William Bendall's Residence, 67 Govett Avenue (c1890s - 1900s)

Clad in rusticated weatherboard, this home was probably constructed in the 1890s or early 1900s and is one of several turn of the century villas and cottages on this section of Govett Avenue.

William Edward Bendall (1873-1925) and his family lived in this cottage from at least the early 1900s. Notes on the back of the below photograph (held by Puke Ariki), state that "there was a tennis court on the right, stables at the back for horses that pulled the coal carts". 

Bendall established a coal merchant company on Brougham Street, W.E. Bendall & Co., in 1888 and is notable for being involved in acquiring the nearby Huatoki Domain and Tūpare Reserve as a public reserve for the people of New Plymouth in the 1920s.

The large kauri tree (NPDC notable tree) at the front of the section was planted by William Bendall in 1905 to commemorate the birth of his son, Allan Charles Bendall. The tree is notable for being the largest kauri in Taranaki, and probably also the largest kauri growing outside its natural range (kauri do not naturally occur in Taranaki).

Both the house and kauri tree are prominent Frankleigh Park landmarks and have an association with a well-known and community-minded New Plymouth citizen.  

Related plans:

Town of Frankley Park DP1704 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP8293 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)