"TE WAIMATE."

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19389, 15 August 1928, Page 4

"TE WAIMATE."

FIRE RAZES HISTORIC HOMESTEAD. STUDHOLME FAMILY'S LOSS. (SPECIAi TO THB PRESS.) WAIMATE, August 14. A mass of ruins now marks the place where for more than half a century stood ( 'Te Waimate," the picturesque homestead of Mr E. 0. Studholme, which was burned to the ground early this morning. With the building were destroyed a number of very valuable articles and trophies, many of which were associated with the pioneering days and the sporting lite of the btudholme family. , iU .. , ~ Those in the house at the time of the outbreak were Carlisle and Dan btudholme, aged XI and 8 respectively, Mis s K Wood (governess), James landsay (shepherd), and two maids. The cowwan slept'in a hut nearby. Miss Wood was awakened about 4.30 a.m. by the glow of flames at her window. Jumping out of bed she roused the children and made a hurried exit without pauaine for clothing, for there was little time to spare. The children aroused James Lindsay, and after he had called the two maids ne rushed down the stairs with the children. Subsequently attempts were made to rescue some clothing. Miss G Tooley. one of the maids, rushed back twice, and the second time she had to get out a window on to the roof of the kitchen, thence to the ground. She cut a leg slightly in the fast jump Miss Wood rang for the fire brigade, and Captain Willetts, with two firemen from the station, answered the summons promptly, teaching the scene, the firemen found the building enveloped in flames, and as the place was outside the water area they could do nothing. Attention was directed to saving the outbuildings, but there were none very close. The glare of the burning building lit up the countryside for a considerable distance, for the well-seasoned timber burned like matchwood. The fire lasted for some time, and it was not until about 6 o'clock that the roof fell in. Of the seven chimneys, six are. stall standing, but all else of the historic homestead went up in the flames. A safe was dragged from the rums when a chance presented itself, but its contents were badly charred and practically useless. , , • „ It is considered that the fire commenced in the nursery, but what caused it is a mystery. There were no fires at all in the house. "Te Waimate House" was a two-stor-eyed building of 83 rooms, built chiefly or black pine and totara, the architecture being of the Victorian period. Not the least considerable loss was the destruction of a valuable collection or sporting trophies which adorned the walls or the big house. Mr Studholme and his brothers were wel) known as sportsmen, and took part in many big game and deer-stalking expeditions in Africa and New Zealand. They had gathered together many fine heads ana skins as a result of their prowess with the rifle and gun The house and furniture were insured for a sum in the vicinity of £6OOO with the London and Lancashire offices. The flames did not touch "Pioneer Hut," the first cottage erected on the estate in 1854 by the Studholme brothers. Mr and Mrs Studholme y/ere in Christchurch for the National Meeting, which Mr Studholme has not missed for many years—the inauguration of the Grand National Steeplechase is closely.linked with the family —and a telephone message early this morning conveyed the first news of their loss. Muob sympathy will be felt for Mr and Mrs Studholme in the loss of "Te Waimate,',' which was an important link with the early days of the settlement. In addition "Te. Waimate" was , a". l iorae where many notable guests had been entertained. During visits to the district, important figures-in the life of the young colony were sheltered under its hospitable roof, and many prominent people of the present day, both in and beyond New Zealand, had been guests there. "Te Waimate" estate is closely linked with the early history of Waimate, ai it was the site of the residence of the first white settler, Mr Michael •Studholme. It was in July,. 1854. that Mr Michael Studbolnie reached Wai*. mate, and after camping for some weeks at Point Bush set.about building a house for, himself. This house is the cottage which was Spared by the fire, as it stood somewhat to one side of "Te Waimate." Built of totara slabs with cob inside and thatched roof, it stands to-day in as good condition as the day it was built. At this time Waimate was marked by about 3000 acres of bush, scrub, and svwnp, and Mr Studholme selected 3500 acres of pastoral country along the Waihao river under license dated February, 1855. It was not long after, his arrival that Mr Studholme set about building a better residence, and this was the beginning of "Te Waimate." The homestead was not quite finished in 1860, when Mr Studholme married. The original "Te Waimate" homestead consisted of six rooms, two above and four below. . Additions made in 1880 and since were responsible for the rambling nature of the building, which, however, rather enhanced than destroyed it's charm. At the time of the great bush fire, in 1878 Mr Studholme employed, a number as fire-fighters, as, it was feared that when the fire reached Point Bush there was a likelihood of "Te Waimate" homestead being endangered. Fortunately, however, the wind died down, and the fire was extinguished.