The Hirst family endured a six-month voyage to New Zealand aboard the Gwailor in 1852. They brought with them a prefabricated single storey octagonal house - the Round House.
A second storey added in the 1870s and a "square" section built alongside. They were erected on Devon Street, Town Section 917. (Collection of Puke Ariki ARC2010-220 - cropped)
In the 1890s the Round House was occupied by Mr and Mrs Batten. They are thought to be the grandparents of aviatrix Jean Batten. Contrary to some reports Jean Batten was not born in the house.
In 1905 the houses were shifted by Mr William Courtney to a section on Courtenay Street - approximately where the Warehouse carpark is located.
Both houses were demolished in 1938.
Related items:
Town Section 917, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 117. (Archives New Zealand)
Round House: Historic Landmark: Brought from England: To be demolished (Taranaki Herald 9 July 1938)
Do you know York Terrace? (Taranaki Herald 2 December 1967)
Letter to the editor - Round House and York Terrace (Taranaki Herald 6 December 1967)
Round and Square House (Taranaki Museum Punch #8 March 1974)
Story of the "Round House", Noeline Blackman (undated, Taranaki Research Centre Information Files)
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
