Historic lodge and whare may be saved

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 9

Historic lodge and whare may be saved

Chokebore Lodge, one of Christchurch’s oldest buildings, may soon be restored and maintained by the Paparua County Council. The lodge, on 12.5 ha of land on Racecourse Road, opposite Riccarton Racecourse, has recently been sold to a property developer for just over $500,000. The developer, Suburban Estates, Ltd, intends to subdivide the land into 29 sections. The lodge and adjacent whare, however, may not be demolished. The subdivider has offered the lodge, part of which was built in the late 1850 s, and the whare, which is about 80 years old, to the council as part of its reserve contribution, provided the council agrees to restore and maintain them. All subdividers are obliged to give the council a reserve contribution equivalent to 7.5 per cent of the value of land being subdivided. The 1300 square metre area surrounding the lodge and whare would be assessed as the contribution for 10 of the residential sections, the balance being offered in a lump sum of about $45,000. This could be used for restoration work. Should the council not agree to the proposal, the subdivider said, it would demolish ' the buildings within three months. It would first offer the Ferrymead Trust full salvage of all fittings. Last evening the council’s town planning committee decided to recommend to the council that a sub-com-mittee investigate the restoration, future use, and maintenance of the Chokebore Lodge property. Chokebore Lodge has a long association with Riccarton Racecourse. The sod portion of the existing lodge was built by John Willis in the late 1850 s. It was later sold to Henry Redwood, a prominent racing owner and breeder who has been described as the father of the

New Zealand turf. He was also an outstanding shot and the lodge was named after the chokebore shotgun he used. The lodge for most of this century has been owned by the Clifford family, of Stonyhurst, in North Canterbury. Much of the original cob and clay house still stands although it has brick extensions. The small whare at the front of the property has Maori decorations. It was thought to have been used as sleeping quarters for some of the Maori apprentices working on the property. The building has been given a C classification by the Historic Places Trust, which means that although it is considered worth saving for its historic or architectural significance, the trust cannot prevent its demolition. It has also been listed as a historic building in the council’s reviewed district planning scheme. Under the scheme three months notice must be given of any proposal to alter or demolish the building. The large stable block (built in the 19205) near the lodge is not listed by the council as a historic building. The county planner, Mr K. G. Lawn, said that the lodge was still occupied and appeared to be in reasonably good condition. The council’s chief inspector and the chairman of the Canterbury regional committee of the Historic Places Trust, Mr Don Donnithorne, were investigating the condition of the buildings and the extent of restoration needed The dwelling, with its long association with racing, could be used as a racing museum, Mr Lawn suggested. Cr V. S. Kyle said he found it “an incredible shame that the stables will be obliterated without a murmur.”

Smoked salmon Gourmets may soon be able to buy frozen vacuumpacked smoked salmon from the gates of the farm where the fish were reared. The Isaac Construction Company, Ltd, has applied to the Paparua County Council for permission to process and sell smoked salmon from its salmon farm. The processing plant would be set up next to the hotmix plant at the west of the property and the salmon sold at the gate-house, at the entrance to Peacock Springs from McArthurs Road. Mr Lawn said he could see no problems arising from such a proposal. The farm was well removed from other properties and the business relatively small-scale. The town planning committee will recommend that the council approve the application provided the processing plant complies with food hygiene regulations, the applicant obtains the necessary water rights, and that six car-parking spaces be provided next to the gate-house for customers. Injunction Concern about the increased dumping of unsuitable refuse has prompted the council to revive injunction proceedings against the proprietors of the Halswell Junction Road rubbish pit. Over the last few weeks council officers have been concerned about such dumping and the apparent laxity of checks on . loads as they enter the pit site. Injunction proceedings have begun against Springs Road Developments, Ltd, C. L. Rhodes and A. M. Rhodes. The proceedings were adjourned in 1981. A preliminary hearing has been held and the matter has been set down for an urgent hearing, the town planning committee heard.