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

Coach-Builders, Etc

Coach-Builders, Etc.

Browning, William Arthur, Carriage Builder, Wheelwright, and General Smith, Main Street, Palmerston North. This business, which is one of the largest of its kind in Palmerston North, was established by Mr. Parr, and acquired by the present proprietor in the year 1884. In 1892 the premises and stock were destroyed by fire, but Mr. Browning started afresh in Main Street, and subsequently rebuilt the old premises also, in order to cope with the increase of business. Coaches and carriages of every description are built, and a specialty is made in fitting them with rubber tyres. Mr. Browning is the sole manufacturer of Piercy and Company's patent fencing. He was born in the year 1864, in Portsmouth, England, and was educated at Lyndhurst, Hants. In 1876 he came to New Zealand with his parents, who settled at Doyleston, Canterbury. Mr. Browning was apprenticed to the coachbuilding trade at Ashburton, remained there for two years, and was then transferred to Leeston, where he worked for six years. He afterwards removed to New Plymouth, thence went to Stratford, remained there for twelve months, and finally settled in Palmerston North, where he has been very successful. Mr. Browning was a member of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade for seventeen years, a member of the Mounted Rifles for six years, and he has also served on the Borough Council. In 1884 he married Miss Johnson, and has one son and three daughters.

The Manawatu Carriage Works (John Bett and Co., Limited), Coach and Carriage Builders, Motor Car Repairers, Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North and Feilding. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. This business, which is one of the most extensive of its kind in the North Island, was established by Mr. Felix Stratford in the year 1882. Three years later Mr. John Bett (the present Managing Director) took over the business on his own account, which has since been formed into a limited liability company. The premises occupy a site of one acre, and comprise showrooms, workshops, a smithy and a coach-building factory, all thoroughly up-to-date. A large showroom occupies the front part of the buildings, and is well stocked with all descriptions of vehicles. In the engineering, smithing, and general ironworking departments (which occupy a detached building of extensive dimensions), there are two gas engines of twenty-six-horse power and thirteen-horse power respectively, six forges, and West's patent hydraulic tyre setter. An apartment on the ground floor that deserves special notice is the motor repairing and hood-making shop, which is specially appointed for the purpose. On the first floor a large stock of carriage fittings, rubber carriage tyres, harness, lamps, etc., is carried. The products of the firm are sent to most parts of page 676 the North Island, Messrs. Bett and Co. having won a name for the excellence and quality of their workmanship. Fifty persons are employed in connection with the business.

Mr. John Bett was born in Wanganui in the year 1863. He was educated in Marton, apprenticed to the coach-building trade under Messrs. McIntyre and Logan, and then worked for a time as a journeyman, until establishing the present firm. Mr. Bett takes a keen interest in social affairs, and is conductor of St. Andrew's Church choir.

Bunting, photo.Mr. J Bett.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. J Bett.