More Info →Mr Adkin's new residence at Levin

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This article was scanned from a one-page copy of the original newspaper loaned to Kete Horowhenua by Rona Law of Ohau.

MR ADKIN’S NEW RESIDENCE, AT LEVIN

Upon a knoll, down Queen street, west of Levin, a large two-storey resi­dence has been erected for Mr W. G. Adkin - a gentleman well known to Wellington citizens and to country settlers, owing to his connection with the prosperous firm of Warnock and Adkin, drapers, &c. A few years since Mr Adkin secured 300 acres of excellent land close to Levin, and, it being well watered, and pleasantly situated, he looked forward to the time when he would retire from the din and rush of business to the quiet of a country seat. With this object in view Mr Adkin steadily worked towards it; he improved the land, and not long since he commenced to build a residence which, in many respects, has not its superior on this coast.

Mr Adkin's place is a mile and a half from the town of Levin, and on Wednesday our representative went to have a look at the building. But the building is not the only attraction. The natural surroundings and the outlook are charming. Standing on the knoll on which the house is built one looks around on a rich green flat skirted with native bush. Here and there are the residences of other settlers. About a mile [unclear …] the hills commence to rise one range behind the other until the lofty Tararuas stand out distinct against the, sky, Mount Waiopehu being boldly prominent. To the east, part of the town of Levin is discernable [sic]; while north and south a panorama of hill and dale and native bush pleases the eye. From the balcony of the house the view is more extensive. The whole country around is spread out to view. Away to the north are to be seen the mountain tops of Ruapahu [sic] and Tongairiro [sic], and to the west the Horowhenua Lake. On every hand the outlook is full of beauty and grandeur. But we must descend and go through the house.

The main entrances are two. That on the front proper opens into a hall 8ft wide and 30ft long, and, from the hall, rises a large and easy staircase. The drawing room on the left is exquisitely finished, and the view from the oriel window (of five sides) commands many points of the compass. The sit­ting room is another splendid apart­ment, and here the view is also charm­ing. The dining room, 20ft by 17½ft, and the children's room, are also entered from the hall, and the four rooms are splendidly finished with superb papers, and paneled, and corniced. The mantles are in picked wood. The dining room is furnished with a serviette door. This room opens on to a passage 6ft wide, which leads to what will be a large lawn through outer doors, similar to those at the front entry. Here a pretty portico gives this side of the building at the end of the balcony a striking appearance. From the passage just men­tioned the kitchen is approached, and this is furnished with a fine range by Scott Brothers, of Christchurch, a large dresser is built in the recess, and hot and cold water taps are ready to hand. Passing into the large scullery and wash house combined we find those conveni­ences so much appreciated by house­wives - an open fireplace for drying and airing clothes, a copper, also tubs, and an earthenware sink, which is connected with a pipe drain. At the, rear is an open shed, 25ft by 15ft, to be used for general household purposes. Close to is a brick dairy, delightfully cool, and over it and the back verandah adjoining are water tanks, with a capacity of 1600 gallons.

From the back verandah there are three entrances to the house—one to the main hall, one to the side passage, and one to a lavatory, which is supplied with hot and cold water and conveniences for changing or cleaning boots, &c. From the lavatory springs another staircase, to take the rough traffic from the main stairway and hall. On the landing of this stair is a small passage leading to the servant's bedroom, and a spacious bathroom and lavatory, with hot and cold water.

The landing of the main stair is very spacious and has a fine effect on coming up the stairway. From the landing there is access to six bedrooms and when we describe one we describe the whole. They are high and spacious, and beau­tifully finished. The principal one deserves special notice, as it has the other oriel window. It is fitted with a fine wardrobe and a tiled fireplace and hearth.

From this and another room access is gained to the balcony through a lifting panel under one of the sashes. The bal­cony gives a promenade 72ft long on the south and west side of the building, and the view is an expansive and glorious one.

Before leaving the house we must not forget to say that the whole of the fireplaces are tiled on the face and angle, and most of them have hearthstones to match, which gives them a most attrac­tive appearance. Convenience and com­fort has been thoroughly studied in every room.

At the rear of the house we find, at a safe distance, a building which is to con­tain a large acetylene gas generator, which, should occasion require, will supply thirty burners. Then we come to a two-roomed cottage for a married couple; a workshop and store, and a long building which will be fitted up as harness room, trap shed, stables, and a cow shed.

The water supply is excellent. Ano­ther tank is to be added to those already in position, and a well supplies, by pres­sure, 800 gallons. Thus a constant sup­ply of 2000 gallons will be always avail­able. The water is conveyed to the stock yard, fowl yard, and to a section (the only one) that is not supplied by a creek. Mr H. Bennett. of Wellington, is not only, the builder, but the designer of the house and all connected with it, and Mr Adkin tells us that he is thoroughly satisfied, and more than satisfied, with the way in which Mr Bennett has done the work entrusted to him. To every detail he has given the closest attention, and the building stands as a monument to his skill as a builder and designer. Most of the wood used in finishing was cut on the property, taken to Prouse Bro­thers’ mill tor dressing, and then re­turned to the building. We may men­tion that Mr Evans, of Wellington, has the sub contract for the painting.

When the grounds are tastefully laid out, and the trees that are now in the nursery transplanted to their respective places, Mr Adkin will have all that the heart can wish. We hope that Mr and Mrs Adkin and family may live long to enjoy the comforts and sweet influences of their new home.

Identification

Date

January 20, 1899