MORMON CHAPEL TO BE BUILT AT “MONA VALE”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29272, 2 August 1960, Page 14

MORMON CHAPEL TO BE BUILT AT “MONA VALE”

A Mormon chapel costing £60,000 will be built on the wellknown “Mona Vale” property, which has been sold by its owners, Gough, Gough and Hamer, Ltd., to the. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsA permit to build the chapel, which will be of 14,400 sq. ft. and built in concrete block with a 45ft tower, was granted by the Riccarton Borough Council when it met last evening. “There’s nothing we can do to stop them, is there?” remarked a member. The granting of the permit Is subject to plans and specifications for plumbing and electrical installations, and other building fixtures,, being found satisfactory. Only that part of the property on which the chapel was actually built, and “a reasonable area” surrounding it, would be exempt from rates, said the Mayor (Mr E. J. Bradshaw). The chapel would be sited on the four-acre area of the property, bounded by the Avon river and the mill race. Schoo) Rooms The intention of the Church of Latter Day Saints to have schoolrooms and a seminary in the chapel building was mentioned during a brief discussion on the application for a building permit. The erection of the chapel was a conditional use of the property, said the Town Clerk (Mr R. Sarjeant). The plans for the chapel complied in all respects With the council’s requirements. The Mayor said that the Church of Latter Day Saints had previously agreed to buy part of the “Mona Vale” property, but a building permit had been declined by the council until it got the actual subdivision of the land, and proper access was provided so that borough facilities could be given locally to the subdivided property. “They found difficulty in meeting those requirements, so they have now satisfied the position by buying the whole of ‘Mona Vale,” Mr Bradshaw sai». A council sub-committee consisting of the Mayor and the Town Clerk was appointed to discuss matters concerning Drainage Board requirements, fire protec-

tion requirements, and access to the property from Irvine street, with the applicant organisation. “Mona Vale,” the former home of the late Mr Tracy Gough, with its 16 acres of lawns and gardens, is the last remaining big home property in or near Christchurch. Two miles from Cathedral square, it is hidden from Fendalton road, the streets of Riccarton, and the northern main trunk line, which skirts its western boundary. Along the wide driveway from Fendalton road, just east of the railway line, runs the Wairarapa stream, which just before the house is reached, is joined by the Avon river. Before the driveway to “Mill House” is reached, a weir banks up the river, a part of which flows through the wheels of the old mill. On the northern bank of the Avon river, crossed by a rustic bridge, are two big grassy spaces fronting on to Fendalton road. The main entrance to “Mona Vale” runs from the “Lodge” near the Fendalton road railway crossing. Another entrance is available through “Mill House.” From the city, the approach to “Mona Vale” is via Park terrace. Harper avenue, and Fendalton road.

There is a twp-storey brick house on the property built in the English style of a half-century ago. Upstairs are seven bedrooms and three bathrooms. After being used as a private residence, “Mill House’’ was for some years a private maternity hospital. Mr Gough later converted it into flats for use by his business staff. “The Lodge” on Fendalton road and the caretaker’s house inside the Irvine street gateway remain parts of the “Mona Vale” property, which is still occupied by Mrs Gough.