32 Cameron Street (1905)

In May 1905 the Borough Council granted a permit to Frank Messenger for the construction of a villa residence on Town Section 1665 - he was listed as both the proprietor and architect. Note that this villa does not appear in architect Ian Pritchard's excellent 1994 list of Messenger designed buildings. (TRCGC720.993482 MES)

From 1906 until 1909, the Stones Street Directories list John Paton, Manager of the NZ Insurance Company as the occupier. From 1910 until 1912 Robert Gray, a government audit inspector is listed as the occupier. Only Mrs Robert Gray is listed as occupying the home in 1913, with Robert having died in June 1912, apparently having fallen from the top of Paritutu, his body being found some 20ft from the base; the death was ruled accidental. 

The exterior of this large double bay villa is in largely original condition, being clad in ship-lap weatherboard, and retaining its sash windows and chimneys.  

Related items:

Town Section 1665, Taranaki Land Deed Index I5 page 310. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki DP607 Sheet 1 (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki (Lot 2) DP10504 Sheet 1 (1971), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)