Garner Residence, 6 Wakefield Street (1913-14)

This home was constructed for Edward William Garner and his family in 1913-14.

A permit was granted by the Borough Council to Mrs Garner on 5 September 1913 for the construction of a residence on sections 26 and 27, Wakefield Street – the estimated construction cost was £779 11/-.

The home appears to be complete by February 1914 when Mrs Garner advertised for a "strong, capable girl to assist in house; three in family. Apply Mrs Garner, Wakefield Street, near High School". 

In 1913, classic and transitional villas were still the predominant domestic house styles in New Plymouth. This home is thus notable for being a very early example of the bungalow style that was to dominate single-storey domestic New Zealand architecture from the late 1910s until the 1930s. 

Although constructed in a slightly different style to 6 Wakefield Street, another local example of an early bungalow also constructed in 1913 can be found at 40 Fillis Street (Denny-Brown Residence).

Related item:

Town Section 1847, Taranaki Land Deed Index I4 page 256. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki DP2926 Sheet 1 (1911), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)