Graham And Greig (Peter Graham and John Greig), Builders and Contractors, 199 St. Asaph Street, Christchurch. This firm was established in 1896, both partners having been contractors in Canterbury for a number of years previously. During the term of partnership the firm has made rapid strides, and is now firmly established among the leading building firms of the colony. It has erected many of the largest and bestdesigned business buildings in Christchurch, including Messrs Tonks and Norton's premises in Hereford Street, the City Buffet, the Christchurch Gas Company's splendid new offices and showrooms in Worcester Street, and others. Messrs Graham and Greig are also now (1902) at work on the completion of the Anglican Cathedral, Christchurch.

Mr. Peter Graham is a native of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, where he learned his trade as a mason and builder with Messrs Barlas. Shortly after finishing his apprenticeship Mr. Graham came to New Zealand, and landed in Port Chalmers in 1879. He worked at his trade in Canterbury for about six years. In 1885 he left for Melbourne, and after working for two years at his trade he started in business as a builder and contractor. After a five years career in that capacity he returned to Christchurch and entered into business, and four years subsequently he took Mr. John Greig as a partner.

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Mr. P. Graham.

Mr. John Greig was born in the Isle of Bute, Scotland, and landed in Canterbury with his parents when thirteen years of age. He fulfilled an apprenticeship in Christchurch, and worked at his trade there, and for three years afterwards in Napier and Auckland. He was contracting for eight years in Melbourne, and built many Government buildings there. Later on he was in West Australia contracting for eighteen months, and also spent six months on the goldfields of Coolgardie and Menzies. He then returned to Canterbury, and two years afterwards joined Mr. Graham in partnership.

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Mr. J. Greig.

Hunter, John and Co., Monumental Sculptors, Colombo Street South, Christchurch. This business was established in 1872 by the late Mr. William Stocks, and was taken over by the present owners in 1894. Contracts in Oamaru stone carving are carried out by Messrs Hunter and Co. for the extensive buildings in progress in and around Christchurch. The firm received the order for the chaste and elegant carvings used in the construction and ornamentation of the beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Barbadoes Street, Christchurch.

Mr. John Hunter, who is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, was brought up to the building and monumental trade. He arrived in Otago in 1862, and spent a considerable time on the goldfields with somewhat unsatisfactory results. In 1864 he settled in Dunedin, where he followed his trade in the monumental page 294 and stone carving line, until he became partner in the erection of the First Church on Bell Hill. Mr. Hunter came to Christchurch in 1872, and for four years he was foreman to the late Mr. William Stocks, to whose business he ultimately succeeded. About 1876 he entered into partnership with Mr Greig, and the firm of Messrs Greig and Hunter, contractors and builders, carried on a most successful business for many years. Some of the finest buildings around Christchurch were erected by the firm during the partnership. The Boys' High School, Girls' High School, portions of the Canterbury College buildings, the Grain Agency, Loan and Mercantile, and Hobbs' Buildings, two large additions to the Sunnyside Asylum, and numerous other important public buildings testify to the skill and general character of Messrs Greig and Hunter's workmanship. The firm ultimately dissolved partnership, and Mr. Hunter took over the business of the late Mr. Stocks, and has conducted it since 1894 under the title of Messrs John Hunter and Co.

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Mr. J. Hunter.

Jamieson, J. And W., (James Jamieson and William Jamieson). Builders and Contractors, 49 Colombo Street, Christchurch. This business was established by the late Mr. Samuel Jamieson in 1864, shortly after his arrival in the colony. It is amongst the oldest in Canterbury, has progressed steadily ever since its inception, and is at the present time acknowledged to be one of the leading building firms in New Zealand. Messrs J. And W. Jamieson, sons of the founder of the firm, arrived in the colony with their father. They have recently undertaken a very important contract—namely, the building of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch, one of the architectural ornaments of the colony. In order to deal satisfactorily with so large and important an undertaking, one of the partners visited Europe to obtain the latest ideas, and a special plant for the construction of large stone work. Two powerful steam cranes, each with a lifting capacity of four tons, have been erected to facilitate the lifting of heavy masonry, some of which has to be raised 100 feet. These cranes are the first to be used in New Zealand in this connection; they stand on platforms 50 feet above the foundations, and the jibs are 75 feet long. The firm has recently obtained letters patent for a stone-planing and moulding machine, which does excellent service in cutting both straight and radiated planing and moulding to any design. Of course, as owners of the sole rights for this machine, the firm is in a very advantageous position. A large horizontal saw for hard stone work has been imported by the firm from Aberdeen, Scotland. Another noteworthy article in the firm's plant is a very large lathe for turning huge interior columns; and, besides a circular saw for stone-cutting, the firm has two large handcranes with a lifting capacity of seven tons each. Whilst the contractors were building the cathedral, blocks of stone weighing from one to six tons were lifted by these cranes and placed in one of the various machines, or in position under the masons' shed, where about forty or fifty men were employed in dressing the stone for the edifice. A fourteen horse-power portable steam engine provides the power for working the stone-cutting machines. Messrs J. and W. Jamieson's headquarters in Colombo Street occupy about an acre and a half, and comprise the office, the workshop, and a large timber yard, where wood is stowed and seasoned for the various works undertaken by the firm. The Messrs Jamieson have built a number of froezing works in various parts of the colony, notably those at Belfast, Wanganui, and Fairfield; the works at Fairfield are ranked amongst the largest and most complete in the colony. They have also built the fellmongery at Belfast and the Christchurch City Abattoirs. Amongst the numerous other contracts carried out by them may be mentioned Messrs Bing, Harris and Co.'s warehouse; the restoration and additions to the Sunnyside Asytum after the fire; a number of large grain sheds in Lyttelton and Christchurch; the Christchurch “Press” Company's offices; Messrs Morrow and Bassett's new premises; Captain R. Heaion Rhodes' house, “Otahuna,” Tai Tapu, one of the largest private residences in or around Christchurch; Mr. Struthers' house; additions to Mr G. G. Stead's house at “Strowan,” and Mr. Waymouth's residence at Fendalton.

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Mr. J. Jamieson.

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Mr. W. Jamieson.

Rennie And Pearce (William Rennie and Herbert Pearce), Builders and Contractors, 142 Lower High Street, Christchurch. This business was established in 1888. Many large and important buildings in and around Christchurch have been erected by Messrs Rennie and Pearce, who were the builders of Mr. Allan McLean's residence in Manchester Street, which has the reputation of being the largest private residence in New Zealand. It contains over fifty rooms with offices. The dining room measures 35 feet by 24 feet, the main hall 40 feet by 30 feet, and there is a massive staircase of beautiful design. The installation of the electric light throughout the building is in harmony with the interior fittings and decorations, and the elegant electroliers give an artistic finish to the rooms. There are over 300 electric lamps throughout the buildings. There is a large underground concrete tank, which holds 22,000 gallons of water, for use in case of fire, and also to conserve all the rain water which falls on the house. The Canterbury Hall, another of the firm's contracts, is one of the largest halls in New Zealand, and over one million bricks were used in its construction. The principal page 295 rafters, some of which weigh four tons and have a span of 72 feet, were put together on the ground, and had to be raised and placed in position by the aid of powerful winches and tackle; a work requiring a considerable amount of engineering skill and experience. The fireproof steel ceiling is a feature of the building, and is one of the first erected in the colony. Besides erecting the main hall, Messrs Rennie and Pearce built the annexes for the exhibition, and 750,000 feet of timber, 96,000 feet of flooring, and 47 tons of iron were used in the construction. They also built Mr. Peacock's Buildings in Gloucester Street, Messrs H. Quane and Co.'s in Lichfield Street, Fisher's Buildings in Cashel Street, the Farmers' Co-operative Insurance, Cashel Street, the Mission Hall in Durham Street, and other noteworthy places. Messrs Rennie and Pearce have also built a very large number of private residences throughout the city and suburbs. They decorated the streets for Jubilee Day, and also for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, in June, 1901. At the present time (May, 1902) the firm has the contract for the Bank of Australasia, in Mount Somers brick and stone. The building, when finished, will be one of the finest pieces of architecture in Caristchurch.

Mr. William Rennie, the Senior Partner, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he served an apprenticeship to the building trade. When nineteen years of age Mr. Rennie left his native country and travelled through England, working at his trade in the principal cities. On reaching Portsmouth he sailed for America, and landed in Halifax in 1869. He was successful in obtaining employment in many towns throughout the States and in the city of Mobile, Carolina, he worked for a firm of coloured men, Messrs Moses and Sons, builders and contractors. This was the only time Mr. Rennie had dark-skinned employers, and he still remembers with pleasure the gentlemanly treatment he received while in their employment. In 1870 Mr. Kennie sailed in the sailing ship “New World” for Liverpool, where he joined, as ship's carpenter, the ship “Eliethie,” bound for the East Indies, whence he went to Mauritius, and thence to Algoa Bay. The diamond fields at Kimberley were at that time attracting attention. Mr. Rennie, with the second officer of the ship, were among the earliest on the field, and during the nine months they spent there they met with some stirring incidents. One of these consisted in an attempt on the part of the Boers to eject fifty miners. Fourteen armed burghers, under Mr Cronje—afterwards the noted General Cronje—had this enterprise in hand. The miners, however, decided to make a stand, and during the night they made preparations to resist a daylight attack. However, with daybreak came a detachment of twenty-five Cape Mounted Police, who decided the point at issue, and Mr. Cronje and his burghers retired from the scene. After leaving the Diamond Fields Mr. Rennie worked at his trade at Grahamstown and other towns in South Africa. He then left Port Natal—now Durban—for Algoa Bay, whence he went to London, where he joined Messrs Green and Wigram's line of sailing ships, and sailed in the “Minerva” for Hong Kong. When 400 miles from her destination, the “Minerva” ran on a coral reef where she stuck fast with a crew of forty-nine hands. After experiencing a cyclone, and being exposed to all weathers for seven days and nights, lashed to the masts and rigging, the survivors, seven in number, were gallantly rescued by a Chinese crew on board a junk, that happened to sight them in their perilous position, and were taken to Hong Kong. Mr. Rennie was not long ashore, but soon shipped as ship's carpenter on a Government merchant vessel trading on the Yellow river, and was in her for nine months. He afterwards joined another junk bound from Foo Chow for Ngasurku. While in Japan he joined the ship “Land O' Cakes” and sailed for London, where he worked at the building trade until he joined the ship “Arabia Castle,” in which he sailed to the West Indies, Brazil, and La Plata. While at the latter place he witnessed a fight between a blockade runner, the “Rio Blanco,” and the Brazilian navy. The “Rio Blanco,” which was carrying stores to Paraguay, sank two men-of-war. On once more returning to London Mr. Rennie gave up seafaring, and went back to Scotland, where he spent twelve months working at his trade as a builder. In 1879 he decided to settle in New Zealand, took a passage in the sailing ship “Waitara,” and after an uneventful voyage, landed in Lyttelton. Since then Mr. Rennie has been engaged in the building trade.

Mr. Herbert Pearce, the Junior Partner, is referred to in another article as Mayor of Linwood.

Smith, William W., Builder and Contractor, 279 St. Asaph Street, Christchurch. Mr. Smith began business as a builder in Christchurch in 1878, and during his long and successful career he has erected many public buildings and large business premises throughout Canterbury, besides additions to the Post Office in Cathedral Square. He erected the Council Chambers at Woolston, and built the Jubilee Home there, and its later additions. Four shops in the Triangle were built by him for the late Mr. William Wilson. He also built the St. Albans Wesleyan Church, and the additions to the Lincoin Agricultural College. The Metropolitan Hotel in Cashel Street he first built, and, at a later date, altered it to make it fit the purposes of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company. He also built the company's woollen mills at Kaiapoi. Messrs W. Strange and Co.'s new buildings and their Lichfield Street premises, also their factory at the corner of the South Belt and Manchester Street, were built by Mr. Smith, who also erected additions to the premises of Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co., the Excelsior Boot Factory, Tabart's Wool Stores, and cooling chambers for the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Messrs Wardell Bros.'s store and the Central Dairy Factory. Mr. Smith also built additions to the Central Dairy Factory buildings, and the municipal buildings and fire brigade station at Lyttelton. In July, 1902, the Government accepted his tender (£11,208) for building in brick, with concrete foundations, the girls' wing of the Deaf and Mute Institute at Sumner. Mr Smith is a native of Glasgow, Scotland. He served a five years' apprenticeship with Messrs Allan and Mann, a large firm of builders and contractors and brickmakers. Mr. Smith then went to the United States of America, but returned to Glasgow, where he remained eight years before leaving for New Zealand.

Talbot, Albert F., builder, Contractor, and Joiner, 308 Colmobo Street, Christchurch. Mr. Talbot is a native of Reading, England, where he served an apprenticeship. He afterwards worked at his trade for six years in London, and arrived in Canterbury in 1878. Mr. Talbot worked for four years in Christchurch, and went to Melbourne in 1882, where he followed his trade until 1887, when he began business as a contractor. While in Victoria Mr. Talbot made a large number of special air-tight show cases for the Victorian Government, to be sent with exhibits for permanent exhibition at the Imperial Institute in London. He also fitted up a number of banks, offices, and public buildings, including the Hawthorn Town Hall, and also the Temperance and General insurance Company's artistically-designed offices in Swanston Street, Melbourne. Mr. Talbot returned to Christchurch in 1893, and later on started in business at his present address. Since then he has filled up some of the largest business places in Christchurch with counter cases and other fittings. At the present time (1902) Mr. Talbot is engaged in building villa residences. Shortly after his return to Christchurch he was appointed Secretary of the Canterbury Carpenters' Union and conducted the first local dispute that was heard before the Canterbury Conciliation Board. In recognition of his services on this occasion the members of the union presented him with a handsome marble clock, suitably inscribed; he was later on elected to the Canterbury Conciliation Board on the first opportunity, and he held the position for eighteen months. As a Druid Mr. Talbot is a member of Lodge Melbourne.

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Mr. A. F. Talbot.