Homes Of The Pioneers—lll Eyrewell, West Eyreton

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31071, 28 May 1966, Page 12

Homes Of The Pioneers—lll Eyrewell, West Eyreton

(Specially written for "The Press’

by

JOHN A. HENDRY, F.N.Z.I.A.)

EYREWELL. From a pen-and-wash drawing

by

A. J. Mair.

TpYREWELL is a well-known run, and, until recently, has always been held by • L< the Dixon family. It was started by Marmaduke Dixon, of Holton Park, Lincolnshire, when lie took up Run 83 on May 17, 1853, Run 93 in July that year and Run 84 in 1866.

He stocked the first two runs with 9000 sheep bought on terms from Sir John Hall, but as there was little or no water on the property he himself dug an 80ft well. Unfortunately, h e missed the water and had to sledge it from the Waimakiriri. Dixon's first house. The

Hermitage, was burnt and when he moved in 1860 he built a new homestead on the site of the present house, and found and tapped a reliable water-bearing stratum. Mrs Dixon named the property Eyrewell. He greatly improved his land, constructed his own Irrigation system, introduced the three-furrow plough, the straw elevator and the slip gate for drafting sheep.

Dixon is believed to be the first farmer to export bagged

wheat and when the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company was formed he sent its first 25 carcases of lamb to England —five to the Duke of Edinburgh the rest to the editors of the London newspapers. Potatoes also interested him. He was elected to the Provincial Council in 1865 and served until the abolition of the Provincial Government in 1876. On his death in 1895 his son, also Marmaduke, carried on, adding part of Worlingham to the 48,000-acre holding. A famous mountaineer, he died in 1918. Later, blocks were sold off; part divided among members of the family and recently the homestead block was bought by Mr and Mrs I. MacDonald.

Congruily The sketch shows the entrance to the present homestead, which was built about 1900. replacing the earlier and much more attractive building. Even so the rather stark structure does fit into the grounds quite well, having length on the garden front and attraction with its wide long shady veranda. As can be seen this has a bullnose type of sweep and is held by

quite heavy posts and rather coarse brackets, broken at the front entrance by the porch which repeats the type of finish to the main gables. The sweeping effect of the barge-boards and the strong shadows they cast accentuate the general starkness.

Pleasing Kitchen The only note of whimsy lies in the landing window with its brilliant red glasses. All the windows are doublehung of considerable .size as are the main doors and the glass doors on to the side veranda.

On entering the house the mood changes and with skilful use of colour and textures it at once becomes friendly and welcoming. The ceilings to the ground floor are very high, allowing an air of spaciousness not found in modern homes. This is no box of a hall, it is quite wide and runs the full length of the house with the main stairs rising in a straight flight to the first floor. Completely panelled in timber including the ceiling, with interesting mouldings and fine graining it forms a fine foil to the black and white tiled floor, colourful rugs and pictures.

The only “off note” is found in the balustrade to the stairs quasi-Gothic. On the left is the drawing room, plastered, with cornice and ceiling rose for the light pendant and carried out in reddish earthy colours and white accents. The pointed brick arch to the fire surround has a natural timber mantel blending happily with the soft colours of the furnishings. Opposite is the office, again in earthy colours and white with a huge flat-topped kauri deck and with touches of brilliant colours to give relief.

Red Glass Beyond the drawing room lies the huge living-dining room, all panelled, well lit with large windows and glass doors on to the veranda, and with a lot of red used as a foil. A most satisfying room apart from a monumental fire surround which is a bit overwhelming, yet it does add something to the general effect.

For the kitchen, constructed out of the former schoolroom a colour-scheme of white, junior navy and cinnamon has been chosen and is most pleasing. On the first floor, which appears vast, the long hall is repeated with windows at either end, that to the front having the brilliance of the red glass featured with striking curtains. Of the seven bedrooms on this floor, the main one in soft greens has a white marble fireplace, built-in wardrobes and windows on two walls. The back stairs are fairly steep, but quite pleasant without any fuss. One certainly feels this to be a comfortable family home.