Editorial: Cultivating a cultured homestead

Mark Story.

There's something wonderfully endearing about No35 Milton Rd.

Hidden from the world for the past few decades, the Napier home has morphed into a tree house. The 1930s period property (see story and photo p3) is almost completely obscured by foliage. Creeper clad and its weatherboards pared back by the elements, open windows are the only sign of life.

But inside it's anything but sleepy.

The 87-year-old (now former) owner and engineer, who has lived in the home since the 50s, filled it with collected books and other curios. So much so that Harcourts agent Bill Tawhai described it as museum-like.

One could argue it's the static nature of the home's facade which piques human interest.

Houses are the most public of our possessions, and therefore most of us are of a mind to make a statement - or at least toe the line and keep them seemly.

That's why this property and its former master (who wishes to stay anonymous) are noteworthy; in forgoing suburbia's usual maintenance, he's reminded us that it's folly to keep up appearances. Or, put another way by an author whose name I forget: if the section's unruly and the pots don't shine, it's because I have better things to do with my time.

Auctioneers yesterday told bidders that with a bit of "graft" it could be "your Hilton on Milton". No doubt the character inside this character house already considered it as such.

He's made me reconsider this weekend's plans to take yet another trailer load of green waste to the transfer station. Good on you, whoever you are, for cold-shouldering the Joneses.