Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Alexander, J., and Co. (John Alexander and Frederick William Smith), House and Ship Plumbers, Gasfitters, etc., Mercer Street, Wellington. Telephone 901. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand, Te Aro. Private residence, Elizabeth Street. This business was established in 1893 in a small workshop in Victoria Street, and the operations of the firm for the first four months were on a comparatively insignificant scale. As time progressed the amount of business steadily increased, and the fact that work undertaken, was completed in a satisfactory manner tended still further to popularise the firm and increase the volume of their trade. The original premises consisted of a ground floor building, which soon became too small. Messrs. Alexander and Co. therefore transferred their plant to an adjoining building of at least three times the size, where they remained for some months. The shop and factory in Mercer Street, which the firm now possess, is large and convenient, affording a total floorage space of upwards of 8200 square feet, the building being a substantial brick edifice of one story in height. A first-rate gasengine of four-horse-power is used for the purposes of the works, and this has proved invaluable as a motor. Messrs. Alexander and Co. have a complete up-to-date plant for the manufacture of spouting of all sizes and varieties of shapes. They are assiated by a competent staff of from twelve to twenty hands. Regular shipments are received from England and the Continent of Europe. These comprise packages of sheet sine, block tin, and pig lead, all of which are used by the firm in their manufacturing trade. Bronze and brass goods of most fashionable designs are also included among the lines imported by this progressive firm. Gasoliers and gas-fittings of divers kinds, suitable for private dwellings, hotels, shops, offices, etc., are kept in stock. The firm have a good assortment of electrio light appliances, and these are displayed in the showwindow which is frequently illuminated during the evenings, and looks very pretty. They contract for supplying and completing the electric lighting, gas-fitting, draining and plumbing work for large or small buildings, and it is creditable to Messrs. Alexander and Co. that though so young a firm, they have already earned the reputation of being able to carry out large works to a successful issue. It will be sufficient to name the new central building of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance as an instance of the manner in which the work of this firm is performed. This large contract was undertaken and completed within the first twelve months. Their trade mark is “J. A. W.,” in a diamond. Mr. Alexander is a native of Shrewsbury, coming to Wellington per ship “Hudson” in 1879. He was apprenticed to Mr. Thomas Ballinger, completing his term in 1886. He continued in the same shop for seven years, rising to the position of foreman, when he had fifty hands under his direction. Mr. Smith is a Yorkshireman, who came to the Colony per ship “La Hogue” in 1874, and served his time with Mr. Lawrie, when Mr. Ballinger was foreman. He had nearly twenty years' experience in the same shop. Both partners have successfully passed the examinations of the City of London Guilds and Institute in theoretical and practical plumbing: Mr. Alexander in 1893, first-class ordinary, and 1894 in the second-class with honours; Mr. Smith in 1894, first class ordinary and the bronze medal. The machinery includes guillotines, curving rollers, and all appliances for the manufacture of spouting, ridging, [unclear: lead]-headed nails, etc.