The marvellous Meldrums

In 1926 Noel and Lily Meldrum decided to open a hotel on the corner of Puriri Avenue and the main road in Orewa. Being close to the beach, tt was an ideal location for summer holidays and eventually the hotel had accommodation for 40 guests. Later the Meldums built a recreation hall with piano, table tennis and dance floor. The large grounds had space for a putting green and tennis court. In the days before television, guests spent many happy hours organising talent quests, dances and other entertainments. Many families, mainly from the business community in Auckland, came every year. Sir Edmund Hillary’s family were frequent guests and Jean Batten once came for lunch.

In the days before the Harbour Bridge there was a car ferry to Devonport, so guests either drove from Auckland or caught the ferry and came by the Meldrum bus. The road to Orewa was not sealed and the heavy clay made travelling in wet weather a frustrating adventure. Many times the small bus was bogged down in the wet sticky clay. Norma Houghton (Noel’s daughter) recalls that on one occasion Noel took off his watch so as not to damage it while pushing his vehicle out of the mire – unfortunately he put it down and never found it again.

There were only two bathrooms in the hotel (with queues every morning and night) and outside toilets. At first there was no electricity and the rooms were lit with kerosene lamps and all meals were cooked on a coal range. Sheets and towels were washed in a large copper over a wood fire. Meat was sent up from Auckland and, as there was no refrigeration, was kept in a large meat safe outside. Vegetables and fruit for the hungry guests were grown in the gardens and privileged regular guests would wander into the kitchen to shell peas and wash up the supper dishes. Mrs. Meldrum kept chickens for meat and eggs. She was an outstanding cook (famous for her lemon meringue pies) and meals were an important part of the holiday.

Sadly by the 1950s times had changed; Norma and Olive (the Meldrums’ two daughters) had married and left home, Noel and Lily retired and in 1960 the hotel (still affectionately known as Meldrums) was sold. Eventually it was demolished and apartment blocks now stand where once Aucklanders played the piano and sang.

Image: The Meldrum’s bus, used in the 1930s.

Museum News

August 6, 11am, The Changing Face of Early Auckland by Edward Bennett (official guide of the Karangahape Road Cemetery).
Pioneer Village, 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale. Entry by gold coin donation – visitors welcome. Followed by shared lunch. Pioneer Village open Saturday and Sunday – 10am–3pm. 1860s Chapel and gardens available for hire for weddings and functions.