Publication: ph13052012

The building housing Petone’s community house is celebrating its 125th anniversary later this year.

The community house is located in a Britannia St home that was built in 1887.

Community house chairman Roy Hewson says although the exact day the building was first occupied is unknown, celebrations commemorating the 125th anniversary will take place on September 1.

The home was built for Dilmot Sladden, first chairman of the Hutt River Board after whom Sladden Park was named. He moved to Petone to become secretary of the Ngauranga meat works (now Taylor Preston). When built it was one of the biggest homes in Petone as Mr Sladden needed to provide space for his 11 children.

Mr Sladden died in 1907. Although the family owned the property for some years afterward, it was subsequently sold and had a number of owners. 

Among these owners was Dr Bakewell the first medical officer at Hutt Hospital who bought the house in 1935. He established a chiropody clinic that later became CIT chiropody.

Mr Hewson says it became a community house in 1980 and has remained so ever since.

He says events on September 1 will start with a morning tea at 10.30am. That will be followed by a talk by John Sladden, great-grandson of Dilmot Sladden.  A book on the property being written by Mr Hewson will then be released. Mr Hewson says it is hoped the afternoon will feature an open day, where centre users will display their activities and answer questions from the public.

“We want to hear from committee members who have been associated with the house over the years.  We know the names but there are many we can’t track down. We would like to invite them to take part in the day.”

If you are a past committee member, please contact Mr Hewson on 5686449 or e-mail roy.hewson@xtra.co.nz