PAPERS IN OLD HOUSES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27047, 23 May 1953, Page 9

PAPERS IN OLD HOUSES

RELICS OF LAST CENTURY

The papering which lines old houses always arouses interest. An unusual assortment has been found by Mr F. Wayman, who has built a new home at 14 Cpllingwood street, New Brighton and is demolisiiig an old two-storey building there—now discovered to be the Duckworth family’s old home which was shifted, about 40 years ago. Beneath the present wallpaper the old building had scrim, then matchlining, then calico, and then old papers over the studs., This last layer had a varied face;

A calendar of 1888 was boldest. Then there was a subdivision plan of Christchurch east of Manchester street. A “Lyttelton Times” almanac of 1873 contained advertisements of Alfred Gee, Colombo street, for “confections and fancy biscuits, jellies, blanc manges, creams, custards, pound cakes, etc. one of H. Matson and Company, “auctioneers, land, mining, estate, and general agents”; and one of the Woolston, Woolspouring Works.” Another find was a timetable of the Ceylon-Brindisi mail for 1885 with a ship leaving Melbourne on January ari *iving in London on February

A notice for the Honorary Reserve Corps prescribed rifle practice times, members to bring their own ammunition and “no lunch provided.” Campbell and Crust’s New Zealand Express. Company had a list of cartage rates for New Zealand and overseas, the part intact showing that a "ib parcel could be taken to Ashburton for 6d. Maps and other papers were also found. '