History of France House

HISTORY OF FRANCE HOUSE.

In 1924 the Trustees of the H.B. Children’s Home purchased 50 acres of land at Eskdale between the railway station and the river from the Clark family. A brick, two storied building was erected on the property in 1924 and occupied by 24 boys transferred from the Napier Home. Mr & Mrs Phillips were appointed Master and Matron.

France House was established primarily to provide training for boys for farming life and enabled the Trustees to keep the boys to an older age than was possible when only town premises were available.

In February 1931 the building was completely destroyed in the H.B. earthquake, fortunately without loss of life. A new, one storey building was erected and opened in January 1933.

Mr & Mrs N.L. Shaw replaced the Phillips in 1937 just prior to the major floods in the valley which covered the whole of the property.

In 1956 the Shaws retired and were replaced by Mr & Mrs E. A. Morgan. Further changes were made in 1967 (Mr & Mrs R. B. Baxter) 1971 (Mr & Mrs J. Meighan) and 1973 (Mr & Mrs D.C. Rhodes).

During 1973 the number of boys at France House had fallen to 4 and it was clear that the Home was no longer serving the purpose for which it was established. It was therefore sold to the Government in September 1973.