Nor'West News: October 09, 2018

10 Tuesday October 9 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
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NOR’WEST NEWS
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Fire rages, homes at risk
History of making money in Papanui
Papanui Heritage group
chairman Murray Williams
writes about the ups
and downs of the area’s
economy
PAPANUI IS a settlement that
owes its origin to the native
bush that was located in the area
between modern day Vagues and
Langdons Rds.
However, this relatively small
forested area was exhausted
by 1857 due to the insatiable
demand for construction timber
and firewood of the settlers in
nearby Christchurch.
The Papanui population then
stagnated but the local economy
eventually recovered as it was
realised that, if the swampy cut
over land was drained, there
was a possibility for a brighter
future based on agriculture and
horticulture.
In the 1860s, Francis Sisson
built up significant land holdings
and a flourishing orchard
business, and effectively founded
a horticultural dynasty in the
MORE THAN $76,000 has been
earmarked for the rejuvenation of
an 1899 St Albans villa.
Up to $76,342 will be spent on
the villa in Ranfurly St.
Built by the Soanes brothers,
Henry and Philip,
to showcase
their design and
building skills,
the double brick
return bay villa
retains much of
Phil
Clearwater
the original form
and character.
The city
council’s social,
community development and
housing committee has approved
grants for a range of other
projects in the city ranging from
$5136 to nearly $90,000.
The proposed grants will cover
maintenance and repairs, along
Papanui area.
Nola Murfitt (née Sisson),
Francis Sisson’s great-granddaughter,
has vivid memories of
living and working on a family
owned orchard in the 1930s and
with upgrade and conservation
work.
Committee chairman Phil
Clearwater said heritage
buildings were representative of
$76k grant for St Albans villa
RENEW: More than $76,000 has been earmarked to restore an
1899 St Albans villa to its former glory.
“our place and our identity”.
“It’s important to set a
framework for their retention
so that we continue to link the
present with the past.”
FLOURISHING: Clovis Sisson
(left) and his friend Harry
Piesse, a local entrepreneur.
This photo likely dates to the
1940s.
PHOTO: NOLA MURFITT
1940s.
Her father Clovis Sisson owned
a 16 acre (6.5ha) block of land
in Harewood Rd, the frontage
running between what is now
Wilmot St and the lot now occupied
by Palmer Funeral Services.
Their holding extended back to
Langdons Rd
The business almost foundered
during the depression. Nola
recalled that on some occasions
apples were dumped, although
the main problem was the high
level of debt taken on to acquire
the property in more prosperous
times in the 1920s.
However, even in the depths
of depression, the demand for
black currants remained strong
and Nola’s job, even as an 11
and 12-year-old, was to organise
groups of children in harvesting
this crop.
In spite of an increase in
• By Julia Evans
THE DRAFT plan for the future
of the red zone is expected to be
made public before the end of
the year.
In its quarterly report, Regenerate
Christchurch revealed the
draft Otakaro Avon River Corridor
Regeneration Plan would be
made public by late-December.
“Regenerate Christchurch advises
the draft Regeneration Plan
is forecast to be publicly notified
between mid-November and
late-December,” the report said.
Once released and public
feedback gathered, the draft plan
will then be approved by Minister
for Greater Christchurch
Regeneration Megan Woods
before it is finalised.
It comes after The Star
revealed Regenerate had spent
nearly $500,000 on the exhibition
used to gather public
demand for apples during the
war years, profitability remained
marginal due to the need to keep
up the steep mortgage payments.
Eventually a Government offer
to buy the land for state housing
was gratefully accepted.
In 1949, Nola shifted to Rangiora
as a consequence of her
marriage to Frank Murfitt, a race
horse trainer based in that area.
The couple had a family of four
daughters and, after the death
of her husband, Nola returned
to her roots in Papanui and is
currently a resident at a local
retirement home.
Nola still retains vivid memories
of her life on the orchard and
fondly remembers her school
experiences and the making of
enduring friendships at Waimairi
School and Papanui Technical
College.
She also recalls summer holidays
when the family would load
their picnic lunches (and several
barrels of beer) on to a truck and
head for Stewarts Gully for a big
day out.
Plan for red zone
feedback which will develop the
draft plan.
“There are always costs involved
with public engagement
but, given the scale and longterm
significance of our work,
we believe this investment is
important to ensure our work is
informed by the views and aspirations
of the community,” chief
executive Ivan Iafeta said.
He said the five-week
exhibition and engagement was
one of the “most significant”
public engagements since the
earthquakes.
It is estimated developing the
red zone would cost $800 million
over 30 years.
That includes $153 million for
the 11km green spine, which
emerged as the favourite option
from the exhibition. The red
zone is expected to bring billions
of dollars in to the economy.
Let the learning
adventure begin
Come and experience what The Cathedral
Grammar School has to offer. To register
for the Open Day please contact Lydia
Hemingway on 03 365 0385 or email
hemingwayl@cathedralgrammar.school.nz
OPEN DAY
23 October, 9am – 3pm
Principal’s address
at 9:30am