, the new entrance gates (since removed) and a barren hillside.
(If anyone has a photo of the Honeyfield Seat in earlier times, please contact staff at the Taranaki Research Centre at Puke Ariki.)
Related documents:
Ngamotu Domain: Official Opening (Taranaki Herald 30 November 1925)
Park in the Making: The Domain at the Port (Taranaki Daily News 30 November 1925)
Ngamotu Domain: Opening Day Profit of £16 (Taranaki Daily News 8 December 1925)
Ngāmotu Domain Recreation Reserve Management Plan (New Plymouth District Council)
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