More Info →Damage to Siberia House After Plane Crash

Description

This stately home was built by Arthur and Isabella Harding in 1906 after they purchased 3800 acres of land in the Manchester Block area near Ashhurst. The 18-roomed house was known as 'Siberia' homestead. Also built on the property were stables, garages, sheds, stores for livestock and agricultural produce and a second house for employees. This photograph shows the main house in 1940, after a Royal New Zealand Airforce plane crashed into it. At this time, it was owned by the Kebbell family. The exact cause of the crash are a mystery - the official explanation from Air Staff Defence indicate that a trainee pilot was in control of the flight, though he was accompanied by a qualified pilot, and witnesses stated that there were no dangerous maneuvers being undertaken at the time of the accident. Local rumours abound that the young pilot was involved romantically with one of the Kebbell girls and was showing off when the plane crashed.  The family was breakfasting downstairs were uninjured, but the entire crew of the plane was killed. Approximately £900 worth of damage occurred and the entire top floor was replaced. In 1961, the Siberia homestead burned down after an electrical fault.

For more information, see Fitzherbert East Aokautere School and District 1891-1989, p 99.

Identification

Object type

Image

Date

1940

Digitisation ID

2014N_Z5078_009438

Format

B&W negative

Held In

"Coolstore"