“Did Captain William Mein Smith ever pitch his tent here at Smiths Camp?” Smiths Camp sits high above Wellington. From this vantage point, you can see the sprawling city below. You can also imagine the rugged landscape that greeted the first European settlers. Smiths Camp is named after Captain William Mein Smith, Wellington’s first Surveyor-General. He arrived in 1840 with a team of surveyors to map out the new settlement for the New Zealand Company. Smith’s plan included a series of interconnected grid plans. These grids expanded along valleys and lower hill slopes. You can still see this grid pattern in downtown Wellington today. Smith was a colourful character. He was known for his sharp wit and his love of the outdoors. He often clashed with Colonel William Wakefield, the New Zealand Company’s Principal Agent. Smith was eventually dismissed as Surveyor-General in early 1842 but continued to work as a surveyor and local magistrate. He played a key role in the development of the Wellington region. Smiths Camp is a reminder of the challenges and triumphs of the early settlers. It’s a place to reflect on the city’s rich history and to enjoy the stunning views.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to