Nor'West News: August 07, 2018

22 Tuesday August 7 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
•The Papanui Heritage group welcomes new members. If you are interested,
email Murray Williams at papanuiheritage@gmail.com or phone 3554 841.
SENIOR LIVING
NOR’WEST NEWS
Plenty to do at
McKenzie Lifestyle
Village
HISTORY: The Papanui Memorial Hall was built largely because of an initiative
from Leonard Brannan Hart.
Biscuit importer’s
gimmick adverts
were a cracker
Papanui Heritage Group chairman Murray Williams looks at the life
of businessman and Hawthorne St resident Leonard Hart
LEONARD Brannan Hart
was born in Christchurch
in 1874 to Ellen and
Michael Hart. Mr Hart
spent his formative years
in the city and his early
business career was also
based there.
He specialised as an
importer and wholesaler
of Huntley and Palmers
biscuits from
England,
and it is
interesting to
see the way in
which he used
contemporary
events as an
advertising
gimmick,
especially in
exploiting
the imperial
sentiments of
the day.
For
example,
in November 1911, Mr
Hart was advertising
Huntley and Palmers
‘famous polar biscuits’
to coincide with Robert
Falcon Scott’s preparations
for his Antarctic
expedition. Later, Mr Hart
became manager of the
Christchurch branch of
Abels Ltd, a margarine
manufacturing business.
By 1919, he and his
family were living in
Hawthorne St, Papanui,
and he threw himself
into local politics.
His most significant
achievement was to lead
the campaign to lobby
for the construction of a
war memorial in Papanui.
Rather than settling for
an obelisk or statue, Mr
Hart lobbied for a ‘utility
object’, specifically a new
town hall.
As chairman of the
memorial
committee,
he argued
successfully
that the
bulk of
the money
should be
provided
by raising
a council
loan,
although
the
committee
also raised
funds
directly by organising a
very successful Queen
Carnival. The new
memorial hall with library
facilities on the corner of
Horner St and Papanui Rd
was finally opened in 1923.
However, Mr Hart’s
other foray into local
politics was less successful.
Since 1910, Papanui had
been administered by
the Waimairi County
Council but there was
some feeling that the area
would do better as a part
of Christchurch city.
Mr Hart disagreed –
he was convinced that
this would result in a
disproportionate increase
in rates for Papanui
property owners.
The fact that he had a
financial interest in a large
tract of then undeveloped
land off Hawthorne St
may have been at least
a partial motivation for
his campaign, which was
fought at public meetings
and through lengthy
letters to The Press.
However, in 1922,
ratepayers in the most
urbanised section of
Papanui voted to secede
from Waimairi in favour
of absorption into the
growing city. Thus in 1923
– the year that marked
his triumph in driving
the successful campaign
for the memorial hall –
the change in the local
territorial boundary
was officially gazetted.
Both the memorial hall
and Mr Hart’s property
in Hawthorne St had
officially become part of
Christchurch. Later Mr
Hart moved to the Bay
of Plenty and died in
Tauranga in 1960.
•References: Papers
Past.
•A future article will
examine the history of
Hartley Ave, a Papanui
street named after
Leonard Hart.
The final stage of Villa
development is progressing well
at McKenzie Lifestyle Village in
Geraldine.
Just a hand full of sites
available to secure off plan, so
don’t be the one to miss out.
From humble beginnings
the 12 acres of farm land has
grown to an impressive modern
architecturally designed development.
Offering Independent Living for the over
55yr across 115 Villas, you can secure
your future lifestyle here. Priced from
$335,000 choosing from a collection of
2 bedrooms / single garage through to
3 bedrooms / ensuite / Spacious Living
Dining / Double Garage( 160sqm). 2019
will see 2 bedroom Terraced Apartments
take shape close to all the amenities of
the Leisure Centre. The hub of village
life the Leisure Centre offers everything
from Indoor Swimming Pool / Spa,
gymnasium, Hair Salon, Treatment
Room (Podiatrist/ Nurse / Massage
Therapist), Craft Room, Lounge and
a well-stocked library of some 2,000
books and dvds. Outside take in the
generous seating surrounding the
IT’S LIKE HOLIDAYS
ALL YEAR ROUND
Lots of people spend their holidays
here in Geraldine. But why just have a
holiday when you can move here instead?
Make the move to Geraldine’s McKenzie
Lifestyle Village. We take care of everyday
maintenance so you can enjoy
a holiday lifestyle all year round.
Talk to Hayley Grant today
on 03 693 8340.
M E M B E R O F R V A
Bowling Green, Petanque, Mini Golf,
Table Bowls, Croquet and Putting Green.
If that wasn’t enough to fill your day the
activities calendar boasts monthly events
from concerts, lunch outings, shopping
Trips and Qigong to name just a few.
Geraldine is a great little town with
a big heart - welcoming all. Nestled
among the foothills of the Southern Alps
where people still greet one another by
name and popping to the supermarket
for a pint of milk often becomes a social
outing in its own right. The town has a
long proud diverse history and being
along the gateway to the southern lakes
and Mt Cook/Aoraki, your friends and
family will be visiting regularly!.
To see if McKenzie Lifestyle Village
is right for you, pop in or call Hayley
Grant on 0800 845524.
you can stop him
snoring with a
SNOREX
Why put up with a broken
night’s sleep?
Ph 377-4318 or 027 682 1752
DENISE LIM
FOR A FREE INFO PACK
Website: www.snorex.co.nz