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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Rouse, Black & Son

Rouse, Black & Son (Frederick Rouse, Robert Black, and Henry Black), Carriage-builders, Taranaki Street, Wellington. Private residences: Mr. Rouse, Edge Hill, Kent Terrace; Mr. Black, Brougham Street. This factory, which was established in 1894 by Messrs. R. Black and Son, has been conducted by the present proprietors since the first of January, 1895, when Mr. Rouse joined the firm. The latter gentleman was born in Norfolk, but when only a few months old went to Ramsey, Hunts, and at eight years removed to Sussex, where he remained till leaving for London at the age of sixteen, and served an apprenticeship with Mr. George Edgeley, of Trafalgar Place, Walworth, London, completing his term in 1862. For some years afterwards he worked as a journeyman in various shops, and was for some years previous to leaving England employed in the carriage department of the Great Eastern Railway Works, Stratford. Mr. Rouse came to the Colony in 1874, per ship “Soukar,” to Wellington. For a short time after arrival he worked as a journeyman, and subsequently commenced business at the junction of Tinakori Road and Thorndon Quay in 1881. Finding the necessity for increased accommodation, the business was removed to Courtenay Place, and Mr. Hurrell joined Mr. Rouse in the well-known firm of Rouse and Hurrell. Mr. Rouse was the senior partner of this firm for eleven years, and in April, 1892, partly retired in order to visit England. During his visit, Mr. Rouse worked for eighteen months for Messrs. Alfred Rice and Brothers, carriage-builders, of London Road, East Grinstead, Sussex, where he gained a great deal of experience, and on his return in October, 1893, brought a large number of the latest and best designs for modern vehicles. Mr. Robert Black, who was born in Edinburgh, served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Cousins and Atkin, of Auckland, and completed his term in page 610 1868. For fourteen years subsequently Mr. Black worked for this well-known firm, only leaving to accept the position of leading blacksmith at the Government railway workshops near Fort Britomart, Auckland, where he remained for seven years. In 1889 Mr. Black came to Wellington, and worked for five years for Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell, commencing the present business as above. Mr. Henry Black completed his apprenticeship with Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell in 1894. All the members of the firm of Rouse, Black and Son are thoroughly practical men. Their premises, which are large, convenient and central, afford about 6400 square feet of floorage space. Mr. Rouse's name and reputation as a coachbuilder are well-known throughout the Wellington provincial district, and there is no doubt that a large trade will be done by the new firm. They intend to import all necessary goods to enable them to compete with the principal establishments of the Colony.