Ashfield House

In October 1878, tenders were called for the erection of a villa for Mr Job Brown in Temuka. The architect was Mr Francis John Wilson. The following year further tenders were called for the erection of stables and outhouses in brick. A vinery was added in 1883. The Browns’ were Wesleyan Methodists and held many fund-raising garden parties for the church were held in the grounds of the house, with a green house, vinery and fernery being open to visitors and pleasure boats on the ornamental lake. Job Brown died at Ashfield in 1907, as did his wife Elizabeth in 1909. The ownership of the Manor passed to their only child, Mrs Amelia Hayhurst, who moved back to Ashfield after she was widowed in 1914. Her husband Colonel John Turnbull Murray Hayhurst was killed in an automobile accident at Washdyke on his way to Timaru to bid two of his sons farewell as they left to fight in the First World War. Amelia Hayhurst (nee Brown) passed away at Ashfield on 14th December 1937.’ - the Hayhursts’ family home, also in Temuka. Further additions were made about 1916 with a new summer house that contained a full sized billiard table and a highly carved ‘Robert Adam’ fireplace. The current owners are running it as a wedding venue and tearooms and it is presented in splendid order. The Ashfield Tea Rooms now occupies the Summer House.