SOCIETIES BUY HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27206, 25 November 1953, Page 6

SOCIETIES BUY HOUSE

FORMER HOME OF MR A. K. FIRTH

CENTRE FOR ACTIVITIES OF FOUR BODIES The property formerly owned by Mr A. K. Firth, at 6 Circuit street, Mcrivale, has been bought jointly by the Victoria League, the Royal Empire Society, the English-Speaking Union, and the Navy League. It is reported that the price was £9OOB. Accommodation for all functions of the societies is available. In the extensive and sheltered grounds garden parties will be held; large rooms are available for cocktail parties, and there is ample space for offices for each society and for committee meet, ing rooms. Meetings held to discuss the purchase resulted in a decision to bring the four societies under the same roof, said an officer of one of the societies yesterday. Furnishing of the house is expected to be carried out in English manor house traditions with oak pieces predominating. Parquet flooring is a feature of the large drawing room and lounge, and carpeting in these rooms will not be required. The former owner has given the organisations generous terms to allow them to pay for the building over a number of years. Several donations, ranging up to £5OO, have also been made by members of the societies towards the cost.

The purchase will be arranged by the formation of an incorporated body, members of which will be appointed by the different societies and the funds of which will be contributed by individual members of those societies. Possession of the house will be given on December 18, and it is understood that an opening function will be held between that date and Christmas. Built in 1914 by Mr S. G. Raymond, Crown Prosecutor in Christchurch until 1920, the house is set in large grounds bounded by a high brick wall.