This building at 128-130 Devon Street East was built for Mr. H.L. Autridge and his business, 'Economic Drapers'.
A building permit was issued to Mr Autridge on 19 March 1936. It was built by Lovell & Rawlinson and the estimated cost was £2,040. It was designed by the architectural firm, Messenger & Taylor.
The building was ready by July 1936 and was described in detail by the Taranaki Daily News and featured in an advertisement on the same day.
About 2015 the existing façade was removed to reveal the original 1936 design with the words, "The Economic" on the parapet.
Related items:
Town Section 920, Taranaki Land Deed Index I3 page 36, I13 page 536 and I10 page 555. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DP5579 Sheet 1 (1936), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
