RELIC OF EARLY WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 10

RELIC OF EARLY WELLINGTON

Building In Bond Street PRESERVATION PROPOSAL Now at least 94 years old, the offices of Bethune and Hunter, in Bond Street, Wellington, are possibly the oldest mercantile premises in New Zealand which have been constantly in use since their erection. Interest in the building* lias been displayed by the Wellington Historical Society, which, in co-operation witli the Wellington City Council, contemplates the moving and preservation of the old timber-built structure.

There are several theories as to when the offices were erected. One authority believes that they served Bethune and Hunter from the year 1542. “Early Wellington” records that Mr. Kenneth Bethune arrived first in the ship Cuba and that Mr. George Hunter arrived in tile Duke of Roxburgh early in 18-10. means that both men were resident’s of the primitive township of Britannia, established at Petone. .

“Early Wellington” (Louis Ward) also says that 'these men were first of all in business on Lambton Quay, and did not take up their business residence in Customhouse Street until 1844, when presumably they entered into possession of thC’ offices much as they stand to-day. ' Bond „ Street was formerly known as Customhouse Street. The reason for the original name was that the Customhouse ouce stood on the waterfront in that street. Now, instead of facing the full sweep of the harbour, as they did in the early days. of the city, the old offices are surrounded by-large warehouses, which dwarf into insignificance the quaint little brown wooden building which is situated half-way between Manners Street and Wakefield Street. There are still evidences of their occupation by the founders of the business. In the back room, where the floor boards are not nearly so secure as they were, there are shelves of dustladen volumes, which would doubtless reveal a good deal of the commercial history of early Wellington; great leather-backed journals, letter-books, and ledgers of the old firm; alongside are rows of ancient, well-bound copies of Lloyd’s Register, for Bethune and Hunter were agents for Lloyd’s for half a century. These books, sftjne of them only a third of the size of the present Register, must be of considerable historical interest, as they give full particulars of the vessels that ploughed the seven seas in the days of sail. There is also an old and broken wall barometer, on a brass swivel bracket, which doubtless served its purpose for the .enlightenment of the sea captains of other days as to the pending state of tlie weather, for many ships came to the agency of Bethune and Hunter in those days, and through their stores passed much' of their cargo. The proposal before the city council is Qo acquire the old building, or part of it, from the Hunter estate, and reerect it in Central Park.