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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Taine, A. G. & Co
Taine, A. G. & Co. (Alfred Gibbon Taine), Auctioneers, Stock, Station, and General Commission Agents, 2 Custom House Quay, corner of Harbour Street; Horse Sale Yards, Harris Street; Stock Sale Tards at Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Pahautanui, and Manukan. Telegraphic and cable address, “Taine, Wellington.”” Code, ABC, 4th edition and private. Telephone, 10. P.O. Box, 231. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Talavera Terrace. London Agents, Edwin Craven and Co, E.C. Messrs. Taine and Co. established their present business in 1893, but the founder was by no means unknown either in Wellington or in other principal parts of the colony. Mr. Taine was born in Wellington, and was educated at the Church of England School, under Mr. Toomath, finishing at King's College, London. His father, Mr. J. J. Taine, now of Devonport, North Shore, Auckland, arrived in Wellington by one of the first ships of the New Zealand Shipping Company—the “Adelaide”—in March, 1840, and was for many years in business as a general merchant. On leaving College, Mr. Taine entered the employ of a firm of mechanical engineers, whose principal line was the manufacture of ice-making machinery. While thus engaged, he assisted in the fitting-up of the first real ice skating rick, in Chelsea, and in several other large works, notably the conversion of the Claning Cross baths into a rink, and the construction of the Manchester rirk. Subsequently, Mr. Taine took an ice plant to Calcutta for one of the British India liners, arrangements being made for working one of the small machines on the voyage. During the passage through the Red Sea and other sultry parts, Mr. Taine and his ice were naturally the first favourites of the ship. Returning to England on the completion of his work in Calentta, Mr laine went to New Jersey with large additions to the ice plant of one of the immense slaughter yards of that State. Finally, he embarked from Londen for New Zealand, per ship “Panmure,” Captain Downey, in 1879, and, after a look round the colony, began business in the following year, in Invercargill, on the lines of his present concern. Here he remained eleven years, and did well, the firm of Messrs. Wilson, Taine and Co. becoming wellknown throughout the Colonies. While in Invercargill, Mr. Taine rose to the rank of Past Master in the Southern Cross Lodge of Freemasons, E.C. Messrs Taine and Co. hold weekly sales of furniture and general merchandise on Fridays, at 1.30 p.m. These sales are generally well attended, and an inconceivable variety of articles may always be found there. The horse sales are held weekly, on Saturdays, at 2 o'clock, at the yards in Harris Street, near the Electric Light Works, and are also well attended. A weekly sale of hides, rabbit skins, and such goods, is held at the auction rooms at 11 o'clock on Monday. The stock sales are held every month, at each of the yards, on dates as published from time to time. Messrs. Taine and Co.'s premises are large, commodious, and most conveniently situated. The auction rooms and office are situated on one of the best corner sites in the city, opposite the Bank of New Zealand and the Erening Post corner. Messrs. Taine and Co. may be relied on to attend to all matters with which they may be entrusted in a thoroughly efficient and prompt manner.