THE FATHER OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2859, 30 June 1896, Page 2

THE FATHER OF WELLINGTON.

Mr John Plimmer Celebrates his BMh Birthday. Mr John Plimmer, who h«vs been aptly described as the “ Father of Wellington,” celebrated his 84th birthday on Sunday last. He was born In Shropshire, and arrived in, , Wellington over half a century ago, or, to bo exact, in October, 1841. There were few houses in Wellington then, and the sea washed up to the high land at the rear of Lambton quay. It is difficult to realise that tbp laud upon which the beat part of this city now stands was. part of the harbour then, and that the s.eo, Q.wapt over where now aro erected sloops and warehouses which would do credit to a city which could reckon its ago by centuries. To go further for evidence of the progress of the Colony wo find that it was not until long after Hr Plimmer’a arrival that the first whares wore built on the tussock-oaverod plain where now stands the important city of Christchurch, with its many important public buildings, colleges, churches and museum. Many of the men who take aa important part in public, affairs to-day. were not born when Mr. Plimmer arrived here. In 18£0 Mr Plimmer reclaimed some of Lambton quay. A.s was to bo expected, he took an active part in publio affairs in tho early days of the province. Ho was one of those who started the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in 1856, and is t.hu opiy one of tho promoters now alive. He was a member of the Board of Works from its formation to its end, and was afterwards a member of tho Town Board, and also of tho Provincial Council. He was instrumental, at considerable trouble and expense, in getting an Act passed for tho forming of Wellington into a municipality. Ho chose the site for the present Parliament Buildings and purchased the land. Among the other pubho works with which his name was identified was that of the Wellington and Manawam Kailway, as it was he who induced Sir John Hall to hring in a Bill for its construction, was likewise instrumental in getting the land where the station no\y. stands ’fop the Company. He has been a directed 1 of tho Company since tho beginning, Mr Plimmer is still hale and hearty, and it is to be hoped that he may he a witness for many years to come of still greater progress in this city, with which he has been so closely identified sinoo its earliest days.