Major role in J’ville rail line

By Frank Neill

One of the businessmen responsible for building the Johnsonville rail line, John Plimmer, will be the focus of a new cinematic documentary.

Capital Video Productions is planning the documentary, entitled “Father of Wellington”.

The production will look at the life of John Plimmer and will investigate whether what he achieved in the very early stages of Wellington’s development warrants him having the title “Father of Wellington”.

John Plimmer did make outstanding contributions to the political and social life of early Wellington settlers, many of which are still having a significant impact today.

In 1850 he purchased the Inconstant and established Plimmer’s Ark.

He initiated the first reclamation of the Wellington harbour in the early 1850s. He owned Barretts Hotel and several other hotels in the city.

He played a major role in the formation and development of theWellington and Manawatu Railway Companyfrom Wellington to Longburn. That included the rail line that still runs between Thorndon and Johnsonville.

He was honoured for his role in the railway company with the naming of the seaside town of Plimmerton.

He was elected to the Wellington Provincial Council in 1856 and 1857.

He was a member of the Wellington Board of Works in 1862 and of the new Wellington City Council when it was formed in 1870. He was a founding member of the Welling-