The Road Board Office 2022

Feeling much better today and with the weather a bit dismal hubby and I decided to head out for a drive. He had an idea for derelict Sunday and as usual he had a great eye for a fantastic photo! (I may be a little biased of course!)

An interesting building with an interesting history.

From the West of Windwhistle book:

Sitting on what is known as the Waterhole Reserve, adjoining Fighting Hill, is the original Lake Coleridge Road Board office. Although looking rather dilapidated, it has an interesting history.

Road Boards were an important part of early local government. Funded by a land value based rating system, they were established to develop roads and deal with local issues. Lake Coleridge formed its own board in 1871 and in order to have a place to meet, an office was built in the 1880s. Elections were held for members and meetings were held every second month... The boards area consisted of 250000 acres, 150 people, 37 dwellings... The Road Boards lasted until 1910 when they were abolished as part of the restructuring of the early Selwyn District Council. The ‘office’ remained the meeting place for occasional rabbit board meetings and has been used as a polling booth but as time passed its uses became more infrequent. From Coleridge Road it remains a highly visible reminder of its lively past.