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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Rouse and Hurrell (Henry Arthur Hurrell, Arthur William Petherick, Edward Young Crawley), Coachbuilders and Wheelwrights, Empire Steam Carriage Works, Courtenay Place, Wellington. Telephone 212. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This large factory is the oldest in the line in Wellington, having been established in 1859 by Mr. William Black. The premises, which have a large frontage, include a large building of wood and iron, containing no less than 12,000 square feet of floorage space. The motive power is a steam-engine with a nominal capacity of eight-horse-power. The firm have a great deal of machinery of the best and most complete description, including a circular saw, planing machines, turning lathes, and machinery for rounding felloes, and all kinds of wheelmaking machinery, also band saws and every other needful mechanism that is required for the trade. They employ about twenty-five hands in connection with the factory, and pay a large sum per month in wages. Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell are direct importers of iron and various kinds of appliances and other fittings for the purpose of the manufacture of vehicles of every description. Among the British firms with whom they deal may be mentioned Messrs. Berry and Son, Messrs. Butler Bros., and Greatrex and Son, of London. Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell have a reputation for turning out buggies, officers' dog carts, gigs, landaus, and many other styles of vehicles in a thorough, workmanlike manner. The writer has had some personal experience of some of the work which they have turned out, and can testify to the finish and durability of their manufacture. An engraving of one of the numerous specimens of their light carts appears herein. The firm have been exhibitors at several exhibitions, and at the Wellington Exhibition of 1885 secured the silver medal for New Zealand against all competitors, and two first prizes for their manufactures. It goes without saying that the success of this firm is entirely due to the energy, perseverance, and ability of the principals and the workmen employed. Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell have a connection extending throughout the central and southern portions of the North Island. They frequently get orders for vehicles from Hawkes Bay and Taranaki, and their fame has extended to the South Island as far as the West Coast is concerned. Mr. Hurrell is a native of Norfolk, and arrived in New Zealand in 1875 per ship “Dallam Tower.” He learned his trade in Wellington, and joined Mr. Rouse, his late partner, when they took over the business from Mr. William Black, the original founder of the Empire Carriage Factory. Mr. Petherick is a native of this Colony, his parents being among the number of the early settlers. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Rouse and Hurrell, and having become thoroughly proficient in his knowledge of the trade, has been admitted as a member of the firm. Mr. Crawley is a native of London, and arrived in 1887 per s.s. “Coptic,” joining the firm in 1891. Mr. F. H. Wood, of Greytown North, represents the firm in the Wairarapa District, from which considerable orders are received.