Belgrave Cottage (circa 1858/1909)

This board and batten home is thought to have been constructed in the late 1850s - possibly in 1858, following the purchase of Town Section 1685 by John James in 1857. 

Belgrave Cottage is situated on a prominent hill in Gover Street. The cottage is clad in vertical board and batten, and has undergone some alterations, although the original structure (a simple 'Saltbox' style cottage) is still identifiable. It is likely the cottage originally had six-pane double-hung sash windows - these have now been replaced with aluminium windows. 

Henry King was the recipient of the original Crown Grant for Town Section 1685. In March 1856 the section was advertised for sale. 

It appears the property was purchased in January 1857 by John James - James retained ownership of the property until 1878 (although it's unclear if he occupied the cottage during this time), when it was sold to John Goller. 

A permit was granted by the Borough Council for alterations to the home on 18 November 1908 - Griffiths and Sanderson were the architects, and the estimated cost was £300. At this time it appears John Walters Moor was the occupier of the property. These alterations are thought to have involved adding the projecting gables and extending the cottage westward.

Town Section 1858, Taranaki Land Deeds Index I1 page 73.

Related plans:

Taranaki DP4140 Sheet 1 (1918), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP8764 Sheet 1 (1958), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)