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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 4 (July 2, 1934.)

New Zealand's Castles

New Zealand's Castles

One hardly associates castles with New Zealand, yet there are at least two in the country, and both are in Dunedin. The most important is Larnach's Castle, which is situated on a commanding position on Otago Peninsula. It is just like a real English castle, complete with battlements and towers, and the sturdy entrance doors are guarded by two massive stone lions. Mr. J. M. Larnach conceived the idea of building a castle on the lines of one situated at Dalkeith, in Scotland. He intended to have a number of small farms dependent on the castle and worked by yeomen. His dream commenced to take shape in 1871, but it was not until nearly eighteen years later that the castle was completed. It cost in the vicinity of £150,000 to build. Of this sum a large amount was spent in haulage, for the distance from Dunedin to the castle is several miles. Large sums, too, were paid out for decorative work: the intricate and delicate carvings, one of the castle's most absorbing attractions, took years to complete. Apart from building expenses it cost £50,000 to furnish the place. When Mr. Larnach died the Government took over the castle, and it was used in conjunction with Seacliff Mental Hospital, but later on it was found unnecessary and was abandoned, though a caretaker was left in charge. Later still the castle was offered for sale and was bought by Mr. Jackson Purdie, a prominent Dunedin business man, for £3000. Mr. Purdie restored the castle, and to-day it is a veritable show-place. The magnificent ballroom is full of rare china, period furniture, etc., and the grounds are splendidly laid out.

The other castle is Cargill's Castle, and this occupies a bold position on the cliffs above St. Clair. It was built by Captain Cargill, and though far less pretentious than Larnach's Castle, it yet has a definite castle-like appearance. The march of progress (?) has converted this castle into a cabaret and tearooms.

The Mount, Tauranga, North Island, N.Z., see n through a fine specimen of the camphor tree.

The Mount, Tauranga, North Island, N.Z., see n through a fine specimen of the camphor tree.