HOUSES OF THE PIONEERS 2 Wood Lane, Fendalton

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 5

HOUSES OF THE PIONEERS 2 Wood Lane, Fendalton

(Specially written lor “The Press" by

JOHN A. HENDRY,

F.N.Z.

.1.A.)

A 50-ACRE block of land, which included the present site of 2 Wood lane, was granted in 1852 to William Tod, a carter, of Christchurch.

The next year he sold it to Thomas Cass, the surveyor, who, in turn, sold off various portions, including, in 1858, this particular portion, to A. J. Wallace. Wallace died soon after and eventually his estate sold it to Mrs Jane Deans. It then passed to John Deans, her son, who sold it in 1881 to the Rev. and Mrs Henry Williams.

Later owners included H. O. D. Meares, Mrs Janet Williams, Mrs John Grigg, Mrs M. A. Quinn and, finally, Dr. G. L. Rolleston.

Originally there was much fretting to the gables, domes and former veranda with cast-iron cresting to the ridges of the roof, as can be seen in an early photograph in the possession of the present owners. As it now stands, gleaming white with steeply-pitched black roofs, one feels the removal of this “lace" Has been an improvement for the bold lines of the house are further strengthened by the severity of the detail.

with a flight of brick paved steps to the heavy linenfold! panelling of the front door. The range of windows to the!

right indicates where a veranda has been enclosed to pro-1 vide cloakroom space. Entering, we are in a long well-lit hall with varying ceiling levels. Here are the stairs, fairly steep, with polished handrail and painted i ballisters while carefully I selected colours and furnish- I ings make it a most attractive j area.

Even the boundary roads have changed their names. Fendalton road having been called Fendall Town and Wood Lane first called Hagley road and then Park road. The present house was erected by Mr Williams and remains substantially the same, apart from a large addition to the North and small alterations to the south. Built of solid brick on concrete foundations, with white stone dressings to windows, doors, angle quoins and chimneys, it faced south —the service wing being to the north.

The strong shadows cast by the eaves and bargeboards of the gables and darmers and in the deeply recessed windows makes it vibrant and alive. This is no relic but a living house of character and independence. 1916 delightful entrance court has carefully-placed hedges and ornamental whitepainted brick walls and urns,

To the left is a large! kitchen with a bay window, formerly the dining room., while the original drawing i room, now the dining room, is on the right. This room of! very pleasant proportions is. decorated in a deep rose pink with white relief and furnished with mahogany and rosewood. 1

Beyond the stairs we come to a large sun-room and the drawing room, both comparatively new additions, which make no attempt to follow the original styling of the house, yet marry happily into a whole.

The sun-room was added in the twenties by Mrs Janet Williams and the drawing room in Georgian styling with a beautiful Louis Seize marble fireplace, added later by Mrs Quinn to replace the former kitchen wing. Above the fireplace the mirrored chimney breast reflects the mustard-coloured walls and white mouldings, crystal chandelier and lively furnishings. A friendly room, quiet and relaxing, filled with sunshine and with vistas over terraces, and lawns to the river.

The first floor is equally interesting and here we find an excellent use of colour and materials.

One feels that the challenge of maintaining this virile house has been enthusiastically taken up by the various owners with excellent results.