When "The Pines" at Te Hēnui was advertised for sale in October 1901, following the death of owner Major Charles Brown, it was described as, "well situated, commanding a beautiful view of the sea and comprises rather more than 9 acres with dwelling, garden and orchard."
In order to close the estate, the reserve at auction was set at a "nominal figure", and there was expected to be plenty of interest in the desirable property. It was bought by Mr J. Butterworth (on behalf of Mr Weston) for £1550, but only two months later, on 22 December 1901 the house burnt to the ground. An enquiry, held the following month, concluded that the house was, " set on fire wilfully by some person or persons unknown".
Not long after the house was destroyed, the surrounding land was subdivided, and Autere Street formed. On Skinner's 1880 map of New Plymouth the location of the large residence is shown as Town Section number 1985. Another source speculates that it was more likely Town Section number 1976 - a Crown Grant for this section was issued to Charles Brown (Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 76). It seems likely that the surrounding sections (see all those listed in DP1820) were all eventually purchased by Brown to create the large estate advertised in 1901.
(Major Charles Brown was the son of Charles Armitage Brown)
Related documents:
Auction Of Household Items (Taranaki Herald 17 December 1901)
Fire at Henui - The Enquiry, Part 1 (Taranaki Herald 10 January 1902)
Fire at Henui - The Enquiry, Part 2 (Taranaki Herald 11 January 1902)
Charles Brown was more than a son of a famous man (Taranaki Herald 5 April 1958)
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