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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Nicholls, Reuben

Nicholls, Reuben, Manufacturer of the celebrated and Unbreakable Steel-Top Cooking Ranges, 424-426-428 Queen Street, Auckland. Established in 1873. Telephone 497. This business was the first of its kind established north of Wellington. It is carried on in commodious premises, and in the welllighted show-room stoves and ranges bearing the Nicholls patent “Orb” brand are shown in great variety and profusion. Between fifteen and twenty persons, more or less, are employed in manufacturing and repairing, and the proprietor also keeps in stock large numbers of cast iron stoves of the newest pattern, manufactured at their foundry, Lorne Street, Auckland, by his two sons, under the title of Nicholls Brothers, patentees and manufacturers of Nicholls's patent Orb Cooking Range. Mr. Reuben Nicholls was born in Derbyshire, England, and is a son of Mr. Joseph Nicholls, of the Thames. The whole family came to New Zealand in September, 1863, by the ship “Tyburnia,” the first ship quarantined in Auckland. After some experience of military service during the troubles with the Maoris, Mr. Nicholls was employed with Mr. Hutton, engineer, etc., and also with Messrs White and Moody, engineers, Auckland. Shortly afterwards he removed to the Coromandel goldfields, and was employed at the Kapanga gold mine and battery, and at the Golden Crown at the Thames. After many vicissitudes common to gold mine speculators, he was successful in some of his ventures, and returned to Auckland in 1873, and started his present business at the corner of Alexandra Street. Mr. Nicholls carried out a contract for the ironwork on the Waikato railway bridges, and was occupied in this work for two years. He removed to his present premises in 1889. Mr. Nicholls has not been able to take any very active part in public affairs, but he is a prominent member of a number of institutions and associations.

Hansa, photo.Mr. R. Nicholls.

Hansa, photo.Mr. R. Nicholls.