McNaughton's Cottage (1850s)

This cottage at 161 Molesworth Street was very likely constructed in the late 1850s following J. McNaughton's purchase of Town Section 1689 in 1856. It was almost certainly constructed before 1861, when McNaugton advertised a "two-roomed house with ¼ acre garden, in Molesworth Street" to let in November 1861. Based on its style, it is highly likely that the original cottage is the present cottage on the section, and given the advertisement does not mention that the cottage is ‘recent’ or ‘new’ (common practice at the time) it could be assumed the building is already some years old.

Town Section 1968 was again advertised for sale “with dwelling house” in December 1873 – Taranaki Herald 3 December 1873. 

A structure in about the same location as the present building on section 1968 is indicated on Skinner’s 1880 Map of New Plymouth – it is likely that this is the current cottage.

It is likely that 161 Molesworth Street was originally clad in vertical board and batten, with the size and profile of this cottage – especially the western end, being very similar to other early board and batten cottages. It is also likely the original cladding may exist under the current plaster cladding. Given the age and style of the cottage, it probably originally had twelve-light double-hung sash windows at the front.

The cottage has undergone alterations, but the front section still retains its original profile and structure. 

History of Town Section 1968:

Put up for auction by Crown Lands Office on 13 November 1853 - original Crown Grant to Edward Hunt. Sold by Hunt to Jacob Samuel on 3 September 1856.Hunt then sold the section to J. McNaughton on 8 September 1856

McNaughton advertised "two-roomed house with ¼ acre garden, in Molesworth Street" to let in November 1861. It was advertised for sale “with dwelling house” in 1873 and again in 1878, when described as having, “a comfortable three-roomed cottage and good garden”. 

To be auctioned on 17 July 1880, in a mortgagee sale “with cottage and appurtenances”. The section appears to have been purchased by a Mr Boswell, who in 1881 had a complaint laid against him for “damming up the watercourse or drain that flows through [his] section”.

The section was reduced in size following construction of the railway deviation around 1906-07.

To be auctioned 24 January 1914, as part of the deceased estate of A. E. Pinson (Ada Ellen Pinson). It appears Ada Pinson also owned the neighbouring Town Section 1969, as this was also for auction as part of the estate.  

The sections were purchased by an A. A. Pinson (presumably A. E. Pinson’s spouse or other family), because Town Sections 1968 and 1969 were again for sale by auction as part of the deceased estate of A. A. Pinson. 

It appears the sections were then purchased by another family member, as Part Town Sections 1968 and 1969 were again offered for sale by a Mr F. Pinson (possibly Frank Pinson) of Hāwera in May 1918 for “£550 cash or an offer”. By this stage both cottages were advertised as being “five roomed” and “currently let to tenants”. One property “needs a bit of doing up” – presumably the cottage on Part Section 1968.