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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Crabtree, William and Sons
Crabtree, William and Sons (John Thomas Crabtree, William Crabtree and James Crabtree), Iron and Brass Founders and Boiler Makers, City Foundry, Eva Street, off Taranaki Place, Wellington. Telephone 224. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Hopper Street. This firm was established in 1878, by the late Mr. W. Crabtree, father of the present proprietors, who died in 1891. The City Foundry occupies two freehold sections, which contain over 16,000 square feet of land, the whole of which is used in connection with the business, being mostly covered with buildings. A ten-horse-power horizontal steam engine drives the plant, which includes four lathes, two drilling machines, punching and shearing machines, boiler rolls, etc., and a powerful blast furnace. Messrs. Crabtree and Sons employ from twenty to twenty-four skilled hands, and undertake the fitting-up of sawmills, dairy factories, and meat-preserving and boiling-down works. They also turn out machinery for brick and pipe-making, which is a special line, and they may be entrusted with repairing or altering machinery of any kind. They can produce heavy castings, such as girders or columns for bridge construction or for buildings. Another specialty of the firm is the manufacture of tomb railings, and ornamental castings for buildings. It is surprising what a variety of designs of these castings are made by Messrs. Crabtree and Sons; and there is little wonder that they are largely used in the construction of buildings, as they are very ornamental. Messrs. John Thomas and William Crabtree were born in England, and Mr. James Crabtree hails from Tasmania; they were all brought up to the business by their father, and all possess page 677 a practical knowledge of the foundry and engineering business, and devote their energies and abilities to the conduct of this prosperous concern.