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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Builders and Contractors

page 337

Builders and Contractors.

Including—Builders and General Contractors, Monumental Masons and Sculptors,

Grandison, Archibald, Builder and Contractor, Parliament Street and Beach Road, Auckland. Mr. Grandison was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1852, and was educated at the Free Church of Scotland schools at Scone, Perthshire. He was afterwards apprenticed with the well-known contractors, Messrs Murray and Sons, of Perth. He then removed to Glasgow, and was for a number of years in the employment of Messrs Watt and Wilson, contractors for the Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow Board schools, and was for four or five years one of the foremen overseers of the firm. During the last two years of his residence in Glasgow he was engaged in business on his own account, in partnership with Mr. McAlpine, and the firm found plenty of work in the city. In 1882 Mr. Grandison came to New Zealand on the maiden trip of the s.s. “Ionic,” and in 1884 he established himself in business in his present quarters, and has been kept incessantly busy since his arrival. It was he who carried out the large additions to the City Market and Agricultural Hall, to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's offices, and the Auckland Museum. He also erected the Wesleyan parsonage at North Shore, a large residence at Mount Eden for Mr. Nicholson, and a residence at the North Shore for Mr. Mason. Wingate's buildings (afterwards burned, by which Mr. Grandison lost considerably) were also erected by him. The Egmont Hotel at Hawera, well-known to commercial men for its comforts and conveniences, was built by Mr. Grandison, who also had the contract for the buildings connected with the Rotorua railway, and carried out the work under the supervision of Mr. James Stewart, late provincial engineer. This work gave the Government great satisfaction, and at the banquet given on the successful opening of the line, Mr. Grandison was praised by the Premier and other Ministers, for the manner in which his contract had been carried out; the Premier expressing a hope that “it would not be the last job Mr. Grandison would do for them.” The contract for the Auckland Harbour Board's largest sheds on the Queen Street wharf was carried out by Mr. Grandison. He has for many years been an elder and Sunday school superintendent of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. When a young man in the Old Country, Mr. Grandison was an enthusiastic player of cricket, bowls and golf; but since his arrival in the Colony he has had no time to attend to these matters. Mr. Grandison was married in 1886 to a daughter of the late Mr. James Kay, of Portland, and has three daughters and two sons.

Hanna, photo. Mr. A. Grandison.

Hanna, photo. Mr. A. Grandison.

Harris, Frank, Monumental Mason and Sculptor, Victoria Street East, Auckland. Established 1870. This well-known business, which is now carried on by Mr. Harris, is one of the largest of its kind in Auckland, and gives employment to about six trained men. The very highest style of monumental sculpture is manufactured, from the ordinary tablet and headstone to the best class of artistic monuments. Large quantities of Italian marble and Aberdeen granite are kept in stock, and from these materials Mr. Harris manufactures those elaborate and artistic specimens of monumental work, for which the firm is celebrated. Mr. Harris's business connections extend from the provincial district of Wellington to the extreme north of Auckland, and also to Fiji and Raratonga. The monuments turned out by Mr. Harris are seen in the various cemeteries of the North Island, and as regards workmanship and style are acknowledged by competent judges to be equal, if not superior, to the best articles of the kind imported from Europe. Mr. Harris was born and educated in Auckland, where he was taught the business of a monumental mason. He then went to Sydney, where he obtained a complete knowledge and mastery of the more important and artistic branches of his business. On returning to Auckland Mr. Harris commenced his present business, which had been long established, and soon made a name for himself with the artistic quality of his workmanship.

Hanna, photo.Mr. F. Harris.

Hanna, photo.Mr. F. Harris.

Hatcher, George, Builder and Contractor, Mount Roskill Road, Mount Eden. Mr. Hatcher was born at Tenterden, in Kent, in the year 1858, and received his early education in that county. He was apprenticed to the firm of Godfrey and Sons, and learned the business of a builder. In 1879 he came to New Zealand in the ship “Ben Nevis,” and after a year spent in working for leading builders, he established himself in his present business. Though never engaged on any large public works, Mr. Hatcher has always had his hands full of private contracts, and has erected residences for many prominent Auckland citizens. He has built a number of schools for the Education Board, notably at East Tamaki, Mangawai, and Hukenui. The fine concrete house of Mr. Frank White, in Khyber Pass, Mr. A. H. Morrisby's modern residence in Gladstone Street, Parnell, and Mrs. Isaacs' fine residence in Eden Terrace, overlooking the harbour, also Mrs. Kenderdine's page 338 residence at Manukau Road, Parnell, were erected by Mr. Hatcher, who makes a specialty of private residences and villas. Modern villas designed and built by him are much admired, and find ready buyers. Though too busy a man to take an active part in public affairs, Mr. Hatcher has shown a keen interest in everything in connection with the good of the city, and has always given his hearty support to all schemes which have tended to the good of the community. He takes an active part in temperance reform, and has for many years been a steward and trustee of the Wesleyan Church, and a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Hatcher is a prominent member of the Auckland Builders' Association. He is married to the eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Morgan, who was well-known as a timber merchant in Auckland, and has a family of one son and four daughters.

Hanna, photo.Mr. G. Hatcher.

Hanna, photo.Mr. G. Hatcher.

Holland, James Job, Builder and Contractor, Chapel Street, Auckland. Telephone, at private residence, City Road, 909. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Holland established himself in business in 1864, and has met with much success. He sat for Auckland City in the House of Representatives during the Parliament which closed with the session of 1899, and he is referred to elsewhere in that and in other capacities.

Hutchison, William E., Builder and Contractor, Jervois Road, Ponsonby. Mr. Hutchison was born in Derry, Ireland, in 1858, and educated at the Model School in that town. He arrived at Auckland on the 1st of September, 1875, by the ship “Dover Castle,” and finished his time as a builder under Major Skinner. Mr. Hutchison then joined his father in partnership, and the firm was known as Hutchison and Son. A large number of private residences and buildings were erected by the firm, but upon the breaking out of the “boom” in Melbourne, the junior partner went across to that city, and acted as foreman for a Melbourne firm for some time. On his return to New Zealand he rejoined his father and has since been engaged in carrying out large contracts, such as Messrs Hellaby's store and freezing works, Shortland Street; factory at Richmond and shop in Karangahape Road; Huntly Hotel; the large brick additions to Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co.'s bonded store in Customs Street East; the Albert Brewery in Elliot Street, and other buildings too numerous to mention. The firm recently finished erecting the D.S.C. Block of Buildings, including additions to the Central Hotel, Queen and Victoria Streets. It also makes a specialty of private residences and villas. The firm's steam joinery works are in Lower Hobson Street, where the shop is fitted up with all the latest woodworking machines. Mr. Hutchison has acted for some time as secretary of the Ponsonby Lodge of Freemasons, and is secretary of St. John's Wesleyan Church. He is also a member of the Ponsonby Bowling Club, and is a member of the council of the Auckland Technical Schools' Association.

Hanna, photo.Mr. W. E. Hutchison.

Hanna, photo.Mr. W. E. Hutchison.

Payne, John Joseph, Builder and Contractor, John Street, Ponsonby. Mr. Payne was born in Wales, England, in 1848, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1859. He served his apprenticeship to the building trade in Auckland, and became a contractor in 1877. He has ever since had his hands full of business, and has erected a great deal of mining plant, especially in connection with the cyanide process. Mr. Payne erected the Cassels plant at Waihi, the Try Fluke, Kapai, Vermont, and Great Mercury at Kuaotunu and Talisman at Karangahako, all in first class style. He has also built a great number of residences in Auckland and suburbs, such as Mr. John Kneebone's house at Mount Eden, Mr. Faulder's at Archhill, and many others. Some years ago he visited Australia, where he carried out a number of contracts. He is a member of the committee of the Auckland Builders' Association, of St. Andrew's Masonic Lodge, 418, S.C., and is an Oddfellow of the American Order. Mr. Payne was married, in 1872, to Miss Wallace, daughter of Mr. George Wallace, a well-known old colonist of Auckland, and has seven sons and two daughters.

Rhodes, George, General Builder Office and Yard, 14 Customs Street West, Auckland; private residence, “Fernbank,” Collingwood Street. Mr. Rhodes was born in the City of York, England, in 1849. The business now carried on by him was founded by his father, the late Mr. George Rhodes, in 1862. Two years later Mr. John Gunn (formerly an apprentice to Mr Rhodes in Launceston, Tasmania) became a partner, under the style of Rhodes and Gunn, and the partnership continued until 1867. The firm constructed the major portion of the main sewer, the warehouses of Mr. Thomas Short, and Messrs Owen and Graham, Queen Street; the law offices of Mr. James Hill, Shortland Street, and other buildings. It was also under its supervision that the Bank of New Zealand buildings were erected while Auckland was the headquarters of the Bank; and for massiveness of construction, chasteness in design and boldness of relief, those buildings are said, by good critics, to be second to none in New Zealand. The front wall is 7 feet thick at the bottom, and 3 feet 6 inches thick at the top, in solid bluestone and sandstone respectively. There is probably no nobler banking chamber in the
Hanna, photo.The Late Mr. G. Rhodes.

Hanna, photo.
The Late Mr. G. Rhodes.

page 339 colonies than that of this bank. The chamber is 90 feet long by 30 feet broad, and over 30 feet in height. Its cornices and pediments are bold, and the immense segment of ceiling plaster in a series of deep square panels, with enrichments, throws the whole into bold relief. The floor of this chamber and of the long vestibule is of marble, and the fittings of cedar. With the opening of the Thames goldfield the firm dissolved partnership, and in 1873 the present principal joined his father under the style of Rhodes and Son; after which such buildings as the Theatre Royal (now City Hall), the New Zealand Loan Company's block; Somerville's Buildings, and others were erected. This union continued, with slight intermission, until the death of Mr. George Rhodes, senior, in 1883, shortly after the firm had commenced a large contract for an extensive addition to, and internal alterations of, the Bank of New Zealand block, at a cost of about £15,000. After the completion of this intricate under-taking—which lasted about sixteen months—Mr. Rhodes's health necessitated a change; and this he took in a visit to Australia, Tasmania, and the southern part of New Zealand, in company with his widowed mother. On his return Mr Rhodes resumed contracting, and in 1886 erected the large three-storey block in Newton for Dr. Purchas (in conjunction with Mr. J. W. Jones); also the factory buildings of Messrs F. and W. Fowler; a warehouse for Sargood and Co., and other buildings. When the great depression of 1888 set in Mr. Rhodes commenced to devote his attention to a private order trade (in lieu of public tendering), which has since steadily grown out of the character he has established for neatness and thoroughness of workmanship, and for the general satisfaction given by him. Mr. Rhodes keeps for his own use and for hire an extensive builder's plant; supplies the trade with mill-mortar, etc., and is sole agent for the expanded-metal (steel) lathing, etc. He has also established as a side industry, the manufacture of “Rough on Slugs” and “Poultry Grit,” which are placed on the market in a handy form, and supply a felt want. Mr. Rhodes keeps a permanent staff of skilled workers, and takes private contracts in the city and suburbs.
Hanna, photo.Mr. G. Rhodes.

Hanna, photo.
Mr. G. Rhodes.

The Crater of Mount Eden, Showing Ponsonby.

The Crater of Mount Eden, Showing Ponsonby.