Bell no. 40 (Hutt Valley)

As soon as the opportunity for groups to fund particular bells was advertised in May 1926, the residents of various Wellington and Hutt Valley suburbs undertook to raise money for individual bells. Petone agreed to fund one, and Lower Hutt another, and fundraising began accordingly.

However, the available bells were over-subscribed – within the first week there were 77 applications for the 49 bells. Because priority was given to people wishing to buy bells in memory of fallen family members, Petone and Lower Hutt were asked to combine to purchase a larger bell – the Carillon committee felt that ‘the day might not be very far distant when the whole of the Hutt Valley will be merged into one district’. Although some wished the suburbs to have their own bells, the mayors of the two suburbs agreed that it would show 'proper community spirit’ if they joined together to purchase a bell that had 'Hutt Valley' inscribed on it.

Unlike most of the other bells, this bell was not given a name.  

Further information:

Proposed Allotment, Evening Post, 3 September 1926, p. 3