Historic cottage sells post auction

A North Canterbury home dating from the colonial era sold recently, changing hands for the first time in 40 years.

Purchasing the Loburn cob cottage directly after auction fulfilled a dream for Phil Good and Amanda Little.

A builder by trade and with renovations and restorations to several historic buildings to his name, Phil is delighted with the history of the cottage.

“With two layers of bricks cut from a clay quarry situated in either Glentunnel or Darfield, then filled in between with rubble, the cottage has excellent insulating properties, summer or winter, and as the clay swells when wet, it also serves to trap moisture out.

“As the clay is made from dust and lime, rock minerals eroded from the alpine faultline and pushed out over the plains through the millennia, the materials used to build the house carry an amazing local legacy,” says Phil.

Built sometime in the mid 19th century, at one point the cottage was a staging post for the coach to Oxford, which left plenty of discarded horseshoes in the garden. It also went through a period as a haybarn, and was badly damaged by fire in the 1960s, though restored in the 80s in keeping with its history, including replacement of the leadlights and rimu tongue and groove ceilings and floors.

Brought to the market by Jo and John Priebee of PGG Wrightson, Rangiora, the cottage sits on a 1,200 square metre section. Jo Priebee says the size makes it a rarity.

“Homes in the country on such a small piece of land seldom become available, and this property benefited from its totally authentic character and charm. A sun-drenched veranda deck overlooking a fully fenced cottage garden, surrounded by many mature trees add further to its appeal,” she says.

A short drive to Rangiora, the cottage also includes a pioneer log burner, a clawfoot bath, a country-style kitchen with built-in pantry and a separate double garage. It went to auction in mid-August.