LOWER HUTT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8776, 4 July 1914, Page 9

LOWER HUTT

A GARDEN SUBURB. The borough of. Lower Hutt, situated in the Hutt Valley, about nine miles from Wellington, is rapidly becoming a large residential area for business men and others engaged ;in the city. The earlier settlers built their homes on the banks of the river, and the principle industry then engaged in was pit-sawing. The valley was rich in timber, and at the present day there still remain, in the Empire City, -portions of business and other structures, tho timber for the construction of which was obtained from Lower Hutt. Transit to and from the city was by means of small vessels which plied up and down tho river., - The pioneers of those days were beset with many trials and vicissitudes, not the least of which was the overflowing of the waters of the Hutt river. Residences were built high off the ground, but the frequency of floods so disheartened many, who suf-. fered loss —and in some instances almost total destruction of their homes by heavy timber brought down the river in time of flood—that they left the district and settled in the city. Gradually the valley became depleted of its timber, and as a natural consequence the land was taken up, and a farming community was established. It was many years before the conditions were altered to any material extent. A few suburban homes came into existence, but floods still' retarded the growth of the district. A river, board was formed, and the work carried out by this body proved to bo the turning point in the borough’s history. Stop-banks were constructed on both sides of the river, boom-groynes and willow protective works built, with tho result that Lower Hutt was made immune from flood, since when its progress has been very marked. Beautiful homes have been and are being built, aiid the soil, v\hich is mainly rich river deposit, lends itself to intensive horticulture, and nearly every home is surrounded by a wealth of flowers. Lower Hutt adjoins the borough of Petone, and the growth has been so rapid that it is now impossible for the visitor to discern the line of demarcation, and the day is not far distant when the two boroughs will converge into one. It was in the year 1891 that Lower Hutt p -as first constituted a borough, and was previously within the area administered by a town board. Lower Hutt has an area of 3255 acres, which is more than three times that of Petone. The ratable value (unimproved) is £821,724, and the estimated population is set down at 4440 persons. Unlike Petone. Lower Hutt has few industries, and, therefore, its population is composed mainly of xirofessional and business men who have built for themselves homos away from the cares and strife of city life, in surroundings tbat are almost ideal.' Building sections are plentiful, and gradually but surely the district

is becoming the “bedroom” district of the city., It is only a few years since the borough attained its majority, but some progressive and extensive works have been carried to a successful issue. A complete sewerage-drainage system has been established at a cost of over £50,000; a high-pressure water supply has been laid down at, a cost of £18,700, giving an ordinary pressure for domestic purposes of 501 b, which can bo increased to 1501 b by means of pumping direct into tho mains should the necessity arise. Lighting is by means of gas supplied by Petone, which the council retails to' consumers. The erection of gasworks has been under consideration, and a section was purchased and set aside-for the erection of works, but on account of the advantageous terms arranged with Petone the project was never carried into effect. It is possible that tho question of lighting tho borough by electricity will be seriously considered before the present contract with Petone for the supply of gas runs out. Practically all the large works requisite to the foundation of an up-to-date community have been carried out, and the general and special rates struck to provide for interest on loans only amounts to 3 3-od in the £1 on the unimproved value of land in the borough. The sum of over £20,000 has been spent on street improvement, and £9OOO ■on surface drainage. Lower Hutt has 35 miles of streets, and 50 mileg of footways have been constructed. The receipts for the year 1912-13 wore £27,151, including £13,451 from rates, and the expenditure £22,827, including £4372 spent on drainage and sanitation, and £BB3 on waterworks. Excluding amounts borrowed from , the Government and repayable by instalments, the amount of loan, moneys outstanding on March 31st, 1913. totalled £83,950. Truly Lower Hutt has a great future before it, and the advent of cheap railway fares and fast transit is already making itself felt. The difficulty of transit to and from the railway station, which is some distance from tho centre of, the town, has been an inconvenience to residents, but this difficulty has been overcome, and a motor-'bus service has been established.