DEMOLISHED SHOP

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29325, 3 October 1960, Page 15

DEMOLISHED SHOP

Mrs F. Gardiner’s Life There

Three weeks ago Mrs F. Gardiner (Sumner) looked over an old shop and house in Victoria street where she was born 83 years ago. for the last time. Known as the “Old Curiosity Shop,” and one of the oldest buildings in Christchurch, it was demolished last week.

The “Old Curiosity Shop” was built by Mrs Gardiner’s father, Mr Alfred Moss, in 1877. Mr Moss emigrated to New Zealand from England in the same ship as Sir George Grey, for whom he worked as a cook in Wellington before moving to Christchurch. Oh September 10, 1878, the first at his three daughters, Frances (Mrs Gardiner), was born in the house he had built in Victoria street. She lived there for 26 years btft the building remained in the family until 33 years ago. Over the years it has been a well-known landmark. The Moss family did its own importing from England and Germany, and sold crockery, toys, ironmongery, and tinware. Alfred Moss died in 1910, aged 87, and his widow lived bn in the house, renting the shop. The property was sold on her death in 1927, and for many years has been occupied by a wrecking company.

“It is sad for all of us to see the old place go." said Mrs Gardiner recently. “My children spent their school holidays there, and I have happy memories of my own childhood there.” Unlike many other shops in Victoria'- street, the “Old Curiosity Shop” has never been altered. Mrs Gardiner remembers all the shop owners from Bealey avenue to Victoria street bridge. Mrs Gardiner, in spite of her sadness at, the demolition of her early home, has made an equally happy home with her daughter, Mrs E. Glen, at Sumner. Although crippled with arthritis, Mrs Gardiner gave up housekeeping only six months ago, and now spends all her spare time making toys and novelties to sell to raise funds for the Christchurch Aged People's Welfare Council,.