The Hayes of Otureua

While our men-folk were immersed in the tools, machinery and fittings of Hayes Engineering Works, us girls looked around the lovely old homestead.  All the buildings on the property are administered by the Historic Places Trust.

  The Hayes Homestead

The family produced bricks for their new house, but work stopped on this project during WW1 and the bricks were hidden away.  Brick making recommenced again and the homestead was completed in 1920, taking two years to build.  The home is in original condition, right down to the wallpaper. 

The kitchen, with airing rods over the wood stove

The Dining Room

Ernest Hayes, a millwright, engineer and inventor, made sure that his new home was “up to the minute”.   It had the first indoor flush toilet in the area, and piped music in all the rooms.

   Child’s bed with hand made coverlet

Master bedroom with bassinet

It is always such a treat to look through an old home such as this, and I love to see the old linens and clothing. 

Cabinet of lace and embroidery

Hannah Hayes was a force to be reckoned with.  While her husband was busy in his workshop making a name for himself with his inventions, she helped out with marketing.  In the early 1900s she set off on her bicycle and travelled throughout Central Otago, Lindis and the Mackenzie Country seeking orders for her husband’s products.  You can imagine the state of the roads in these early times.  All this while raising a family too.

  Ernest and Hannah Hayes of Hayes Engineering Works