The block bounded by Worcester, Gloucester and Montreal Streets, and Rolleston Avenue was granted by the Canterbury Association to the (Anglican) Church Property Trustees in 1856 and 1858. The Trustees sold the land to Reverend John Raven in 1874. Raven died in England in 1886, and Raven's Paddock - as it was then known - was subsequently subdivided and sold by his trustees. The title of 23 Worcester Street was issued to Mrs Jane Cole in July 1896, and the house was built soon after. Jane Cole (?-1931) was the wife of George Henry Cole (1844-1930). George Cole arrived in New Zealand in 1866, and worked for the railway goods department for a number of years. In 1878 he transferred to the employ of shipping/commercial agent and merchant Charles W. Turner. The Coles lived together in the house.
In September 1924 the house was sold to merchant Ernest Sandston, who on-sold it two months later to William McIhoy, gentleman. McIhoy immediately transferred the property to Ellen Winifred Mary Cox, spinster. Ellen was a daughter of Charles Percy Cox (1835-1925) and his wife Sarah, a daughter of Bishop Harper. Cox arrived in New Zealand in 1853, and became the managing partner in Springs Station with J.E. Fitzgerald in 1857. The pair later purchased Longbeach (which they sold together with Springs in 1863) and in 1862, Mt Somers. Cox subsequently bought Fitzgerald out, and farmed Mt Somers until 1876. In 1878 he became a land and estate agent in Ashburton, forming the firm of Matson, Cox and Co with Henry Matson in 1880. The partnership broke up in 1888. Cox later had speculative interests in gold mining and live sheep exports, but was working as a commission agent at the turn of the century. He was also prominent in local affairs, serving as a member of the Ashburton Roads Board and as a JP. After retirement in the early years of the twentieth century, Cox and his wife were cared for by daughter Ellen. Charles Cox died at 23 Worcester Street in 1925 aged 90, and Sarah in 1938 aged 98.
In December 1924, Ellen Cox applied for a building permit to make £700 worth of additions to the house. It is presumably at this time that the partial first floor at the rear was added, probably providing bedroom accommodation. The builder was W. H. Winsor.
In 1951 the property was transferred from Ellen to Somers Cox, sharebroker, and Kenneth Cox, company secretary, who immediately transferred it to Ellen's brother Aubrey. Aubrey was educated at Canterbury College and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1913 he began a career as a civil servant in India with an appointment to the position of Professor of English and History at Muir College in Allahabad. Other positions he filled included Inspector of Schools in Meerut (1914), and Director of Education in Jodhpur (1926-7). Cox was also on active service in Persia 1918-20. At retirement (probably in the 1940s), Cox returned to Christchurch. In 1972, 23 Worcester St was transmitted from Aubrey back to Somers and Kenneth Cox (as administrators). They immediately transferred it to Oak Properties, who made minor alterations - converting the house to a dental surgery and self-contained up-stairs flat, and developing the front yard as parking. In 1987 the property was purchased by Martha Ashby and Lexie Knowsley.
In 1996 the house was sold to Real Restaurants Ltd, the company of prominent Christchurch restaurateur, Richard Till. Major internal alterations and landscaping were carried out in 1997 to enable Till to operate the 'Worcester Dining Room' on the premises. In 1999 the business was sold to Bruce Griffiths and Mike Bradstock, who changed the restaurant's name to 'Cook'n With Gas'. The building was purchased by Fresh Harvest Ltd in 2001.
23 Worcester Boulevard is one of a homogeneous precinct of late nineteenth century houses facing the Arts Centre across Worcester Boulevard. Generally well maintained, the houses contribute significantly to the historic character of the area.
In September 1924 the house was sold to merchant Ernest Sandston, who on-sold it two months later to William McIhoy, gentleman. McIhoy immediately transferred the property to Ellen Winifred Mary Cox, spinster. Ellen was a daughter of Charles Percy Cox (1835-1925) and his wife Sarah, a daughter of Bishop Harper. Cox arrived in New Zealand in 1853, and became the managing partner in Springs Station with J.E. Fitzgerald in 1857. The pair later purchased Longbeach (which they sold together with Springs in 1863) and in 1862, Mt Somers. Cox subsequently bought Fitzgerald out, and farmed Mt Somers until 1876. In 1878 he became a land and estate agent in Ashburton, forming the firm of Matson, Cox and Co with Henry Matson in 1880. The partnership broke up in 1888. Cox later had speculative interests in gold mining and live sheep exports, but was working as a commission agent at the turn of the century. He was also prominent in local affairs, serving as a member of the Ashburton Roads Board and as a JP. After retirement in the early years of the twentieth century, Cox and his wife were cared for by daughter Ellen. Charles Cox died at 23 Worcester Street in 1925 aged 90, and Sarah in 1938 aged 98.
In December 1924, Ellen Cox applied for a building permit to make £700 worth of additions to the house. It is presumably at this time that the partial first floor at the rear was added, probably providing bedroom accommodation. The builder was W. H. Winsor.
In 1951 the property was transferred from Ellen to Somers Cox, sharebroker, and Kenneth Cox, company secretary, who immediately transferred it to Ellen's brother Aubrey. Aubrey was educated at Canterbury College and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1913 he began a career as a civil servant in India with an appointment to the position of Professor of English and History at Muir College in Allahabad. Other positions he filled included Inspector of Schools in Meerut (1914), and Director of Education in Jodhpur (1926-7). Cox was also on active service in Persia 1918-20. At retirement (probably in the 1940s), Cox returned to Christchurch. In 1972, 23 Worcester St was transmitted from Aubrey back to Somers and Kenneth Cox (as administrators). They immediately transferred it to Oak Properties, who made minor alterations - converting the house to a dental surgery and self-contained up-stairs flat, and developing the front yard as parking. In 1987 the property was purchased by Martha Ashby and Lexie Knowsley.
In 1996 the house was sold to Real Restaurants Ltd, the company of prominent Christchurch restaurateur, Richard Till. Major internal alterations and landscaping were carried out in 1997 to enable Till to operate the 'Worcester Dining Room' on the premises. In 1999 the business was sold to Bruce Griffiths and Mike Bradstock, who changed the restaurant's name to 'Cook'n With Gas'. The building was purchased by Fresh Harvest Ltd in 2001.
23 Worcester Boulevard is one of a homogeneous precinct of late nineteenth century houses facing the Arts Centre across Worcester Boulevard. Generally well maintained, the houses contribute significantly to the historic character of the area.
