Hosking House, named by the current (2017) owners, is the sole survivor of three similar villas constructed in 1894, on Victoria Road between Pendarves and Gilbert Streets.
Town Sections 1023, 1024, and 1044 were purchased by W. Shephard in August 1894 from New Plymouth Land Agent W. J. Spurge. Advertisements were then placed in the Taranaki Herald in late August 1894 by architect P. G. Smith calling for tenders for the erection of three cottages for W. Shephard Esq, on Carrington Road.
The three villas appear to have originally been named "Mount Pleasant" (probably Section 1023), "Holmwood" (probably Section 1044 - this villa) and "Brookside" (probably Section 1024). All three villas were listed for sale as "recently built" in December 1894 using these names. Puke Ariki holds a panoramic photograph showing the villas, probably taken about 1897.
Notable New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger designed additions for 1 Victoria Road in 1905 - a permit was granted by the Borough Council on 5 May 1905.
The building is clad in ship-lap and rusticated weatherboard and retains its original single-pane double hung sash windows. Hosking house is located within a precinct notable for its high number of intact heritage and character homes.
Town Section 1044, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 Page 149 and I13 Page 343. (Archives New Zealand)
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