Cannons in Council Chamber

Two signalling cannons, originating from a shipwreck thought to be the Fifeshire, proudly sit above the Civic Flag in the Council Chamber.

The cannons were manufactured at a foundry in Tavistock , England. It is thought that Ship's Captain gave them to the Mayor of the time, thanking the community for the care of the crew and himself.

The cannons were first cared for by Mayor Francis Trask, Nelson's Mayor from 1890 until 1900, who displayed them outside his home for many years. On his death they were bequeathed to his family doctor, Dr Johnston of Trenfield in Hardy Street. On Johnston's death they went to his daughter, Aileen Johnston, first wife of Dr Humphrey Belton, who died in 1967.

Their last owner, William David Stoney Johnston, bequeathed them to Nelson City Council when he died in 1999.

The Belton and Johnston families presented the restored cannons and carriages to Council in 2005.