Snowball Residence, 73 Brooklands Road (1899-1900)

This grand two-storey Queen Anne influenced villa was constructed for Edward Snowball in 1899-1900. Whilst not certain, based on its style, the home was probably designed by well-known New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger.

The Snowball's are thought to have moved into the home about March 1900, when the property was connected with the telephone exchange; number 184. They were previously living in Buller Street/Octavius Place, with their old home sold in October 1900.

Edward's wife, Mary Jane Snowball, or Janie as she was known, sadly died a few years later in March 1904, and Edward was left to look after their children. He soon advertised for a "companion or housekeeper" to assist in looking after the family. 

Snowball was the manager of the New Plymouth Sash and Door Company located on Gill Street and appears to have been quite involved in the Brooklands community. 

The home has been extensively restored both inside and out. The exterior is largely original, clad in plain weatherboards, with double hung sash windows - the curved panelling underneath the eaves is a notable feature, and is also present on Charles Burgess' Residence 'St Kilda' (1897) on Ridge Lane, also designed by Messenger.

The interior has been restored to a high standard, and retains many original features, including native timber staircase, architraves, skirtings, and doors. The internal doors within this home are of a unique style, and the present owners have had trouble finding additional doors to match the originals - given Snowball's association with the Sash and Door Company, it is possible they were constructed by the company specifically for this home.

73 Brooklands Road is located on Part Section 34 Fitzroy District and originally formed part of Captain Henry King's large 'Brooklands' estate, that was later subdivided into smaller lots. In 1885 sections of Brooklands estate were advertised as being available to lease for a period of three years; sections 34 and 48 are listed as one lot. It appears this section was later sold to Snowball sometime in the late 1890s, during Newton King's ownership of Brooklands.

Mr Snowball's two-storey residence on Brooklands Road, was advertised for sale in March 1915.

Related items:

Fitzroy District Section 34, Taranaki Land Deed Index I4 page 386. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki SO734 Sheet 1 (1896), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP1418 Sheet 1 (1899), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki (Lot 1) DP4340 Sheet 1 (1922), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki (Lot 2) DP5828 Sheet 1 (1939), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)