Mason's Gardens, Lower Hutt

Hutt City Library Photograph: Thomas Mason's Gardens in Taita with the homestead in the background

New Zealand Times 03 Nov 1910 Blaze at Mason’s Gardens – The Old House Destroyed by Fire At 8.30 last night there was a big blaze at the historic and picturesque spot known as “Mason’s Gardens,” at Taita. The main building, a very large one, was burnt to the ground, and a number of trees close handy were burnt. The old residence was built by Mr Mason some forty of fifty years ago, and had lately been used as tea-rooms. About £200 worth of furnishings and crockery were destroyed. The present owner of the property is Mr Richard Keene, of Island Bay, and the tenants are caretakers, two families, Harris and Gleding. Mr Harris was away in Wellington. Mr Gleding went away about 7 o’clock. Nobody knows how the fire started. The Hutt brigade got quickly to the scene, but was of no use, as there was no water. They saved the stables and outbuildings by means of buckets of water. The personal effects of both families were destroyed. Mr Harris had an insurance for £200, and Gleding for £75 in the South British. The building insurances were not known last night.

Evening Post 29 Nov 1922 Avalon Park (late Mason’s Gardens) at last on the market in Lots ¼-acre to ¾-acre. Send name for Sale Plan and interesting Booklet. Considered by experts as the richest growing land in N.Z., if not in the whole wide world; 10 per cent deposit and 1s 6d a day. James Stellin, 20 Brandon-st. Tel. 3472