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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Annison, Cyrus Arthur
Annison, Cyrus Arthur, Coachbuilder and Wheelwright, Martin Street, off Abel Smith Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Te Aro. Private residence, 125 Cuba Street. Mr. Annison was born in Hull, Yorkshire, in 1855, and learned the business with his father, Mr. E. S. Annison, of the Eastern Carriage Works, in his natiye town. Mr. Annison, senior, conducted a large and lucrative trade for fifty years, being specially noted as a maker of light spring business carts. After many years experience in connection with this large concern, the subject of this notice came to New Zealand per s.s. “Aorangi,” in 1885, landing in Wellington. He was for six months working at his trade in Masterton, when he returned to Wellington, and after three months with Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell, Mr. Annison founded the present business, commencing in a small way behind his residence in Cuba Street. The business has steadily developed. Following in the footsteps of his respected father, Mr. Annison, who is a great prize winner, has exhibited at several of the local Agricultural and Pastoral Shows. In the years 1889 and 1890, he took two first prizes and one second prize. Four years later he was the winner of four prizes for the best collection of vehicles, and in 1895 a splendid English rustic cart gained first prize, and a butcher's cart was placed second. It became necessary, in 1892, to secure much larger premises, and those now occupied were selected. The buildings, which comprise large storerooms with smith's forge, and a separate smithy behind a general workshop and paintshop, afford over three thousand feet of floorage space. Mr. Annison undertakes repairs of every description, and makes vehicles of any kind to order. At the time of the writer's visit, Mr. Annison was engaged on a pretty English dogcart, which would do credit to any gentleman's establishment. Mr. Annison receives a fair share of public support, and is usually kept busily engaged, a competent staff being employed to assist in the work.