chains, the, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

chains, the n.

[the chains that closed off a portion of Simmonds Street so that dealers could conduct their business. ‘The Chains’ lasted from 1887–1902, being replaced by a new Stock Exchange building in 1903]

(S.Afr.) the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

1900		H.C. Hillegas Oom Pauls People 296: The popular gathering place in the city is the street in front of one of the stock exchanges known as ‘The Chains.’ [DSAE].
1913		C. Pettman Africanderisms 119: Chains, The, That portion of Simmonds Street, Johannesburg, which is closed to vehicular traffic, and reserved for the operations of stock and mining speculations.