Although this transitional villa is now occupied by a business, the bright paint colour scheme adds significant interest to this section of Devon Street West.
This section was once part of a large property consisting of six town sections owned by J. C. George and was purchased by Edwin May (of May and Arrowsmith Bakery) in 1910, as part of George's estate. On 11 February 1911, Edwin May was granted three permits for the construction of three residences on Town Section 233 - the other two homes (also transitional style villas) have since been demolished.
May lived in J. C. George's large villa already on the property and seems to have rented the three new homes he had constructed. This house was rented by Oliver N. Firth, an agent for the Westport Coal Company, from 1911 until late 1917, when it was purchased by James Millar. It is unclear how long the Millar's occupied the home, but James is still listed as living at this address in the 1934 edition of Wises Street Directory.
Related items:
Town Section (Part) 231, Taranaki Land Deeds Index I3 page 287 and I11 page 527. (Archives New Zealand)
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