Mt Albert Then and Now A History of Mt Albert, Morningside, Kingsland, St Lukes

Description

Mt Albert Then and Now A History of Mt Albert, Morningside, Kingsland, St Lukes, Sandringham and Owairaka
By Deborah Dunsford

“This is the first history of the wider Mr Albert district in 55 years. The general area known as Mt Albert always included Kingsland, Morningside, Sandringham, Owairaka and St Lukes. From originally being an area of lifestyle blocks, small farms, and a few elegant homes for those who were successful in the city, Mt Albert grew into a densely populated suburb, especially in the years after the First World War. It not only contains the finest collection of bungalows in Auckland, but it is also the scene of many of New Zealand’s sporting achievements from test match rugby and cricket to the Empire Games at Eden Park in 1950. This book by prize-winning author Deborah Dunsford tells us the story of the wider district and the many changes that have taken place over the years. There were strict religious beliefs in the old days that manifested themselves in attitudes to alcohol that kept Mt Albert the last “dry” area until quite recently. The district became renowned for its sporting prowess with some of the country’s greatest athletes – Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and their coach, Arthur Lydiard – connected to the Owairaka Athletic Clubs. And who can forget the three Prime Ministers, Robert Muldoon, David Lange and Helen Clark who lived in the area? Today Mt Albert is home to splendid schools like Mt Albert Grammar, Marist College, Kowhai Intermediate and several primary schools of distinction. From being an area dominated by early European settlers, today all parts of Mt Albert are home to people from many ethnic and cultural groups. This well illustrated and very readable books tells us the story of one of Auckland’s prime suburbs.”

Paperback, 2016, 252pages, very good condition, fading in cover