RAUPO WHARES TO CITY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 256, 25 July 1930, Page 5

RAUPO WHARES TO CITY

Petone’s Romantic Story of Progress

THRIVING INDUSTRIAL CENTRE

Some Early History: Ninety Years’ Growth

“In the beginning of the year 1840 the township of Petone was all hustle. Tents, raupo whares, and shanties of every description were erected to shelter the settlers who were rapidly arriving in the New Zealand Company’s vessels. At the end of the year Petone assumed the appearance of a deserted village.” Thus J. H. Wallace closes a chapter of Early New Zealand Bistorv. But Petone to-day is anything but a deserted village.

. In 1839 and 1840 there set out from England twelve ships pnder charter by the recently formed New Zealand Company. They were the Tory, Cuba, Oriental. Aurora, Adelaide, Duke of Roxburgh. Glenbervie, Bengal Merchant Bolton, Coromandel. Broughton, Platina. These vessels brought with them 1125 passengers, 467 males and 658 females.

On September 20, 1839, the Tory, which had left London on May 5, reached Port Nicholson. “The two chiefs, Epuni and Whrirepori, were not long in finding their way on board the Tory, passing the night with the strangers, and offering to sell the harbour and land adjoining. Buying Negotiations.

“On the next morning they renewed the conversation about the land, and desired Colonel William Wakefield to go aud look at it, and see how lie liked it. A chief was selected to take him up the River Hutt, and Colonel Wakefield started with Barrett and some natives in a small canoe.”

Colonel Wakefield, well satisfied with his inspection, decided to buy, and after lengthy debate, the sale was completed, part of the purchase price being one hundred and thirty-five stands of arms, twenty-one kegs of gunpowder, one cask of ball cartridges, night-caps, pipes, a gross of Jew’s harps, twelve hundred fishing hooks, and twelve sticks of sealing wax. On September 30 the New Zealand flag was hoisted at the flagstaff on tho shore, and the same was done at the main of the Tory, which saluted it with twenty-one guns, to the great delight of the Natives at the noise and smoke.

Leading Settlers Arrive.

On January 31, 1840, the Oriental arrived at Port Nicholson bearing some of the leading Svtciers, as Well as an additional number of emigrants. They selected the banks of the Hutt River, about a mile from the sea, as a temporary location, and set to work on tents and houses. Later came’ the third ship, the Duke of Roxburgh, and one of the passengers was Mr. S. D. Parnell, who introduced the eight hours’ day. Skilled labour then was paid for at 5/- a day.

Turbulous Tinies.

On February 10, 1840, the sound of firing caused confusion among both, natives and pakehas near the native village at the mouth of the Hutt, occupied by Puakawa and his people. Puakawa. who had shown himself as eager for the

1 1 friendship of the white people, as he had been violent in his opposition to the sale, ■ had gained the respect and esteem of the , settlers in the few days during which ■ they, had known him. He had gone to - dig up potatoes for his friend, the captain of the Oriental, and his long absence had occasioned anxiety. A search was instituted and Puakawa was found

with his head cut off and his heart cut out. Colonel Wakefield “tried to console the widow and children and I hen returned to Petone with the chiefs.” Petone’s Beginning. The township of Petone, which over forty years ago was described as being destined to be the workshops of Wellington, was laid out by Captain Smith and his staff. It was in Petone that the Union Bank of Australia first opened its doors in the district, when, a few months later, the change was made to Wellington; the safe was floated over on a raft Colonel Wakefield was very reductant to change from Petone to Wellington. But events occurred whicli convinced him of the wisdom of the change at that time. Floods occurred and did much damage, and a whaleboat accident on the exposed Petone beach resulted in several deaths by drowning in sight of the whale settlement. But the brave pioneers kept up heart, and really did wonders, considering the primitive conditions existing, and the terrible hardships to be endured ; and they builded better than they knew. “The Pickwick Club.” To Petone belongs also the honour of forming the first club in New Zealand, "The Pickwick Club of New Zealand.” Made Into a Borough. Petone was formed into a borough on August 28, 1888. The total number of dwellings was 523, the population -was estimated at 2686, the number of ratepayers, 777, and the annual value (made up to March 31, 1896), £17,500. The general rate was 1/- in the £l. Steady Progress. Since that time Petone has gone ahead with a steady rate of progress, making for stability in administration and indus>trial importance. It has now some of the biggest industries in New Zealand, and over two hundred shops are located in its boundaries, the financial stability of some of them being amply proved by the handsome premises and wide ranges of articles on sale.