John Cranswick arrived in Matamata in 1895 and drew Section 104 in the Matamata subdivision ballot in 1904. His plot was situated on the Hinuera West Road and stretched to the Waitoa River. As per the conditions on the ballot lease, Cranswick fenced his section and erected a small lean-to in which to live. In 1911 Thames architect and builder Albert William Gordon (1888-1917) built a two bay villa as a homestead on the farm.
The house is an Edwardian, single-storey, two-bay villa with a return verandah. The fretwork detailing is of an exceptional standard and the balcony balustrades are of a geometric design. The house has a hipped roof and a combination of single and double opening sash windows. It is constructed with totara framing, weatherboard cladding and a corrugated iron roof.
The Cranswick family lived at Cleavedale for approximately five years before building a replica of the house in urban Matamata. The farm was subdivided and the land containing the homestead was purchased by farmer Alfred Cleave Vosper (1867-1949) in 1920. Vosper was active in the local farming community; he was vice-president of the ‘Matamata Jersey Breeders Club’, a member of the Farmers Union and reared award-winning cattle. It is assumed that the name ‘Cleavedale’ is derived from Vosper’s middle name; ‘Cleave’ is attributed to be the maiden surname of Alfred’s mother. Alfred’s son, John Peter Vosper (1907-1997) took over ownership of the farm in 1942 and it has remained in the family to this day, retaining the name of Cleavedale. The homestead is predominantly in original condition, the only alteration has been the glazing of the open verandahs in the 1920s or 1930s.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4226
Date Entered
5th September 1985
Date of Effect
5th September 1985
City/District Council
Matamata-Piako District
Region
Waikato Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Lot 1 DPS 5900 (RT SA7B/638), South Auckland Land District and the building known as Cleavedale thereon. Extent is limited to the curtilage boundaries of the house (refer to map tabled at the Board meeting of 27 February 2014).
Legal description
Pt Lot 1 DPS 5900 (RT SA7B/638), South Auckland Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4226
Date Entered
5th September 1985
Date of Effect
5th September 1985
City/District Council
Matamata-Piako District
Region
Waikato Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Lot 1 DPS 5900 (RT SA7B/638), South Auckland Land District and the building known as Cleavedale thereon. Extent is limited to the curtilage boundaries of the house (refer to map tabled at the Board meeting of 27 February 2014).
Legal description
Pt Lot 1 DPS 5900 (RT SA7B/638), South Auckland Land District
Construction Professional
Name
Gordon, Albert William
Type
Builder
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1920
startYearCirca
Finish Year
1939
finishYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Open verandahs glazed
Start Year
1911
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Totara, weatherboard, corrugated iron
Construction Professional
Name
Gordon, Albert William
Type
Builder
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1920
startYearCirca
Finish Year
1939
finishYearCirca
Type
Modification
Description
Open verandahs glazed
Start Year
1911
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Totara, weatherboard, corrugated iron
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
21st January 2014
Report Written By
Elise Caddigan
Information Sources
Stanley, 2004
Stanley, Joan, Matamata: Ballot Farms and Families: 1904-2004, Matamata: Print Plus, 2004
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Lower Northern Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Lower Northern Office of the NZHPT Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
21st January 2014
Report Written By
Elise Caddigan
Information Sources
Stanley, 2004
Stanley, Joan, Matamata: Ballot Farms and Families: 1904-2004, Matamata: Print Plus, 2004
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Lower Northern Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Lower Northern Office of the NZHPT Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Location
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