House Relocation

Karaka Bays c.1910

There is no record of where this house came from or where it was moving to in Karaka Bays. Houses for relocation were advertised frequently in the Wellington newspapers. This image is dated around 1910. These are some of the houses sold for relocation in Wellington between 1900 and 1910:

1903 – 1 cottage in Cuba Street, next Star & Garter Hotel, without reserve

1903 – Macdonald, Wilson and Co. house for removal, on the premises. Ingestre street, at 2:30

1905 – House for removal, being No. 51a Rixon-grove off Austin street. This comprises a quantity of galvanised iron fire grates, 20gal copper, and out-houses. To be offered in one lot on the premises. Sake 2.30 sharp.

1905 – For removal, on the Premises, 65, Sydney-street. An 8-roomed house , for removal. The house, though old, is in good condition.

1905 – Sale of six-roomed house, for removal. 58 Austin-street – Six-roomed house, to be removed within 10 days from day of sale.

1906 – W.F. Shortt, house for removal, 9 Levy Street.

1906 – Auction Sale of a Nine-Roomed House For Removal, at Park-terrace, off Molesworth-street. To be removed within two weeks from date of sale.

1908 – Wanted to Sell, cheap, old 5-roomed House, for removal. Apply Foreman, on job, 120 Wallace-street.

1909 – Wanted to Sell, 4-roomed House, for removal, now standing above Abbattoirs, Ngauranga. Apply M. Williams, Antico-street, Melrose.

1910 – On Wednesday 6th October, the same firm will sell on the ground, Sussex-square, three houses, for removal, as the ground is required for the new residence of the Governor.

1910 – Tenders are invited for Purchase and Removal of 6-roomed House, corner Queen and Brougham streets. Apply H. Langdon, Baker, Brougham-street.

This house appears to be part of a four-roomed house with lean-to for the scullery and wash house. The verandah was decorated with scrolled fretwork and daggerboards enclose its roof. The roof was patched where the chimney flue would have stood between the front and back rooms. The window in the lean-to was removed for bracing. The downpipes were left at awkward angles, waiting to be reconnected to a water tank. Each corner of the roof was decorated with an acroterion – a detail copied from Greek temples - and which looks slightly incongruous on an Edwardian villa.

Traction engine moving a house, Karaka Bay, Wellington. Ref: 1/2-084769-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22817462