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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Coach-Builders

Coach-Builders.

The Hastings Coach Factory was established by the late Mr. George Faulkner in the year 1877, and was acquired by Mr. Pothan in 1899. The premises are situated in Market Street, and consist of a two-storeyed wooden building, which has been enlarged from time to time, as the growth of the business required it. At the rear of the main building there is a large show-room, twenty feet by thirty-two feet, and considerable yard accommodation. The manufacturing plant is modern and up to date in every respect, and is driven by a powerful gas engine. The workshop contains five forges and anvils, and, in addition to coach-building, a large amount of implement making and repairing, horse-shoeing, and general blacksmithing work is executed. Waggons, drays, lorries, dog-carts, buggies, sulkies, and bradlies are turned out in large numbers, and coaches and brakes are also built. Mr. Pothan is sole agent for the Massey-Harris farm implements, twine, and oil. page 462
The Hastings Coach Factory.

The Hastings Coach Factory.

Symonds, William, Coach-builder and Bieycle Manufacturer, Queen Street, Hastings. Telephone, No. 9. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Havelock. Established, 1888. The workshop is one of the most complete in Hawke's Bay. There is a large show-room, with a number of beautifully-finished vehicles on view. The workshops and smithies are large, and are fitted with the latest labour-saving machinery and tools, including an eight-horse power steam engine; the painting-room, to which the vehicles are raised by a steam lift, is sixty-six feet by thirty-three feet, and the whole premises occupy a floor space of 11,000 feet. Mr. Symonds employs sixteen men in his business, including painters, upholsterers, smiths, and body-builders. The manufacture of laundaus and highclass vehicles is a specialty. The buggies, waggonettes, cabs, and hansomes turned out from this establishment reflect the greatest credit on the proprietor. Mr. Symonds is a native of London, England, where he was brought up to the ironmongery business. He came to Auckland in the year 1862, by the ship “Matilda Wattenbach,” and spent twenty-five years at Kaipara, where he was engaged as a boat-builder and shipwright. In 1888 he remove to Hastings, and established his present business, which has since assumed such large proportions, and to which he has added bicycle manufacturing. During his residence at Kaipara Mr. Symonds was a member of the school committee and road board. He is married and has three sons.

Mr. W. Symonds.

Mr. W. Symonds.