YOUR LEISURE
OUR PLEASURE
FARMSTAYS
THE HILLS
HOMESTEAD
The Hollies
Motoring & Memorabilia Museum
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History
After several years of searching for the right property, Tim & Gail finally arrived in Waimate in May 2003.
Gail's family history goes back almost 100 years and she was born in the old Waimate Hospital.
Their love of cars, antiques, New Zealand history, and animals led them to make the decision to find an old house with a few acres so that others could see & enjoy their collection.
The Hollies Homestead was built sometime in the 1860's. Kauri & Totara were used in the construction & the majority of the house is still original. Tim & Gail are refurbishing and redecorating taking special care to ensure the house will look as it did in the 1800's. Their Art Nuveau and Edwardian furniture help to create the effect as does the antique bathroom and kitchen fittings.
They are also working hard to re-create the beautiful gardens which once surrounded this lovely home. You will be able to walk round the cottage garden, through the woodlands walk with fairies and animals peeking out from the old Kowhai trees into the enclosed formal east garden.
CITROEN 1922 TYPE C
Assembled at Slough in England, this car was imported new for the furniture store, Mitchell Bros.of Colombo Street, Christchurch. The car was used by the General Manager as his business vehicle. At the time, the car had one door on the passenger side only. The car was sold to a young couple living in Leeston in the late 1920's who used it as their daily transport until World War Two when it became impossible to get new tyres so the car was put up on blocks where it remained until bought by Mr.Peter Clarkeson of Christchurch about 1955.
Peter and a friend put new tyres on the car and drove it home. The single door was a bit inconvenient when it became used for courting, so Peter put the second door on, repainted the car in its original colours, replaced the hood canvas and reconditioned the motor. He used the car as his every day vehicle for several years and travelled all over the South Island. When Peter and his wife started their family in 1965, the car was once again put into storage, where it remained until bought by Gail and Tim in 1999.This is the only car of its type in New Zealand.
Tim and Gails car collection will show their first love is Citroen with some rare and interesting vehicles.
Every car has a story which makes the museum tour really worthwhile. There are other makes and models to make the museum interesting for everyone.
The memorabilia on display shows what life was like for our ancestors. Not all the cars are restored which means you can walk around and have a good look.
Animals and birds play a big part in Tim and Gails lives. Their menagerie includes Poppy the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (who’s blind in one eye) and Peachy, Missy and Buffy the Roly dogs. (Missie is totally blind but still enjoys running around the paddocks).
Kune Kune pigs will thank you with a grunt if fed goodies, the two horses, both in their 20's, Aroha the Palamino and Charlie, have been given to Tim and Gail to retire in luxury.
The sheep include 'polka dots', specially bred for their spots, and Arapawa (named after Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds where they were first found).
Often called native sheep they are believed to have been brought to New Zealand by whalers along with goats and pigs for food.
The Arapawa sheep wool is quite different to other sheep and in the wild, they will shed their coats naturally. They don't have the same foot or fly strike problems other domestic breeds have.
All the animals have names including the sheep and all enjoy being hand fed.
