This two-storey stucco building, located on a prominent site on the south-east corner of Brougham and Vivian Streets, was built in 1921. A building permit for a residence on Town Section 733 was issued to Frank Amoore on 12 October 1921. The estimated cost was £1800. It is likely Mr Amoore built the house himself as he is listed as a builder on the New Plymouth electoral roll.
The architects were Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor. A blueprint plan of the house is located in Puke Ariki archives (ARC2008-188).
Frank William George Amoore (1872-1946) was a master builder, specialising in the construction of freezing works. He served as Mayor of Whakatane before moving to New Plymouth in 1921, where he became a Borough Councillor and president of the Taranaki Alpine Club. He was also on the Pukekura Park committee. Frank and his wife Minnie were preparing to celebrate their golden wedding wedding anniversary when Frank died suddenly after a trip to the cinema.(Taranaki Herald 7 September 1946)
It appears Mrs May Blackley purchased the house around 1934 and it remained in her family until the 1970s.
The house was noted in the 1995 NPDC CBD Heritage Inventory.
Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 48 and I3 page 507.
Related documents and plans:
YFC bid for house (Taranaki Herald 27 November 1985)
Taranaki DP965 Sheet 1 Brougham Street (1896), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP4145 Sheet 1 Brougham Street (1921), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
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