History of rural settlements historic points of interest by: Supported Printed August 2017. August Printed The district has eight settlements which developed Coalgate World War II during the late 19th century. Though many of these are Originally called ‘Bluff’, The district was very involved reduced in population and services, they give glimpses the name of Coalgate was with the home front effort of of the history of pioneers who chose to venture inland. adopted in recognition that World War II. In 1942 the 3rd the railway station was the Field Regiment with 570 men ‘gateway’ to the coalfields in camped and trained at the Coalgate Station Yard, 1960. the Malvern Hills. In the early Reserve. Also in 1942 Hororata Credit: Canterbury Railway Society. 1900s Coalgate had a Hororata is an extensive the Ammo Depot railway station, hotel, blacksmith’s shop, general store, police and fertile farming district. was constructed. In 1945 the station, and exchanges of mail twice a day with . The name comes from contents of the Ammo Depot From 1911 to 1914 traction engines hauled supplies from the two Maori words – Horo: caught fire and detonated, Coalgate railway station approximately 60 km to the construction landslide or ravine; rata: The original Windwhistle settlement was located further up with huge explosions site of the power station. The trail known as the the tree. This landmark is in the Coleridge Road on the farm now known as Long Spur. continuing through the night Coleridge Run became famous for the notorious and dangerous the hills near Windwhistle At Windwhistle House, alongside a small lake known as The with the flashes in the night path and the drivers’ antics. The mineral industry continued where the river starts. Thriving in the early 1900s, the Hororata Whistle, locals could collect their mail or have repairs done at sky seen as far away as Mt to develop in later years when 10 million tonnes of high-grade H.E. Hart Arboretum – a nationally significant village had a hotel, two churches, two general stores, a school, the blacksmith’s shop. The accommodation house, originally Somers. bentonite was discovered in the nearby foothills. Canterbury collection of conifers from around the world. post office, town hall, race course, brewery, flour mill, butchery, run by Williams Adams, and the smithy were burned down in Bentonite Ltd opened a processing plate in Coalgate in 1967 The RNZAF Station at H.E. (Harry) Hart was Superintendent of the Lake Coleridge undertaker’s business and extensive blacksmith’s workshop the late 1890s. The accommodation house never reopened which is still running today. Te Pirita was a World War II Power Station from 1923-1953 and also loved trees. His passion with five forges operating. The hotel, smithy, post office, St but the blacksmith’s shop transferred to the site of the current airfield, located south of the for collecting conifers from around the world has resulted Johns 1875 and 1911 churches and the school house are still Windwhistle Garage at what is now known as Windwhistle. inland mid-Canterbury town in one of the most diverse collections of coniferous (cone- present in the Hororata Village. The Presbyterian Church is now Positioned above the Gorge, Windwhistle takes its of Hororata to accommodate bearing) trees in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn about a private dwelling. The Hororata Reserve, established in 1877 name from the gale force nor’west winds that frequently RNZAF Te Pirita World War II airfield, United States Army Air Force some of these trees on the ‘Tree Trail’ and admire many more when local landowners gifted land to the community, has played batter its inhabitants. which is now farmland. heavybombers. At the time of throughout the village’s park-like reserves. a significant role in the district. As the first registered reserve its construction, it was to be the largest airfield in New Zealand, board in New Zealand and the third largest public reserve this but was never used. wonderful facility has played host to many community activities such as horse racing, cross country, guiding, netball, tennis, Early Maori History shooting and many major events. In years gone by there was ice Lake Coleridge (Whakamatau) skating on the Edwardian lake. According to Maori legend, Whakamatau is one of the first

Truman Jones traction engine pulling wagons loaded with grain, big lakes carved out by Chief Rakaihautu on his journey down

turning out of Downs Rd. the . Whakamatau means ‘to attempt, teach or Glentunnel experiment’, so perhaps the name is a reference to it being with: partnership In Glentunnel Township and South Malvern Rakaihautu’s first experience of carving such a great lake.

has a close historical Whitecliffs takes its name from the bluff above the Selwyn River, Early Maori used the area as a route to the West Coast to

association with local and was so named by Lady Barker, author of Station life in New collect greenstone. They caught eels and birds around the lake. [email protected] Lake , 1914. Zealand. New 7544, Hororata, 85, Box P.O. coal, clay and sand mines Zealand, who lived at nearby Steventon. It was once the terminus Evidence includes a hunters’ cooking site discovered near of the Whitecliffs/South of the Whitecliffs branch railway from Darfield which ran from 1875 the Lake Coleridge Village Cemetery in 1958. Archaeological

Malvern area. Originally – 1962 (the engine shed still stands). The settlements of Whitecliffs Lake Coleridge Village finds from the area of early Maori tools are now in the named ‘Surveyors Gully’, and South Malvern were for a time very important for coal, lime, Lake Coleridge Village developed with the construction of Whitecliffs Railway Yard, 1960. Credit: Bob Hepburn. Canterbury Museum. ‘Glentunnel’, derived from sand, clay mining and pottery works, with a hotel, guest house, the Lake Coleridge Power Station, which began in 1911. The Whitecliffs Railway the tramway tunnel in the Glentunnel Pottery, 1905. church, post offices and several shops. The school was located at region had previously been large sheep stations, but needed to Credit: Glentunnel Museum Collection. The Whitecliffs Railway operated for 86 years from 1875 – glen that gave access to South Malvern. accommodate hundreds of workers and their families. Because The Bluff (Coalgate) 1962. In its prime this railway line was responsible for helping the Homebush coal mine. Coal was discovered in 1871, along of the isolation from larger townships, the village community In pre-European times, Ngai Tahu Maori occupied a small pa to open up the prosperous Malvern Hills area for settlement with deposits of fine clay, which lead to the establishment of developed their own services and recreational pursuits. on the bluff south of Waikirikiri (the Selwyn River), at Coalgate. and agricultural development. The volume of sheep, cattle a brick, tile and pottery works that survived until the 1980s. Glenroy There was a school and many clubs, and a projector room was During the Ngai Tahu kai huanga (eat relation) feud of 1810-1815, and grain traffic was a testament of the area’s new found The Whitecliffs railway was the essential link to the outside Situated at the head of the Wairiri valley halfway between incorporated in the village hall in 1939. Communal gardens and the pa was sacked and the inhabitants killed by a force led by

wealth supporting this, the busiest branch line in Canterbury. A world for the coal and clay industries and for transport of farm Hororata and Windwhistle, Glenroy was named by Sir John community-owned cows provided reliable sources of the basic Taununu of Ripapa Island. The site of the pa remains a wahi the: by possible Made refurbished station building is located where the line originally

produce. Evidence of earlier industry can still be seen in the brick Hall’s head shepherd after his homeland in Scotland. This district food requirements for the village right up until the 1980s. pakanga (place where a battle took place). branched from the main line in Darfield. There is a display of project. community a is guide visitors This community buildings including the library and stable, and many was once a thriving coal mining area with its own farm, school, What remains today is a holiday village with beautiful picnic information about the railway line here. of the miners’ cottages are still lived in today. community hall and post office. There were many small holdings areas, good walking tracks and a large information board tells and residences of people who worked on the larger stations. the history.

A VISITORS' GUIDE TO THE Homebush Stables Homebush was the first run taken Heritage places to visit up on the plains in 1851 by William and John Deans who settled in the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton in 1843. The initial run of 33,000 acres Discover, touch, experience and hear the history is considerably reduced but has all the original farm buildings which by visiting these heritage properties. Most require are classified as category 1 with Heritage New Zealand. The Homebush ERITAGE OF museum features displays covering the full spectrum of country life from H bookings so please contact owners in advance. horse-drawn machinery, early petrol-driven engines, light industrial, military, sporting and domestic artefacts. Address: 2142 Homebush Rd HORORATA Open Times: 10am – 4pm by appointment Contact: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3182 785 Cost: $10 per person Gunyah The name ‘Gunyah’, Aborigine for little hut or shelter, belies Rockwood Rockwood, in the Canterbury foothills, is a historical AND BEYOND Website: www.homebushstables.co.nz the grandeur of this property. Built in 1912 for the son of former Prime homestead set within a beautiful woodland garden which includes English Minister, Sir John Hall, the building’s exceptional calibre is endorsed by its trees and rhododendrons. It is bordered by 100 acres of native bush and Hertitage listing. It is also recognized by the National Business Review as the Rockwood Stream and also features an 1850s cob house, family graves, one of the country’s top one hundred houses for its historical significance and a bushwalk with abundant native bird life. The Homestead has been Terrace Station Terrace Station was the home of Sir John and Arts and Crafts Movement architecture. The Gunyah Homestead offers recently redecorated in a classical style and is open by arrangement for Cotons Cottage was built and Rose, Lady Hall. Sir John was a runholder, politician and democratic Cotons Cottage & Museum exclusive accommodation and dining, or self-catering units, weddings and garden/house tours. Rockwood also has a Shearers Hut for rent. using cob construction by Bentley Coton in 1864. It was rebuilt in 1977-78 reformer, remembered for leading the New Zealand parliamentary garden tours (by appointment). campaign for women’s suffrage. The homestead was the first piece of by local volunteer labour after it fell into disrepair. Cotons Cottage has Address: Rockwood Farm, Washpen Rd, Darfield domestic architecture in Canterbury to have a category 1 registration been an important part of the Hororata community for 150 years and is a Address: 720 Sleemans Road Glenroy-Windwhistle Open Times: By appointment from Heritage New Zealand. The informal garden is full of magnificent category two heritage building. Badly damaged in 2010 by the Canterbury Open Times: By appointment only Contact: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3186 809 trees under planted with woodland perennials and bulbs. Visitors can earthquakes it was rebuilt by Heritage New Zealand and is furnished with Contact: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3186 800 Costs: $10 per adult for Bushwalk. Enquire for hut. hear some of the history, view family possessions, including horse-drawn period furniture. The museum has good displays of local historical items Cost: Price on enquiry Website: www.lakecoleridgenz.info vehicles, veteran and vintage cars. and information. Website: www.gunyah.co.nz Address: 151 Milnes Road, Hororata Address: Cotons Rd, Hororata The Point The Point historic cob homestead was built in 1866 by the Richards family who have farmed the property since 1862. The surrounding Open Times: by prior arrangement throughout the year Open Times: Sept – June, Sundays 1.30 to 4pm or by prior arrangement Fairview was 4 hectare arboretum was begun 150 years ago and the large rambling Fairview Contact: Email: [email protected] Contact: P: 03 3180 600 [email protected] built on the Downs above garden has been landscaped with paths meandering amongst mature trees, Costs: see webpage Cost: Donation Hororata about 1865. The cob spring flowering bulbs, azaleas and rhododendrons. The Point is a place to Website: www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/canterbury-region/ hut and two-storied cottage Website: www.terracestation.org.nz unwind and enjoy the surroundings, listen to the bellbirds and enjoy some are surrounded by two acres of cotons-cottage country hospitality. Visiting groups can be catered for. charming garden, trees, pond Address: 85 Point Road Windwhistle and lawn. Tours take people Open Times: By appointment. Groups preferred. within the home and cob hut Contact Details: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3186 815 which are full of yesteryear treasures and memorabilia. Costs: Price on enquiry. Address: 204 Downs Road, Hororata Open Times: By appointment Contact: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3180 878 Lake Coleridge Power Station Commissioned to Cost: $5 per person power Christchurch, construction of the Lake Coleridge Power Station began in 1911 with the scheme officially opened in November 1914. It was the Government’s first venture into Washpen Falls Exploring hydro-electric power and a massive Washpen Falls takes you through an engineering feat in its day, paving the ancient volcano full of caves, waterfalls, way for the country’s hydro-electric Maori history, wonderful geology & botany, future. Today the power scheme is St Johns Church, Hororata The first St Johns was built including a magnificent concentration of owned by Trustpower and is still a in 1875, a small wooden church which was on the site of the stone church. Southern Rata. There are stunning views significant contributor to the national When Sir John Hall died in 1907, he left money for a more substantial in all directions. Situated within a private grid. Information panels installed for church to be built in memory of his wife, Rose, Lady Hall. The St Johns Steventon Homestead Steventon (‘Broomielaw’) was the farm, it is an excellent two hour adventure, the Power Station’s Centenary tell you Nestled in the foothills of Canterbury is an Stone Church is a category two listed Heritage New Zealand building New Zealand home of Lady Barker from 1865 – 1868. Two of her best known Glentunnel Museum The Glentunnel Museum contains an usually accompanied by beautiful native more about the power scheme and its extensive area rich with history of pioneering times. however it was significantly damaged in the 2010 earthquakes. There is books, Station Life and Station Amusements in New Zealand are about the extensive collection of items recording the history of the area which has birdsong. history. much local history in these two buildings and also the graveyard. Visitors property. Tucked into the hills and surrounded by mature trees this listed Hororata is the gateway to the district which seen much rural industrialism, particularly the pottery and brickworks. Address: 590 Washpen Road Windwhistle Address: Lake Coleridge Village are welcomed with a local speaker to tell stories to pre-booked groups. historic house has retained many of its original features and the grounds The museum has an extensive library of books written about the district encompasses Coalgate, Glentunnel, South Malvern, Open Times: 8.30am – 4.30pm Open Times: Information outside the Power Station can be viewed at are an oasis of birdsong. and history of local service men who fought in WWI and WWII. Address: Cnr Downs and Hororata Road Contact: Email: [email protected] any time. The Power Station does not run public tours. Whitecliffs, Glenroy, Windwhistle and Lake Coleridge. Open Times: by prior arrangement throughout the year Address: 550 Whitecliffs Rd, Whitecliffs Address: Philip Street, Glentunnel P: 03 3186 813 Contact Details for village history: Contact: Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Open Times: By appointment Open Times: 1pm – 4pm Sundays daylight saving hours or by appointment Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child Email: [email protected] P: 03 3185 002 Costs: Donation Contact: Email: [email protected] P: 03 3182 615 Contact: Email: [email protected] Website: www.washpenfalls.co.nz Costs: None Discover our community at: Website: www.hororataparish.co.nz Cost: Price on enquiry Cost: Donation Website: www.lakecoleridgenz.info www.hororata.org.nz