THE OLD HOME PASSES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 4

THE OLD HOME PASSES

The auctioning at Mokoia on Wednesday of ope of the fine old homes of South Taranaki is another incident in the chain of a world-wide trend. With the passage of time changes are inevitable, and homes and types of architecture are no exception to the general rule. The process is most marked in some of the older countries such as England, where in recent years many of the long established country seats have come under the hammer not so much because of the antiquity of their design and construction and their tremendous size but because financial stress and heavy taxation have made it impossible for their owners to retain and maintain them. To a lesser degree New Zealand is following in the footsteps of the Mother Country, the demolition of “Brooklands,” the

home of the late Mr. Newton King in New Plymouth, and the Lysaght home at Mokoia being two notable examples. People to-day cannot, for the most part, maintain very large homes, and naturally desire houses in keeping with modern styles. This choice of homes is a significant matter, for it is to a large extent a reflection of the character of the people. The passing of the old style is not unaccompanied by regret, for it represents the passing of tradition and dignity—two of the sterling characteristics of the Briton overseas. It must not be assumed, however, that the new order does not give equally as good a scope for the expression of character. A day or two ago a visitor from South Africa, in a published interview, was constrained to belittle the New Zealand home and its furnishings. To some degree he was correct, for there is room for a great deal of improvement in the environment and atmosphere of many Taranaki homes. But the suggestion about “gimcrack” furnishings was somewhat unfair and inclined to be misunderstood. Any of tire leading furnishing houses of Taranaki provide a range of materials which in comfort and artistry would make a charming home. The two factors affecting purchases are spending power and taste, and it is not nejessary to have great spending power in order to exercise good taste. That many people have taste is proved by the quality of the goods on sale, but there is opportunity for the cultivation of artistic judgment on the part of many purchasers. It is not the supply houses that mould fashion in furnishings, but public opinion and demands. Remembering how great is—or ought to be —the importance of home in our lives, it is worth while giving full consideration to the design and equipment of dwellings, and to remember that there is immense and lasting satisfaction in the choice of something that truly reflects our inner selves.