Have you been to Patersons Cottage? The land was owned 1872-1883 by Henry Le Cren (built the Beverley Estate and lived at Craighead house before it was a school). Then James Patterson and his wife, three boys, daughter and step son lived here. There's some debate about who built the house but it could be as old as 140! (Built 1880s). You'll find this on the Strawberry Heritage Trail between Waimate and Kurow. "It is a classification 1 by Heritage NZ, it is historically significant nationally and worthy of preservation"
NEW ZEALAND HISTORIC PLACES TRUST
PATERSON'S COTTAGE
This cob cottage is believed to have been
built about 1880 from Penticotico clay and tussock.
It was occupied by a farmer, James Paterson, and his family.
Paterson sold liquor and provided casual accommodation.
After his departure in 1893 casual workers continued to camp here.
There was at one time a wool wash nearby in Penticotico Creek.
The building has been restored by local supporters
and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
For many years, this cottage was known as Paterson’s Accommodation House. After extensive restoration in the 1980s and 1990s the name was changed to Paterson’s Cottage by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT), now named Heritage New Zealand (HNZ).
There is much debate about the origins of the cottage — about who built it and who lived in it. Documents suggest H. J. Le Cren built it in 1852. However, the Paterson family believe the cottage was built by James Paterson when he purchased the land.
Henry John Le Cren was the legal owner of the land 11th Jan 1852 to 12th Jan 1853 (Title RS 16217) included 30 acres. James Paterson purchased the property on 13th Jan 1853 and was the owner until 19 Dec 1883 (CT 53/181). It is understood that James Paterson lived there with his wife, three sons, one daughter and a step son but there is no real evidence to verify this. In the 1880 Electoral Roll for Waitaki, five James Patersons are listed in the area. All have different ancestry and none but more relate to the site of the cottage.
Situated 50m from the cottage are the foundations of the original livery stables used as a changing place for horses and coaches between Waitangi and Kurow. "The cottage may once provided safe accommodation for drovers going up or down country." During the 1882 flood, stock moved southwards avoiding a washed out area north of Kurow. With nowhere along nearby rivers to house them, they were driven across to the Waitaki, floodwaters forcing a crossing. However, one man is known for using the rivers in floodwaters for his stock, though there are no records to verify that.
Preservation & Restoration
Had it not been for the foresight of farmer Robert McIlraith and initiative shown by six other members of the McIlraith family all determined to see the cottage preserved, the cottage may well have fallen into disrepair. The McIlraith family has been heavily involved since the restoration work began, with ongoing support for the preservation by volunteers from throughout the Waitaki District.
This historical cottage’s first restoration began between 1985 and 1986, when Robert McIlraith repaired the roof, which had corroded out. In the 1990s, and perhaps earlier, a floor was put in, roof iron replaced, and a new chimney built. Externs were re-pointed with clay by Doug Wyllie and stonework repaired by local stonemason Neville Wilkinson. In the late 1990s the McIlraith family, in collaboration with assistance by Timaru stonemason David Sutherland, rebuilt two window lintels and re-did the major stonework on both gable ends. The cottage was re-roofed with old iron, restored, old corrugated window framing was located, old rainsills, all pipe work and the inside wall was fully refitted.
Restoration and preservation is now the responsibility of volunteers and members of Paterson’s Cottage Charitable Trust (1996). The cottage is now on the HNZ Register of Historic Places, and careful, but faithful, proofing has been taken to ensure it is preserved and promoted.
The cottage was registered as a Category I classification. One reason HNZ is this: the cottage is significant nationally and therefore worthy of preservation.
