WARDENSTHORPE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 258, 9 January 1873, Page 7

WARDENSTHORPE.

Among the many handsome villas erected by the citizens of Lawrence during the past year, the residence of our worthy Warden, Vincent Pyke, Esq., stands preeminent for architectural effect, commanding situation, and substantiality of construction. The tasteful manner in which the grounds surrounding it are laid out, enhances its picturesque aspect, and assists to ornament the part of the town in which they are situated. We will preface our description of the edifice by a short sketch of the latter. At the junction of lona and Lancaster-streets there is a gentle slope rising from the level of Whitehaven-street— and here Mr. Pyke has located himself, designating the property Wardensthorpa. The hill to the north-west breaks the force of the prevailing wind, which can scaicely — even when blowing its fiercest — be felt at Wardensthorpe. The present owner has only been about nine months in possession, yet, during that short space of time has worked wonders. Seeing lona-street, ; there is a handsome picket fence, in the centre of which is the principal entrance. Bound the other three sides of the grounds, live fences of broom, sweet briar, and thorn, have ben planted, and cross hedges for shelter hive been planted | where necessary. In frcnt of the house i is an. ornamental lawn; in which there is planted a number of native and exotic trees and shrubs. At tin sides, and in front of the lawn, divided from it by broad gravelled walks" , are nooks (girdled by a belt appropfoted to choice flowers), in which firs, spruce, pines, cypress, and coniferce of many kinds, and various other trees are growing. Further up, and along the paths, I plantations of filberts, plum trees, cherry trees, and medkrs, flourish amazingly, and currant and gooseberry bushes, strawberries, and the modest blackberry provide abundant supplies of fruit. At the rear is an apple orchard of considerable extent, planted in qnincunc form, round the borders of it being fruit bushes, strawberries, &c. Behind the orchard is the kitchen garden, well stocked with every description of vegetables the climate will grow. A belt of forest trees is planted at the upper side of the ground, which, when the trees attain their full height, will form admirable shelter. The dwelling-house is approached by a flight of steps leading from the lawn to an elevated terra-je, which runs round two sides of the building. " The terrace is fronted with turf, surmounted by a handsome balustrade. On each side of the steps are large vases, containing trailing plants. The main entrance is from the terrace, into a wide and«lofty hall, pannelled in granite. On the left is the drawing room, a large, lofty, and handsome apartment. The wainscoating is picked out with birdseye mapje, as also is the door. A heavy cornice pink and gilded, surrounds the ceiling. In the front is a deep bay window, such as are seen in country mansions in England, capacious enoughfor half-a-dozen to sit in the recest. From this window there is a splendid brdseye view of Lawrence, the Blue Spur workings and township, Gabriels Gully, Vetherstones, and the Waipori ranges. .Another window on the east, commands a pleasant landscape. On the opposite side of the hall is a bedroom of similar dimensions to the room just described. This apartment is tastefully decorated with light oak wainscoating, and a landsome cornice. The inner hall is reached through a stained glass door. On t\e left, opens the dining room, a spacious apartment, veryjofty, the windows in vhich command a view of the Dunedin road, the Tuapeka Hospital, &c,. The waimcoating of this room is also of oak. Opposite are bedrooms and a bath room. At the rear is the kitchen, opening into which are the pantries, and to which water has been laid on from tanks outside, ; coal and wood bunkers'also open into it, obviating the necessity of going outside the door for any requisite. - The stove has been placed in a recess ; and the kitchen has been raised two' feet above the other portions of the building, to prevent the smell of cooking penetrating into the other rooms. In order to obtain as much shelter as possible, a large excavation was made, 12 ! feet in ijepth -at the back, where a stone well 2 feet in thickness is built. The kitchen is thus almost underground, which secures for it a cool temperature at all seasons. Between the roof and the ceiling there is a thick lining of felt. This, in addition to the thickness of the wells, renders the tejnperature warm in winter and cold in summer— an advantage which every one will appreciate. The thickness of the petition* aJpq prevents the unntauantness of conversations held in one* room being heard in another. There is a chimney in every room — the fireplaces have been fitted with register grates and" the windows with Venetian blinds. Every attention has been paid to comfort and convenience in the construction of the house <&t Wardens thrope. It is unequalled out of Dunedtin, and will compare favorably with many of the best dwellinghouaea in the capital. The grounds, as we have said before, are laid out in a manner few landscape gardeners could surpass. The view from the grounds is most extensive, ranging over country backed by the Lammerlaw and Blue Mountains, and affording a distant glimpse of the Old Man Range. Approaching Lawrence by the Dunedin road, the most prominent feature in the landscape is Wardensthrope. Perched under the brow of the hill, the dwelling rising from^woidat the daxb.gEet>afptt3ge

of the plantations, which contrast with the lighter nature verdure, the picture is a pleasant oner-one that arrests and retains attention. In this country, and more especially on the goldtields, too little attention is given to beautifying dwellings. Nov that all who are in the country mayba said to be permanently attached to the soil, it seems time that something should be done towards rendering the placjs which the rising generation will call "home" pleasant and attractive, so tint those whose early years are spent in then may, after the lapse of time, look back \o them with pleasurable emotions. Wtrdensthorpe is a good example. Those who follow it will be wise in their generation.