Petone?s old police station and jail in Jackson Street doesn?t look too bad for its age ? 100 this year. Photo supplied by Roy Hewson.
Drunks were a big problem for police officers in Petone and it was a historic day when a police station with a lock up facility finally opened in 1909. One of New Zealand?s first ever police stations is 100 this year and the Petone Historical Society is looking at ways to celebrate the historic occasion. Petone?s old police station and jail in Jackson Street is now occupied by the Jackson Street Programme and the Historical Society. ?There?s so much of our early history still here and we?re being very protective of it,? Petone Historical Society president Vera Ellen said. A date has yet to be set for the celebrations as discussions are still at the preliminary stage, she said. Manager of the Jackson Street programme Robert Hutton he thought there should be celebrations for ?the great little jail?. In 1909 four officers moved from their cramped quarters in Nelson Street into their new premises in Elizabeth Street. Alcohol abuse was a major problem and the cells were used for people to ?sleep it off?. The station and cells were moved behind the courthouse at 13 Elizabeth Street in the late 40s. The Jackson Street Programme transported the building to its current site at 174b Jackson Street in 1995.