Boer War rifles to remain in public ownership

Fifteen Boer War rifles gifted to the people of Thames to be returned to Thames-Coromandel District Council.

A settlement agreement between Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) and Thames Historical Museum Society will be pursued to retain fifteen Boer War rifles in public ownership.

The rifles were originally gifted to the Thames Borough Council and housed first in the Carnegie Library then transferred to the Mineralogical Museum. In 1974 Council transferred the rifles to the Thames Historical Museum in whose possession they remained until the museum entered into an agreement with Militaria Auctions to sell thirteen of the rifles on the internet.

In October 2009, community groups and individuals asked the Mayor to intervene and prevent the sale so that the rifles could be returned to the community of Thames. The auction was then halted to allow the matter of ownership to be determined by Council on behalf of the community.

Last week's full Council meeting decided in favour of retaining public ownership of the rifles. Council resolved to provide compensation for the costs incurred by the auctioneer and the Thames Historical Museum, provide for the return of the rifles and enter into an agreement with Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki to display the rifles in a secure public setting.