Anderson, Alexander Harper. Agricultural Implement Agent and Importer, Canterbury Foundry, 185 Lichfield Street, Christchurch. Telephone 939. P.O. Box 90. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, 171 North Belt. This business, which was originally a branch of the Canterbury Foundry, was acquired by the present proprietor in 1888. Mr. Anderson maintains a stock of machinery at the store on the south side of Lichfield Street, the leading lines being traction-engines by the well-known firm of Aveling and Porter (for whom he acts as agent in New Zealand) and threshing-machines made by Mr. John Anderson, of the Canterbury Foundry. He represents Morgan's spading harrow, Pennsylvania drill, and holds a large number of agencies for other lines of machinery in use by agriculturists.

Andrews And Beaven (William Andrews and Arthur Ward Beaven), Agricultural Implement Manufacturers, South Belt, Christchurch. This firm's business was established in 1878. Messrs Andrews and Beaven took the highest award for chaff-cutters at the Sydney Centennial Show (1888), Melbourne International Exhibition (1889), New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, Dunedin (1890), Brisbane National Show (1889), and Launceston Exhibition (1892), thus obtaining a unanimous verdict in their favour from all the Colonies.

Ashby, Bergh and Co., Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers, 217 High Street, and 129 Hereford Street, Christchurch. The business of this well-known firm was established in 1860, and was conducted by the late Mr. S. Nashelski from 1864 to 1890, when the present proprietor, in conjunction with the late Mr. Ludvig Bergh, acquired it. Mr. Ashby was associated with the late Mr. Nashelski in the business from 1864, and Mr. Bergh also from the same date, till the time of his death in 1895. The premises in High Street consist of a handsome two-storey building with a total floor space of over 8,000 square feet. The wholesale warehouse and yard in Hereford Street occupy about half an acre of land.

Best and Towne (Mr. John Fletcher Best), Cycle Importers and Manufacturers, Manchester Street, opposite the Clock Tower, Christchurch. Branches at Ashburton and Leeston. Mr. Best is the manufacturer and sole proprietor of the well-known Khaki Bicycle, which is a very popular machine. It is both light and durable, and obtained the One Mile Championship of Australasia at Sydney in January, 1902. The trade mark is “Khaki.” The machine is furnished with all the latest patents, and the parts are specially manufactured at Home to the firm's order. Mr. Best is also sole Canterbury agent for the Raleigh bicycle, manufactured by the Raleigh Cycle Co., of Nottingham, one of the oldest bicycle factories in England; the “Raleigh” is reputed one of the finest bicycles made. Messrs Best and Towne keep a large stock of motor bicycles and parts, including the “Werner,” one of the most up-to-date French bicycles. English motors are attached to the firm's own manufactures, and trailers are made also for attaching to motor bicycles. A large factory situated in Lichfield Street is used in manufacturing the firm's bicycles, and fifteen hands are constantly employed. The display of machines in the firm's showrooms, Manchester Street, is one of the finest in Christchurch.

Mr. John Fletcher Best, Sole Proprietor of this large business, is a son of the late Rev. Edward Best, of Auckland, whose portrait and biography appear on page 233 of the Auckland volume of this Cyclopedia. Mr. J. F. Best was born at Cork, Ireland, and at an early age accompanied his parents to New Zealand. He was educated at Dunedin and Christchurch. On leaving school he entered into commercial pursuits, and in conjunction with his former partner, Mr. Towne, started the present successful business in 1900; Mr. Towne retiring from the firm in the following year. Mr. Best always took a great interest in athletic sports, and is a member of the Canterbury Amateur and Cycle Club.

Mr. J. F. Best.

Boyd, T., And Son (Thomas Boyd and John Boyd), Cycle Manufacturers, Boyd's Cycle Works, Gloucester Street West. Christchurch. Established in 1878 by the present proprietors. Mr. Boyd, senior, arrived in New Zealand in 1864, and has spent the greater part of the intervening time in Canterbury. For some years he followed the blacksmith and engineering trade, but in 1878 started in business in Rangiora as a general machinist. Soon afterwards he added cycle manufacturing, and claims to have been the first bicycle-maker in the Colony. One of the first machines he turned out is still in use in Rangiora. The firm manufactures on the premises every cycle appliance that can be colonially produced with economy. Its special make is the “Boyd,” late “Atalanta.”

Brantford And Red Bird Cyclle Agency ((A. R. Barker and G. Lewis, sole Canterbury agents), Colombo Street, Christchurch, opposite F. A. Cook's; Sub-Agencies at Warmate, Temuka, Ashburton, Rakaia, Leeston, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and Cheviot. The “Red Bird” is a favourite bicycle and is manufactured by the Canada Cycle and Motor Company. This machine, which is most durable and light has been most successful in various races in New Zealand. W. Martin, on his “Red Bird,” won the one and three mile Otago Championships at Dunedin, also the one five mile championships of New Zealand, for 1902, at Invercargill. On Good Friday, at Lancaster Park, the speedy “Red Bird” was eighteen times first in the one day, out of twenty-four heats and finals. The “Red Birds” are remarkable for durability and easy running qualities; they are fitted with ball-retainers, bearings of the simplest adjustment, and flush joints. These machines can be had in any colour, at the purchaser's choice. The firm also keeps an up-to-date stock of sundries, and also does enamelling and repairs to all classes of machines.

Mr. A. R. Barker is a native of Christchurch, and was for many years travelling representative in Canterbury for Messrs Morrow, Bassett and Co. With his partner he page 314 started the present business in 1902. Mr. Barker is a well-known cyclist, and was, from 1895 till 1898, champion of New Zealand.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. A. R. Barker.

Mr. G. Lewis is also a native of Christchurch. He has been a most enthusiastic cyclist for years, and was traveller for Messrs John Orr and Co., of Colombo Street, Christchurch. Like his partner he is a well-known champion cyclist, and the winner of numerous prizes and trophies. In the sports held at Lancaster Park on Good Friday, 1902, Mr. Lewis, on the “Red Bird,” won the £25 prize, against Mr Laughlin, the champion professional sprinter of New Zealand for 100 yard's.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. G. Lewis.

Congreve, William, Ironmonger, Tinplate, Iron, and Copper Worker, Locksmith, etc., 129 Colombo Street, Christchurch. Mr. Congreve established his well-known retail shop in 1893, and, previous to arriving in the Colony and embarking in business for himself, he was for seventeen years the proprietor of a similar trade establishment in Stockport, England. Mr. Congreve is a direct importer of all classes of goods required in his business.

Crompton, Thomas, Galvanised and General Sheet Iron Worker, Galvanising Works, 212 Tuam Street. Mr. Crompton is a native of Yorkshire, England, which he left for the Colonies in the fifties. He remained five years in Melbourne, and after three years in Queensland, arrived in New Zealand in 1864. He claims to have been the first to start the galvanised iron trade in the Colony, establishing himself in business in 1869. All the latest machinery is in use on the premises in the production of galvanised spouting and ridging as well as tanks, colonial ovens, and other requirements of the building trade. The works cover a floor space of 4680 square feet.

Kent, Richard, Bicycle Manufacturer, Pioneer Bicycle Works, Bedford Row and Victoria Street. Telephone 709. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Ltd. Private residence, Victoria Street, Mr. Kent, who founded this business in 1879, employs a large staff of skilled workmen and has most modern machinery, including a nickel-plating plant. Every machine is subjected to the severest tests before turned out. His bicycles comprise frames made of best English steel, Westwood rims, Dunlop tyres, and the smaller accessories from the world-renowned Eadie of Birmingham. Mr. Kent was born and educated at Woolwich, England, and apprenticed to the engineering trade. He arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “Merope” in 1867, and was on the engineering staff of the Government railways for fourteen years. In partnership with Mr. E. W. Cunningham he exhibited the first electric light in Canterbury. Two years later, Mr. Oates Joined Mr. Kent and commenced the manufacture of bicycles. Mr. Kent takes an active interest in cycling, football, and tennis. He is a member of the Canterbury Industrial Association and of the Christchurch Musical Union. A splendid tepid swimming-bath, fitted up with dressing-rooms and showerbaths, has been built by Mr. Kent at his private grounds which he has turned into a cycling park, in the centre of which there are two tennis-courts. The park is nicely laid out, and contains three fountains, the basins of which are stocked with gold-fish; it is a delightful place of resort and is only about a mile out of Christchurch.

Morrow, Bassett and Co., Agricultural Implement and Machinery Importers, 147 Cashel Street, Christchurch. This firm carries on business also in Dunedin and at Ashburton. It imports agricultural implements and machinery, and is agent for McCormick's reapers and binders.

Ranger, Henry J., Cycle Manufacturer and Mechanical Engineer, Victoria Cycle Works, 45 Victoria Street, Christchurch. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, 54 Victoria Street. Mr. Ranger, who was born in Christchurch in 1863, learned his trade in Melbourne, and established the present business in 1896, as a high-grade cycle repairing depôt. In the following year he became a manufacturer of bicycles, and has succeeded in producing a first-class machine, which is giving general satisfaction. These machines are made from the best material procurable, and imported direct; they are finished in enamel of any colour, and are adorned with the well-known name plate “Victoria.” The premises occupied by Mr. Ranger consist of a two-storey building, having nearly 2000 square feet of floor space. The plate-glass windows display a large assortment of bicycles. Behind the shop is the factory, where a complete plant is in daily use, with a full staff of skilled workmen. Mr. Ranger is a member of the Foresters' Order, and has occupied the chief chair in connection with Court Star of Canterbury. He is also Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Orange Institution in the Middle Island, and secretary of the Canterbury Cycle Traders' Association.

Reece, E., And Sons (William Reece), Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers and Inporters of British and Foreign Hardware; Wholesale and Retail premises, Colombo Street, Christchuch; Iron-yard and store, Lichfield Street. The extensive and well-known business of this firm was founded in 1856 by the late Mr. Edward Reece, since whose death it has been continued by his son, the present proprietor. Many old colonists will remember the old wooden building with its three feet gables in which the business of the firm was originally commenced on the present site. This old relic of the past was pulled down in 1870, and replaced by the present handsome three-storey brick building in which the wholesale and retail business is conducted. The main retail show-room is on the ground floor, and extends back 150 feet from the street. An enormous stock is maintained, the entire department being set out with handsome glass show-cases, counters and other contrivances for displaying goods, which it would be impossible to enumerate. A few lines may, however, be mentioned; such as sterling silver and electro plated ware, fancy goods, cutlery, toilet and general brushware, lamps, filters, general furnishing ironmongery of all descriptions, cricket, tennis, and croquet tools, Milner's safes, brass foundry, bicycles and bicycle sundries, all kinds of fencing material, lawnmowers, farm and garden tools. Messrs, Reece and Sons make a special feature of maintaining a very fine stock of guns and ammunition. Ascending by a staircase, the page 316 visitor reaches the first floor, where there is another large show-room displaying register fire-grates, hearths, mantels, and overmantels in endless variety, from the simplest and plainest to the most costly and elegant. The top floor contains reserve stocks of lamps, lamp-glasses, tinware, and numerous other articles. A large cellar in the basement is used for storing the firm's enormous stock of lubricating oils. The wholesale department which adjoins the retail is entirely separate from the latter, its three stories being utilised for the sole purpose of this branch of the firm's business. There is a cart entrance from Lichfield Street for convenience of receiving and delivering. In addition to the main premises, there is a two-storey store at the back, where axles, spades, shovels, white lead, pumps, rams, hollow-ware, and floor-tiles are stored in enormous quantities. Owing to the development of the firm's business, a large building has been erected on the opposite side of Lichfield Street for the purpose of a bulk store. This building covers a quarter of an acre of land, and is used for the storage of pig-iron, galvanised and sheet iron, bar-iron, wire-nails, stoves, carriage woodware, and numerous other lines. There is a large overhead travelling crane, fitted up so as to move heavy goods to any part of the building. Outside of this building is a large yard in which are stacked such goods as fire-bricks, roofing tiles, and other articles, not liable to damage by wet weather. The offices of the firm are situated in the main building at the back of the retail department. The firm possesses every facility for obtaining all classes of goods in which it deals direct from the best markets of Britain, America, and the Continent of Europe. By every mail it has immense shipments coming forward in all lines. Messrs Reece and Sons have a large connection not only in the City of Christchurch, but among farmers and settlers throughout Canterbury, and transact business wholesale in all parts of New Zealand.

Messrs Reece and Sons' Premises.

Interior of Messrs E. Reece and Sons' Premises.

Mr. Edward Reece, Founder of the firm of Edward Reece and Sons, was the son of a Shropshire farmer. After remaining some time on his father's farm, he went to Birmingham, where he acquired a practical knowledge of the hardware business, with a view to a future in the colonies. He had familiarised himself with colonial wants, and selected the new Canterbury settlement as the scene of his enterprise. Mr. Reece purchased a shipment of stock, and left England himself in the ship “Caroline Agnes” for Lyttelton, where he arrived on the 17th of August, 1855. He at once set about preparing the way in Christchurch for the business, which he carried on for many years; not, however, restricting his operations to Canterbury, but conducting large undertakings in other parts of New Zealand and in Fiji. Mr. Reece personally superintended the business till 1879, when he handed over the management to his son, Mr. W. Reece. As a colonist he was highly esteemed, both in his business relations and in private life. Mr. Reece died in 1887.