List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1348
Date Entered
27th July 1988
Date of Effect
27th July 1988
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Lot 5 DP 26224 (RT WND3/929), Wellington Land District, and the building described as Chew Cottage thereon. The extent does not include the separate studio building.
Legal description
Lot 5 DP 26224 (RT WND3/929), Wellington Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1348
Date Entered
27th July 1988
Date of Effect
27th July 1988
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Lot 5 DP 26224 (RT WND3/929), Wellington Land District, and the building described as Chew Cottage thereon. The extent does not include the separate studio building.
Legal description
Lot 5 DP 26224 (RT WND3/929), Wellington Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value The cottage was built as a family home for a city businessman John Chew, 20 years before the railway went through. John Chew arrived in Wellington in 1858 and was trained as an engineer. He owned 200 acres of land in the Kaiwharawhara district in 1860 and had leased another 250 acres. A former sawmill existed somewhere in the vicinity of Nagio Hall. Chew renovated this mill and operated it, but a big flood in the 1860s destroyed the mill. Chew also had interests in timber in the Wairarapa. Hutt Valley, King Country and near Porirua. He also had other business interests in Wellington. The present house is the third on the site and was built c.1865. The other two houses were demolished and these were probably built in the late 1850s and early 1860s. The second house is said to have become Chew's workshop, storeroom and wash-house. Some alterations to the existing house have taken place but do not seem to have detracted from the house's association with local industry (i.e. sawmilling) and with that of an innovative local engineer and entrepreneur.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Important example of domestic colonial architecture. A typical wooden house of the 1860s and still a family home. Original lines virtually unchanged. This colonial dwelling is one of the few remaining examples in near original condition still standing close to Wellington. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: A charming reminder of Ngaio's industrial beginnings, set, today among modern buildings.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value The cottage was built as a family home for a city businessman John Chew, 20 years before the railway went through. John Chew arrived in Wellington in 1858 and was trained as an engineer. He owned 200 acres of land in the Kaiwharawhara district in 1860 and had leased another 250 acres. A former sawmill existed somewhere in the vicinity of Nagio Hall. Chew renovated this mill and operated it, but a big flood in the 1860s destroyed the mill. Chew also had interests in timber in the Wairarapa. Hutt Valley, King Country and near Porirua. He also had other business interests in Wellington. The present house is the third on the site and was built c.1865. The other two houses were demolished and these were probably built in the late 1850s and early 1860s. The second house is said to have become Chew's workshop, storeroom and wash-house. Some alterations to the existing house have taken place but do not seem to have detracted from the house's association with local industry (i.e. sawmilling) and with that of an innovative local engineer and entrepreneur.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Important example of domestic colonial architecture. A typical wooden house of the 1860s and still a family home. Original lines virtually unchanged. This colonial dwelling is one of the few remaining examples in near original condition still standing close to Wellington. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: A charming reminder of Ngaio's industrial beginnings, set, today among modern buildings.
Construction Details
Start Year
1865
startYearCirca
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
New Zealand timber - Kauri fittings - Totara. Local Ngaio, Kahikatea is incorporated. According to family legend the cottage was originally painted with iron oxide. Timber (White Pine Kahikatea, Totara & Kauri) and corrugated iron. Land initially part of Kaiwarra sawmill site owned by Joseph Hurley in the 1850s.
Notable Features
Staircase Wooden features - mantelpiece Pelmets, doors Door knobs, keys etc Original Totara fence (picket)
Construction Details
Start Year
1865
startYearCirca
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
New Zealand timber - Kauri fittings - Totara. Local Ngaio, Kahikatea is incorporated. According to family legend the cottage was originally painted with iron oxide. Timber (White Pine Kahikatea, Totara & Kauri) and corrugated iron. Land initially part of Kaiwarra sawmill site owned by Joseph Hurley in the 1850s.
Notable Features
Staircase Wooden features - mantelpiece Pelmets, doors Door knobs, keys etc Original Totara fence (picket)
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN: The original architect is unknown but the original owner John Chew was an engineer and probably supervised construction. John Chew was also an early importer of machinery. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION (Style): Domestic colonial architecture Steep pitched roofs Low eaves Gables Double-hung small-paned windows Plain sawn undressed weatherboards - timber unknown, but, as Chew was a timber merchant, of good quality. MODIFICATIONS: Kitchen and bathroom updated Conservatory on rear Front verandah enclosed Shingles covered
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN: The original architect is unknown but the original owner John Chew was an engineer and probably supervised construction. John Chew was also an early importer of machinery. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION (Style): Domestic colonial architecture Steep pitched roofs Low eaves Gables Double-hung small-paned windows Plain sawn undressed weatherboards - timber unknown, but, as Chew was a timber merchant, of good quality. MODIFICATIONS: Kitchen and bathroom updated Conservatory on rear Front verandah enclosed Shingles covered
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Onslow Historian
Onslow Historian
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Onslow Historian
Onslow Historian
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
