Tisch Family Lived In “Tea Caddy” Homestead

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 2

Tisch Family Lived In “Tea Caddy” Homestead

The “Tea caddy” homestead, discussed on this page in a recent article, has aroused memories for visitors who have been entertained there in the past and for Mr Walter Tisch, who lived there as a teen-aged boy at the turn of the century. During the Tisch family’s residence there, the property at 456 Papanui road became one of the show places of the district and well known for its hospitality. “When purchased by my father in 1898, the property consisted of 10 acres, bounded by Papanui road. Grants road, Frank street and an unnamed ‘paper* road parallel to Papanui road,” says Mr Tisch in a letter.

The property had been somewhat neglected and Mr Tisch senior engaged two landscape gardening firms to redesign the grounds and named the place “Springlands.” Mr Walter Tisch remembers a large lake, between the house front and Grants road, a summer-house in the middle of the lake approached by an arched bridge, and large stables on the property. The two-storey stables became the joinery works of a building contractor and later a timber company, he said. “My father’s extensive

travels resulted in a collection of beautiful Italian alabasters and marble statuettes, as well as Eastern antiques, gracing the enormous drawing-room. One evening more than 200 persons attended a magic-lantern entertainment for charity in this room,” he said. Mr Tisch, who now lives at Clifton, is the only surviving member of a family of 10. While living in the “Tea caddy” homestead, three of his six sisters were married from the house.

“On my father’s death in 1903 all his properties were sold. This particular one, with one acre of land, was purchased by a Rev. Mr Adamson.” he said.

The house is now occupied by Miss Edna Dunnage, a descendant of the original owner (the Rev. George Dunnage) and her mother, Mrs F. W. Dunnage.