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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Buildings

Buildings.

A large majority of the buildings throughout the city are of wood or wood and iron. Until within the last twenty years it was not deemed desirable to build with bricks or similar materials in consequence of the earthquakes, which in those days gave some alarm.

There can be no doubt that the earthehakes of fifty years ago very much retarded the settlement and solid progress of Wellington. In 1848, and again in 1855, this part of New Zealand was visited by very heavy shakes. In the latter year, the whole of the Te Aro flat—then a wild page 218 bog, but now a thickly-populated part of the city-was raised some three or four feet, and made habitable, by earthquakes. For days together the trembling went on. The oldest residents declare that the unrest of the earth's surface was as easily seen as felt.

Under these circumstances, it is perhaps hardly fair to blame the founders of Wellington for putting up their temporary buildings with little regard to the future. But when the importance of Wellington was recognised by its selection as the Capital, and the municipality was formed, the same power which decided that the new buildings in
Grey Street.

Grey Street.

the heart of the town should be built of brick or other permanent materials, should also have had them so erected that the streets might have been widened and straightened without interfering with the permanent structures. Even now something might be done in that direction. In many places old, tumbling-down buildings occupy land which, at any cost, should be secured for street improvement purposes. Any mention of them would be invidious; but they are observable enough. Even during the last few years most important opportunities have been neglected. Instances might be cited of splendid brick buildings facing each other across a street less than thirty feet wide. It seems incredible that the land on which these solid and handsome obstructions stand was in the open market but a few years ago, with nothing permanent upon any of its frontages. The buildings of the city have, as a whole, been vastly improved, and Wellington will soon present a much more solid appearance.

The very large sums borrowed for—which the city has spent and is spending on—waterworks, reclamation, drainage, street formation, and other useful and needful undertakings, make such heavy demands for interest that a very large proportion of the City's income is sent away to the British moneylenders. In this way the Corporation coffers are kept unpleasantly low. Councillors and ratepayers are therefore agreed that there is at present very little money available for luxuries. “There's a good time coming,” however. The income of the Corporation in both rates and rents is increasing rapidly, and the citizens are hopeful that in a few years' time important additions to the fine buildings of Wellington will be made in the completion of the Library and the erection of a splendid Town Hall. The present Municipal Offices, considering page 219 that they have been erected nearly a quarter of a century are creditable indeed; but the accommodation is hardly sufficient now, and must soon be altogether inadequate. Handsome new municipal buildings, therefore, are among the list that must, without very great delay, be erected in Wellington. Several of the banks and insurance companies are very poorly provided with accommodation, since so many head offices have been removed to the Capital. Already plans are afloat to remedy the inconvenience, and it is certain that wonderful improvements in these respects will soon be visible. The influx of principal officers of these institutions has caused a demand for private houses of a better class. The immediate resources of Wellington in this matter are being sorely taxed. It is probable that a tide of healthy rivalry will set in, and that the wealthy members of the community will indulge in residences more suitable to their means and the importance of the city in which they live. There is room for much improvement in this matter, though there are already several palatial establishments. Some of the smaller boroughs — Wanganui especially — are close upon the heels of their chief in this matter of private houses and grounds. There are in Wellington quite a large number of really wealthy citizens plodding on at their work and piling up pelf without spending or giving in any way commensurate with their heavy gains. The munificent gift by the late Mr. W. H. Levin of a thousand pounds to the Free Library, stands out in bold relief, and seems likely to remain unapproached. Mr. John Duthie, M.H.R., at that time Mayor of Wellington, very liberally seconded Mr. Levin's lead with a handsome donation of two hundred pounds; and a goodly number of wealthy citizens made up a few hundreds between them, some of the donations representing nearly a day's income. But if the people of Wellington rarely distinguish themselves by very munificent gifts, it must be acknowledged that they are always giving in smaller sums. No deserving object of charity ever meets with unkindness at the hands of the Wellington public. Quite the contrary is the fact.

From a photo by Mr. F. Denton. Distributing Basin, Polhill Gully.

From a photo by Mr. F. Denton.
Distributing Basin, Polhill Gully.