Gardens feature piques reader recollection

I READ with interest the article about Vauxhall Gardens (ODT, 28.1.23).

There is a property that we developed at Stoneleigh on the Otago Peninsula that an elderly neighbour told us was the original site of the Bangor Tea house.

It had a jetty and an arch bridge crossing a small creek for access. The tea house burnt down and was later developed by a prominent Dunedin doctor as a tennis court and a small tennis pavilion which later became a holiday house. The doctor built a substantial house on another part of the property that was purchased by a Dunedin businessman friend of mine.

The property has a large rhododendron dell. I had a photo of the doctor and helpers removing rhododendrons for transfer to the Dunedin Botanic Garden dell and also some were translocated to his holiday house at Doctors Point.

The cottage had an elaborate floored ceiling cavity and lighting with an extending ladder for access. My neighbour told me this area was used to store alcohol for supply during the prohibition. The property entrance has a large white gate and picket fence. The gate was once the Peninsula road toll gate.

I would be interested in hearing from any readers with further information about the history of Stoneleigh and the Bangor Tea House.

Steve Tilleyshort

East Taieri

Conesville

WITH the recent debate on cultural sensitivity regarding Otepoti Dunedin, or is it Dunedin Otepoti?, I suggest a more topical candidate that should strike a chord with all of the pretty city’s citizens; ‘‘Conesville’’ reflecting as it does the nightly spawning of orange cones required for City Hall’s ‘‘Dig up the roads for Congestion of Traffic Scheme’’.

Or how about ‘‘Dunorange’’?

It would be an easier option to just retire the proliferation of orange. Enough is enough, give us a break!

L. McConnell

Mosgiel