Penrose
Dates: 1890-1902
Location: Corner of Airport Drive (formerly Brown Road) and Devon Road, Bell Block, New Plymouth, Taranaki (39.028525, 174.169632)
Registration No: 189
Brand name: Square and compass (see above)
Overhead view of Penrose Farm owned by the Connetts and site of Penrose Butter Factory (Google Earth - 2026)
James Baxter Connett was a leading early figure in Taranaki dairying and in 1875 he boasted that his “THE TARANAKI CHEESE MANUFACTORY” in Bell Block was the largest dairy in the province. It’s unclear how long he manufactured cheese for but it’s clear he switched to butter manufacture from his Penrose Farm located on the corner of Airport Drive (formerly Brown Road) and Devon Road, Bell Block by at least 1890. In late 1892, he applied to register his square and compass trade mark under which the butter was promoted.
JB Connett’s son John Snell Connett suppled the Penrose factory and later became chairman of the Bell Block Co-operative Dairy Company Limited. It’s unclear when the Penrose factory finally closed but its last entry was 1902.
1898 plan showing part of JB Connett’s “Penrose Farm”
Deed showing Connett land purchase
Deed showing Connett land purchase
Deed showing Connett land purchase
Deed showing Connett land purchase
Deed showing Connett land purchase
Deed showing Connett land purchase