This two-storey house at 235 Devon Street East was built in 1930 for Dr Donald Brown. A permit for the building was issued on 29 April 1930 (Town Section 1420), with the estimated cost £2,800.00. It was designed by well-known New Plymouth architect Thomas H. Bates and the contractors were Boon Bros.
Brown bought the section in 1929 and had already planned to demolish the old house (c1860) in preparation for his new residence when it was burnt to the ground on 31 January 1930. Luckily the occupants escaped safely and the house and furniture were insured. In October 1930, an advertisement appeared in the Taranaki Daily News advising that he was now seeing patients at the Devon Street East address.
Dr Brown was born in Glasgow in 1897, where he later worked as a house surgeon. In World War I he served as a surgeon sub-lieutenant with the Dover Patrol and was awarded an M.B.E. (Military Division).
He was a keen sportsman and represented Taranaki at soccer from 1924 to 1928. Brown was later a vice-president of the New Zealand Football Association and patron of the Taranaki Association.
Dr Brown was also widely known for his dedication to the St John Ambulance Movement. He died on 27 July 1956, aged 64.
It has been home to a veterinary service since the 1960s. At present (2024) it is occupied by the New Plymouth Districts Vet Group.
Related documents and plans:
Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 224 Town Section 1420.
Subdivision of Town Section 1420 (DP5057), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Tender advertisement (Taranaki Daily News 18 January 1930)
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