Hancock's Cottage No.2 (circa 1880s)

This cottage in Gaine Street was constructed during the 1880s by/for William Hancock.

Town Section 199 was purchased by William Hancock, owner of the well-known store the 'Red Boot Warehouse', in December 1877; William Hancock also owned the adjoining Town Section 207. Hancock retained ownership of the property until his death in 1909, when the property was listed for sale by auction "with one house thereon".

Skinners 1880 map doesn't indicate any structure on the section, however, by the 1887-88 rating year (the earliest known surviving rates book under Hancock's ownership) a house is noted as being present on the property - indicating a construction date of between late-1880 and early-1887.

The roof profile has been simplified - originally this was a double-gabled cottage with rear lean-to.  

Town Section 199, Taranaki Land Deed Index I5 Page 380 and I11 page 136 (after the section was subdivided in 1924).