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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Coachbuilders, Wheelwrights, Etc

page 340

Coachbuilders, Wheelwrights, Etc.

Including—Coachbuilders, Coachpainters and Wheelwrights.

The Cousins And Atkin Carriage Factory ; Messrs Atkin Bros., proprietors (Arthur Charles Atkin, William Henry Atkin, and Edward Rogers Atkin), Elliot and Albert Streets, Auckland. Telephone 298 Cable address, “Carriage”; trade mark, wheel on the horizontal. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Agencies throughout the North Island. The late Mr. Charles Atkin, the founder of this firm, is referred to elsewhere in this volume as an ex-councillor of the City of Auckland; and Mr. Arthur Charles Atkin's career is described on page 120 as a member of the Auckland City Council. In May, 1864, Mr Atkin, in conjunction with Mr. J. S. Cousins, founded the present business in Cook Street, and at the expiration of the lease, the firm moved into a portion of the present premises. Machinery was introduced in 1872 to meet the requirements of the steadily increasing business, and has been added to from time to time, until the factory now contains the latest and most complete plant in the colony. Mr. Cousins died while his eldest son was still at school, and Mr. Atkin, having sons at the factory, purchased the widow's entire interest in the buildings, plant, stock, and goodwill, at her valuation, there being no deed of partnership. About two years afterwards the premises were found insufficient for the increased business, and Mr. Atkin secured an adjoining site, on which he erected a double-storey building fronting Elliot Street, and two single-storey buildings covering nearly the whole depth (220 feet) to Albert Street. In 1899, two sections fronting Albert Street were purchased, when the present block was completed and new buildings were erected. The factory now consists of three double-storey brick buildings, with about 100 feet of frontage to Elliot Street; one double-storey building, with 120 feet of frontage to Albert Street, and six single-storey annexes connecting with Elliot Street, covering, in all, about half an acre. Every description of vehicle is made on the premises, from a dray to a landau, omnibus, or tramcar; and the firm is constantly introducing new styles. Its two-wheelers are perfectly balanced; and special grade steel for springs, and special axles for this work, are imported by the firm. The firm issues an annual catalogue for the convenience of its customers, and, in addition to the trade done in Auckland city and province, it sends vehicles throughout New Zealand, but chiefly to Taranaki, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, and the South Sea Islands. The raw material used in the business is imported direct from the manufacturers in England, and the firm holds a large stock of seasoned woodware, hardware, carriage trimmings and lamps, which enables it to turn out vehicles of any description at short notice. The firm is the designer and patentee of the Excelsior, Jubilee, Palace Jubilee, Triple-seat Jubilee omnibuses and road cars, so well known in the colonies, and designs
Mr. E. R. Atkin. Mr. W. H. Atkin. Mr. A. C. Atkin.Hanna, photo.

Mr. E. R. Atkin. Mr. W. H. Atkin. Mr. A. C. Atkin.
Hanna, photo.

The Cousins and Atkin Carriage Factory.

The Cousins and Atkin Carriage Factory.

page 341 most of the styles in Auckland, including landaus, the popular ralli cart, Clifton and McCullagh buggies, dux waggons, and others. The firm manufactures 250 vehicles, has about 3000 repair jobs annually, also makes 400 pairs of wheels and puts on 2000 tyres. About sixty hands are constantly employed in the factory. A special feature of the firm's business is wheel-making, and dressed wheel material is supplied largely to the trade. The proprietors are experts in the various branches of the business, and exercise personal supervision over the departments. Many of the present employees have been trained by them, and some of them have been in the service of the firm for thirty-five years. Messrs Cousins and Atkin exhibited at the Wellington Exhibition in 1885, and received a silver medal; at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, London, in 1886, and received a bronze medal; also at the Auckland Exhibition, but not for competition; and they have taken over sixty first class prizes at Colonial shows. During the thirty-seven years the factory has been going, the proprietors have built up the largest carriage business in New Zealand, and are justly proud of their reputation throughout the colony for first-class work.

Cousins And Cousins (W. J. Cousins and J. F. Cousins), Coach and Carriage Builders, Lorne Street, Auckland. This business was established in 1890 by Mr. W. J. Cousins, who was joined two years later by his brother, Mr. J. F. Cousins. When Mr. W. J. Cousins started the business, after he had personally gained valuable experience in England and elsewhere, his sole assistant was a boy, but now the firm constantly employs forty persons, many of whom are expert scientifically trained workmen, with the highest qualifications in their line of business. Thousands of pounds have been spent on machinery in the factory, which is one of the best of its kind in New Zealand.

Flynn, D. and Co. (Daniel Flynn and Michael Flynn), Coach and Carriage Builders, Elliot Street, Auckland. This flourishing business was founded by Mr. D. Flynn in 1895. The firm occupies extensive premises fronting on Elliot Street, and covering the block right through to Albert Street. All classes of vehicles are manufactured on the premises, from the luxurious landau to the ordinary two-wheeled cart, and only the best of seasoned woods are used in their manufacture. The firm imports large quantities of hickory from America, as that is the best wood for shafts and rims, and from Australia ironbark and red gum for the manufacture of spokes and felloes. The axles, springs and general ironwork are imported from England. On account of its hardness and durableness pohutakawa, a New Zealand timber, is largely used as hubs, and kauri and mangoia are also used for panelling. At the present time (January, 1901) fifteen hands are constantly employed by the firm, which, although young, has progressed with very marked success.

Messrs D. Flynn & Co.'s Factory.

Messrs D. Flynn & Co.'s Factory.

Mr. Daniel Flynn, Senior Partner of the firm, was born in Ireland, and came to Auckland with his parents when twelve years of age. Two years after his arrival he was apprenticed to the firm of Messrs Gee and Potter, the well-known coachbuilders, and remained seventeen years in their employment, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of the trade. In 1895 Mr. Flynn severed his connection with the firm, and started business on his own account in the present premises, where he commenced with a man and a boy. His sterling personal character and genial manner, together with the superiority of his work, soon increased his connection, and he took his brother, Mr. Michael Flynn, a very skilful blacksmith, into partnership. The firm is making many alterations in its premises to meet the growing requirements of its trade. Mr. Flynn takes an active part in matters connected with Friendly Societies, and is a member of the Friendly Societies' Conference. He also takes a keen interest in the politics of the day, and is against New Zealand joining the Australian Commonwealth, as he believes a better future and greater prosperity await the country as an independent friendly state.

Hanna, photo. Mr. D. Flynn.

Hanna, photo. Mr. D. Flynn.

Mr. Michael Flynn, the Junior Partner, learned the business of a general smith, and was engaged as principal blacksmith at the

Hanna, photo. Mr. M. Flynn.

Hanna, photo. Mr. M. Flynn.

page 342

Tramway Sheds for several years. He left the Tramway Company's service in 1898 to join his brother as partner, and he superintends the blacksmithing department of the business. He takes a lively interest in athletics, and played with the crack Ponsonby Football Club for several years.

Patterson, John, J.P., Coachbuilder, Wheelwright, Farrier, and General Blacksmith, Corner of Upper Queen Street and Cross Street, Auckland. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, England Street, Ponsonby. This business was established by the present proprietor in 1879 on a small scale as compared with its present dimensions. The building, which is freehold, has a floorage space of 7000 square feet. Mr. Patterson's trade is for the greater part confined to coachbuilding and wheelwrighting. The machinery on the premises is of the most modern type, and includes lathes, drills, benders, and all the necessary appliances for carrying on the business on a most complete scale. Nothing but the best timber is used in the coachbuilding and wheelwrighting, and it is obtained locally for the greater part. Mr Patterson is kept regularly supplied with all the latest trade journals, and is in a position to turn out any novelties in any branch of his business, from wheelbarrows to hansom cabs, fitted up in the latest and most improved style, according to designs patented by Mr Patterson himself. The cabs thus made are second to none of their kind in Auckland. A hansom made by Mr. Patterson weighs only seven hundredweight and a half. Mr. Patterson has a good shoeing trade; and he supplies a large number of Auckland builders with all the necessary ironwork used in their business. Mr. Patterson was born in Auckland in 1855, and is a son of the late Mr. John Patterson, who arrived by the ship “Duchess of Argyle,” in 1840, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Mr. Patterson was educated at St. Peter's School, and was apprenticed to the Leahy Dock Ironworks, where he remained for about thirteen years. He first entered into business on his own account in Karangahape Road, but eventually purchased the present site. Mr. Patterson was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1894, and he has been for many years a member of the Auckland Licensing Committee. He was elected the first and only president of the Auckland Coachbuilders' and Farriers' Association, and was chairman of the Pon-sonby school committee for two years. During the existence of the Royal Irish Volunteers he was a lieutenant in the corps. Mr. Patterson was for twenty years connected with the Auckland Amateur Sports Association, of which he was vice-president and a handicap-per. In politics, Mr. Patterson is a staunch supporter of Liberalism. He is married to a daughter of the late Sergeant James Clarke. Mr. Patterson is referred to in another article as a member of the Auckland City Council.

Auckland From The Fire Tower. Josiah Martin, photo.

Auckland From The Fire Tower. Josiah Martin, photo.