Stokes Valley History (5)

We continue with the fifth in our series of short articles on the history of Stokes Valley. This month we look briefly at Stokes Valley's steady move into the modern age, with the development of housing sections and the implementation of basic services.

Appreciation and thanks is extended to Poppy Watts from whose book Stokes Valley Through the Years this information has been lifted.

If you would like to purchase either or both of Poppy's books, please e-mail editor@svn.co.nz for details as to how you may do so:

Stokes Valley Through the Years [1953] by Milton and Poppy Watts $10.00
This Was Speldhurst (The Story of an Early Stokes Valley Family) [2001] by Poppy Watts $16.00

The first appearance of homes after the subdivision of the Kamahi Estate (1920s). The picture is taken from the hills at the end of Korau Road giving a view of the Kamahi Road area before the formation of the road.

In 1910 most of the properties in Stokes valley were purchased by Dr Prendergast Knight and his wife. The total areas of these holdings was 2813 acres, and the land was farmed together under the name of "Fontenaye."

In 1920 all the property in Stokes Valley belonging to Dr. Prendergast Knight came into the hands of Mr. S. D. Thomson, who renamed it Kamahi. Thomson Realised that Stokes Valley was close to Wellington and Lower Hutt and thus the area had far greater possibilities as a cutting up proposition than as a farm. Thomson decided to road the side valleys and subdivision on a large scale began. From this time dates Stokes Valley's greatest progress. The scheme was well advertised and aroused considerable interest in the Wellington district, attracting hundreds of people intent on viewing the sections. Many were brought and cottages erected. Stokes Valley was turned into a popular weekend resort and on Saturdays and Sundays the once quiet valley was busy with visitors.

Sales of sections continued and more permanent homes were built until depression of the 1930's brought things to a standstill. Many cottages were let at low rentals and those people suffering through the depression were grateful for these, although many had little comfort or convenience. However, with the end of the depression the Valley prospered once more and building began again. From that time progress has been steady.

A Long Way to Wellington

M R.C. H. YOUNG has vivid recollection of Stokes Valley that take him back as far as 1913. The long, tedious journey to the Wellington markets by horse and cart left much to be desired, and leaving at 4.30 on a cold winter's morning, perched on top of a load created indescribable discomfort. The Stokes Valley Road was narrow and badly pot-holed and returning late at night, Mr. Young can still recall the swish! swish! of the gorse as it struck the spokes of the cart wheels. The road itself was mainly composed of three tracks, one in the centre made by the horses' hooves and one on either side formed by the cart wheels.

Transport

Transport for the early settlers was entirely dependent upon the individual. In many cases ponies were the best that could be hoped for until the roads were improved from tracks to wagon trails. Those who possessed them used pack-horses and hacks.

The railway from Wellington to Silverstream was opened in December 1875, and the valley residents either forded the river to Haywards or were rowed across in a boat south of the Silverstream Railway Bridge. At this time there were only three trains daily to and from Wellington.

One of the first motor trucks to enter the Valley was a Model T Ford bringing a load of wheat to a local farm. The carrier, on entering the Valley, was dismayed to see the narrowness of the road and the wall of gorse on either side. Thinking it likely that there was no turning place higher up, and fearing the possibility of difficulties, he turned his truck and backed the full mile to the farm!

Postal Services

A daily mail delivery from Wellington was made as far as a Post Office store in Taita from 1851. Residents of outlying districts had to make their own arrangements for collection from that point. The earliest record of a mail delivery to Stokes Valley dates back to the latter part of the 19th Century when Mr Percy Saul conveyed the mail from the Taita Store to his own residence at the lower end of the Valley twice a week. There it could be collected by residents, and outgoing mail delivered.

Postal boxes on Main Road, 1924

In 1903 Henry Tobin opened Stokes Valley's first post office and all mail was collected and posted from there. He used a motorcycle, and even back then, mail posted in Stokes Valley before 10 a.m. would reach Wellington by the afternoon. When Tobin left the Valley in 1908, the post office was taken over by Mr T Delaney who conducted it from his home for six years.

From 1920 mail was delivered daily from Lower Hutt to mailboxes at the mouth of the Valley. One morning a resident set forth to collect her mail and on approaching the boxes saw a cow behaving strangely. Before her astonished gaze, the cow deliberately extracted a bundle of mail and began to chew it up. A well-aimed rock sent the cow racing down the road with tossing horns and kicking heels, disgorging beslobbered mail as it ran. Nobody knew if it was a one-time experiment on the part of the cow, or whether cheques and receipts had been on the daily menu.

Telephone

A telephone service to Stokes Valley was installed early in 1919, and in the 1922 directory appear the names of two subscribers listed under the Heretaunga manual exchange. These were Messrs Gribble and Young (35D) and Dr Prendergast Knight (35M).

Electricity

The reticulation of Stokes Valley was carried out in 1926, with current being supplied in the following year to 12 consumers. The first street light for Stokes Valley was erected at the junction of Stokes Valley Road and the Main Hutt Road in October 1926. The threat from Japan in 1941 meant that it became necessary to disconnect this light (and another that had later been installed on the corner of Main and Kamahi Roads).

What exciting and intriguing times these must have been!