GIFT ASSURED Famous Landmark Willed To City

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 273, 18 November 1941, Page 8

GIFT ASSURED Famous Landmark Willed To City

THE OLD WINDMILL

PROVISION IN WILL

Provision is contained in the will of the late Mr. J. Partington for the vesting of the okl windmill and the surrounding property in the Auckland City Council as trustees for the citizens. The property was estimated five years ago to be worth £100,000.

It was thought at one stage this morning that some difficulty might arise in this connection because of a rumour that a will had not been found. Mr. Partington's solicitor, Mr. C. H. M. Wills, disclosed this afternoon, however, that he had a copy of the will at his offices and that it contained full provision in this regard. The preservation of the mill as an historic landmark is therefore assured.

Mill Was Threatened The announcement by Mr. Partington concerning his intended gift to the city was made five years ago at a time when the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board was seeking to take over the property as a site for a large modern fire station. It was stated by the board at the time that there was no intention on its part to demolish the Old Mill, but Mr Partington considered that the existence of his property, in its historical connection, was threatened and he opposed the proposal bitterly. In this resistance he was joined by a large number of citizens and a petition was drawn up and signed by a very large number of people protesting against any suggestion to interfere with the Old

Various organisations joined officially in the protest, and there were several approaches to the Auckland City Council regarding the matter. Finally, in November, 1936, Mr. Partington wrote to the council notifying his intention to vest the Old Mill and the surrounding property in the City Council as trustee . . . "for the purpose of preserving the Old Mill for all time."

"It is understood, of course," he stated, "that this intention has been fully provided for in my will and that until my death the windmill and my property remain absolutely my own. I had no thought of disclosing my intention until I was forced to do so by the attempt of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board to seize my land and windmill. Ambition Fulfilled "It has been my ambition for years to see that when I am gone the old windmill is preserved and kept and worked as a windmill. I have bought up the surrounding land as opportunity offered to prevent the erection of large buildings which would block the wind and the view of the old windmill." On September 21 the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, announced this intention to the council, stating that the property was estimated to be worth £100,000.

"This most public-spirited gesture on the part of Mr. Partington," he said "will re-kindle in all of us, I am sure, that sense of civic pride which is so characteristic of Auckland ... it is a source of gratification to know that the preservation of this historic landmark to future generations will be assured. At the same time, had these steps not been taken by Mr. Partington, I am satisfied that public sentiment would not have stood for the demolition of the mill. . . ."