New Plymouth declined after the Pineapple Industry collapsed in the early 1900’s. By the time the Great Depression rolled around, many houses had begun to show the inevitable wear of neglect. Most of the waterfront houses shown here were destroyed by the 1932 hurricane, including the three story homes of Billy Roberts (far right) and Ben Saunders (centre). White shark hides are hung on the fence to dry in front of the Saunders residence.