WCC, Thomas Ward Survey Maps of Wellington City (updated)

Descriptive Data

Archives Identifier00514Date RangeCirca 1900DescriptionThis is a series of lithograph copies of a survey map of Wellington compiled by Thomas Ward for the Wellington City Council.

In 1889 Ward approached the Council and proposed producing a detailed map of the city. His offer was accepted and on the 2nd February 1892, the map completed. The map was drawn at a scale of 40 feet to the inch [1:96], and consisted of 103 maps on 88 A1 sheets (a number of the smaller maps are included on the same sheet as larger maps). Information regarding land subdivision and section size was compiled from records at the Lands & Deeds Registry Office; it is thought this part of the work was completed by January 1891 as this date appears on each sheet. Data on every building in Wellington, obtained by physically surveying the entire city, was then overlaid.

The map shows a footprint of every building in the city, showing bay windows, verandahs and out-houses. The number of storeys and rooms is shown, the type of structure - whether the walls were of brick, wood or iron, the roof of slate, shingles or iron, and section boundary measurements are given. The height above sea level is indicated and even streetlights and fireplugs are shown. This copy of the map has been annotated until around 1900. Annotations include demolished buildings being removed (either scratched out or paper has been glued over), new buildings have been drawn on, and changes to buildings annotated (for example where a corrugated iron roof has been replaced with a slate roof).

From research using the map, it appears changes were made up until around 1900, however no exact date has been identified, and examples of information not being added or changed have also been found. This set of maps does not include the index map that was also drawn up. There is a typographical error on sheet 90; the Town Acre numbered 874 should read Town Acre 834.

There are a number of ways to access the maps. A specific street or town acre can be searched using Archives Online. Each item record lists the town acres and streets on each map, as well the equivalent 1:500 scale map number (to allow comparison with 1937 Housing Survey Maps [Series 00515], 1:500 sheets [Series 00065] and aerial photographs [Series 00417, 00462]).

Please note that the 1:500 sheet numbers are approximate; the Thomas Ward maps are slightly out of alignment with the later 1:500 sheet series In the street lists contained in the Archives database item records, [ ] around a street denote either a more current street name, or a street not shown on the map but now present at that place.Quantity (Linear Metres)3MediumPlanSystem of ArrangementNumerical sequence of 103 maps (on 88 sheets)Collection TypeWellington City Council

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling or Creating AgencyWellington City CorporationRelationship Date Range1870-

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WCC, Thomas Ward Survey Maps of Wellington City (updated)