"Matai Moana" was built in 1900 for the well-known surveyor and ethnologist, S. Percy Smith. It was located on the south-west side of Cameron Street and appears to have entrances from both Cameron and Rogan Streets.
Noted architect, Frank Messenger, called for tenders to construct, "a residence in Cameron Street", in December 1899. It seems likely therefore that he designed the house for S. Percy Smith.
S. Percy Smith lived in the house until his death in 1922. The home stayed in the family until it was sold in the late 1930s.
The house was eventually demolished about 1970 and replaced by a more contemporary residence.
Related plans:
Taranaki DP607 Sheet 1 Subdivision of sections on Cameron and Rogan Streets (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP1518 Sheet 1 Subdivision of Town Belt Q and section #1757 (1900), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP5717 Sheet 1 "Matai Moana" Lot 3 (1937), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Stephenson Percy Smith: Surveyor Extraordinaire (Rhonda Bartle)
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