Historic Tent Poles Hut
Management
Kahutara Saddle, Clarence Reserve, South Marlborough Area Office, Nelson/Marlborough Conservancy, Department of Conservation.
Fabric
This is a small corrugated iron hut with timber framing and an earth floor. There has been some modification. Originally it had ten bunks and the window and door were in opposite locations. The hut is tucked into a small gully among willow trees.
History
From the 1860s until 1968 access between Kaikoura and the Warden and Tytler Runs (now known as the Clarence Reserve) was via a pack track over the Seaward Kaikoura Range. The road now follows this route. Of the several huts built to provide accommodation along the track only Tentpoles and Bluff Dump survive. Tentpoles was the final stop for musterers and pack-men before crossing Blind Saddle to the 'front' and had an associated holding paddock for the sheep. Although its date of building is not known it is of similar construction to Bluff Dump which was built in 1928 or earlier.
Historic themes are pastoralism and farming.
Tent Poles Hut (built 1928)
Fabric significance
Of local significance. Typical of mustering huts of the period, which are rapidly disappearing.
Historic significance
One of a significant group of musterers' huts and other station buildings remaining on the Clarence Reserve.
Future management
Ten Poles remains as an emergency backcountry hut. It will be maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration. A conservation plan has been prepared (Ian Bowman, 1995) to guide its management. This contains more information about the hut.
Sources
Clarence Reserve file - SCO Historic Resources. Bowman 1995 Remedial Work Plans Clarence Reserve.