Plan of final subdivision of Day's Bay

You can read more about this auction here.

When first proposed, the original form of this subdivision resulted in a grass-roots movement from citizens concerned that what is today Williams Park and the neighbouring reserve (both then privately owned) would also be subdivided for housing and no longer be available for recreational use. The area was then a popular place for Wellingtonians to visit as 'day trippers' and on fine weekends hundreds of people would cross the harbour to Day's Bay by ferry. The Wellington City Council stepped in to purchase the land block totaling 640 acres, funding the balance required after grants were received from the Government (£4000), the Eastbourne Borough Council (£500) and public subscription (£2500) with the block being secured only one day before this auction took place. Williams Park and the surrounding reserve remained under the ownership of the Wellington City Council until ownership was passed to the Hutt City Council following its creation in the local government reforms of 1989.