The Scenic Drive was renamed Centennial Park. The arch features bluestone, volcanic rock from 2million year old lava that flowed from Mt Horrible through here to the sea. The rock was quarried for the harbor construction and to manage coastal erosion.
The Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs (rangatira) from the North Island of New Zealand.
George Bowker donated 16 acres of land to connect the former quarry to Otipua Rd.
Charles Bowker moved to Timaru in 1865 to work as a draper for Clarkson and Turnbull. Later he worked as a land broker and financial agent. He built the house called The Pines on College Rd. He was on the Harbour Board. He donated the band rotunda that used to be at Alexander Square (Named after the wife of King Edward VII, Alexandra of Denmark) this was the first civic gift of its kind to the City. He married twice, his second wife passed away a year after this arch was opened. He had 8 children.
He died in 1915, which looks to be the same year his son Stanley was killed in action in Turkey Gallipoli aged 22, ill have to do some reading to learn more about this.
Charles son donated the land, and the arch is in recognition to him. George was a Land, Estate and Commission Agent, Timaru. This business was established in the year 1876 by Mr. Charles Bowker.
https://canterburystories.nz/Bowkerfamily
