Historic East Branch Ahuriri (Quailburn) Hut
Management
Ahuriri Conservation Park, Twizel Area Office, Canterbury Conservancy, Department of Conservation.
The East Ahuriri (Quailburn) Hut
Fabric
The hut is located on the true left of the Ahuiri River East Branch below Quailburn Saddle. One roomed hut 4.4m x 2.9m of beech pole construction clad in Comet brand corrugated iron with Lino lead head nails. Between the iron and the beech poles tar impregnated paper lining has been placed. The hut has an earth floor and six-beech pole netting bunks. The chimney in the south wall is iron but is unsafe. The door is cedar. The only modern element is a three-pane louvre window in the west end gable. It is possible that this replaced an earlier window, as it is the only one in the building.
Hut is sited in remote river valley setting.
History
The East Ahuriri was once part of Benmore Run, which by 1892 had nine mustering huts. From research it is not clear if this hut was one of the nine or a 14' x 10' hut built between 1892 and 1898 (Pinney 1981). Pinney in his book (p38) also states that a "married shepherd, at least in 1878 and 1879 lived at Quailburn hut", and that he was allowed to cut firewood some six km distance. It is not clear from the book where this hut was, but the distance from Quailburn bush to the East Ahuriri hut is similar. In 1916 when Benmore leases expired East Ahuriri was reduced in size and became part of Quailburn Station. The late Ed Hardy, a run holder of Quailburn, told Dave Massam a few years ago that the hut was over 100 years old which would indicate that it could possibly have been built between the late 1870's and early 1890's. Further research will be undertaken to try to establish a period when it was built. Only two names could be found in the hut. On the back of the door is carved M Hardy and E Hardy 6/1/58. To the east of the hut are the remains of a small (possibly horse) paddock.
This hut has an historic theme of high country farming.
Fabric significance
A very good example of a classic high country mustering hut.
Historic significance
The hut has regional significance for its role in high country pastoral farming.
Future management
The hut will be maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration.
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