Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Commercial And Industrial

Commercial And Industrial.

Gardener, Basil Robertson, Baker and General Storekeeper, Manawatu Co-operative Store, Levin. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. The Manawatu Co-operative Store was established by its enterprising proprietor in 1891, and since its inception it has rapidly extended and developed. The large one-story building used is constructed of wood and iron, and provides ample accommodation for the demands of the business. A first-rate bakehouse has been erected on the premises, and a skilled baker has this department under his care. The bread provided has already become favourably known throughout the district, and is consequently in good demand. The Manawatu Co-operative Store is well stocked with the great variety of articles usually found at a general store, and Mr. Gardener does all that is possible to meet the wants of the district. The owner of this popular store was born in Oldham, Lancashire, where he gained experience with his parents, who were in the ironmongery line Coming to New Zealand in 1879 per ship “Halcione,” Mr. Gardener was for some seven years in business in the Empire City as a grocer. He devotes his close attention to the management of the Manawatu Co-operative Store, and it is not surprising that success has crowned his efforts.

Fosella, Marco, Draper, Tailor, and General Storekeeper, Levin. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business was established in 1893. The premises occupied, which are of wood and iron, and one story in height, are large, and centrally and conveniently situated. Mr. Fosella keeps a good general stock, and is assisted by skilled hands in the various departments of his trade. Mr. Fosella came out to Wellington in 1875, per ship “Guttenberg,” the passage occupying 100 days, and the vessel narrowly escaping wreck on a reef of sunken rocks off Stewart Island. After trying several trades, he established in 1884 a shirt and clothing factory, where he keeps many hands actively employed in turning out work for the wholesale houses. Mr. Fosella has contributed to several exhibitions, and was awarded a silver medal at Marco Fosella the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition of 1885, a bronze medal at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of 1886, and a silver medal, as collaborateu[unclear: r] at the Paris Exhibition of 1891. He bought from the Manawatu Railway Company in 1886 a section of land of eighty acres at Kereru, where he established a dairy farm. Mr. Fosella devotes ten acres to the culture of grapes, and has succeeded in growing them in a satisfactory manner in the open air. He has had a somewhat eventful life. Born in Florence, Italy, he commenced his career in Paris, speedily rising to the position of traveller, which he occupied for nine years. In 1870, on the declaration of the Franco-Prussian War, Mr. Fosella enrolled in the International Ambulance, rendering his services during the battle of Sedan, and on the establishment of the Republic he served in the volunteers, holding the office of sergeant. He ranks as a successful colonist.

Clark, W. M., Draper, Te Aro House, Levin, Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Established 1894.

Issacs, D., Tailor, Levin, Established 1893

James, John., Tailor, Oxford Street, Levin.

Keen, Frank, Hairdresser, Tobacconist, and Billiard-room Proprietor, Levin. This business was founded in 1894. The billiard-room, a spacious and comfortable apartment, contains a fine table of Thurston's make. The hair-dressing saloon is well appointed, and the shop is stocked with a good assortment of cigars, pipes, cigarettes and fancy goods. Mr. Keen, the freeholder, is a native of King's Cross, London, and came to New Zealand with his parents many years ago per ship “Carnatic.” He was apprenticed to Mr. W. H. Chittam, of Palmerston North. Mr. Keen is musical, and wherever he has been has lent his ready aid to help forward any musical event. In Napier he was a member of the band for three years, in Feilding one year, and while in Foxton he was leader.

page 1113

Levin Hotel (Robert Buckeridge, proprietor), Levin. This fine hotel was established by Mr. Peter Bartholomew in 1890, Mr. F. L. Garland purchasing it in 1893, and the present proprietor taking it over some time later. The Levin Hotel is a two storied building of wood and iron, having in all thirty-five rooms. It is the sole hostelry in the township and is in every respect a comfortable and convenient place at which to stay. Large parlours and sitting-rooms and a specially commodious dining-hall, together with the bar, are all on the ground floor. The upper portion is devoted to sleeping accommodation, and here are a goodly number of apartments exceedingly well furnished. Immediately adjoining the hotel is situated the Town Hall, which is well fitted up with stage and scenery, and is in every respect suitable for the needs of the district.

Temperance Hotel (Mrs. Buddle, proprietress), Oxford Street, Levin, Established 1893.

Wereroa Hotel (J. G. Campbell, proprietor), Levin.

Wilkinson, Samuel Henderson, Plumber, Tinsmith, and Brazier, Levin Plumbing Works, County Road, Levin. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Mr. Wilkinson hails from Scotland, having first seen the light in the great city of Glasgow. He came to the Colony per ship “Conflict,” which arrived in Wellington in 1874. His knowledge of the trade was originally gained as an apprentice with Mr. J. T. Glover, of Boulcott Street, Wellington. On the completion of his term, Mr. Wilkinson was for some time employed by Mr. J. Piper, of Christchurch, and subsequently gained considerable experience in the service of various firms within the Colony. In 1885 he went to Australia, where for four years he was enabled to add largely to his general knowledge of the trade. During this time he occupied the responsible position of foreman of Messrs. Rashleigh and Co.'s works. Returning to the Colony, Mr. Wilkinson worked for a short period on the Mahakipawa goldfields, and subsequently removed to Otaki, where he engaged in bushfelling by contract. In 1889 he established the present business in Otaki, and conducted it for upwards of four years. The one-story wood and iron building now occupied was erected and completed by Mr. Wilkinson early in 1894, when the business was removed from Otaki to that rapidly extending township of Levin. The premises, which afford about 600 square feet of floorage space, are fitted up with all necessary machinery for the plumbing and tinsmiths' business. Mr. Wilkinson has met with considerable success, and employs a number of hands in connection with his trade.

Andrews, Oscar, Farrier and General Blacksmith, Levin Shoeing Forge, Levin. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Established 1892.

Anstice, Henry, Blacksmith and Carriage Builder, Oxford Street, Levin.

Ryder, Walter, Butcher, Levin. This business— established in 1894—was formerly carried on under the style of Ryder Bros. When Mr. John Ryder retired, the business was continued by the present proprietor in his own name. Mr. Ryder is well known throughout the district, and has established a reputation for selling only the primest goods. The meat is chiefly bought from the farmers in Levin, and is delivered by horse and cart. Small goods are made under the proprietor's personal supervision. Born in Nelson, Mr. Ryder was educated at Riwaka, where he learnt the butchery business in his father's shop. He subsequently commenced business for himself in Otaki, but after two years removed to Levin.

Bartholomew, Peter, Timber Merchant, Wereroa Steam Sawmills, Wereroa, Levin. Telegraphic address, “Bartholomew, Levin.” Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Levin. Agents, Stewart and Co., Wellington. These large mills were erected under the direction of the proprietor in 1887. The main building is a fine two-story structure of wood and iron, containing ample accommodation for conducting the large trade done by the owner. Two large boilers, made by Mr. Seagar, of Wellington, are used to generate the steam, two engines each of thirty-horse-power nominal having been made by Messrs. Haigh and Co., of London The plant is of the most complete and modern type: there is a large travelling circular saw bench, besides machinery of divers kinds. Mr. Bartholomew has imported a very useful band-saw, specially adapted for heavy work. About forty-five hands are employed at the Wereroa Steam Sawmills, and a large quantity of timber is shipped to all parts of the Colony. Mr. Bartholomew came from the “Land o' Cakes,” having been born in Stirlingshire. He embarked per good ship “Wansfall,” for Queensland in 1862. Five years later, attracted by the news from the West Coast goldfields, he crossed the Tasman Sea, intending to go to Hokitika, but the weather proving unpropitious, he landed at Nelson. Coming on to Wellington, Mr. Dartholomew entered into the timber trade, and has been associated with the industry since that time. He has been in business in Palmerston North. Fedding, Halcombe and Ashurst, finally locating in Wereroa as above.

Prouse Bros. (James Prouse, Richard Prouse, John Prouse, and John Wright), Timber Merchants, Wereroa Saw Mills, Levin. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Wellington yards and office, Dixon Street. Telephone 907. The late Mr. Richard Prouse, father of three of the partners, arrived in Port Nicholson in the month of page 1114 February, 1840, per ship “Duke of Roxburgh.” He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, but gradually drifted into the timber trade, the sawmilling business having developed to its present magnitude. The Wereroa Saw Mills comprise a large iron building which affords many thousand square feet of floorage space. The plant is driven by a twenty-five-horse-power engine, manufactured by Messrs. S. Luke and Co., Limited, of Wellington. The machinery comprises a breaking down frame, two saw benches, two planers, and other appliances. Large quantities of red pine, totora, and matai timber are sawn and dressed in these mills, floorings and mouldings being specialties. The trade extends throughout the Colony. The firm, which was established in 1870, has long been well and favourably known in New Zealand, and customers in all parts may depend upon prompt and satisfactory fulfilment of their orders.

Andrews, Henry Thomas, Sawmiller, Queen Street, Levin.

Ambler, Sebright, Coachbuilder, etc., Oxford Street, Levin.

Bentley, E. F., Bootmaker, Wereroa, Levin.

Bentley, F., Bootmaker, Levin.

James, Thos., Bootmaker, Levin Boot Mart, Levin. Established 1892

Middlemiss, Jas. Wood, Saddler and Harness Maker, Main Street, Levin, Private residence, Oxford Street.

Smart, Mrs., Bookseller, Levin.

Hamilton, John, Storekeeper, Wereroa, Levin.

Barnard, Charles Leonard, Watchmaker, Levin.

Garland, Frank L., Settler, Levin. Mr. Garland was born in Christechurch, his parents having arrived in the early days of the Canterbury settlement. He was for ten years in the employ of Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen; but, leaving that firm, went to South Africa, where he was on the Stock Exchange and acted as secretary for gold mining companies in Johannesberg in its early days. After some four years he came back to New Zealand, visiting Madagascar and Mauritius on the return journey. Mr. Garland takes great interest in the pastimes of the people, being a member of the Sporting Club and also of the Levin Cricket Club. In 1893 Mr. Garland took over the Levin Hotel, and conducted it with great success for two or three years, at the end of which time he sold out to Mr. Robert Buckeridge and settled down in the district.

Palmes, Percy Edward, Settler, Trehovir, Levin. The second son of the Ven. Archdeacon Palmes, of York, the subject of this sketch was born at Weston, Yorkshire, in 1853.
Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Palmes.

Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Palmes.

Educated at St. Peter's School, York, he was apprenticed to Messrs. Hawthorne and Kitson, locomotive engineers, of Leeds. In 1874, having decided to engage in sheep and cattle breeding, Mr. Palmes went to Yackandandah, Victoria, and travelled considerably in New South Wales and Queensland. Returning to England after five years absence, he became a pupil of the late Mr. John Ryder, the well-known actor. Mr. Palmes came to New Zealand in 1881, and settled on a small farm in Otago. After several years he bought a farm of 236 acres in the Manawatu district, three miles from Levin, where he is engaged in sheep and dairy farming. A convenient seven-roomed homestead stands on an eminence, from whence a fine view of the surrounding country is obtainable. In 1881 Mr. Palmes was married to Elizabeth Jane, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Manning, of Bryanston Square, London, and has two sons and a daughter.