Larnach Castle - The Purdie Years (1927 to 1940) - Part Six

The rear of Larnach Castle as it appeared pre-1935.
The detatched building at far right is the original dairy.
You can just make out the arched entrance to the "dungeon"
(actually used for wood storage for the fires)
[Credit : Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive]

This Continues my eight part Blog Series on the Purdie family and their ownership of Larnach Castle. This instalment covers the roller coaster years from 1937 to 1939 commencing with a leisurely European holiday, Mr Purdie's increasingly debilitating ill health, and ending with the now seemingly inevitable prospect of the Castle being demolished. While this is a rather long post, if you have been following this Blog from the beginning I am sure you will find it all very interesting. To Read the First Instalment in this series please click HERE.

The Purdie's Leave The Castle, March 1937

With the sale of the contents of the antiques gallery on the 25th February 1937 and the additional sale of farm equipment Mr and Mrs Purdie would vacate the Castle from the beginning of March 1937. Mrs Purdie (only) would now undertake an extended European holiday, and the fact that she would be travelling on her own is in fact noted in an advertisement for the Castle Antiques Gallery auction on the 13th February 1937. I also note that Mrs Purdie travelled on her own on a six month trip to Great Britain and the Continent in 1925. I think it says a great deal for Mr Purdie, and in fact for their marriage, that he was obviously content to allow his wife to travel away for quite extended periods of time to pursue her own interests. 

I do not know where Mr Purdie stayed during this period but may have moved into a place with his mother in law, Mrs Duncan, who lived with them. While dwelling extensively on the Purdie's own lives during this period, this Blog series is just as much about them as it is about Larnach Castle and their active and varied lives also makes for quite fascinating reading.

Mr Purdie's (Very) Busy Year

While I was surprised that Mr Purdie remained in Dunedin he kept himself exceedingly busy with a quite remarkable range of various business, group and Church activities. His year's activities tell us a great deal about his interests, his selfless nature, and without doubt his belief that he could make an active contribution in many areas of public and Church life in which he was actively involved and personally interested.

These ranged from being actively involved with the Baptist Church Men's Association and Sunday School (of which he was their Superintendent), the Waikouiti Early Settler's Assoaciation, a Croquet Club tournament, the Hanover Street Baptist Church Harrier Club Committee, the Automobile Association (Otago) for which he was an Executive Member, a member of the Young Men's Christian Association Directorate, managing and adding to his business and property portfolio (partly, in the case of the Leviathan Hotel purchase, on a syndicate basis), a meeting of the Port Chalmers Old Identities' Association, the 50th Jubilee of the South Dunedin Baptist Church, the 55th Annual Conference (held in Christchurch) of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, and being elected an Executive Member of the Dunedin Citizen's Association.

Health issues, of which we shall read more of shortly, do not appear to have been a factor in deciding to not accompany his wife on her travels. I can only imagine that he either held a general dislike of extended travel, or that he just did not enjoy travel to foreign shores, art, culture, and visiting historical sites in the same way that his wife did and much preferred, and in fact enjoyed, his active and busy business and personal life at home. Certainly, that he would later be "Ordered away for his health" indicates an unwillingness to travel extensively whereas Mrs Purdie obviously relished the opportunity. 

An Extended European Holiday

I am devoting part of this post solely to Mrs Purdie and her European journeys as these are really very interesting and also say something about Mrs Purdie's obvious passion for travel, the arts, and of history. And I now believe that one reason for travelling at this time was, as we shall read, specifically a desire to be in London for the "Coronation Season".

Mrs Purdie is reported to have departed Dunedin on Monday the 1st March 1937, "on an extended tour abroad". She would cross Cook Strait on the Union Steam Ship Company "Arahura" arriving in Wellington on the 2nd March then departed from there on the "Awatea" for Sydney the same day at 5pm. Interviewed by a Reporter upon arrival in Sydney, Mrs Purdie, “Who is on her way to England”, stated that while away she; “was hoping to find antiques suitable for her castle” which indicates that she still very much saw it as being her permanent home. She would then board the Orient Line "S.S. Orontes" on the 16th March on a voyage that would take her via Colombo (Ceylon) where she visited the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens at Kandy, Aden, the Suez Canal and Port Said, the Mediterranean, and thence across Europe to England so she may possibly have left the ship at the port of Naples.

A report confirms that; “Mrs J. Jackson Purdie of Dunedin, made a tour of the Continent before arriving in London on May 10. She was in Venice when Mussolini was there, and she was thrilled with the water pageant in his honour.” Noting “her journeyings through Italy”, the old City of Venice appears to have been a particular favourite and this would not in fact not be her first visit as she had purchased her carved fountain on a previous trip to Venice. 

A full and descriptive letter from Mrs Purdie would later be published under the heading, “A Night in Venice” which describes her impressions of the City as being “en fete” for the Water Pageant in honour of Mussolini with houses and palaces bedecked with flags, banners, and “priceless old tapestries” and with decorated gondolas and also floats carrying a band and singers. Mrs Purdie and an un-named travelling companion (as she refers to “we”) would hire a gondola and join the water procession up the Grand Canal. She writes that; “I am just as fond of Venice as ever; it is a very beautiful and interesting place.”

Mrs Purdie is noted as having had; “a discerning taste in the flower fashioned glass of Venice” and it was probably no accident that a branched Venetian Glass chandelier “interspersed with flowers of glass” would grace her home up until 1977. I even wonder if she had bought it on a visit to Venice.

While visiting Milan, Italy, Mrs Purdie would also attend “La Scala”, being the historic old Opera House in Milan where she, “enjoyed the singing”.

At the beginning of May Mrs Purdie happened to be in Heidelberg and witnessed a big procession there in honour of Hitler. Before travelling to London, she would also visit Holland where "she saw miles of tulips", and Paris where she also attended the Paris Opera.

Arriving in London in time for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Mary on the 12th May 1937; “Mrs Purdie had an excellent view of the Coronation procession from Apsley House [the home of the 5th Duke of Wellington], at Hyde Park corner, and now she is leaving for a few weeks' tour of England and Scotland. She has been one of the fortunate overseas visitors to receive invitations to some of the most interesting homes in the Mother Country. A great deal of hospitality is this season being extended to overseas visitors, and in Northampton she went to Courteenhall, the home of Sir Hereward and Lady Wake.”

Now into Spring, Mrs Purdie motored through England, being; “absolutely entranced with its fresh beauty [and] through the lanes of Cornwall and Devon, bordered by quaint old stone walls, literally covered with primroses, violets and bluebells was a sight never to be forgotten.”

Mrs Purdie is also noted as having visited “Chester to see the pageant, which was beautifully carried out and full of interest.”, and “saw both the [Military] tattoos, at Aldershot and Tidworth [being] very much struck by the perfection of the organisation [and] Her tours in Devonshire and Monmouthshire were much enjoyed, with their historic ruins and interesting churches.” A tour of Scotland would be made in late Spring but there is unfortunately no record of how extensive her travels here were.

A second visit to Cornwall in July; “discovered the wealth of summer wild flowers, the Cornish heather then making a brave showing.” A visit would also be made to Southampton where she inspected a “mercantile marine exhibition”.

Back in London, Mrs Purdie enjoyed a whirlwind round of visits to Theatres and the Opera including Covent Garden, Sadlers Wells, the Albert Hall, the “Old Vic”, Drury Lane, and even an open-air Shakespeare performance in Regents Park. Mrs Purdie notes that the Opera in Milan, Paris and London, “pleased her tremendously”. It would be on the 26th July 1937 that she attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, the Dowager Queen Mary, and all the Royals in attendance except the Princess Elizabeth who was suffering from a knee injury and forced to watch from a Palace window. This event would mark the formal end of the "Coronation Season".

While she found the London Caledonian Antiques Market “disappointing as compared with a former visit some years ago” she would be fortunate to have been in London for the Annual Antique Dealers’ Association Exhibition at Grosvenor House, receiving “an invitation to the private view[ing]. Here hundreds of rare pieces were shown and among the visitors was [the Dowager] Queen Mary, herself an ardent collector [of antiques].”

A tour of Ireland would conclude “a most enjoyable visit” to this part of the world.

Mrs Purdie would then depart England on the 25th September 1937, sailing again on the Orient Line “S.S. Orontes” with the advertised route being Southampton, Suez, Aden, Colombo and thence onto Australian ports. A few weeks would then be spent in Melbourne before joining the Union Steam Ship Company “T.S.S. Maunganui” for Port Chalmers via Milford Sound and Bluff, enjoying "excellent weather" before arriving home on the 29th November 1937, having been away a total of nine months.

Mrs Purdie's Illustrated Lectures

I would hope Mrs Purdie kept a travel diary, it would certainly make for fascinating reading. There are, as in former years, a number of published references to her giving talks and lectures to various groups on her travels including a "descriptive talk on her trip to the Coronation". But the most fascinating lecture would no doubt have been to the Otago Cine-Photographic Club in March 1938 where she showed half a dozen reels of cine film which would also confirm visits to some countries and areas not mentioned in the newspaper reports;

"The lecture, which took the form of a running commentary, consisted of some half dozen reels of film, the opening shots depicting scenes in some of the Australian cities" [assumedly Sydney and the usual Australian Ports of Call, being Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth], thence to Ceylon, through the Suez Canal, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, "and so to England, here numerous scenes of historic beauty were shown. Quite a few of the films had been taken in full natural colour, which greatly enhanced their beauty, but even the black and white subjects left nothing to be desired."

Having myself in former years also taken a considerable quantity of both silent and sound cine film (now mostly on my two UTube channels), I found the fact that Mrs Purdie filmed her trip; "on nearly a thousand feet of film" quite fascinating. Being a keen photographer, I would imagine that she also took a number of still photos. 

Mrs Purdie would in fact go on to give a number of illustrated talks using her travel films, all receiving very complimentary reviews. I have, however, had no contact with any Purdie family descendants and would have no idea if these now historic 87 year old films still exist or if she had placed them in an Archive but I would certainly hope so and that one day they may again see the light of day. Having in my last job discovered both black and white and colour home movie film taken just prior to WWII they were still perfectly viewable and able to be digitized. This also raises the intriguing possibility that Mrs Purdie may have taken other films, such as during their final years at the Castle.

A circa 1930's photo view of Larnach Castle.
Note the man rolling the front lawn.
[Source : From a period postcard view]

Mr & Mrs Purdie’s Return to the Castle

As to how long the Castle had been leased for is unclear but i'm guessing nine months which would be up till the end of November. The Castle would still be advertised as being open for public visits up until at least October 1937 including Sunday visits which would most definitely not have occurred had the Purdie's been back in residence. On the 3rd November 1937 "Country women" attending a recreation week organised by the Otago Provincial Council of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Federated Farmers' Union would be shown over the Castle and served morning tea but there is no reference to the hostess. 

Mr and Mrs Purdie appear to have returned to the Castle and were back in residence from at least December 1937. On the 7th December 1937 a letter was published under the heading; "A Tourist's Complaint" alluding to the lack of signage. The fact that the Castle may not then have been open to the public may have been a contributing factor here;

"Then, after arriving at Portobello, we wished to come back by the hill road, taking in Larnach's Castle en route, and even with a microscope I defy anyone to see which is the hill road, and if you are lucky enough to find it you are doubly lucky to find Larnach's Castle, as not the slightest indication is shown of its whereabouts. Still, we had a really wonderful view from the hilltop that was some compensation for missing the Castle".

On the 18th December 1937 I note a new advertisement for Larnach Castle which states that the Castle and cafe would now be open daily "except Sunday" which would clearly indicate that the Purdie's were back in residence. There is, however, no further mention of an Antiques Galley. The Castle furnishings had of course remained intact and clearly only items from the Gallery had previously been sold.

Their New Year holiday would be spent in Queenstown, with both Mr and Mrs Purdie staying at the historic Eichardts Hotel.

Mr and Mrs Purdie would then be noted as showing Engineer's Conference delegates round the Castle on the 22nd February 1938, and delegates to a Farmer's group conference on the 28th March 1938. But by this date regular advertisements for visits to the Castle had ceased. From May 1938 regular bus trips would be organized down the Peninsula including Broad Bay with, "Pleasant walks, including Larnach Castle". The "twenty minutes' walk" up the hill from Broad Bay to the Castle may have been the closest that the general public could now get to the property so from the complete lack of newspaper advertising I am assuming that there had only been a limited summer opening but groups would occasionally still be welcomed. 

On the afternoon of the 19th July 1938, Mr and Mrs Purdie would have the honour of hosting the renowned Hungarian tennis players Viktor Barna and Laszlo Bellak who were on a playing tour of New Zealand. But i'm sure that it would also have been the Purdie's who were equally entertained meeting and hosting these World renowned players. Along with her husband, Mrs Purdie was in fact also an avid sports follower.

On the 10th March 1939, the Purdie's were then reported to have entertained delegates and wives attending a "Municipal Conference" in Dunedin;

"Thursday afternoon was taken up with a drive down the high road to Larnach Castle, where Mr and Mrs J. Jackson Purdie made an excellent host and hostess, arranging for the visitors to he shown over their lovely home in small parties, so that the beautiful carvings and decorations could be fully enjoyed."

 Ordered Away For His Health

On the 15th April 1939, Mr and Mrs Purdie departed for Auckland thence by the "R.M.S. Aorangi" for the United States; 

"With hopes of visiting the San Francisco Exposition, Mr and Mrs J. Jackson Purdie, Larnach Castle, left Dunedin this morning for Auckland, where they will join the Aorangi en route for the United States. Mr Purdie, who has not been well for some time, has been ordered away for his health, and if sufficiently recovered will attend the Baptists’ World Conference, to be held at Atlanta, Georgia, accompanied by bis wife. They will be New Zealand’s sole representatives." 

Mr and Mrs Purdie departed Auckland on the 18th April 1939, sailing cabin class on the Union Steam Ship Company "R.M.S. Aorangi" with the advertised route being Suva (Fiji), Honolulu (Hawaii), then onto Vancouver. But transiting via Honolulu would sound rather more plausible in regards to climate, with regular Pan Am "Clipper" flights and passenger sea connections with the United States west coast ports.

Mrs and Mrs Purdie would arrive back in Auckland on the 21st August 1939 on board the Union Steam Ship Company "T.S.S. Monowai" with the ship's advertised route being Vancouver, Honolulu and Suva onto Auckland. There is no record of the Purdie's having attended the Baptist World Convention which would be held from the 22nd to 28th July 1939 but subject to Mr Purdie's health I do hope this had been possible. The social columns are decidedly scant on specific detail and only note that Mr and Mrs Purdie returned on the express to Dunedin on the 25th August 1939 after, "a short trip to America". 

Now In Failing Health

It was reported in 1939 that there had been 35,000 visitors to the Castle over the preceding six years. But these halcyon days in the Castle’s fortunes were now sadly again coming to an uncertain end. By 1939 Mr Jackson Purdie, and at only 60 years of age, was now in “failing health” due to developing Parkinson’s Disease and on medical advice, “compelled to live in the city”. In October 1939 Mr Purdie purchased a significantly more modest but still very nice residence at 5 Albert street, City. With the street name and numbers being altered around 1950 this property is now 305 Stuart street, being located between York Place and Cargill streets. Mrs Duncan, being Mrs Purdie's mother, would still reside with them. His condition had also forced Mr Purdie to reliquish the Superintendency of the Hanover Street Baptist Church Sunday School, a position he had held for a commendable thirty years and which will have been dear to his heart. 

Since Mr Purdie still preferred to drive himself up the steep and somewhat precipitous road to the Castle (despite, I note at least in former years, employing a Driver), I would imagine that Mrs Purdie concurred with the medical advice. The Castle would by now have become a worrying financial liability for Mr Purdie and which, he no doubt hoped, would not be left for his wife to deal with. Thus it would need to be disposed of – now at any cost.

Larnach Castle as it appeared in the early 1940's with a
circa 1939 American Packard car parked on the driveway
[From my own collection] 

Mr Purdie's Offer Again Refused

Mr Purdie would yet again offer the Castle to the Dunedin City Council, this time for the total sum of £5,000 (close to $600,000 in today’s values) which even at that figure represented a substantial loss to himself considering the considerable sums he had spent on it. But in straightened and uncertain financial times his offer would once again be refused. Noted Historian A.H. Reed states that some revenue was at least recouped from the sale of timber felled on the property but I believe Reed is referring to the whole period of ownership of the Castle by Mr Purdie rather than at any specific time period. 

The Otago Expansion League's Suggestion 

The 'Otago Expansion League' would now, and apparently not for the first time, take up the matter of the Castle's future. At their annual meeting on the 26th September 1939, their President, Mr H.M. Mackay spoke to assembled members; 

"Historic Larnach’s Castle at Highcliff was commended... as being worthy of consideration as a memorial of the Centenary of Otago in 1948. Mr Mackay said that visitors from all over the world were amazed at the magnificence and enterprise attached to this building, built, as it were, in the dark ages. What about the Otago centenary in 1948, he asked. With a scenic highway over the Peninsula to the castle, returning by the Harbour road, what better attraction could a city have for its visitors or its own people?

....Of the many thousands of people who had visited this historic edifice annually not one had come away disappointed, but rather with an everlasting feeling of wonder and admiration, not only for the enterprise of an early pioneer settler, but for the enterprise and initiative of Mr Purdie, who saved this landmark from destruction and re-established it at great personal expense. Now that health prevented him from living so far from town, the city and province was once more faced with the possibility of losing for all time this, one of the most, if not the most, interesting relics of the early days. 

The speaker [Mr Mackay] said he felt that there was ample justification for citizens to take this question up seriously by making provision for the future care of this historical landmark. The difficulty for the moment was to find a niche for this building as a public utility, and to help this end he had reason to believe that Mr Purdie would substantially assist. Mr Mackay commended the proposal to the League’s consideration for the 1948 Otago provincial centenary."

But sadly, without financial backing, the League could only advocate and advise but were otherwise powerless to act in any real capacity as far as the Castle's future was concerned.

The Otago Expansion League itself had originally been formed in 1911 (originally as the 'Dunedin Expansion League') to promote tourism within the Province of Otago but extending as far as Queenstown and Milford Sound, "which they saw as part of Otago's hinterland". 

It should come as no surprise that Mr J. Jackson Purdie, with his association with Larnach Castle as a tourist venue and considerable business abilities, would be elected an Executive Member of the League in July 1933. Mr Purdie would in fact also be elected a member of the wider "South Island League" in March 1933, which held similar but wider objectives than the more localized Otago League. 

Danger of Demolition

But with all offers refused, and perhaps in desperation, Mr Purdie would now consider taking drastic action. On the 10th October 1939 the “Auckland Star” ran an interview with by Mr J. Jackson Purdie regarding the Castle’s future with the headline, “Danger of Demolition” and that, failing any serious interest, he now intended demolishing the building and selling the valuable building materials it contained.

“The present owner of Larnach’s Castle, Mr. J. Jackson Purdie, says he is seriously considering demolishing the building. Mr. Purdie, acting on medical advice, has decided to live in the city, and he feels that he cannot afford to bear the upkeep of the castle or its grounds solely for members of the public to inspect the famous old building.”

"It has been my hope for some time that the city would acquire the castle and preserve it for all time as a museum piece. In fact, I have offered it to the council for £5000. I would like to see it turned into an old identities' museum, in which all the relics associated with Otago's past could be housed in the most suitable surroundings. Unless the city or some such body takes it over I shall be compelled to demolish the building and sell the valuable materials it contains."

“It comes as a great surprise to the tourist to come upon an old-world castle in such a young country, for Larnach's Castle was built on similar lines to the ancient castles of Scotland.… In the past six years no fewer than 35,000 people have visited the castle, and in this number have been hundreds of overseas tourists, who have been amazed to find an old world castle in such an unexpected place.”

Valuable Building Materials

The article goes on to describe the valuable building materials the Castle contained; 

"Materials for the castle were brought out from all corners of the world... Marble was imported from the richest quarries of Italy, slabs of stone were brought out from Aberdeen, almost priceless glass from Venice, and woods were collected from practically all the corners of the world. There are at least 16 different kinds of wood in the castle, including ebony, mahogany, teak, walnut, honeysuckle, cedar, ash, oak, and the native puriri and figured kauri. No expense was spared in obtaining the best materials and thousands of pounds of lead and cast-iron spouting were used.”

The Original "Pastry Kitchen" from Larnach's Day
[Source : The Otago Witness]

A Prior Demolition

It may be opportune to mention here that the Purdie's had already demolished a portion of the Castle. This was the former "Pastry Kitchen", an extension to the rear that had been added by Larnach shortly after the Castle's completion and was not on the original Architect's plan. This building had a "white marble shelf two inches thick all round it" and possibly a garage or open workshop under it. Mrs Barker states that the stone window sills from this building were repurposed as steps leading up to the central raised front lawn and the four no longer extant axis pathways that I mentioned in Part Three. Quite why this building was demolished I do not know other than to say that it must have been necessary, perhaps for structural reasons. You can see the lower doorway that led through to this building in the photo at the top of this page. This extension would later be rebuilt to a similar size, I assume after the Purdie's departed the Castle, but with a different window pattern and unfortunately without the original crenelations. As with the original, an open garage or storage area would be built on the lower level. 

What Will Seem Like Vandalism in the Future

Writing from Wellington on the 14th October 1939, and after having read of the Castle's impending demolition in "several New Zealand papers", one correspondent wrote; 

"Surely something should be done to keep this as a national memorial... Surely on the eve of our Centenary something could be done to make use of it as a museum or home of some kind. I hope that this matter will be taken up before our descendants have reason to regret what will look like vandalism in the future."

All Rights Reserved

This eight part Blog series featuring the Purdie family and their ownership of Larnach Castle follows a more or less consecutive timeline through the highs and lows for this period. To read the next instalment please click HERE.

Corrections : This history has been compiled from a comprehensive range of secondary sources. Correction of any unintended errors and any relevant additions in relation to the time period in question are always welcome. Please email me (quoting your source) using the "Email Me" button in the right-hand menu bar. Thank you.

Bibliography & Sources :

- “King of the Castle” by Fleur Snedden 1997 (from my own collection)
-“Larnach and His Castle” by Alfred H. Reed, 1950 (from my own collection)
-“The Ordeal of William Larnach” by Hardwicke Knight, 1981 (from my own collection)
-"R.A. Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin" by Norman Ledgerwood (from my own collection)

-“The Garden at Larnach Castle” by Margaret Barker, 2006

- Larnach Castle Staff & Website https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/

- McNab Room Collection & Librarian, Dunedin Public Library

- "Papers Past" [National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa]

- (Published) Recollections of Mrs Lorna Mortimer Hormann (née Duncan), 2010

- “The Press” Newspaper, Christchurch

- "The Otago Daily Times" 

- American Express “Insight” Magazine

- Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive (held by the writer)

- Te Papa Tongarewa / Museum of New Zealand

- National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa

- Hocken Collections / Te Uare Taoka o Hākena

- Trove Newspaper Archive / The National Library of Australia

- "Treasures of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery" by Peter Entwisle, 1990

- Lemuel Lyes Photograph Collection (used with kind permission)

- Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archives

- Images from my personal collection

Larnach Castle - The Purdie Years (1927 to 1940) - Part Five

William Larnach's 1887 Ballroom and now to
become a Cabaret Venue, taken pre-1935
[Credit Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive]

This Continues my eight part Blog Series on the Purdie family and their ownership of Larnach Castle. To read the first instalment in this series please click HERE. 

Announcement Extraordinary!!! 

Larnach Castle Will Not be Closed!! 

In my last Blog, Larnach Castle would be "definitely closed to the public". Therefore, the above bold proclamation in a newspaper advertisement of the 27^th February 1937 would have come as a pleasant surprise.

The Year of the Larnach Castle Cabaret, 1937

A helpful information board within the Castle informs us that; 

"While on an overseas cruise [actually only Mrs Purdie], the Purdies rented Larnach Castle to Bob and Vera Sinclair for a year. They [in turn] approached their friend Gwenda Burt with a proposition of running the tea rooms, showing visitors through the Castle and running a weekly cabaret". 

Thus Miss Burt, a well known and accomplished Dunedin contralto singer, lover of opera, thespian, and dare I even add movie star, agreed to take on the daunting task of being the Castle Hostess and would, during this period, live onsite. The same newspaper report quoted above states that Miss Burt planned a; “unique decorative scheme” along with a twice weekly cabaret and that; “We shall expect to have something in keeping with the dignity and charm of the old Larnach home”. 

I am devoting a whole post to this new enterprise as I also found this period in the many layered history of the Castle incredibly fascinating. And, as you will read, I found Miss Burt to be a most interesting and talented lady and it will become obvious why I have devoted part of this post solely to her. And of course, Mr and Mrs Purdie were, during this period, still the registered owners of the property with their household possessions remaining onsite.  

Evoking former times, a String Quartet 

playing in the Castle Ballroom.

Taken on "Snowdrop Day", 11 Aug 2024

[From my own collection]

The Castle Now Open Daily - Except Monday

The Castle would now open daily 2pm to 5pm except Monday, the entrance to the grounds, including a "dainty and different" afternoon tea, being 1s 6d while admission to the Castle would be 1s extra. Busses conveying visitors would continue to run from Dunedin. The whole of the "lower sun balcony" would now be converted into a “Modern Café" [including] the Cabaret in the Ballroom “with exclusive features”. A “general lounge” with separated dressing rooms on either side, also with a well-appointed supper room using practically the whole ground floor. The Ballroom and café would also be available for "special functions". The [old] Billiard Room on the 1st floor, and with a full sized table, was advertised as being "ideal for men's parties!".

The Saturday evening Cabaret, being "evening dress only", would cost 10 shillings for a double ticket with a more informal Wednesday evening "dress optional" dance being held during the Summer months at a cost of 5 shillings. Supper would be included in the entry fee.

The Cabaret Opening

The report of the opening Cabaret at the Castle, being held on Saturday the 20th March 1937, is eloquently described; 

“More than a little curiosity was aroused in the new venture, and the crowds of dancers who left the misty atmosphere of the garden for the warmth and brightness of the brilliantly-lighted rooms had still to make up their minds whether or not the new venture was to be a success. 

At the close of the evening, however, the general verdict was decidedly optimistic, and it is more than likely that the weekly Saturday cabaret and Wednesday informal dance will be more and more popular with hosts and hostesses to whom the idea of entertaining their guests by means of a drive already well known all over New Zealand for its beauty, in conjunction with a dance in ideal surroundings, makes an instant appeal.”

A Publicity Photo of Miss Gwenda Burt when
playing Miss Sophia Uprington in New Zealand's
First Sound Feature Film, 1935
[Credit : Hocken Collections]

“Miss Gwenda Burt, who is acting as hostess, is already well known to the Dunedin public for her work in the Operatic Society and on the amateur stage, and no better choice could have been made. On Saturday she wore a smart gown of floral marocain, and proved herself equal to the many emergencies that seem to occur on these occasions. 

During the evening the lights in the ballroom were lowered and, dressed as a gallant of the eighteenth century, Miss Burt entered, carrying a branch of lighted candles and escorting Miss Audrey Baker, who was dressed as an eighteenth-century lady, to the piano, Miss Baker then playing ‘To a Miniature,’ the words of which Miss Burt sang. During the song four more gallants, with their ladies, paced into the hall and danced a minuet, the song, dance, and general effect being particularly appropriate in the stately surroundings of the castle.“ 

A Larnach Castle and Cabaret advertisement
dated 24th March 1937
[Credit : The Otago Daily Times]

Miss Burt’s Varied Cabaret Entertainment

Cabaret evenings would thus normally commence with pianoforte, singing, and dancing for the benefit of the assembled guests with Miss Burt herself, and always suitably dressed for the part, ably featuring in the singing. Dancing on the sprung heart kauri floor would follow. All music and entertainment would, however, be in keeping with the historic surroundings of the Castle. Locally trained dancers, including women and younger girls who were members of local theatre, singing, ballet and dancing groups, including many still under instruction from their teachers, would regularly entertain Miss Burt's guests. 

The term “Cabaret” should however not be construed with the racier entertainment that might be held in a European 1930’s burlesque style cabaret club. Orchestral music, pianoforte, singing, dancing minuets (a ‘stately’ dance in triple time), ballet, and classic and modern ballroom dancing were, for Miss Burt’s Cabaret, the order of the day.

Cargill's Castle, Dunedin & Venue for the Rival "Cliffs Cabaret",
taken late 1920's,
[Source : National Library of New Zealand] 

A Choice of Cabarets in Dunedin

Advertisements proclaim Miss Burt’s enterprise as being; “New Zealand’s Finest Cabaret”. The popularity of these evenings were such that the newspaper social columns even noted the names of many who were in attendance. But it should be noted that competition for patrons was fierce with the rival “Cliffs Cabaret” (established in 1932) held at Dunedin’s other ‘stately’ venue with its own ballroom (the now semi-ruinous Cargill’s Castle sitting on a cliff top promontory above St. Clair), and the “Moonshine Cabaret” (established 1933) in the former “Eldorado Dance Hall” at 213 George street (where McDonald’s are now located). 

A second Publicity Photo of Miss Gwenda Burt when
playing a Leading Role as Miss Sophia Uprington in 
New Zealand's First Sound Feature Film, 1935
[Credit : Hocken Collections]

The Great Popularity of Dancing

There was, at this time, a wide variety of opportunities for the public to regularly partake in public dancing, the hugely popular Saturday night Town Hall dances (which regularly drew over 800 patrons and with the music often broadcast live on radio) being one example. “Good floors” [i.e. well sprung floors designed for dancing], popular ‘named’ dance bands, and even proprietary sound systems were now used as a selling point. 

But the ‘Cabaret’ style, although coming at an added cost, offered an additional form of entertainment, and along with the usual dancing, would normally be provided within a more intimate venue. And for those who were willing to pay a premium, the Larnach Castle Cabaret clearly sought to provide a memorable and themed evening of entertainment, often evoking a former age, and clearly catering to those patrons who desired a more sophisticated form of entertainment along with traditional – and requisite ballroom type dancing. 

Notorious for its Debauchery

This was opposed to the popular and latest dance numbers and jazz music generally provided by bands performing at the “Cliffs” or “Moonshine” Cabarets or in fact a multitude of public halls around Dunedin. And Miss Burt’s upmarket and refined Cabaret would surely never be compared to the Cliffs Cabaret; “which became notorious for its debauchery during the Prohibition era”, with alcohol being able to be bought from a “secret room” leading to various Police raids (I quote the Cargill's Castle Trust website here). While alcohol was able to be purchased elsewhere, these clubs were unlicensed "dry" premises and patrons could not legally bring alcohol with them. 

While "beer" is mentioned by Miss Burt in a diary she kept at this time (which is noted on a Castle story board), this was in relation to staff over inbibing and drinking "all the beer" on hand to the extent that they became intoxicated. I am assuming that this alcohol was kept solely for in-house use and private functions (perhaps the "men's parties" referred to above) and that tea and coffee, would surely have been the strongest drinks (legally) offered to Miss Burt's Cabaret patrons. At any rate, the premises were, however, still unlicensed.

I see that in 1938 the "Cliffs Cabaret" offered "Accredited membership only" events which was a way to get around the strict licensing laws, thus becoming a "members only" private club so that alcohol could be consumed, but 'supposedly' not sold, on the premises. This is most likely the period referred to above on the Cargill's Castle Trust website. Although the Magistrate expressed some sympathy for the Proprietor he would still be fined £5 for allowing alcohol to be consumed on unlicensed premises. This illustrates how fraught these times were for those wishing to indulge in alcohol consumption on unlicensed premises. This whole subject could truly make for a Blog post of its own.

A Larnach Castle "Cabaret" advertisement from July 1937.
The "Southland Night" alludes to Southland playing for the
Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin on the afternoon of the 31st July 1937
so there would have been many out of town visitors.
[Credit : The Otago Daily Times]

Come and Listen to the Test Match

A novel way to entice guests to visit Larnach Castle took place on the 14^th August 1937 when guests could listen on the radio to the Springboks v. New Zealand Test Match live from Wellington. A reliable short wave radio signal would not be hard to pick up from that elevated position, the self-same reason that the local 4YA Radio transmitter was placed along Highcliff Road. 

“All Good Things Must Have An End!”

The Cabaret “Season” would end with a “Final Gala Night” on the 25^th September 1937 and the advertisement, “All good things must have an end!” certainly indicates the finality of this enterprise. The final gala night would end with a flourish, a regular dance band being employed, perhaps as a concession by Miss Burt to modern tastes and preferences although traditional dance numbers would have been the order of the day. 

If the Cabaret had been a financial success for Miss Burt, and indeed the Sinclairs (who were the Castle lessees), I cannot say but I hope that she felt that her very hard work in establishing, planning, co-ordinating, and running such as enterprise had been validated. I am aware that the afore-mentioned diary of her time here exists as this is quoted in a Castle history board. Thereafter the café and Castle remained open daily except Mondays. But having only been a set term lease of the property this would sadly be the final mention of a “Cabaret” at the Castle.

A Striking Portrait of Miss Gwenda Burt,
From a published photo, July 1946
[Credit : The Otago Daily Times]

And What of the Talented Miss Burt?

It is a great pity that while Miss Burt played a leading role as Sophia Uprington in New Zealand's first "Talkie" (i.e. sound) movie, "Down on the Farm" filmed in 1934, only brief incidental footage of her survives out of the few very short fragments that are held today in the Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archives. If you're interested, she appears briefly on the very right edge of the screen between 2.00 to 2.09 minutes into this film fragment but unfortunately there is no sound footage of her speaking: 

Down on the Farm, 1935 [Clickable Link which will open in a new window]. 

Thankfully, a number of professional publicity photos were at least taken, two being featured in this Blog post with the upper photo being her costume in the above brief film shot. Miss Burt's name would continue to be frequently mentioned in succeeding years in connection with singing, theatrical and repertory productions, sketches and reviews in which she took an active role. She would also be noted in the 1940's for her comedic roles and amusingly, for her, "excellent male impersonation roles" which illustrates the great breadth of her many artistic talents. In 1946 Miss Burt would win the playwriting competition organized by the Otago Area British Drama League for her work; "On the Lap of the Gods" but also wrote and produced "Hallow-e'en at Brig-O-Dene" for a 1948 Burns Club production which would, appropriately, be presented, at Halloween. I have not been able to locate any obituary for her.

A Visit With "Gwenda"

In the course of my Blog and research writing, strange and serendipitous things quite often happen but I found this one rather spine tingling and most definitely took me by surprise. It was only one week ago that, having completed this "Castle Cabaret" post some time ago, I felt compelled to research and write a very brief resumé on "Miss Burt" as a final tribute to round off what I had previously written about her time at the Castle. But to my complete surprise, here I am writing about Miss Burt and thinking what an interesting person she was then, after noting her last address, it suddenly dawned on me that in 1994 I had in fact had the great priviledge of personally meeting and being entertained by Miss Burt in her own home at Somerville street in Anderson's Bay. With no airs or graces about her, I had just remembered her for all these years simply as "Gwenda". Having accompanied a mutual acquaintance who regularly undertook work for her around her home and who thought that she would like to meet me, I was warmly welcomed, invited inside, and sat talking with her in her lounge while my collegue went about his work before joining us later although after the space of thirty years I do not recall the specifics of our conversation. 

As explained below, I perceive now that perhaps not everyone would have so readily received an invitation to enter her 'inner sanctum'. While there was no doubt an air of eccentricity about her I don't mean that in a bad way and i've always truly remembered "Gwenda" as just a lovely lady. But having only recently moved to Dunedin I had unfortunately not known anything about her life, let alone the great breadth of her theatrical or musical talents or legacy. 

Her otherwise standard 1930's bungalow was decorated with a quite amazing array of beautiful and expensive Dresden style porcelain, having been purchased over the years as her wages and budget would allow, being her pride and joy. As to her former employer, I understand that she had latterly worked for Charles Begg and Company Limited, a piano and musical goods retailer. I do wonder now if in fact she had been inspired by Mrs Purdie's passion for collecting fine china and her time residing at and being the Hostess at Larnach Castle? But the value of her collection was such that in the absence of any visible alarm system and no doubt also for her own personal security, all interior doors had been fitted with locks which necessitated using a little key (from memory an Allen type key) which she carried about her to access areas of her home, locking the doors behind her. Thinking back now, I believe she may have had something on her wall alluding to her association with repertory but our memories can play tricks with us after so many years. 

Having remained a well-known Dunedin identity, Miss Burt died in Dunedin in July 1997, aged 90 years. Her ashes were scattered at the Broad Bay Cemetery, a somewhat hidden but lovely, serene place on a small promontary overlooking the Harbour that I often visit when out cycling down the Peninsula. Miss Burt desired that her death not be advertised until after her cremation (possibly due to security concerns for her home) and also that her age not be mentioned in her death notice but I feel that having reached the age of 90 years this should now, after all these years, be celebrated, including her great accomplishments in life. Thank you for the memories Gwenda.

In the next instalment we shall read of the Purdie's return to the Castle. But this period in the Castle's history would also be full of surprises.

All Rights Reserved

This eight part Blog series featuring the Purdie family and their ownership of Larnach Castle follows a more or less consecutive timeline through the highs and lows for this period. To read the next instalment in this series please click HERE.

Corrections : This history has been compiled from a comprehensive range of secondary sources. Correction of any unintended errors and any relevant additions in relation to the time period in question are always welcome. Please email me (quoting your source) using the "Email Me" button in the right-hand menu bar. Thank you.

Bibliography & Sources :

- “King of the Castle” by Fleur Snedden 1997 (from my own collection)
-“Larnach and His Castle” by Alfred H. Reed, 1950 (from my own collection)
-“The Ordeal of William Larnach” by Hardwicke Knight, 1981 (from my own collection)
-"R.A. Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin" by Norman Ledgerwood (from my own collection)

-“The Garden at Larnach Castle” by Margaret Barker, 2006

- Larnach Castle Staff & Website https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/

- McNab Room Collection & Librarian, Dunedin Public Library

- "Papers Past" [National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa]

- (Published) Recollections of Mrs Lorna Mortimer Hormann (née Duncan), 2010

- “The Press” Newspaper, Christchurch

- "The Otago Daily Times" 

- American Express “Insight” Magazine

- Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive (held by the writer)

- Te Papa Tongarewa / Museum of New Zealand

- National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa

- Hocken Collections / Te Uare Taoka o Hākena

- Trove Newspaper Archive / The National Library of Australia

- "Treasures of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery" by Peter Entwisle, 1990

- Lemuel Lyes Photograph Collection (used with kind permission)

- Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archives

- Images from my personal collection

Larnach Castle - The Purdie Years (1927 to 1940) - Part Four

Mrs Purdie's Antiques Gallery in the Castle Ballroom,
Photo taken pre-1935
[Credit : Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive]

This Continues my eight part Blog Series on the Purdie family and their ownership of Larnach Castle. To Read the First Instalment in this series please click HERE.

A New Shipment of Antiques

In November 1930 Mrs Purdie advertises that; 

“…she has just received from England two shipments of Antique Furniture and China, all guaranteed by the British Antique Dealers Association as being over 100 years bid. The shipment includes Quaint Old Chippendale Corner Cupboards, Georgian Sofa, Tables, Bow-fronted Chests and Enclosed Washstands; also beautiful and rare specimens of Derby, Worcester, Spode, and Swansea China, many of which are very suitable for Wedding Presents or Christmas Gifts.” 

Not What it Seems

Their niece Lorna, who appears to have been extremely close to her Aunt and Uncle, would often assist her Aunt in arranging the antiques in the gallery. I wonder if any readers today know of or hold items sold by Mrs Purdie in her Gallery? Knowing that Mrs Purdie placed a "Larnach Castle" label on all the items she sold this is definite confirmation of such a provenance. But, as the Castle explained in a post a few years back, people would then mistakenly believe the item they held was once part of the Castle's furnishings and offer to sell it back!

The 1931 ‘Event of the Season’

On the 28^th February 1931, Mr & Mrs Purdie would this year host the Dunedin Women’s Christian Temperance [anti-drink] Union for another “Monster Garden Party” with the public being very welcome to attend, being billed as “The Event of the Season”, and held on similar lines – and at the same prices - as the previous year with afternoon tea being supplied for an additional one shilling.

Larnach Castle with the Fountain and Pond on the
Raised Front Lawn, as viewed pre-1934.
[Photo credit : Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive]

Even if the Day is Wet

Bus excursions from Dunedin City every Tuesday and Saturday remained a set fixture, even through the Winter months. Indeed, advertisements emphasize to readers that; “The ideal outing these Winter days is a trip to Larnach Castle”. Heating such a large building will not have come cheaply but the Castle grounds provided plenty of wood for fires and not forgetting that Mr Purdie was a wood and coal merchant with his own transport so this will have reduced costs. Visits were also promoted as worthwhile; “Even if the day is wet”.

A Very Damaging Gale

Being 800 feet high up on the hillside afforded the Castle and grounds very little protection from stormy weather. A terrific gale on the 20^th October 1931, and with widespread damage around Dunedin, caused “fully 100 huge pinus insignis trees” on Mr Purdie’s property to be uprooted. Had his mass tree-felling in 1927-1928 further exposed this elevated property to the elements than what would otherwise have been the case? But I do note a further storm in 1975 (the same storm that so visibly destroyed the pine plantations in Canterbury) which caused very considerable damage to the property with a great many trees on the property being toppled.

Vigorously and Tirelessly Promoted

It was perhaps a sign of the economic times that entrance charges to the Castle remained the same even up till 1934. It would appear, however, that the Antiques gallery proved also to be a major drawcard, being vigorously and tirelessly promoted. Alongside advertisements for the Castle is one featuring Mr Purdie’s Furniture Removal business, another complementary income earner and helpful adjunct when it came to moving around both Mrs Purdie’s antique furniture gallery purchases - and sales.

The Castle Auction Advertisement
dated April 1934. This is is the same
Castle photo as shown above

A Sudden and Quite Unexpected Sale

But quite unexpectedly, on the 28^th April 1934, the Castle and 35 acre estate were advertised for sale by auction to take place on the 11^th June. Suggested uses were a country club, a high-class guest house, a private school or college, or a select tea garden and cabaret. While the reserve was not advertised the terms appear quite generous, being cash, or 10 percent deposit, a further payment of 50% within 30 days, with the balance remaining on mortgage for five years at 3 per cent interest.

As to the reason for this sale, and while no actual reason is quoted, we need to remember that these were the years of the Great Depression and like anyone else, Mr and Mrs Purdie will not have been immune to its effects. But also, Mr Purdie would, in the succeeding years of this decade suffer ill health and this sale could also signal that he had received a medical diagnosis to this effect. But more of this in a later post. A member of the Barker family (who bought the Castle in 1967) has also been unable to confirm the reason for this sudden sale. 

Just "Idle Curiosity"

On auction day upwards of 100 people were in attendance. Expressing the hope that they were all buyers, the Auctioneer opened the bidding but not one bid would be forthcoming. The attendees were only present through “idle curiosity”. Having made the decision to sell one probably cannot underestimate their disappointment.

A Generous Offer to the City of Dunedin

In August 1934, the Finance Committee of the Dunedin City Council considered an offer by Mr Purdie to sell the Castle and grounds to the City Council “on particularly advantageous terms”. As to Mr Jackson Purdie’s “terms”, the purchase price would be £10,000 ($1.5 million in today’s values); “being considerably lower than the [auction sale] reserve”, with £5,000 to be paid in cash and £5,000 to remain on mortgage at 2 percent per annum interest, the principal amount forming a bequest to the city upon the eventual death of his wife. So the Council would only ever need to find the initial purchase price and while Mr Purdie did not expect the Council to use the property to make a profit, he believed that, like public gardens, reserves, parks, baths, the art gallery etc., it simply be considered “an amenity”.

"The Laird O'Larnach" - A Caricature
by R.S. Clark of Mr Purdie which also
alludes to his business interests. 
[Credit : Hocken Collections]

I Shall Gracefully Accept the Decision

As to the reasons for his offer, Mr Purdie writes; 

“Probably what has prompted me most to make this offer has been the ever increasing number of people visiting the castle on the two days it has been made available to the public, and the pleasure which they derive from their visit to this historic and glorious old building, and the almost unanimous desire they express that it will pass into the hands of some public body, which will still make it available to the public. In conclusion, I would state that this letter is not intended in any way to embarrass the position. I recognize the difficult days in which we live, and the care that requires to be exercised in the expenditure of public money, taking into account the best interests of all our citizens, and must simply state that the offer was made in good faith, and, whether accepted or rejected, I shall gracefully accept the decision.”

Divergent Views

The Editors of the two main local papers held quite divergent views on the matter. The Editor of the "Otago Daily Times" suggested that the Council could promote the Castle as a “show place” with the grounds administered by the Superintendent of Reserves, with costs to be funded by admission fees.

The Editor of the “Evening Star” took a rather more reasoned, if not blunt, approach stating; 

“The castle is not needed as a museum. The museum which we have has been recently enlarged. The collection which delights visitors at Larnach Castle is neither scientific nor historical. There is no reason why it should make a municipal charge, and we are not aware that it is included in the offer. One of the first rules of the housewife’s economics would be ‘never buy things unless you have a use for them’…”.

A Governor-General’s Residence?

A number of newspaper correspondents even (seriously) suggested that the Castle be purchased for the use of the Governor (Governor General) as a Vice-Regal residence. Reference was made to the fact that Lord Bledisloe, the then Governor General, had remarked on the lack of a suitable Vice-Regal residence during a visit to Christchurch upon which their Council had, within 24 hours, appointed a sub-committee; “...to frame a resolution urging the ultimate acquisition of such a residence”.  

The Dunedin City Council however, rightly considered the matter of a Vice-Regal residence, including the cost of furnishing such a residence, to be; 

“...a matter for the state”, and that; “it is impossible to suppose that the expenditure that would be necessary for the purchase and adequate furnishing of Larnach's Castle so that it might be occupied by the Governor-General on his occasional visits could be justified.”

‘Climatic Conditions’ not Advantageous for Elderly Patients

Another suggestion put forward was to use the Castle as a “rest home”. One correspondent was, however, quick to point out that; 

“When the Government used the castle in connection with Seacliff Mental Hospital the resident medical officers used often to visit Broad Bay and the surrounding residential areas, and their opinions on the difference in climatic conditions [the castle being built at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level] are generally accepted as being the deciding factor in inducing the responsible authorities to remove their charges from the castle”.

An Enlarged view of the Fountain Framing the
Castle Front Entrance, Circa late 1930's / early 1940's
[From my own collection]

No Profitable Use

In late August 1934 the Council Finance Committee regrettably advised that while;

"The terms as set out by Mr Purdie are exceedingly generous… that it could not recommend the acceptance of the offer, as it did not know of any profitable use to which the property might be put if acquired by the City Council… The committee cannot do less than express its appreciation of the vendor’s action in giving the council an opportunity of securing the property on terms particularly advantageous to it… Mr Purdie’s offer, much as it is appreciated, cannot be accepted”.

One has, however, to put all this in the context of the Great Depression to which Council and ratepayers alike were certainly not immune so a “risk averse” approach to expenditure is certainly not surprising.

Still Open – with ‘Free’ Afternoon Tea

Meanwhile, while now obviously on borrowed time, advertisements advise that the Castle and grounds including the Antiques Gallery were “still open” on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the admission charge remaining at 2s 6d with afternoon tea remaining “free”. Advertisements enthusiastically promoted visits to the Castle and what it had to offer; “A lovely outing”, “The Castle must be seen to be appreciated”, the “Spring flowers are beautiful”, and “the surrounding view immense”.

A view of the Castle steps taken by
Thelma Kent in the 1930's. The imposing
carvings were originally painted black.
[Credit : National Library of New Zealand]

Not [ever] Open Sundays

From December 1934, and over the Summer months, the Castle and grounds, and for the first time, would now be open on every day of the week except Sunday, the same admission charge applying. Thereafter, admission reverted to the usual Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Peninsula Motor Service continued to run busses from Queens Gardens up to the Castle on opening days. The popularity of a private visit appears to have been such that regular advertisements were necessary stating almost tersely that; “Larnach Castle is not open to the public on Sundays, please take notice”. The Castle would, while the Purdie's were resident, never open on a Sunday. Even though this decision will undoubtedly have cost them custom, it will certainly relate to their strong Christian beliefs including not wishing to employ staff to work on a Sunday. While stating; “Afternoon tea provided”, the reference to “free” had been dropped by now, perhaps as a way to offer additional paid options. Specific mention of Mrs Purdie’s Ballroom Antiques Gallery as an enticement to visit appears to have ceased at the end of 1934.

A Suitable Venue for Large Gatherings

The Purdie’s would, on the 12th October 1935, again host a Garden Party, being the occasion of the New Zealand Baptist Church Missionary Jubilee Annual Assembly which was being held in Dunedin with; “a most interesting and enjoyable time being spent by all.”    

Between the 25^th to 28^th January 1935 Mr Purdie generously made the Castle available as a venue for the Dunedin Christian Youth Movement to hold a youth training conference.

"The Old Wishing Well" viewed from all Four Sides.
Words on each side read "The"  "Old"  "Wishing"  "Well".
Taken 11 Aug 2024
[From my own collection]

The Old Wishing Well

In June 1936, mention is made of 'The Wishing Well', a still extant Castle feature on the back lawn originally installed by William Larnach, being sunk to a depth of twenty-six feet and fed by a perennial spring; 

“There is an old-fashioned wishing well at the castle where you can have a drink of beautiful fresh water, a wish, and please put a coin in the Children’s Rest Home box which is on the top of the well. We have received about £l5 from this source. We thank Mr and Mrs Jackson Purdie for their kindness in having the box there, and also for their many kind gifts of coal and cartage.”

It should be remembered that handily, Mr Purdie was both a Wood and Coal Merchant and a Carrier.

A 1930's Photo of the "Cannon" under the Cupola and today
[Credit : Te Papa Tongarewa and from my own collection]

Mrs Barker tells the interesting story of how Mrs Purdie acquired the old (and surprisingly small) "signal cannon" that had once been situated at the Taiaroa Head Signal Station and fired to alert townspeople at Port Chalmers when a ship was sighted. Such "black powder" signal cannons, being usually mounted on a carriage as shown above, were traditionally used on sailing ships; "to pass orders and information, to salute other vessels in passing, to sound a mutiny, and in time of fog, as a distance off signal." Replicas are actually still sold today and when such cannons are fired (under fully supervised conditions) they would certainly be heard from a distance.

As noted in my previous post, Mrs Purdie rather trustingly placed the cannon under the cupola. While away from the Castle in 1937, and despite “Caretakers” being employed to care for the property, a party had been held and one of the guests had thrown the cannon down the well. There it remained until the Barkers, and thirty years later, managed to retrieve it by lowering an un-named "thin person" down the well. This would in fact not be the only occasion when objects were retrieved from the well, having been lost by visitors and needing to be recovered. Any retrieval mission would not have been for the faint hearted or someone with a claustrophobic disposition. 

Today the signal cannon, complete with carriage but without the little wheels, can be rather more securely viewed in the Castle's history room. But try as I may, I have been unable to find out any more about its former history other than that I note reference to a "Pilot Station" with a flag staff at "Taiaroa's Head" in 1851 and to the "Otago Harbor [Harbour] Signal Station" in 1862. There is no mention of a signal cannon in the June 1876 published Otago Harbour signalling arrangements and a telegraph line appears to have been employed from the mid 1870's. 

The End of an Era

Worryingly, advertisements from January 1937 state that; “After the end of February Larnach Castle will definitely be closed to the public”.

In early March, Mr and Mrs Purdie, would lease the Castle for “a definite period”, and with Mrs Purdie leaving for "an extended world tour". A Dunedin firm of Auctioneers were entrusted with the sale of the contents of the Antiques Gallery which must have continued trading through 1935 and 1936 although no specific mention is made of this. By this time it would have become very difficult, if not impossible, to arrange the requisite foreign exchange to pay for large shipments of antiques from England and people would not have been spending like they had in pre-depression years.

Everything To Be Sold - "Regardless of Price"

The sale, taking place at Auction Rooms in Moray Place on the 25^th February 1937, would feature period furniture, rare crystal, art, china, old silverware and Sheffield plate and a number of Grandfather clocks with every article to be sold, “regardless of price”. The contents of their home would however remain under custodial care.

Since he was also vacating the property, Mr Purdie additionally had a number of farm related items auctioned by The Otago Farmers' Co-Operative Society Ltd at their Burnside Sale Yards on the 24th, including an International mower, plough, horse cultivator, sledge, spring dray, farm dray, harness, and various sundries, all stated to be in "as good as new condition".

With the Purdie's away and the property leased and "closed to the public" the Castle and grounds would now surely expect to enjoy a period of relative peace and serenity. What actually transpired makes for fascinating reading and would further add to the multi-layered history of the Castle. 

All Rights Reserved

This eight part Blog series featuring the Purdie family ownership of the Castle follows a more or less consecutive timeline through the highs and lows for this period. To read the next instalment in this series please click HERE.

Corrections : This history has been compiled from a comprehensive range of secondary sources. Correction of any unintended errors and any relevant additions in relation to the time period in question are always welcome. Please email me (quoting your source) using the "Email Me" button in the right-hand menu bar. Thank you.

Bibliography & Sources :

- “King of the Castle” by Fleur Snedden 1997 (from my own collection)
-“Larnach and His Castle” by Alfred H. Reed, 1950 (from my own collection)
-“The Ordeal of William Larnach” by Hardwicke Knight, 1981 (from my own collection)
-"R.A. Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin" by Norman Ledgerwood (from my own collection)

-“The Garden at Larnach Castle” by Margaret Barker, 2006

- Larnach Castle Staff & Website https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/

- McNab Room Collection & Librarian, Dunedin Public Library

- "Papers Past" [National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa]

- (Published) Recollections of Mrs Lorna Mortimer Hormann (née Duncan), 2010

- “The Press” Newspaper, Christchurch

- "The Otago Daily Times" 

- American Express “Insight” Magazine

- Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive (held by the writer)

- Te Papa Tongarewa / Museum of New Zealand

- National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa

- Hocken Collections / Te Uare Taoka o Hākena

- Trove Newspaper Archive / The National Library of Australia

- "Treasures of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery" by Peter Entwisle, 1990

- Lemuel Lyes Photograph Collection (used with kind permission)

- Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archives

- Images from my personal collection