Pioneer Homesteads—VII Larundel, West Eyreton

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 13

Pioneer Homesteads—VII Larundel, West Eyreton

LARUNDEL From a pen-and-wash

drawing by

A. J. Mair.

'Specially written for “The Press" by JOHN A. HENDRY) £ARUNDEL, formerly the Ranche, was part of Robert Chapman's famous Springbank estate at West Eyreton.

Chapman died in 1882 after making 15,000 of his 23,000 acres freehold.

In 1886, with the division of the estate between his sons, this portion came to Walter Chapman, who was then in a bank in Timaru. He farmed the holding of some 3000 acres naming it The Ranche, built the homestead in the nineties, planted great shelterbelts and created the gardens.

A successful farmer and breeder Walter Chapman was a member, and an active administrator of both the Northern and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associations.

He was, with two of his brothers a member of the first Rangiora football team, which, incidental!}’ at first played under a mixture of soccer and Rugby rules. On his death in 1923, his son Denis inherited, and when he died in 1938 the property, then nearer 2000 acres, passed to his wife, who only last year sold it to Larundel Farm, Ltd, so severing yet another link in the great Springbank tradition.

The present owners are Mr and Mrs J. A. G. Fulton, who

changed the name to Larundel after a family property in Australia. This large house has a serenity not often found in this era, due no doubt to the wide overhanging eaves, the broad bull-nosed verandas, and in no small measure to the beautiful trees and gardens.

Little Fuss

There is little fuss, even the eaves brackets are widelyspaced, then grouped for effect while the boldly placed first-

floor windows have quite effective simple hoods and carved console brackets. Shadows are crisp and lively. The verandas have nearly all been incorporated in the rooms behind them, a somewhat unfortunate effect externally, but most interesting internally.

Staircase

The central entrance is emphasised by the flight of steps with attendant bulls and plinths leading up to a heavy panelled door and glazed sidelights, opening into a small vestibule tiled in black and white with a glazed screen into the hall proper. Flanking the main door are two large gilded lanterns with

etched-glass* panels which came, it is said, from Sir John Halls carriage.. Imagine the surprise on entering the hall to find the almost exact replica of the beautiful spiral staircase which was seen at Belgrove. True this one is even more graceful due to the smooth plastered soffit, and to having been placed to better advantage in a much larger and more charming hall. Soft blue-greys and white predominate accented with rugs, pictures and flowers.

Ceiling Roses

To the right is the drawing room, large, square and lofty with free-standing columns where the veranda has been incorporated and also opening on to a semi-enclosed sunporch. The fireplace has been pleasantly modernised with flanking cupboards and the room must charmingly furnished with attractive period pieces, comfortable chairs, pictures and bowls of flowers.

Opposite is the dining room, similar in shape and size, but

with a panelled alcove in what was part of the veranda and the original timber flresurround. Throughout, skirtings and architraves are heavily moulded, as are ceiling roses and cornices. This room also has some handsome Victorian pieces and a magnificent silver Samovar.

Big Bedrooms

There is also another more intimate living room or den which is complete with a most delightful timber surround of slender coupled columns with carved detail to the fireplace. As would be expected the kitchen is enormous yet quite convenient and most attractive. Upstairs, the bedrooms are large, high-ceilinged and airy, the main bedroom being carried out in a warm muted pink and furnished with some handsome mahogany furniture. However, the most interesting part is the “back stairs” leading to the maids’ rooms on a lower level and thence to the kitchen regions. The stairs are simple straight flights with only just enough headroom and care must be taken not to bump one’s head on unexpected beams. The rooms themselves are small and lined with T. and G. and painted but not doubt adequate.