For this year’s PHANZA Auckland Christmas event John Adam has offered to take Auckland-based PHANZA members on a walking tour. Details below:
Walking tour – The forgotten farms and commons of Mount Roskill
Sunday 9th December, 2 p.m.
James Busby’s merino sheep grazed here as did the Woods and Dibbles Holstein-Friesian cows, providing local customers with fresh milk and butter in the 1880s. Earlier (1850s) livestock described officially as ‘Large and small cattle’ grazed on the common come Three Kings Reserve, part of the Hundred of Auckland, and now Mount Roskill.
A short walk will begin from the newly restored Municipal Chambers on the old Three Kings common, on the corner of Mt Albert and Mt Eden roads, and will pass through this historic agricultural landscape to the Monte Cecelia Park (the Pah farm 1840s to 1890s) past the historic Ranfurly Home and through the St Andrews Reserve.’
A two page handout illustrating some of the local agricultural history will be supplied.
The meeting place will be near the Three Kings shopping centre.
Bring along sunblock, hat, glasses, comfortable walking shoes, and water. Afternoon tea afterwards is proposed.
Please RSVP to Sandra Gorter: writelinesnzl@gmail.com.
Merry Christmas!