Wednesday 23 April 2008

Media Release

Upper Hutt celebrates 100 years of independent local body activities.

Upper Hutt celebrates 100 years of independent local body activities tomorrow, Thursday 24 April 2008. It will be 100 years exactly since the first meeting of the 7 Town Commissioners in the Town Hall, where the Mayfair Café now stands.( Celebrations there at 3pm Thursday 24 April )

Mayor Wayne Guppy says local body issues have not changed much in a hundred years when you read newspaper reports of activities and problems at that time.

The Evening Post reported “When the railway line is straightened and duplicated at last, businessmen will not resist the temptation to have not only “boxes” but mansions up the line.”

Jack Danahay, grandson of AJ McCurdy who administered that first meeting will be on hand at the Mayfair Café tomorrow at 3pm when recollections of that first meeting will be re-canted.

A model of “McCurdy’s Castle” a home built by AJ McCurdy that was later destroyed will be on display. It became a famous landmark by the Hutt River.

Descendants from the 7 town Commissioners will be attending the function.

The original minute book from the 1908 meeting is still in Council archives and will be on display at the Mayfair Café.

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