Newspaper Article 1999 – Historic Havelock North home moved

Historic Havelock North home moved

Vanessa Bellew

A Havelock North historical family home is being removed after 97 years to a 15 acre section in Maraekakaho.

The Joll family home in 21 Joll Road – weighing in at 18 tonnes began its 25km journey today at 5.30am

The turn of the century colonial home was built in 1902 for John Henry Joll a member of one of the second longest established Havelock North families.

Mr Joll, a prominent town figure was the town chairman and a member of the local school board.

He and his wife Lily, who lived in the house until they died, raised their eight children in the house.

Son Dudley Joll said according to a story the house was built to settle a debt.

“My father was a blacksmith in the village and Mr Liley a builder, owed him money. My father asked him how about building me a home…so the story goes.”

Until recently members of the original Joll family still lived in the house.

The home was still in my family until 1995. It was sold after my brother Sidney [Sydney] died.”

“My sister (Rita) also lived their [there] all her life.” said Mr Joll.

The house cost £350 to build and the majority of the timber came from Rotoma station.

New owners Ron and Maggie Clark planned to live in the house after it was restored.

On the empty Joll Road site the owner Brent Treacher planned to build two town houses.

Photo caption – BAYWIDE Building Removals labourer James Capper takes a smoko break before the big move of the historical Joll Road house in Havelock North, yesterday.
HB TODAY PICTURE: DUNCAN BROWN