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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Powell, Justinian John Kivern

Powell, Justinian John Kivern, Grain, Produce, Coal and Stone Merchant; coal yard, 6 Ingestre Street; grain and produce store, Taranaki Street, Wellington. Telephone 692. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Ingestre Street. Mr. Powell was born at Truro, Cornwall, in 1852. His father was a contractor, and with him he learned that business. In 1871 he came to the Colony, and commenced in business as a railway contractor in the following year. In 1888 Mr. Powell established the nucleus of his present large trade in Ingestre Street, where he opened a coal and firewood depot. The premises, which are freehold, consist of ample shed and yard accommodation, and a dwelling. A Pelton water motor is used to drive the circular saw for cutting firewood. The business developed so rapidly that in 1893 larger premises were needed. A two-story concrete building was therefore erected on a freehold section in Taranaki Street as a grain and produce store. The total floorage space used in this building is about 2000 square feet. The first floor is used as a public hall; it is well furnished, and has seating room for about 250 people. It has proved a great convenience for both social and religious gatherings. Mr. Powell imports coal direct from Newcastle, and Westport Coalbrookdale, and supplies at the lowest quotation. Large shipments of grain and produce art regularly received from southern ports. Behind the store a large eight stall stable has been built, and some cottages for page 743 Justinian John Kivern Powell his workmen. The whole of the buildings are substantially completed in concrete. Mr. Powell employs about fifteen men, of whom from four to ten are working at his large quarry at Paikakariki; from which he delivers dressed building stone of splendid quality, road metal, and chips for foundation and concrete work. The output of this quarty is some eight thousand yards per annum. A large deposit of white shell, said to be the best available, is on the spot, and in great demand for garden walks, for which purpose it is, preferable to asphalt, as that cannot be readily seen at night. The quarry also yields good sand and gravel in any quantity. Mr. Powell was one of the founders of the Commercial Trust and Loan Company, Manners Street, of which he has been a director since its inception. While resident in Johnsonville he sat as a member of the Town Board and eventually became chairman, a position which he held for three years As a forrester he was initiated in New Plymouth, and was a member of the order for twelve years. Mr. Powell, like his father before him, has been a life-long total abstainer. He was for three years a member of the order of Rechabites.