Webster Building (1898 - 1979)

This two-storey wooden building on the corner of Egmont and King Streets was built in 1898 for William Dawson Webster.

It was designed by prominent New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger and built by Boon Bros. The sub-contractors were Messrs. A Shadrack (painting), Smart Bros. (plumbing), and Russell and Sons (bricklaying).

Webster, agent for the Northern Steamship Company and Mr Davy, a seed and grain merchant, shared the office space in the building after it was completed. It was later sold to a Mr. J.Wybourne of Thames who then sold it to the legal firm, Standish and Anderson, in 1924.

In 1934 Mr. R.J. Brokenshire was taken into partnership and the firm became known as Standish, Anderson & Brokenshire. Mr R.G.Howell became a partner in 1938 and eventually his name joined the other three on the company letterhead. The building was damaged by serious flooding in February 1971, and in September the firm moved to Robe Street. 

The building was demolished in July 1979. The site is now (2024) a private car park.

Town Section #644.

Related documents and plans:

Law Firms Long Record (Taranaki Herald 13 July 1943)

Over a century but it won't fall down (Taranaki Herald 15 August 1977)

Building takes a tumble (Taranaki Herald 28 July 1979)

A developing mystery (Taranaki Daily News 5 October 2013)

Egmont Street Subdivision DP4067 (1919), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)