Murphy Residence, 54 Belt Road (circa 1904-06)

This attractive villa/bay cottage was constructed during the early-1900s - possibly for Arthur Owen Murphy, about 1904-06.

Arthur Owen Murphy was a New Plymouth butcher, and fought in the South African/Boer War during 1901-02.

He married Edith Clara Wray in 1904 and they probably moved into this house soon after. The property on which the house is located was purchased in Clara's name, although it is currently unclear when the purchase occured, or if the present house was already constructed at the time of purchase. Arthur is first listed as residing in Belt Road in the 1907 edition of Stones Street Directory. 

It seems they were living at the property by September 1906, as it was reported that the funeral of Ernest Alfred Wray (Edith's father), would leave Mrs Murphy's Residence, Belt Road. 

The St Aubyn Town District Valuation Roll for 1908-1914 notes that Edith was the owner of lot 17 of Section 4, and that when valued on 31 March 1908, the property had a capital value of £310 and a dwelling (almost certainly the current house) was present.

Both Arthur and Edith remained living in the house for the rest of their lives, Arthur until his death on the 26th of November 1952, aged 69 years, and Edith until her death on the 1st of August 1968, aged 85 years.

Documents

Deposited Plan 1517