Ettrick Cottage

(relocated from 7 Austin Street)

19 Paterson Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins - 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
WCC Archives, 00151:0:0775
Ettrick Cottage at its former site on Austin Street in the 1960s. The cottage was relocated to Paterson Street in 1994 (Image:WCC Archives, 00151:0:0775)
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  • Constructed

    c.1870 - c.1870

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    Builder: Mr Storey

  • Ettrick Cottage has architectural value as a rare example of a typical 1870s worker’s cottage.

    The cottage has historical value for its association with Samuel Atkins and his family, who lived in the cottage for over 80 years, and as one of the first dwellings built in Austin Street, and as one of the oldest surviving houses in Mt Victoria.

    The cottage is held in high regard by the community.

    This cottage is of local value for its strong connections to the suburb of Mt Victoria.

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  • close History

    • Built in the early 1870s, Ettrick Cottage was one of the first houses in Austin Street.[1] In 1874 builder-owner Mr Storey sold the cottage to Samuel Atkins. [2] 

      Samuel Atkins was born c.1824 in Sherwood, Nottinghamshire. [3] At the age of 18 he joined the military and eventually became a Colour-Sergeant of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders. Atkins had been much decorated for his military services, receiving Persian, Indian Mutiny, Long Service, and Meritorious Conduct Medals. After serving almost 32 years in the Imperial Army, he retired and settled in Wellington c1874.[4] 

      Samuel’s first wife, Annie, died at home on Austin Street in May 1875 at the age of 48.[5] It is unclear exactly how many children Samuel and Annie had together, but it may have been at least five.[6

      In 1876 Samuel married Marion Sherman.[7] According to the Mount Victoria Historical Society, the cottage was probably named “Ettrick Cottage” as Marion was born near Ettrick Forest in Scotland c.1840.[8] It seems only one child was born from this union, a daughter named Marion in 1881.[9]

      Atkins spent many of his years in Wellington acting as night-watchman at the Government Printing Office and was an identity about town.[1] In 1901 he was presented to the Duke of York during the world tour of the Duke and Duchess and was congratulated on his splendid military record. [2] That year, when the Seaforth Highlanders visited Wellington, 77 year old Samuel made a conspicuous figure as he marched at the head of the procession. The Free Lance reported: 

      Sam Atkins has been looking forward, with all the zeal and anxiety of a bride for her wedding day, to the coming of the troops, and from an early hour on Saturday he strutted the town dressed, like Hooligan, in “his best suit o’clothes.” The uniform was resplendent in its newness, and cast something of a reflection upon those of the Seaforths at the head of whom Sam proudly strode. But not for long did he keep up – the pace was too much for the old man, who found he was not so young as he used to be.[3Samuel also attended a reception for decorated war veterans held by Lord Kitchener during his visit to Wellington in 1910.

      Marion Atkins died at Ettrick Cottage in 1916, aged 76.[1] Having suffered ill health for several years, Samuel died just 5 months later on 3 April 1917, also at Ettrick Cottage. He was 93. His obituary reported he was probably the oldest war veteran in New Zealand.[2] “Hold the Fort” was engraved on his headstone in Karori Cemetery. [3]

      Samuel’s obituary states that he left “an adult family, including two unmarried daughters who reside in Wellington.”[4] The two daughters were most likely Alice and Marion, who remained living at Ettrick Cottage for many years.According to an account by Joyce Ellen Neil, life at the cottage changed once both parents had died.[5] Alice, the older daughter, converted the large bedroom at the northern end to a workroom and set up a successful business as a dressmaker. The younger daughter, who Neil refers to as “May” (but must mean Marion), worked an office job, did all the cooking at home, and looked after the fowls and the garden. Neil (born 1906) recounts:



      “…as the ladies came and went to the sewing room the children they brought with them stored up memories of Ettrick Cottage – thus it became almost a neighbourhood possession through two generations.” 

      Marion still lived at 7 Austin Street when she died in 1945 aged 64 years.[6] Alice died ten years later in 1955 at the age of 88.[7]

      In 1955 the property was bought by Alois Schweizer, a carpenter. By 1957 Rose Nagy, dress designer, was also listed as an owner. After they had passed away (Schweizer in 1988[1] and Nagy in 1989[2]), ownership passed to Anton Takanyi Nagy in 1990.

      With much controversy[3], in 1994 the cottage was relocated from 7 Austin Street (Lot 1 DP 72707), where it had stood for over 120 years, and Anton Nagy then built units on the Austin Street site. 

      There was some trouble finding a suitable site to relocate the cottage to.[4] Fortunately a site was found in Mt Victoria, and the cottage was moved to 19 Paterson Street, land designated for a proposed motorway by Transit New Zealand. Since this time the cottage has been leased as a rental property. The future of the cottage on this site is uncertain, as it may be moved for NZTA plans to build a second Mt Victoria tunnel. [5]



    • Modifications close
      • c.1870
      • Dwelling constructed
      • 1972
      • Application to demolish dwelling C35654
      • 1994
      • Dwelling moved to 19 Paterson Street 4445
      • 1994
      • Dwelling additions and alterations 5240
      • 2001
      • Garage construction for storage 75883
    • Occupation History close
      • c.1970 - 1955
      • Atkins family
      • 1955 - 1989
      • Alois Schweizer and Rose Nagy
      • 1989 - c.2005
      • Unknown
      • c.2005 - c.2011
      • Kate Foot
      • unknown
      • Present Unknown
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      Ettrick Cottage is a single-storey, double-bay villa, with an entrance verandah between the bays. The gable ends have finials and decorative bargeboards, and there is a simple valance under the verandah eaves.

    • Materials close

      The cottage is constructed of heart rimu, with a corrugated iron roof.

    • Setting close

      Having been moved in 1994, Ettrick Cottage now sits in a row of character homes on Paterson Street, 800m from its original site at 7 Austin Street. The houses on Paterson Street range in ages; however they are all pre-1930s houses, apart from one block of units (no. 7a).

      To the west of Ettrick Cottage is a two storey timber villa, set back from the street, with a single garage right on the street. Immediately to the east of the cottage are two single garages, one belonging to the cottage, and a vacant block of land, with 138 Austin Street set well back from the street.

  • close Cultural Value

    Ettrick Cottage has architectural value as a rare example of a typical 1870s worker’s cottage.

    The cottage has historical value for its association with Samuel Atkins and his family, who lived in the cottage for over 80 years, and as one of the first dwellings built in Austin Street, and as one of the oldest surviving houses in Mt Victoria.

    The cottage is held in high regard by the community.

    This cottage is of local value for its strong connections to the suburb of Mt Victoria.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        Ettrick Cottage has architectural value as a good example of a 1870s workers cottage.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The cottage makes a valuable contribution to the townscape of Mount Victoria. Although moved in 1994, the house is now located among a row of character homes on Paterson Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

        The cottage also has historic value as one of the first dwellings built in Austin Street, and as one of the oldest surviving houses in Mt Victoria.

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        The cottage has historical value for its association with Samuel Atkins and his family, who lived in the cottage for over 80 years.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        Ettrick Cottage is a pre 1900 building and is included in the NZAA Central City Archaeological Are R27/270.

    • Social Value close

      • Sentiment Connection

        Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

        The community have a strong connection to Ettrick Cottage and hold it in high regard, as evidenced by the controversy surrounding the 1994 relocation, and the public backlash to the proposal by NZTA to build a second tunnel.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        Despite having been moved, it appears that the façade of the cottage remains largely intact with a high level of original detailing.

      • Rare

        Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

        This cottage is a rare surviving example of an 1870s worker’s cottage.

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        The building is representative of the architecture and history typical of 1870s worker’s housing.

      • Importance

        Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        This building is of local value for its strong connections to the suburb of Mt Victoria.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 18

    • Legal Description

      Pt lots 8,9 DP 1172

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic Place 3662

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown (pre 1900 building, relocated)

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 5/15/2025 3:18:38 AM