A permit for this two-storey reinforced concrete building was issued on 31 March 1921. The permit was for the construction of auction rooms for Webster Bros. on sub sections 3 & 5 in Devon Street West. The estimated cost was £8,000 and the builders were Boon Bros. No date can be found for the completion of the building, however on 19 April 1921 the Taranaki Daily News announced that Mr & Mrs Wallis would be reopening the Waratah Dining Rooms above Webster Bros. new auction mart.
The architect is unknown, although the detailing on the parapet suggests it may have been the firm of Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor.
Webster Bros was formed in 1862; the founders were the brothers, Frederick and William Webster. The business grew into a successful importing and auctioneering firm. In 1907 Webster Bros. moved into a building on this site. In 1921 the old building was demolished and this new one built. While it was being built the company ran its business from the Egmont Flour Mill in Powderham Street.
A report in the Taranaki Daily News on 9 August 1924 indicates that the company had already outgrown these new premises. Plans had been drawn up by Messenger, Griffiths & Taylor (perhaps confirming their involvement with this building) and the company erected new premises further down James Lane.
Between 1929 and 1931 the music house, Nimmo & Sons, occupied the ground floor shop. (see image above)
Around this time (or perhaps earlier) it seems likely the building was altered to accommodate shops on the ground floor and offices in the upper floor.
Related documents:
No sale of Devon Street Building (Taranaki Herald 22 October 1954)
Websters Building Sold (Taranaki Daily News 14 September 1957)
Webster Bros Centennial (Taranaki Herald 9 January 1965)
1995 NPDC Heritage Inventory Entry
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