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Slaughter House Reserve to quiet central city lane....
Land once earmarked for the slaughter house is now a peaceful pedestrian friendly lane and home to over thirty residents. It's special identity recognised as one of twelve proposed residential heritage areas in Christchurch. Considered a unique place of "mixed-class residence" alongside side it's neighbouring, Chester Street East.
160 years ago early settler, Mr David Clarkson, saw the need for small sections to house the city's working people so set about subdividing a large piece of land and creating a private road for access. The road was first called 'David Street', then became 'Carter's Lane', after a local resident, James Carter. Residents later petitioned the Mayor to change the name again as it had come to be thought of as an "undesirable locality". Not proven, but the name 'Dawson' may have originated as a hat tip to the architect of nearby Ward's Brewery, Joseph Dawson, following the sudden death of his wife, Anne.
In the 1980's, the Council made major upgrades to the road to make it more pedestrian friendly. This was enhanced further recently when the lane was resurfacing in smooth asphalt after lobbying by residents. Dawson Lane is now a pedestrian friendly walkway and is enjoyed by all those who walk, run, cycle or wheel along. The lane featured in the Christchurch Press in 2023 as an exemplar of 'a pleasant place to stroll' and enhanced by trees - with before and after photographs showing the stark transformation.
Dawson Lane has a rich history and has benefited from local activism and investment by local government. Tucked away in between the busy Kilmore Street and spilling out onto the much loved pocket park 'Chesterfields' on Chester Street East, it's worth a wander...
Tucked away between Chester St East & Kilmore St, Dawson St is home to 30+ residents | Google Maps
Gallery - forty years on....
AFTER #01- 2023: Looking South down Dawson from Kilmore Street. Post re-surfacing in smooth asphalt, restoration of 250 Kilmore St on the corner, and building on the improvements to the street in the 80's by the Council to prioritise pedestrians.
BEFORE #01 - Back in the 1980's looking South down Dawson from Kilmore Street. The large white building on the right was formerly a private hospital, latterly a bed sit.
AFTER #02 - 2023: Looking north towards Kilmore. Post re-surfacing in smooth asphalt and with the addition of planter boxes, removal of kerb and channel to make a 'woonerf' street.
BEFORE #02 - Back in the 1980's looking north towards Kilmore. Dawson St was a single narrow road with footpaths on either side and above ground power lines.
2023 Spring - cyclist wizzes by down the lane, view from kitchen window at 13 Dawson.
History of the Lane - post European settlement
David doesn't miss a beat - 'David Street' surveyed
The land that makes up the road and properties was originally land earmarked for an abattoir. Animals were killed for human consumption and it was known as part of 'Slaughter House Reserve'. In 1857, once an alternative site for the slaughter house was found, the land was made available for sale and 'Town Reserve 170', was purchased in May 1860 by David Clarkson (LINZ, 1850: 1370).
Not slow to miss a beat, by the end of the May, 'David Street' had been officially surveyed on the eastern edge. Naming the street, presumably after himself, Mr Clarkson begun subdividing and selling off parts of the land fronting as small residential sections (LINZ, 1850: 1370).
Black Map 277, showing Town Reserve 170 before David Street had been surveyed.
Small sections ripe for development
Buildings were erected quickly and by 1862, less than two years later, David Street was well-developed, as can be seen by the building footprints on the map. Homes to house city workers, including staff of 'Wards' brewery, round the corner, were in hot demand.
By contrast dwellings on the large sections tended to be larger in scale and typically became the homes of higher-class, wealthy immigrants and were erected more slowly.
1862 - rapid development of small dwellings in two years in David St shown by house footprints.
Workers' homes and goods
Quite the entrepreneurs, six years earlier in 1854, David Clarkson, his wife Esther, and sister, Elizabeth Clarkson, saw the demand for goods needed by the city's new immigrants.
They lived in a cottage in Cashel Street. Esther came from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England and had been trained as a milliner. She imported two cases of straw hats which she sold, with sundry and other items of clothing, from the front room.
Seeing how well she was doing, David built a small gabled shop for her, which extended out to the street frontage.
The business was named 'Dunstable House', and subsequently became the now famous Christchurch department store, Ballantynes'.
'Dunstable House' was established by David & Esther Clarkson, known today as 'Ballantynes'.
David Street, Carters Lane, Dawson Street
About 20 years later, by 1883 David Street was re-named Carter’s Lane after a resident of the street, James Carter. Carter, was born on the ship 'Echunga', arriving in Lyttelton from England. James was a carrier, literally a person that undertakes the professional transportation of goods or people (ref)
David Street was also a named street in Lyttelton at the time and the desire to prevent confusion may have been the reason for the name change from David Street to Carter's Lane.
From private to public road
In November 1877 a petition, which asked that the Council take over Carter’s Lane, was presented by six Dawson Street owners and occupiers including Alfred Walter Money, owner of 250 Kilmore; it was accepted in November 1878. Already, in January of that year, the Council had laid concrete kerbing in Carter’s Lane, suggesting that the private status, and therefore responsibility for maintenance, of the roadway was in name only by that time. (ref 1 | ref 2)
"Undesirable locality"
Thirty years passed and a second petition from local residents seeking a name change to Dawson Street was accepted by the Council in September 1915; at that time it was felt that the small street had come to be thought of as an "undesirable locality" and the petitioners wanted to improve things in the neighbourhood.
No reason on the petition was provided for the suggestion of "Dawson St" as a new name, but a plausible explanation maybe as a nod to the wife of the architect of nearby Ward's Brewery, Joseph Dawson who constructed many of the buildings in the East of Christchurch (ref | ref). His wife, Anne Dawson, died suddenly in April 1915 (ref) and five months later a petition to the Mayor with the new name Dawson Street was proposed.
Dawson Street was not recognised as a public street by the Council until 1960.
Joseph Dawson designed & constructed nearby Wards Brewery. Was Dawson St named as a nod to his wife?
Dawson descendent
In December 2019, Erin Thornton, nee Dawson, descendent of Joseph Dawson, came to stay at 250 Kilmore for a few days with her husband and children during their holiday to New Zealand from England.
Erin Thornton nee Dawson (2nd from right) descendent of Joseph Dawson, at 250 Kilmore.
Pedestrian walkway
One hundred and forty years after it was first conceived, Dawson Street was reconstructed in 2001 by the Council, to prioritise pedestrians and became a 'woonerf'.
'Woonerf' is a Dutch name to describe a street in which 'traffic is given less dominance and pedestrians can share all the road space'. Improvements by the Council included:
- Removal of kerb and channel and footpaths on either side
- Addition of four large garden planter boxes
- Paved parking bays and T junctions at the north and south entrance
- Power lines underground
Dawson after construction as a 'woonerf'
Walkway War
In early 2022, residents and owners raised concerns over the Council's plan to resurface Dawson St, an over-sized footpath, with rough chip-seal stone, rather than smooth asphalt.
Long term residents, Simone Pearson and Joe Tonner, estimated that 85+% of users of the street were pedestrians, evidence of the success by the Council to prioritise pedestrians in the 80s . Very few vehicles used the lane as a thoroughfare, mainly residents to access their homes.
Simone and Joe wrote to the Community Board and later presented, by this time, a third petition for resurfacing in smooth asphalt with support from 100% of property owners.
Chip-seal is appropriate because....
Initial Council staff advice insisted chip-seal stone was appropriate;
"Dawson Street has a very limited traffic movement with under 500 vehicle per day traffic flows and limited truck movements. There is no high stress location along the street. It provides a connection from residential premises to the collector road network which perfectly matches with the definition of a local street. Considering the above and based on the citywide road surfacing material selection process, chip seal is the appropriate material for the type of environment being served by Dawson Street."
The Council appeared to be taking a 'one size fits all approach' justifying the re-surfacing in chip-seal but not looking at the unique characteristics of this narrow lane. For resident's it felt like the Council was not listening to it's own advice either; Council reports recognised Dawson in an envisioned central city pedestrian greenway; it looks and feels like a central city lane where the appropriate surface was considered one that supports safe and convenient pedestrian movement.
Council U-turn: asphalt is appropriate.
Almost one hundred days after the issue was first raised, it was a wee/big victory to hear the Council had reversed their decision. The U-turn in the decision was advised by an email to Simone in April 2022. Head of Transport & Waste Management. Lynette Ellis simply said; "Transport Maintenance Manager has looked at street/design and has confirmed that asphalt is appropriate surfacing solution...". Resurfacing was completed in May 2023.
Joe and Simone presented to their local Community Board i. Jump to 27:15 to watch, 25 mins duration.
Resident's victory!
Scrapping back
In May 2023 in less than a week the surface was taken back to dirt rubble in preparation and asphalt poured.
Asphalt poured & pressed
Heavy rollers flattened the hot asphalt for the silky smooth finish.
Council advice support smooth asphalt & lane liberation
Dawson Greenway
Christchurch City Council’s Draft Central City Plan in 2011 promoted Dawson as part of the green way. We argued that re-sealing in asphalt rather than rough chip-seal stone, ensures a smooth surface for pedestrians and wheels to glide smoothly on what is in effect an over-sized footpath.
We showed that the Council's own advice supported the appropriate road surface treatment in smooth asphalt. The return to the designation as a 'Lane' is further consistent with the Council's intent for a pedestrian friendly central city greenway.
Dawson - exemplar of a Lane
The draft Christchurch City Council Plan (pg 62) says new shared “edge” lanes will be created within the Four Aves on the outer core to break up the long blocks and “increase the permeability of the movement through these areas in conjunction with the central city Greeenway project
The ‘Central City Lanes Report’ (pg 33) identifies the characteristics of lanes that support it's goal to create “attractive and vibrant lanes that provide safe and convenient pedestrian corridors” . The characteristics listed can be seen in Dawson Street, for example; narrow width, heritage values, brick paving, large street planter boxes for traffic calming and beautification, and overlooking balconies.
What's next?
Liberate the Lane
Street furniture / history panel
Street furniture / history panel
Residents & owners petitioned the Council to return to the designation of a 'Lane' in 2022 -
Council staff are preparing a report for consideration.
Street furniture / history panel
Street furniture / history panel
Street furniture / history panel
We're looking to install a park bench at the northern end of Dawson Street to support a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood and deter unlawful parking over the fire hydrant.
An information panel capturing the Lane's history and development is also being pursued by residents.
Residential Heritage Area
Street furniture / history panel
Residential Heritage Area
Dawson Lane and Chester Street East are recognised for their 'special identity' and earmarked as one of twelve 'Residential Heritage Areas' to be protected in the Christchurch District Plan. Considered a unique place of mixed-class residence dating from the earliest years of colonial settlement and Mr Clarkson anticipating the need for sm
Dawson Lane and Chester Street East are recognised for their 'special identity' and earmarked as one of twelve 'Residential Heritage Areas' to be protected in the Christchurch District Plan. Considered a unique place of mixed-class residence dating from the earliest years of colonial settlement and Mr Clarkson anticipating the need for small homes to house city workers l Read Dawson/Chester RHA report
1877 Petition: Letter to the Mayor & Councillors
Petitioners request Council "take over the said Road"
Christchurch, October 26th 1877
To the Mayor & Councillors of the City of Christchurch
The Petition of the undersigned freeholders & occupiers on Town Reserves no 140 Humbly XXX
1st - That we the owners & occupiers of Sections fronting an accommodation or private Road known as David Street or Carter's Lane on part of Town Reserve No 140 and running north from Chester Street to Kilmore Street
2nd - That there is considerable traffic thro' the said Accommodation Road
3rd - That the said Road is about 26 feet in width and was made over twelve years ago
4th - The your petitioners request that you will take over the said Road on the same terms and conditions as you have hitherto taken over private roads withing the city.
And your petitioners will ever pray
A W Money [Editor: owner of 250 Kilmore St]
James Carter
The Partridges
John Preece
J Mazey
_Gladden"
1915 Petition: Letter to the Mayor of Christchurch
Carters Lane an "undesirable locality"
"Received Sept 13 1915
Council 13/9/15
Bylaws 15/9/15 power to act
34415
Sept 10 1915
The Mayor of Christchurch
Dear Sir
We the owners of property situated in Carters Lane which for various reasons have become known as an undesirable locality. And are anxious that the neighbourhood should be improved in order to alter this state of affairs we beg to request that your honourable Council will see its way to allow an alteration of the Name of the Street from that of Carters Lane to Dawson Street or such other name as the Council may deem suitable
Hoping to hear favourably from you. We remain Sir
Yours faithfully
G Graham
M.E Wilson
Mr & Mrs Kay
A.E Wheeler
A.W Swift
H. B. Low
W. Scarlett
Pierce Bros
A Freeman"
2022 Petition: To the local Community Board
Retaining the current asphalt surface
To: Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board
Christchurch City Council
From: Residents and property owners of Dawson Street
c/- Simone Rewa Pearson & Joe Tonner
13 Dawson Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011
027 279 3000 | pearson.s@xtra.co.nz
21 January 2022,
Tēnā koutou,
We support retaining the current asphalt surface of Dawson Street.
The planned resurfacing in chipseal stones poses a risk to; the health, safety and wellbeing of pedestrians and; of damage to properties and vehicles.
Ngā mihi na,
Signed by:
-100% of owners support:
-80% of residents support - 4 remaining residents were unable to be contacted
Simone Pearson / Joe Tonner
Pam Fantham
Tony Perkins
Dan Sissons
Rose Crawford
Robert & Patricia Harwood
Paul Stead
Christopher & Kazuko Seeley
Sean Tonner
Frances Tonner
Trevor Williams
Adam
Nicole Sutich
Rahul Bindhu
Adrian Riddle | Yin Chea Tan
Fatima Begum
Rahul Kalra
Bhajneek Singh
Tom Chapman
Will Brown
Matthew Goldsworthy
Angelic McElroy
Steve Burdes
2022 Petition: To the local Community Board
Change in designation from ‘Dawson Street’ to ‘Dawson Lane’
To: Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board
Christchurch City Council
From: Residents and property owners of Dawson Street
c/- Simone Rewa Pearson & Joe Tonner
13 Dawson Street, Central City, Christchurch 8011
027 279 3000 | Pearson.s@xtra.co.nz
21 January 2022,
Tēnā koutou,
We the properties owners & residents support the change in designation from ‘Dawson Street’ to ‘Dawson Lane’.
Ngā mihi na,
-100% of owners support:
-80% of residents support - 4 remaining residents were unable to be contacted
Simone Pearson / Joe Tonner
Pam Fantham
Tony Perkins
Dan Sissons
Rose Crawford
Robert & Patricia Harwood
Paul Stead
Christopher & Kazuko Seeley
Sean Tonner
Frances Tonner
Trevor Williams
Adam
Nicole Sutich
Rahul Bindhu
Adrian Riddle | Yin Chea Tan
Fatima Begum
Rahul Kalra
Bhajneek Singh
Tom Chapman
Will Brown
Matthew Goldsworthy
Angelic McElroy
Steve Burdes
