Friends Of Cracroft House Formed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31343, 13 April 1967, Page 2

Friends Of Cracroft House Formed

An appeal for funds to assist in the restoration of Cracroft House and grounds, the historic Canterbury property now used by the Girl Guides’ Association, was launched at the inaugural meeting of the Friends of Cracroft House. More than £4OO was raised during the evening.

“Early last year a group in Christchurch, including representatives of the Guides, Rotary clubs, and the Canterbury regional committee of the Historic Places Trust, became interested in renovating Cracroft House to preserve it and make it worthy of the Guides,” the chairman (Mr M. H. McCrostie) explained.

In his opening address, the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) saW it wm of the utmost Importance that a historic building such as Cracroft House be retained for future generations.

“We owe it to the younger generation to pass on any virtues we had in our early training. New Zealand was one of the foundation members of the Girl Guides’ Association and we are in a strong position here. The number of guides using Cracroft House demonstrates its Importance,” be said.

Lady Polson, a great grand-

daughter of the founder of “Cashmere,” as the estate was originally called, traced the history of Sir Cracroft Wilson’s development of the area. “He described the land as ■possessing everything which could make an estate desirable’, but other people talked about it as an impenetrable swamp,” she said. Noah’s Ark Sir Cracroft Wilson came to Canterbury in 1853 on leave from India with his second wife, his eldest son, and a party of 20 Indians and Eurasians and animals of every sort The ship which he chartered from Australia was known in the family as “Noah’s Ark,” Lady Polscn said.

Sir Cracroft Wilson recorded the happenings of Ms day in a very detailed diary. “One entry says: “The proceeds of thia little work. If any, will be devoted to building a town hall.’ And that was written in 1853,” she said.

With help from the Indian workers and contract labour, Sir Cracroft Wilson set about draining the swamp. When his leave expired he returned to India, coming back to settle finally on "Cashmere” in 1859.

Mr C. B. Wells, a Christchurch architect, described plans for developing the site and renovations to the present building. A hall, dormitory, caretakers’ residence and swimming pool were proposed. The new buildings would be placed in between the present trees as far as was possible.

“Cracroft House Is a wonderful asset to the guides,” said Mrs J. Martin, deputy provincial commissioner. “Nearly every week-end there is some activity there. Sometimes there are events in the evenings, and it is always fully booked for the holidays.” Historical View “I look at the restoration of Cracroft House from a purely historical point of view, and from considerations of its value to the student of history,” said Mr J. A. Hendry, of the Canterbury regional committee of the Historic Places Trust "This is a complete homestead, with the Indian quarters, buildings and farmyard all more or less concurrent The farming methods and

animal husbandry of the 1850-60 period can be studied there.

"The homestead was the place from wMch the direction for this work came. It will still be used in its original form—as the hub of the estate,” he said.

A committee was elected as follows.—Mr M. IL McCrostie (chairman). Miss E. Simes, Mesdames S. J. A. Fletcher, 3. Martin, L M. Poulton, C. C. Riley, K. B. Smith, D. S. Studholme, Messrs A. E. Bartram, J. A. Hendry, R. B. Howarth, L L. Hall, G. Van Asch, Dr. P. B. Maling.