The Pavilion, Williams Park, Days Bay

The Pavilion tea rooms / cafe in Williams Park, Days Bay, Eastbourne photographed on or about 13th January 1957. At the time, Williams Park and the pavilion were under the ownership of the Wellington City Council. The WCC purchased the area totalling c. 650 acres (c. 263 hectares) in 1914 and declared it to be 'reserve' to prevent the land being subdivided and sold-off for housing. At the time Williams Park was a popular day-trip for Wellingtonians (accessed via ferry) and the council felt that maintaining the park as a recreational area was important for the health of its citizens. Ownership was passed to the Hutt City Council following its creation in the local government reforms of 1989.