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

Ironmongers, Cycle Importers, Etc

Ironmongers, Cycle Importers, Etc.

Hardy, James, Wholesale and Retail Iron Merchant and Hardware Importer, Emerson Street, Napier. The original firm of Messrs Hardy and Sidey formerly conducted a business in Hastings Street, but after the dissolution of partnership Mr. Hardy established the present business in Emerson Street, in the large building he now occupies. On the ground floor are the shop, office, and show-room, and a fine display of ironmongery is made in the three large windows facing the street. The show-room is heavily stocked with every variety of hardware and electro-plated goods, and the first floor is used as a bulk store. The business is an extensive one, and its growth has necessitated, from time to time, additions being made to the premises. At the rear of the establishment there is a plumber's and tinsmith's shop, conducted by Mr. Cooper, who manufactures for the firm. A large wholesale trade is done in the country districts of Hawke's Bay. In the year 1875 Mr. Hardy arrived in New Zealand, and settled in Napier.

Bunting, photo.Mr. J. Hardy.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. J. Hardy.

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Williams, Henry, and Sons, Limited, Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers, Engineers, Boiler and Implement Manufacturers, and Plumbers, Napier and Hastings. This firm was established in the early “sixties,” has made its way to the front rank, and conducts a steady and increasing trade. The retail and wholesale ironmongery establishment of the firm is situated in Hastings Street. The section has a frontage of seventy-seven feet, and extends back to the Marine Parade. The premises consist of a large two-storeyed brick building, with plate-glass windows, tastefully arranged with a fine display of ironmongery. To the rear of the shop there are the offices, and large ironware stores. The whole of the top flat is used as a store-room for bulk stock, and for unpacking and sorting purposes. The firm are direct importers, receive regular and frequent shipments, and carry a heavy stock in all branches of the business. The American Steam Coach Factory, another branch of the firm's business, and the plumbing department, are conducted in separate buildings in Hastings Street. They are replete and efficient in every particular, and are under the charge of capable and experienced managers. The boiler and implement manufacturing department, known as the Vulcan Foundry, and the Hastings branch, are referred to elsewhere.

Mr. Robert Loosmore Williams, Managing Director of Messrs Henry Williams and Sons, Limited, is the eldest son of Mr. Henry Williams, founder of the firm. He was born on the 5th of March, 1860, at Bath, Somerset, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the following year. Mr. Williams subsequently entered his father's business, where he has since been almost continuously engaged.

Canning and Company, Motor Car Importers and Manufacturers, Station Street, Napier. This business was established in the year 1905, under the style of Canning and Wychemirski, but the latter gentleman retired from the firm in 1906, leaving Mr. Canning to carry on the business. The premises are situated on an acre of freehold land, and comprise a show-room, garage, and a suite of offices, all lighted throughout with electricity. The show-room contains a fine display of motor ears, and the garage (the largest in New Zealand), which covers half an acre, is fitted with the latest machinery for repairing and building purposes, including four underlying pits fitted with electric lamps, for facilitating work underneath the ears. Eight persons are employed, including a motor car decorative painter, and body builder. Messrs Canning and Company are sole agents for the celebrated Maxwell Motor Cars, which are claimed to be among the swiftest and most reliable on the market, and have introduced a large number in Hawke's Bay. Electrical work is also undertaken by the firm, who hold many valuable agencies for dynamos and general electrical fittings, every class of electric installation is undertaken, and good headway is being made in this department.

Mr. Charles Canning, senior partner in the firm of Canning and Company; is the younger son of the late Mr. J. D. Canning, of “Oakbourne,” and was born at Porangahau in the year 1872. He was educated at Clifton College, England, where he remained for eight years, making special studies in mechanical and electrical engineering, in which he received assistance from his cousins, Sir Richard Glass, and Sir Samuel Canning, the former of whom was the manufacturer of the first Atlantic cable, and the latter, the chief electrical engineer on the “Great Eastern,” who superintended the laying of the cable. In 1892 Mr. Canning returned to New Zealand, and after spending a time on his father's station at Porangahau, took up a small sheep farm near Napier, in which he still retains an interest, but devotes' all his time to his engineering business.

The Central Cycle Works, Emerson Street, Napier. This business was established in the year 1906 by the present proprietors, who have gone to considerable expense in making the place replete with the most modern appliances and conveniences. The showroom carries a fine stock of Englishmade bicycles of high grade and finish, including the “Royal Saxon;” and also perambulators and go-carts. In the workshop a competent staff of skilled mechanics are employed. The firm undertakes the building of motor cycles to order, and repairs are executed on the premises.

Mr. Oscar Bergersen, Manager of the Central Cycle Works, was born in Christiana, Norway, in October, 1867, and is a son of Mr. Carl A. Bergersen, proprietor of the Manawatu Cycle Works at Palmerston North. He came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age, and was educated at the Palmerston North public schools. Mr. Bergersen afterwards served an apprenticeship to engineering, partly at Palmerston, and partly at Wanganui; and then turned his attention to the cycle trade, at which he was employed successively in Wellington, Palmerston North, and Dannevirke. Later he became foreman mechanic for Messrs Oates, Lowry and Company, in Napier, and in October, 1905, accepted his present appointment. Mr. Bergersen is a member of the Napier Lodge of Druids, and is a Past Chief Ranger in the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Oates and Company, Bicycle and Motor Car Builders and Importers, Emerson Street, Napier. Head Office, Christchurch. This firm makes a fine display in their show-rooms of “Zea-landia,” “Singer,” and “Atlanta” bicycles, and motor car and motor cycle requisites, and the large garage is fitted up with the latest machinery for repairing and building purposes. Sub-agencies have been opened at Hastings, Feilding, Dannevirke, and Waipawa. Mr. W. J. A. Schwartz is manager.

Reynolds, E., and Company, Limited, Emerson Street, Napier, Cycle and Motor Importers, This business was established by Messrs E. Reynolds and Company in October, 1903. The premises contain a fine show-room, with large plate-glass windows, a manager's office, and a workroom. Messrs Reynolds and Company are agents for a number of leading bicycles of both English and American make, including the “Rudge Whitworth,” the “Robin Hood,” “Birmingham Small Arms,” “New Rapid,” and “Birmingham. Small Arms Pattern.” The “F.N.” make of motor cycles, which has magneto-ignition, four cylinders with shaft drive, and an improved spring front fork, is also stocked. About 250 bicycles are sold in the year, besides a large number of duplicate parts, and repairing is also done on the premises.

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Mr. William Ebenezer Orr Hyslop, Manager of Messrs E. Reynolds and Company's Napier branch, was horn in Greenock, Scotland, in December, 1882, and came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of eight years. He was educated at private and public schools in Christchurch and Fendalton, afterwards served an apprenticeship to the engineering trade under Messrs P. and D. Duncan, of Christchurch, and studied engineering for a—time at Canterbury College. Mr. Hyslop was subsequently in the employ of Messrs Reynolds and Company, and was then employed for two years as travelling representative and expert for the Massey-Harris Implement Company, in Melbourne. He returned to New Zealand, and worked successively for Messrs Morgan and Cable, engineers, of Dunedin, and for Messrs Oates, Lowry and Company, of Christchurch, and in 1903 opened a branch in Napier for Messrs E. Reynolds and Company. Mr. Hyslop is a member of the Napier Highland Society, the Union Rowing Club, the City Football Club, and the Hastings Athletic and Cycling Club.

Wychemirski, William, Motor Car and Cycle Engineer, Napier. Mr. Wychemirski was born at Kieff, Russin, in March, 1875, and is a son of a Belgian engineer. He was educated at the premier school in Belgium, and afterwards applied himself to the study of mechanical and electrical engineering. For some years he was employed in large engineering establishments in Belgium and Russia, and subsequently served a full course in the Government Industrial School at Cokerill, Belgium, where in 1902 he obtained his diploma. Mr. Wychemirski then went to Australia, and received an appointment as second engineer on board a large steamer, trading between Sydney and Noumea, He resigned shortly afterwards in order to accept a position as second engineer and electrician of the “St. Pierre,” a local steamer at Noumea. Subsequently he came to New Zealand, and was employed by Messrs Skeats and Bockeart, of Auckland. He then became conductor of the Rotorua motor car service, and in 1905 joined Mr. Charles Canning, of Napier, in a partnership that was afterwards dissolved.

The Vulcan Foundry (proprietors, Henry Williams and Sons, Limited), Hastings Street, Napier. This well known foundry was established in the “seventies,” and was shortly afterwards taken over by the present proprietors. It is a large wood and iron building, covering nearly an acre, and is replete with the requisite machinery for engineering, boiler and inplement making. Thirty-five persons are constantly employed at the foundry.

Mr. William Willis who was appointed manager of the Vulean Foundry in the year 1889, was born in Darlington, England, in April, 1856. He was educated privately, and afterwards served an apprenticeship to the engineering trade, in his native town. In 1877 Mr. Willis came to New Zealand, soon after his arrival began work at the Vulcan Foundry, and was subsequently appointed manager.