294 Devon Street West (circa 1862-63)

It seems likely the original portion of this house (probably the rear portion of the eastern gable) was constructed by builder Joe Corney during 1862-63 and was probably positioned parallel to Devon Street. Although not confirmed, the front double-bay portion of the house was probably constructed by owner and builder Thomas Bond during 1878-79 and is clearly indicated on Thomas Kingwell Skinner’s 1880 map of New Plymouth. At the time of Bond's extensions the original cottage was shifted to the rear of the cottage (where it can be seen on Skinner's 1880 Map), before later being again shifted to its present position behind the eastern gable; this probably occurred during construction of the western rear bay extension (circa 1890s).

Corney sold the house to boatsman Duncan Cameron in 1863, who retained ownership of the property until 1866 when he relocated to Timaru and the property was conveyed to the Bishop of New Zealand (whom he had earlier mortgaged the property to).

Pavier Bernard McManus purchased Town Section 208 from the Church Trustees in December 1874. McManus is first listed as residing in Devon Street in the 1875-76 edition of Wises Post Office Directory, being listed as residing on the Town Belt (unknown location) in the 1872-73 edition. A fire rate being present in the 1875-76 NP Town Board Rating Roll indicates a substantial structure was present on the section by early-1875.

Bernard died in 1878 and the house and Town Section 208 was subsequently conveyed to builder Thomas Bond in October 1878; by January 1879 Mrs Bond was advertising for a general servant at a Devon Street address. In May 1889 there was a conveyance of equity from Bond to mortgagee W. H. Franklin, although it seems Bond may have continued to reside at the house. 

In June 1892 Town Section 208 was conveyed to prominent lawyer Clement William Govett and it seems to have been rented out thereafter. Town Section 208 was the subject of the Land Transfer Act in 1902 - still in the possession of Mr Govett and occupied by Charles Rea and Thomas Arthur Berridge.

Originally this house was probably best described as a double-bay workers cottage, although subsequent rear additions have transformed it into more of a double-bay villa. This is the only known surviving residence of this age and style in New Plymouth. It is comparable to the architecturally similar Ettrick Cottage at 19 Paterson Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington City (circa 1870s), which has undergone similar extensions.

Town Section 208, Taranaki Land Deeds Index I3, page 249. 

Related items:

Taranaki DP1893 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

294 Devon Street West New Plymouth, Draft Heritage Assessment (Hamish Crimp)