The Taranaki Daily News announced on 13 June 1914 that the Stratford dentists, Messrs Hunter & Lyons, planned to erect a "Stratford Sky Scraper". Plans had been in train for over 12 months for the construction of a four-storey building designed by local architect Mr J.D.Healy. The ambitious project was likely to cost at least £8,000 and "be one of the finest and best-equipped buildings in the Dominion".
A month later the local newspaper reported that construction of the new building was proceeding over the existing shop, still housing The Egmont Clothing Co. The company decided this was too big a risk and announced a sale to start on 20 July to reduce stock.
Samuel Benton Hunter (known as "Kikapo" Hunter) was born in England and completed his medical training at the University of Ohio. He set up business in Stratford in 1898 and became well-known as the travelling dentist, providing services to residents in isolated communities. Hunter died in Auckland in 1936, aged 74.
James Spence Lyons, a well-respected dental surgeon, arrived in Stratford about 1911 and went into partnership with Samuel Hunter. Lyons was a talented sportsman; a champion bowler at the Stratford Bowling Club and a member of the Stratford Golf Club. He died suddenly on 4 November 1936, aged 50.
The building was demolished in 2019 (Taranaki Daily News 18 May 2019) to make way for Stratford's new multi-million dollar CBD development.
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