This villa residence was probably constructed by local builder Leslie Thompson Steele as an investment property during the early-mid 1900s.
A Fitzroy Town Board rating roll for 1907-08 lists Leslie's wife, Margaret, as the ratepayer for Lots 153, 158 & 159 of Fitzroy Subdivision - a rateable value of £1189 likely indicates that the present villas at number 52 (Lots 158 & 159) & number 48 (Lot 153) Record Street were constructed by this date.
The following year, 48 Record Street was purchased by Mrs Mary Fantham, with the 1908-09 rating roll noting Fantham as the ratepayer for Lot 153, with the rateable value being £295.
Fantham initially appears to have lived in the house, but soon moved to Berhampore, Wellington, with the house rented thereafter.
A permit was granted by the Borough Council to Mrs Fantham on 30 August 1915 for 'additions' to a residence on Section 153 Record Street - the estimated construction cost was £25.
Related items:
Fitzroy Suburban Sections (Part) 91 & 93, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 Page 514. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki (Lot 153) DP1831 Sheet 1 (1902), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Suburban Extension: The Fitzroy West Property (Taranaki Herald 2 May 1902)
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