HOUSE WHERE KING STAYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17029, 1 May 1923, Page 7

HOUSE WHERE KING STAYED.

“TE KORAHA” AT AUCTION “Te Koraha.” the residence of the late Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, which has the distinction of being the only private house in -.be Dominion that has iieen occupied by King George- and Queen Mary, it having been given up to them by the late Mr Rhodes during their visit to Christchurch as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901, was submitted for sale by public auction yesterday. The property failed to reach the reserve placed on it. by 1 its present owner. Captain Tabu Rhodes, and it was passed in at £IB.OOO. The property, which is situated in Merivaie, has fiontages to Merivale Dane. Hewitt’s Road, Rhodes Street, and Rossall Street. The residence contains thirty-two living rooms and a magnificent, ballroom. The quarters of the staff are apart from the rest of the building The residence stands op 11 acres 2 roods and lO perches of land. There was a good attendance at the sale, which was held in Mr Charles Clark’s rooms. Mr C. E. Jones was auctioneer on behalf of the joint auctioneers, Mr Charles Clark and Messrs Jones, M’Orostie. Ltd. The auctioneer stated that the property was eminently suited for subdivision, and he drew the attention of buyers to a plan of subdividing the property into twenty-five building sections. exclusive of four acres on which the home itself stood. He hoped that the residence would be kept intact as a complete home. Bidding started at £15,000 and rose by bids of £SOO to £17,000. Bids of £250 were fortneoming until £IB,OOO was reached, but at this figure the property was passed in. “ I might state you have gone very close to the mark,” said the auctioneer in conclusion.