Paddy the Wanderer is a interesting tale from Wellington. Paddy was a Terrier (Airedale)who during the Great Depression (1930’s) would wander the streets of Wellington.
Many people became friends of Paddy and was well known for greeting sailors as they arrived or departed from Wellington.
On many occasions Paddy would make his way onto a Steamer that would work its way round the coast of New Zealand.
Paddy had also crossed “The Ditch” to Australia on a number occasions. It is also report that he also made his way to San Francisco.
Paddy was given the title of Assistant Night Watchman by the Wellington Harbour Board. The job was to keep undesirables out as well as rodents.
On 17th July 1939 he died after a cold period. His funeral included 12 taxis and at least 1 traffic officer. It is said that funeral brought Wellington to a standstill.
There is a sad aspect to the story. Paddy had been given to the daughter of R Gardner, it was after her Daughter died 11 years later, that Paddy ran away.
A memorial Drinking Fountain including a dog drinking bowl is located out the Museum of Fine Arts. It is located near the TSB arena and opposite Post Office Square.
Also a plaque is located the near by with all the story.
The fountain was made in 1947 and was made from pieces of stone from the then bombed Waterloo Bridge, London.
Three biographies have been written about Paddy over the years. and 1 book called Paddy The Wanderer based on Paddy written by Dianne Haworth. It was published on 1997 by Harper Collins.
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