Smart Residence, 327 Devon Street West (circa 1902)

This double-bay villa was probably constructed in 1902. Substantial renovations were carried out in the early 2000s, and the first-floor centre gable was added at this time in a style sympathetic to the original portion of the house.

The section on which 327 Devon Street West is located, was created following the subdivision of Part of Town Belt B by ‘Kirkby’ in October 1900 – the subdivided section was purchased by J. Johnston at the time of subdivision. The Taranaki Herald of 18 October 1900 stated that “Mr Kirkby reports having sold a section in Devon Street West to a local investor at a satisfactory figure” – this probably relates to the sale of the section to Johnston and seems to indicate that the house was not yet constructed.

Johnston sold the section to Mrs Annie Bannerman in February 1902, and it seems unlikely the house was constructed at the time of sale. In June 1902 Mrs Bannerman took a mortgage out against the property, and it is suggested that this may relate to the construction of the present dwelling.

However, it doesn’t appear Mrs Bannerman initially lived at the property. From 1903 until 1906 a Mrs Jane Smart is listed in Stone’s Street Directories as living near this location. Then, from 1907 until 1909 the Stone’s Street Directories list both Jane Smart and Ann Bannerman living in the same address near this location. The final Stone’s Street directory to be produced in 1910 lists Jane Smart, Ann Bannerman, and Allan Keddie Smart (of Smart Bros Plumbing) all living at the same address near this location. Mrs Bannerman was still listed as living in Devon Street West, presumably at this address, in the 1914 Electoral Roll.

Mrs Bannerman sold the property to Allan Kiddie Smart in April 1915, and it remained in his ownership until at least 1927 when the property title was issued under the Land Transfer Act.

Mrs Bannerman died on 26 September 1918 and is buried in Te Hēnui Cemetery.

Related items:

Town Belt (Part) B, Taranaki Land Deed Index I14 Pages 821. (Archives New Zealand)

Town Belt (Part) B, Taranaki Land Deed Index I14 Pages 823. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki (Lot 9) DEED44 Sheet 1 (1927), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP5504 Sheet 1 (1935), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)