"Taranaki's first Registered Electrical Business Cnr Brougham & Powderham Streets. Mid 20th Century."
Production date
2015
Description
Watercolour painting made from a 1930s photograph of the Smart Bros. Ltd. plumbing, tinsmithing, and electrical company premises on corner of Brougham and Powderham Streets, New Plymouth. The painting shows the large building with a red roof and a sign on the left side that reads 'SMART BROS. LTD. OFFICES, STORE ROOMS' and another sign on the right that reads 'SMART BROS. LTD. [PLUMBING ELECTRICAL (partially visible)]. There are two large power poles in front of the building on either side of the corner, and several vehicles parked along the street on the left and one on the right. There is a man visible in the shop window on the right wearing a blue shirt and blue overalls. He has been identified as Leslie Allen Smart, son of Allan Kiddy Smart (one of the original three Smart brothers along with George and Herbert) and father of Brian Smart, who commissioned the painting. The dog sitting outside the building in the centre of the image has been identified as Skip, who belonged to Arthur Lawrence Smart. The painting is framed with a beige mat with the title included in it and a mottled brown and gold frame.
George Smart established his business in Stratford in 1892 and was joined by his brothers when he expanded into New Plymouth. Allan Smart was one of the first registered electricians in New Plymouth. The company ran until c1957.
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