“MENORLUE”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 106, 17 February 1950, Page 2

“MENORLUE”

HOME OF COLLINS FAMILY GOVERNMENT ACQUIRES a PROPERTY After being held by the Collins family for 57 years, the property known as “Menorlue,” on Walnut Avenue, has been taken by the Government under the Public Works Act, 1925. Present plans are for the land to be used as the site of an intermediate school and sports grounds.

The property hag been well looked after,,and is very central for the purpose, being 15 minutes from the centre of the town, through the Domain. The original holding of eight acres was taken up in 1893 by the late Mr W. H. Collins, founder of the firm of W. H. Collins and Co., Ltd., when there were only three houses on Walnut Avenue, and the road was formed, but considered mostly of ruts for the horse and cart wheels. Since those days the road has been macadamised and sealed, and trees have been grown on both sides, while Allenton is becoming a most popular suburb. 4 The homestead has been rebuilt over the years, and besides the old stables', barns, and men’s quarters there are three cottages on the property. The holding was increased to 12 acres, and later to 20 acres, but quite a portion has been sold on Middle Road, and houses erected thereon.

“Manor in the Lee”

The name “Menorlue” comes from Redruth, Cornwall, England, where it was the name of the home and farm on which Mr W. H. Collins was born. It means “manor j.n the lee” or sheltered home, and applies equally well to the New Zealand property, with its spacious sheltered gardens round the home, which have provided a colourful flower show from year to year. During the lifetimes of Mr and Mrs W. H. Collins, the gardens at “Menorlue” were the scene of many garden party entertainments, for which they were so well suited, and many notable people were entertained there while Mr Collins was Mayor of Ashburton and held various other public offices. At the present time, Miss Collins and her niece and nephew are living at “Menorlue,” and the sale provides for their occupancy until the end of 1950. The new owners hare stated that they will retain the name “Menorlue,” which has been associated with Ashburton for so many years.