OLD SHOPS GOING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 261, 31 July 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

OLD SHOPS GOING

Built on Land Covered Once by Te Aro Pa Three ancient wooden shops in Manners Street, which date back to the ’eighties of last century, are being demolished to make way for a more modern structure. They are on the corner of Luke’s Lane and Manners Street. These old premises represent the third stage of occupation, taking the old Maori pa, and the first Maori missionary church, called “Araiteura" (which stood next door), as being the first. Small houses followed the disappearance of the buildings associated with the native settlement in and about the old Taranaki (Te Aro) pa, and later business premises made their appearance, as Te Aro flat became more closely settled from 1880 onward. In those days the beach lay along the line of what is now Wakefield Street, ami at spring tides used to enter the back yards and Stewart’s timber yard a little further to the eastward. For some time past the shop on the actual corner of Luke’s Lane has enjoyed the curious reputation of being the tiniest place of business in the main streets of 'Wellington. It has been an all-night restaurant, much frequented by those whose business keeps them on the streets at all hours. Luke’s Lane is so called because Luke’s foundry was situated for many years at the rear of these premises. Indeed, one of the shops in Manners Street was used in connection with the business, and was a display place for the firm’s manufactures, which included a variety of iron ranges or stoves, then in general use. Every house built in the last quarter of the centurywas supplied with a range of some kind, with or without hot-water attachments. Luke’s later sold out to J. J. Niven and Company. The contractor for the new building is Mr. A. Lemmon, who Is also at present engaged on the erection of the new warehouse block for Van Stavercn Bros., round the corner in Taranaki Street, and a block of flats in Grass Street, Oriental Bay.