Matthew Hennessey Archaeologist Underground Overground Archaeology Ltd.

Knight’s ‘The Popular Butcher’

Listen to this story
It shows how the Knight’s Butchery was exploding. He went from being a butchery that was in a side shop to a butchery in a comparatively large shop. And he had a reasonably large house, a very large house for a member of the working classes, it had a servants quarters, so it was bringing in a bit of money.

Matthew Hennessey

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Archaeological Authority

Heritage New Zealand has a statutory role in administering Historic Places Act 1993, which provides protection for archaeological sites. Archaeological sites are defined as any place associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there is material evidence relating to the history of New Zealand. As a result Heritage New Zealand has been working with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, councils, insurance companies, contractors and landowners to provide advice about our heritage places. Archaeologists have been documenting pre-1900 buildings and monitoring earthworks during the demolition of buildings in the central city and in other parts of Christchurch and Canterbury where archaeological values have been identified. Ngāi Tahu have been involved at sites where the potential for Māori archaeology is identified.

 

  • Interior of James Knight's butchers shop in Christchurch. Webb, Steffano, 1880?-1967 : Collection of negatives. Ref: 1/1-004186-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Image: Underground Overground Archaeology Ltd. - Matthew Hennessey
  • Interior of James Knight's butchers shop in Christchurch. Webb, Steffano, 1880?-1967 : Collection of negatives. Ref: 1/1-004186-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Image: Christchurch City Council
  • Photo from Knight Family Collection
  • Photo from Knight Family Collection
  • Photo from Knight Family Collection
  • Photo from Knight Family Collection

Building information

Knight’s Butchery 172 High Street Date: 1888-1890 Architects: Collins and Harman The butchery was in operation from the 1890s to 1985