Archaeology of Chews Lane

Archaeology of Chews Lane, Wellington, NZ

“Chews Lane” refers to the street and the area around it being redeveloped by Willis Street Holdings, Ltd. (insert Google map link here) In 2006, before development commenced, an archaeological assessment and relevant historical were carried out. The NZ Historic Places Trust granted permission in September to modify the existing archaeological assessment after “a brick foundation of unknown age was exposed on the Victoria Street end of the development site.” (Clough 2009:3)

Timeline:

1840, Wellington founded

1848, Marlborough Earthquake

1852, “Sir George Grey’s Reclamation” (Willis St., S of Chews Lane)

1855, Wairarapa Fault ruptures, creating an earthquake of magnitude 8+ [1]

1857-1863, “Carter’s Reclamation” (refers to the contractor responsible for rebuilding the area N of Chews Lane)

1886, Reclamation by the Wellington City Council (E of Victoria St.), harbor adjacent to the area is filled in

19th c. Occupation in Brief:

 Chews Lane runs perpendicular to Willis and Victoria Streets.[2]

During and after the various reclamations, “the Willis Street side...came to be characterized by a variety of retail and commercial activities ranging from tobacconists, tailors, hairdressers, booksellers and grocers, etc, with three hotels at various times" while "the Victoria Street side...was dominated by warehouses, importers and wholesalers.” (Clough 2009:15)