This square-fronted villa was probably constructed for Mr William Francis Short around 1903. The villa has been restored to a high standard and features an attractive veranda and distinctive french doors.
Short purchased sections 14, 17, and 20 of the Vogeltown Subdivision from M. Rawson in June 1900. The 1902 Stone's Street Directory lists Short as living on Carrington Road, however, from 1903 onwards, he is listed as living at 'Vogeltown' - possibly indicating a move to the Ballance Street property. Short worked as a monumental mason, purchasing the headstone portion of W. F. Brooking's funeral business in 1904. Many of the headstones he crafted can still be found in Taranaki cemeteries - especially at the historic Te Hēnui Cemetery in New Plymouth.
The Short family retained ownership of the property until at least 1927. The property was at one stage divided into three flats but has since been returned to its original state as a family home.
Related items:
Taranaki Land Deeds Index I14 pages 658, 659 & 660. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DEED7 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP9866 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
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