Sale of the first section in Paraparaumu
Entrance to Kapiti Lights carpark, Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu
The Crown bought 983 acres of Māori land at Paraparaumu in 1874. This was transferred to Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company when trains started to run in 1886. The Company’s surveyors subdivided it into a township of 130 quarter acre sections and 31 suburban sections of 6 to 36 acres.
On 29 June 1888 the land was offered for sale by auction. At first demand was slow, but within ten years most of the sections had been sold. A plaque at the eastern end of Kapiti Road records that the first section was bought by W Schmidt. A settlement grew up near the railway crossing, soon surrounded by orchards and small farms as bush was cleared.
Cairn commemorating the site of the first European section in Paraparaumu
Residence of Charles Whiting in the Valley Road area in 1912 (the house has been demolished). His family and friends are seated on the verandah. To the right are a glasshouse and 1902 Oldsmobile car.
![Residence of Charles Whiting in the Valley Road area in 1912 (the house has been demolished). His family and friends are seated on the verandah. To the right are a glasshouse and 1902 Oldsmobile car.]()
The Paraparaumu School schoolmaster Mr Vaughan and his wife on their verandah at 30 Hinemoa Street in 1908. The building became Paraparaumu Playcentre
![The Paraparaumu School schoolmaster Mr Vaughan and his wife on their verandah at 30 Hinemoa Street in 1908. The building became Paraparaumu Playcentre]()
Mr and Mrs Heffer on the verandah of their home in Paraparaumu, ca 1908. Mr Heffer was the village blacksmith. He is pushing a (ca 1906) Douglas motorcycle with a wickerwork sidecar, the other motorcycle is of the same vintage Hp 321, Howell Collection
![Mr and Mrs Heffer on the verandah of their home in Paraparaumu, ca 1908. Mr Heffer was the village blacksmith. He is pushing a (ca 1906) Douglas motorcycle with a wickerwork sidecar, the other motorcycle is of the same vintage Hp 321, Howell Collection]()
Residence of Charles Whiting in the Valley Road area in 1912 (the house has been demolished). His family and friends are seated on the verandah. To the right are a glasshouse and 1902 Oldsmobile car.
The Paraparaumu School schoolmaster Mr Vaughan and his wife on their verandah at 30 Hinemoa Street in 1908. The building became Paraparaumu Playcentre
Mr and Mrs Heffer on the verandah of their home in Paraparaumu, ca 1908. Mr Heffer was the village blacksmith. He is pushing a (ca 1906) Douglas motorcycle with a wickerwork sidecar, the other motorcycle is of the same vintage Hp 321, Howell Collection
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