This grand home was constructed for prominent New Plymouth citizen Arthur Standish in 1878-79, following his purchase of section 6 of 'Wallace Town' in February 1878. The home was located down the right of way (approx 43 Wallace Place) immediately opposite the intersection of Morley Street and Wallace Place.
The architect for the home was Thomas Younger - who first called for tenders for a concrete foundation/basement for the home in late 1878 and then tenders for construction of the main building in early 1879.
The new home was described in great detail by the Taranaki Herald in December 1879. The builders were Mr Sands and Mr Campbell; the painter was Mr Bellringer; the grand staircase was crafted by Mr Perry; Mr Russell was the bricklayer; Mr Mullet was the plasterer; the plumbing and spouting etc was installed by Mr Nicoll; the stoves supplied by Messrs J. Veale and Son; and the white marble mantlepiece supplied by Mr Gilmour.
Late in life, Arthur took up an interest in golf and supported the Witiora Golf Links with the use of some of his property as a course. He died in 1915 and his wife, Frances Standish (nee Brown, 1847-1929) continued to live in the house for a time. She was enthusiastic about flowers, and "had a fine garden in the big grounds at 'Witiora,' exhibiting frequently at horticultural shows", according to her obituary.
The golf course land was subdivided and sold as the Maratahu Estate in 1920.
From Sept 1922 to Sept1923 the house was lived in and used by the nurses Marjory Leed and Elizabeth Crookston as a short-lived Witiora Private Maternity Hospital.
The remaining section was subdivided in 1924.
By the 1960s, the home was rented to a variety of different people, with a Mrs Murray living in one portion, and renting out the rest.
The house fell into a state of disrepair, and by the 1970s was heavily vandalised - it was eventually demolished in 1978.
Related item:
Taranaki DEED30 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
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