Family home of J. Harold, Storekeeper, Smith St, Reefton - then and now.

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DescriptionFamily home of J. Harold, Storekeeper, Smith St, Reefton.Map^[1]ContributorBlacks Point Museum

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Location (city or town)ReeftonPersonJ. HaroldOrganisation (eg business)J. Harold, Storekeeper

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Category TagshopOld buildingsthen and now

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Date Created1st June 2023CommentsCarrol Hunter
There must have been some money around Reefton in the old days Nice to walk around and see all the homes lovingly restored

John Rosanowski
Carrol Hunter There sure were some very wealthy people in Reefton. Most made their money from gold mining investments or town businesses. (One of them, William Mclean, sharebroker - who owned the Exchange Rooms in Broadway - later was the first NZer to to import and own NZ's first motor car.) They built impressive mansions with manicured grounds and gardens, employed maids and servants - and had extensive stables on the rear boundary.

John Rosanowski
Most of them eventually took their money and left Reefton, but there were still a few left in the 1930s-40s. For example, my uncle, Arthur Ladner's first job was as stable boy for the Gore Porters.

Roma Baker
wow what a shame. Lovely house stripped of most of it's character in the reno by the looks. Just plain now. All the wrought iron work gone from the varandah as well as the curved roof, horrible new door or is it just painted that horrible drab colour? The enclosed part gone off the varandah too. and the fence...sad to see.
Reply1h
John Rosanowski
Roma Baker Yes, some good points. But they have taken on a huge job and have done pretty well. I had a good look though this building about 10-15 years ago and wondered if it could ever be revived. The signs were not good.

Kay Bruce
I think they have done a good job, old villas are beautiful but they are greedy old ladies. The ironwork is the pits to maintain, and as for rolled baby iron, it is so expensive to get special runs done, if you can get it at all. The enclosed bits are usually the first to rot out. They kept the steps and the chimneys are lovely. Bless them for doing battle with the sash windows, a nightmare.

Carrol Hunter
Kay Bruce Most of the ironwork we see now is plastic these days .True iron would cost a fortune How do we know it will not be done as they can afford . I think the house looks beautiful

Donna Moore
Roma Baker you need to have a look inside. Dave has done an awesome job.

Lititia Buckman
Gosh they really stripped it's character didnt they

Debbie Hills
Can't believe all these negative comments. I'm sure the wrought iron was long gone before restoration. The trees you see are all new so a very old photo and a restored one. Amazing kind job and no doubt expensive.

Carrol Hunter
Debbie Hills Tall Poppy Syndrome Alive & well. I would be proud to own such a beauty

Colin Skates
The people who have carried out this restoration need to be congratulated not disparaged as in some of these comments. I wonder if the nay sayers would be willing to take on a project such as this regardless of whether they had funding or not. A project like this would mean sacrificing a lot of personal time to see completion. Well done to you folk, stand proud of your effort

Robert Skilton
Colin Skates it's not their money Colin but they think it's their right to bag it coz it's not the way that they want it. Can't keep some happy eh. And by the look of the house it would have been a money pit plus to get to that stage of reno on that graceful old house

Robert Skilton
Colin Skates oh and it looks a damn fine job as well

Alan Acker
The older oneSuzi Kiely
Well done on this project most like this are in the too hard basket and end up getting pulled down.
Looks amazing
Reply4h
Suzanne McGeady
I remember when young going to visit with Mum into the house. Very scary as all along the central dark hallway on little ‘shelves’ or small cupboards were dead animals and birds under glass domes. Into the kitchen at the back. Such a cold place back then. Remember the hallway had archways and I’m sure carved.
Reply4h
Mandy Clarke
Suzanne McGeady and don't forget the maids quarters which was accessible though the side door in the toilet

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Family home of J. Harold, Storekeeper, Smith St, Reefton - then and now.

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