Future of Chokebore Lodge in doubt

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 9

Future of Chokebore Lodge in doubt

The future of Chokebore Lodge, one of Christchurch’s oldest buildings, is in doubt. The lodge, built on 12.5 hectares of land on Racecourse Road, opposite Riccarton Racecourse, has recently been sold to a property developer for just over $500,000. It is believed that the land will be subdivided into 31 residential units. The property has been bought by City and Suburban Estates, Ltd, a Christchurch subsidiary of a Wellington firm, City Realties, Ltd, which is part-owned by Brierley Investments, Ltd. When asked whether Chokebore Lodge would be demolished, the manager of City and Suburban Estate, Mr R. K. Moir, said that various alternatives were being considered.

“It is subject to discussion with the Paparua County Council. There are several alternatives that could retain the historic building,” he said. The council could decree that the building, built in 1856, deserved to be retained, said Mr Moir. However Paparua County’s planner, Mr Ken Lawn, said the council could not prevent the developer from demolishing the building. Mr Lawn said the lodge was listed as a historic place, and three months notice had to be given of intent to demolish it. This was to give interested groups the opportunity to try to save the building, or make records of it. The council had not been given notice of demolition of the lodge, he said.

.Chokebore Lodge was owned late last century by Henry Redwood, a prominent racing owner and breeder who has been described as the father of the New Zealand turf. He was also a top shooter, and the lodge was named after the chokebore shotgun he used. It is possible his shooting winnings paid for stables on the property. Chokebore has been owned for most of this century by the Clifford family, who also own Stonyhurst

Estate in North Canterbury. The Cliffords have also been well known racing owners and breeders. Much of the original cob and clay house still stands, although it has brick extensions. The property also contains a small outbuilding decorated with Maori carvings. The chairman of the Canterbury regional committee of the Historic Places Trust, Mr Don Donnithorne, said the building had a C classification, for buildings worth preserving because of their historical or architectural significance. The trust could not prevent demolition of the building using this classification. “The developer should at least consider using the building as a focal point to development. They could enhance the development significantly by preserving the building,” Mr Donnithorne said. The trust would not attempt to raise the building’s classification to prevent its demolition. It would try to persuade the developer to retain it, he said. “The Historic Places Trust in Wellington said that the lodge was older than anything in Wellington. It is one of the very few houses of that age left in Christchurch,” Mr Donnithorne said.