LONG-TIME LOCALS: Lifelong friends Patricia Tee, left, and Beryl Parker have compiled the history of their old Onehunga stomping ground in the book Growing up in Cardwell Street.

A book full of Cardwell St memories

When Beryl Parker and Patricia Tee finally decided to put pen to paper after 70 years they had no idea their project would take on a life of its own. The lifelong friends have been digging up the family roots of the early residents of Onehunga's Cardwell St - where they grew up - for a book for their families. Mrs Parker, who lived at No 13, says the book has been a real labour of love. "The best bit about it has been bringing us all back together. It has been over 70 years for some people." When Mrs Tee, who still lives in Onehunga, came down with bronchitis she thought the best way to occupy her time would be to take a trip down memory lane. "When Beryl came to visit me she said I could just about write a whole book with all the memories I had written about and that was that." Other former residents and their families jumped on board to contribute stories and photos. Few people will remember a time when two cars driving through Onehunga in one day was considered heavy traffic, but this bunch do. "It was such a different time. The children in Cardwell St played together out in the street and we knew all of our neighbours." "How many people would know their neighbours now?" Mrs Parker says. "No one thought to lock their doors when they went out. Anyone could enter a house and help himself or herself to a glass of water." The former Epsom Girls Grammar students would spend hours flying kites and tobogganing down the slopes of One Tree Hill on nikau palm sleds. The friendships formed on that street have lasted a lifetime, Mrs Parker says. "Even though our lives have taken different paths, when we meet it is like a reunion of brothers and sisters." To their surprise, the 74-year-olds have started receiving requests from others interested in getting their hands on a copy of the book. But for Mrs Tee, who lived at No 6, the book was just a great opportunity to show her family where they came from. "We take it for granted that our children know about their family history. It's given us something to pass on to our children and grandchildren," she says. "My childhood and adolescent years in Cardwell St were some of the happiest times of my life." - © Fairfax NZ News JESS LEE Last updated 05:00 24/10/2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7851945/A-book-full-of-Cardwell-St-memories

BITTER SWEET: Darryl Kirby says he’ll be sad to let the former Epsom Post Office go when it is sold at auction next week.

Love affair comes to an end

Darryl Kirby's 50-year love affair with a former post office will come to an end on Wednesday when the 103-year-old building goes to auction. Mr Kirby first saw the Epsom Post Office in the early 1960s. He'd just arrived in New Zealand and the bus he caught to work would stop outside. "I was quite struck by it," he says. "I would say quietly to myself ‘one day I will own you'. "Of course it was a government building so I never expected I would, but 23 years later I did." The unexpected opportunity came in 1990 when the the government started selling off post offices. Mr Kirby and his wife Valerie soon realised that placing the winning bid at auction wasn't the biggest hurdle they'd face. The building hadn't been well looked after and it needed refurbishing before they could run their advertising business from it. "There was quite a lot of opposition from the locals, all sorts of rumours were flying around about what would happen with ‘our post office'," he says. "In the end I got the builder to put the plans on a board outside, it died down after that." The renovations included restoring the old windows, building new offices and a deck and creating a false ceiling to cover the worn out original. "The architect said the ceiling would be too hard to restore but it's still under there," he says. Mr Kirby got two letters from councillors commending the work when it was complete which still hang in the post office's reception area. He scored another victory in the battle for hearts and minds when he started giving out free stamps at the reception desk. "For quite a long time after it wasn't a post office any more a lot of the older people would turn up almost out of habit wanting stamps. "It was illegal to sell them so in the end I got the receptionist to buy a couple of books and give them out when they came in." Mr Kirby was once being interviewed outside the office by television personality Paul Holmes for a story about the government's sell-offs when an older woman marched into reception, slapped some money on the counter and asked for stamps. "The camera crew was completely gobsmaked," he says "The receptionist quickly obliged." Making the decision to sell was tough Mr Kirby says. "It's the only other property apart from my home that I've never wanted to sell. My wife says it's been the other woman in my life." He says he is a hands-on property owner and likes to get involved with the maintenance. "I'm 22 years older now and my wife and I would like to slow down." The building has a Historic Places Trust category two classification. Somebody who appreciates the history of the building would be the ideal buyer, Mr Kirby says. Facades on the outside of the post office can't be touched but almost anything can be done inside. "I would hate to see somebody buy it and paint is some hideous colour," he says. The Epsom Post Office will be auctioned by Bayleys on October 31. See bayleys.co.nz for information. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7862153/Love-affair-comes-to-an-end/ EMMA WHITTAKER Last updated 05:00 26/10/2012 - © Fairfax NZ News