Elliott Residence, 25 Barrett Street (circa 1912-13)

Town Section 555 was originally Education Board Reserve Land, and was leased to Ada Burt Elliott (nee Jackson) in March 1910. Ada was the wife of Victor Elliott, who is noted as the occupier in Wises Street Directories.

Victor and Ada were married in 1903, and Ada died whilst still residing at the home on 7 March 1935; Victor survived his wife, although it's currently unclear when he died.

Whilst no permit has been found for the construction of the home, New Plymouth Borough Council rate books show the rateable value of Town Sections 555 and 581 increasing in value from £6 in the 1912-13 rating year, to £58 in the 1913-14 rating year. This increase, along with the addition of a water rate in the 1913-14 rating year (with new water closet noted as being connected), likely puts the construction date of the present house to sometime during 1912 or 1913. Victor Elliott is first noted as residing in this location in Barrett Street in the 1912 edition of Wises Post Office Directory, so 1912 seems the most likely construction year.

The design of the house probably most closely aligns with that of the Australian Federation style (rather an uncommon style in New Zealand) and also the transitional style, with the house incorporating both elements of the villa and bungalow styles. The house is also a rather uncommon example of a brick house in New Plymouth.