HISTORIC RESIDENCE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 281, 22 July 1932, Page 6

HISTORIC RESIDENCE

ANCIENT WELLINGTON HOME OF SIR GEO. GREY TO BE DEMOLISHED. UNHYGIENIC AND UNSIGHTLY. Among the properties secured by the Wellington City Council in connection with the process of widening Thorndon Quay is that lcnown as No. 223, a residence nearly opposite Dalgety and Co's big store. This ancient house, now derelict, is said to have been the residence of Sir George Grey at one period of his Parliamentary days. It was evidently at one time quite a presentable twostoreyed residence, with a full breadth jalcony, fronted with a moulded balus- . trade of good dasign. For the last ten years the house and grounds have been entirely neglected, and they are now only a v/reck of their former self. The house is now so unhygienic and unsightly that the City Council is having it demolished at an ealy date. In the '50's and '60's the leading people of Wellington resided for the most part at Thorndon, and most of chose associated with the Government or public life resided within a short distance of what was "Thorndon Flat." Thorndon Quay was then a desirable residential loeality, as all the houses had an uninterrupted view of the harbour, and were wide open to every breeze that blew and all the sunshine that was. Thorndon's descent in popularity came with the reclamation and the railway — particularly the railway. At once the view and the sweet fresh air off the harbours face were lost to the residents, and in their place came clouds of black smoke, and a rush of shrieking engines. The houses along the great ir part of Thorndon Quay are fifty years of age, and over — and are showing it. The Wellington City Corporation has acquired about half of .them for street-widening purposes, as Thorndon Quay is really the only road entrance to the city from all the North Island. As funds are low, this work has b len slowed up, and, as the result of the depression, it will probably he ten years before the city is in a position to realign this thoroughfare.