Pioneer Homesteads—IX Coldstream, Rangiora

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 13

Pioneer Homesteads—IX Coldstream, Rangiora

(Specially written for "The Press" by

JOHN A. HENDRY)

TN 1840, John Macfarlane, of Perthshire, Scotland, landed in A Nelson. Later he moved to the North Island where, in 1848, he married Catherine Cameron. But by December 1850, he was working under Thomas at Lyttelton and saw the arrival of the Pilgrims.

In September, 1851, I he took up the Low- ’ burn run of about 13,000 acres, selling it ■ in 1862 to the Cunningham brothers and i buying the Whiterock ; and Coldstream proi perties. > Macfarlane built homes on both stations, finally retiring , to Coldstream and putting in I managers on Whiterock. Like > many another he was almost 1 ruined by scab among the s sheep, but finally it was stamped out and a prosperous era ensued. On his death in 1884 Macfarlane was succeeded by his I son Malcolm, who had been > educated at a private school ■ j in Lyttelton and later at 1 ‘ Boys’ High School. He became -a well-known stock and horse - breeder and took many prizes | in shows. Like his father he , [ became president of the . Northern Agricultural and 1 Pastoral Association. Local Politics True to the traditions of the 1 early run holders, he was also • interested in local politics, and ; was a member of the Mande- , ville and Rangiora Road Board of which he was chairman for ' five years. On his death in 1911, the

property remained in the t family until 1919 then it was } bought by John Beadle, j Another owner, W. McCann, t sold it in 1949 to the present < occupiers, Mr and Mrs W. J. 1 G. Turnbull. 1 22 Rooms The present house, was < built by Malcolm Macfarlane, s and added to from time to < time, to become finally a 22 i room “mansion.” However, 1 this became too unwieldy in 1 this servantless era, So that a j large part of back has been removed. Probably begun in the mid-eighties, it was a single-storey structure with rusticated weatherboards com- : plete with mock stone quoin- 1 ing at the angles, and with ■ two large pleasantly- 1 proportioned bay-windows ■ flanking the wide panelled : entrance door and sidelights. A veranda ran round three , sides. Floor Added At the turn of the century ■ the first floor was added, giving a more impressive ‘ appearance to the house, and ' providing several interesting features, such as the use of the cast-iron lacework which takes up the height of the old veranda and forms a pleasant transition from the old work :

to the new in much the same way that bands of insertion are used in embroidery. One feels that the first-floor balustrade could have been simpler and the veranda brackets more graceful, perhaps carried out in the same pattern as the cast-iron to the lower veranda. The glazing to 'the first-floor windows is interesting, employing coloured glass in soft colours, again as bands of insertion. Another interesting detail can be seen on the sketch to the right of the main entrance—an old hitch-ing-post. High Ceilings On entering the house, an air of spaciousness is given by the high ceilings, that to the hall being clad in stamped steel with a deep cornice, while the dining room to the left—a large comfortable room—has a plaster ceiling, cornice and beautiful ceiling rose in the centre. Carried out in a colour scheme of soft green and greys with colour accents it forms a perfect foil for the glowing polished Victorian furniture and comfortable easy chairs. Like that at Mount Thomas, the fireplace is very large and fully tiled to the fireback with here a neat wooden surround and mantel. Yet this

does not fully prepare us for the drawing room opposite, which is one of the most delightful rooms we have yet seen. It is very long, due to the side veranda having been taken into the room. This area is approached under a graceful elliptical archway with carved corbels. Another bay-window adds more length. In the main part of the room the pleasant shape of the splayed bay window contrasts effectively with the severe lines of the fireplace which boasts a handsome pair of fire dogs. Another attractive ceiling rise and cornice with a gilt moulding attracts the attention while the general colour scheme of soft cream walls, deep pink curtains, chintz covers and white rugs on a polished floor sets off some beautiful antique furniture and paintings. The staircase, which is placed behind this room and to the side of the hall, is of Kauri, in straight flights of the open string variety with heavy newel posts, ?ind leads to a large first floor landing through another elliptical archway. Off this landing open the bedrooms, all of which are large, airy, well lit and decorated in soft pastel colours. Sound-Proofed

One very interesting thing about this house is the fact that all the first floor has been sound-proofed by a three-inch layer of sand laid between the floor joists.