20, 23 and 27 September 2007

In the Steps of Jack Leigh

Chapter 3: Grey Lynn, Western Springs

page 2

We leave the mural behind us and continue on the right of the road where Jack used the pedestrian crossing at Selbourne Rd. Reason: on this side of the road there are a number of villas that promise some additions to my collection of colonial lace. Further, many of them, instead of having a bay window gable plus verandah - standard Ponsonby - are of the twin gable variety.

Some intricate lace.

Notice on this one that the original porch has been built in and French-windowed.

Also worth a look is the intricate patterning at the end of the gable.

The left side of the road consists of a new commercial building, closer to the shopping centre, Grey Lynn Primary School (1910), St Columba Church (1930), the old Auckland laundry and so forth. The right side is generally residential and older, and, for the moment, of more interest.

I'm fascinated by the lacework here. It, like the gable end decorations, has a solid backing. I'm also interested in the mock slatework beneath the stained glass window, reminiscent of later bungalows. The pillars on either side are also quite solid, with echoes of classical columns.

The same house a little further along sports a couple of magnificent chimneys, and the same almost mock-classical wooden framing for the sash window. The picket fence has a bad case of the moss, mildew and gunge complaint, but its brick setting is also very, very solid.

Another fine villa, and again, compared with St Mary's Bay and Ponsonby, the capped fence posts are just a little more intense.

The barge boards here are really interesting. The chimney in two shades of brick also catches the eye.

and the lace again is quite lovely.

Just get hold of the gable end on this one, and if I mistake not, yet another design in lacework.

Hello. A touch of wet on the lens filter.

Apart from an impressive wisteria vine, this one has a frontage decorated with pieces of ceramic flatware. Funnily enough, I think it works.

Here's some more lace and another enterprising barge board.

and look at the intricacy here. Someone's really been to town.

More lace.