Duncan Residence, 16 George Street (circa 1900s)

Although the exact construction date of this villa is currently unknown, it was occupied by the Duncan's for a number of years from about 1908.

William Duncan is first rated for water by the New Plymouth Borough Council during the 1908-09 rating year, with the property then valued at £27, increasing to £32 in the 1909-10 rating year, and then down to £28 in the 1910-11 rating year. 

The property was originally much larger, with the Duncan's originally occupying sections 23-26 of Part Town Belt C (present numbers 10, 12, 14 & 16 George Street).

William Duncan is last listed as residing at the property in the 1919 edition of Wises Street Directory, with a Fred Bayley noted as the occupier in the 1920 edition. From the 1921 edition of Wises Street Directory Hector Dempsey is noted as the occupier and remained living at the house until his death.

Hector was the Headmaster of New Plymouth Central School for 32 years before his retirement in 1917.

Related items:

Town Belt C, Taranaki Land Deed Index I4 Page 325 and Taranaki Land Deed Index I13 Pages 189. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki DP554 Sheet 1 (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP2513 Sheet 1 (1907), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki (Lot 1) DP10567 Sheet 1 (1971), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)