Council May Assist Trust’ With Ferrymead Purchase

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 17

Council May Assist Trust’ With Ferrymead Purchase

The chairman of the Heathcote County , Council (Mr J. C. Holliss) said last evening that he was certain his council would be in , favour of assisting the National Historic Places Trust in buying the historic property at « Ferrymead which is to be offered for sale t soon.

*" ' This property is very valu■zable. historically. and I am _ sure we would be in favour ' of contributing its ♦ purchase," he Mid. The council, however, would be 'unable to undertake the -Avtiole purchase by itself, said Mr Holliss. » Both the Heathcote Valley

riding members of the council 'Messrs J. S Scott and ■»W B. Laing) gave assurances last evening that they would "support the trust in getting ■•the property. ' This area is certainly one 'of the most historic spots in Canterbury and I think it will ' be up to us to preserve it,” said Mr Scott. The property was in a rural zone, he said, and there 'was no possibility of its being subdivided for housing in the meantime. Even if the zoning was changed to urban at a later date, the Drainage Board would require considerable filling work to be . done before it would give its approval for domestic building. Mr Scott said. ‘At one stage, the board wanted to put its sepitic tank • on the site but the council refused to grant permission,” ’he said. Mr Laing said he would

give his full support to any move to preserve the area “We don’t want to let opportunities like thia slip," he Mid. The chairman of the Canterbury regional committee of the trust (Mr C Holdsworth) said his committee was preparing a recommendation to be placed before a meeting of the trust in Wellington on May 14 that efforts be made to purchase the land “I know the trust is heavily committed financially in the North Island and I think a lot will depend on the' attitudes of various local bodies here." said Mr Holdsworth. The trust had approached the owner of the property • Mr Leonard- Shearman) in the past in an effort to purchase a strip of land between the house and the river and taking in the site of the old Ferrymeed railway station, he said. “Mr Shearman would not l agree to this because, naturally enough, such a sale would have had a detrimental effect on the value of his house,” said Mr Holdsworth The trust had never been particularly interested in buying the house “it’s more than 100 years old” but it

now seemed the trust would have to take it, and the surrounding eight acres, to get the area it was interested in. Mr Holdsworth said. Although no definite plans for the area have been drawn up, Mr Holdsworth visualises a well la id-out picnic ground and resting place being established there “It is _an ideal spot for such a project as it is sheltered from the easterly weather,” he said