Bell Block

Infobox Settlement
name = Bell Block
population_total = 4,065
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= Taranaki
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= New Plymouth District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = left
latd = 39
latm = 1
lats = 48
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 8
longs = 43
longEW = E

Bell Block is a town in Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 runs through it. It is 6 km Northeast of the centre of New Plymouth and 1 km from the outer edge of New Plymouth at Waiwhakaiho. Waitara is about 9 km to the north-east. New Plymouth Airport is located to the north-east of Bell Block. [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 34] [cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 85]

The population was 4,065 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 168 from 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/tarankai-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - New Plymouth District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]

The land was purchased in November 1848 by Francis Dillon Bell from the Puketapu iwi. The initial purchase was convert|1500|acre but more land was added subsequently. Disagreements over the sale of the land contributed to the First Taranaki War. [cite web|url=http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/conflict/dillonbell.htm|title=Conflict and Protest - The Bell Block - Francis Dillon Bell|publisher=Puke Ariki|date=23 December 2005|first=Rhonda|last=Bartle] A stockade was built to protect local settlers in 1860. Some of the earthworks continued until 1972, when a hotel was built on the site. [cite book|title=Taranaki, An Illustrated History|author=Ron Lambert and Gail Henry|pages=p 55|year=2000|isbn=0-7900-0727-4]

Bypass road

Much of New Plymouth's heavy and medium industry is situated around Bell Block, which has led to heavy traffic congestion. Construction of an arterial bypass of the town commenced in late 2006. [ [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0612/S00389.htm Construction to start this week on Bell Block: Scoop.co.nz] ] . A previousy unknown Māori Pā site was discovered during site investigations and was excavated by archaeologists prior to construction. [ [http://www.nzarchaeology.org/blog/archive/2004_03_01_oldnews.htm NZ Archaeology News] ]

Fundng has also been approved for a cycleway linking Bell Block to the northern end of New Plymouth's coastal walkway. [ [http://www.newplymouthnz.com/CouncilDocuments/NewsReleases/ExtensionOfNew+PlymouthsCoastalWalkwayGetsTheGoAhead.htm NPDC] ]

Education

Bell Block School and Puketapu School are coeducational full primary (years 1-8) schools with decile rating of 5 and 4, and rolls of 297 [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=2157|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Bell Block School|publisher=Ministry of Education] and 246, [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=2223|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Puketapu School, New Plymouth|Puketapu School|publisher=Ministry of Education] respectively. Bell Block School celebrated the 150th anniversary of education in Bell Block in 2006. [cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=60835|title=Jubilees & reunions: Bell Block School 150th Reunion|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=84|issue=6|date=11 April 2005] The present school dates from 1872. Puketapu School was built in 1980. [cite web|url=http://www.bellblock.school.nz/History.html|title=History of the School|publisher=Bell Block School]

Notes

Further reading

General historical works

:*citation |title = History of Bell Block roads and streets |place = Bell Block, [N.Z.] |publisher = n.p. |year = n.d.

:*citation |title = T.U.C. study on population in Bell Block |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = Taranaki United Council |year = c.1984

Clubs and organisations

:*citation |first1 = Bruce |last1 = Bellini |first2 = Brian (eds.) |last2 = Lockstone |title = Bell Block: a local aviation history / researched and written by Elaine Priest, Bruce Bellini and Peter Dobson for the New Plymouth Aero Club (Inc.) 75th year anniversary 2003 |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = New Plymouth Aero Club |year = 2003 |isbn = 0-473-09076-7

Maori

:*citation |first = William Irwin |last = Grayling |title = The war in Taranaki, during the years 1860-61 |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = C.W. Woon, Herald Office |year = 1862

:*citation |first = Peter |last = Wilberfoss |title = Oropuriri, Bell Block, Taranaki: report on the historical context of archaeolgical site P19/262 |place = Auckland, [N.Z.] |publisher = Peter Wilberfoss |year = 2004

New Zealand Wars

:*citation |title = Maori wars: newspaper cuttings, 1858-1864. |place = n.p. |publisher = n.p. |year = 1858-1864

:*citation |first = William Irwin |last = Grayling |title = The war in Taranaki, during the years 1860-61 |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = C.W. Woon, Herald Office |year = 1862

chools

:*citation |title = Bell Block, Hillsborough, Tarurutangi jubilees, 1856-1959 |place = Bell Block, [N.Z.] |publisher = Bell Block School |year = 1959

:*citation |title = Bell Block, Hillsborough, Tarurutangi, 1856-1979: schools reunion |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = Masterprint |year = 1979

:*citation |first = Alan G. |last = Taylor |title = 2006 - celebrating 150 years of education at Bell Block, Taranaki: incorporating Bell Block School, 1856-2006+, Hillsborough School, 1879-1942, Tarurutangi School, 1880-1942 |place = Eltham, [N.Z.] |publisher = Taylormade Publications |year = c.2006 |isbn = 0-473-11331-7

External links

* [http://www.bellblock.school.nz Bell Block School website]
* [http://www.puketapu.school.nz Puketapu School website]