OLD LANDMARK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4046, 11 May 1938, Page 6

OLD LANDMARK

INTERESTING HISTORY. ONCE OCCUPIED BY IMMIGRANTS. A couple of old residents of Te Awamutu were chatting in the street and watching the progress of the work of demolishing the old residence for years occupied by the Teasdale family, in Alexandra Street. It transpired in the conversation that the house, which is substantially constructed mainly of kauri and totara was first erected by the military authorities some time after the Waikato War, and was used for several year’s to accommodate immigrants who were spending short terms in Te Awamutu prior to moving out to their farm lands in various parts of the district. Later the house was occupied by the headmaster of the local school, and it continued in that service until about thirty years ago, when the Education Department decided to dispose of it and erect another home for successive headmasters. Mr J. B. Teasdale effected the purchase, and made some alterations and additions to render it suitable for the needs of himself and his family, and it continued in use until a very few weeks ago, when Mr J. A. Maxwell who had purchased the ground on which to erect business premises, decided to dismantle the house and have it re-erected at Kihikihi. Before this decision was reached experienced builders closely examined it and decided that practically every stick in the building was in first-class condition—in fact, one went so far as to say that houses like that are not bu' : lt nowadays, explaining that the kauri and totara had been well seasoned before the building was erected. Thus the residence was an old landmark of thci town, for its location right in the heart cf the borough invariably attracted attention of visitors. Maybe it will be habitable for many years in its new location at Kihikihi.