Barcock, William and Co., Bedford Preserving Works, Manufacturers of Pickles, Sauces, Malt Vinegar, Jams and Jellies, Herbal Beer, Ginger Beer, Sarsaparilla, Hop Tonic, Jargonelle Tonic, Fruit Wines, etc., London Street, Richmond, Christchurch. This business was established in 1898 by the present proprietors, who, at the outset, adopted modern methods of manufacture, and have always maintained a high standard of purity in all their manufactures. Besides supplying some of the city merchants, Messrs Barcock and Co. have an increasing private trade throughout Christchurch and suburbs. The factory possesses an excellent plant, the most prominent features of which are the large steam engine and boiler, the steam vats for boiling the beverages, and the steam jacketpans for the jams. There are several store rooms for sauces and jams, and a packing room, whence goods are despatched to the various customers.

Mr. William Barcock is a native of Bedford, England. Soon after his arrival in New Zealand he established himself in business at Rakata, and afterwards settled in Christchurch. Mr. Barcock is married, and resides in London Street, in the Richmond Ward of Christchurch.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. W. Barcock.

Bunting, Thomas, Brushware Manufacturer, Cashel Street, Christchurch. This business was bought by Mr. Bunting from Messrs Nind-Ward and Co., in 1895, when it was employing seven hands. Under the new management the business increased to such an extent in two years that it was necessary for Mr. Bunting to pay a visit to the Old Country in search of new machinery, with the result that he has now the most up-to-date brush-making plant in New Zealand, and constantly employes from forty-five to fifty hands. His brushware is well known throughout New Zealand, and business is increasing rapidly, so that the present commodious premises will shortly require to be extended.

The Christchurch Gas, Coal, And Coke Company, Limited. R. C. Bishop, secretary; and A. Neil, manager of the works. Offices, corner of Worcester street and Oxford Terrace; show-rooms, 199 Colombo Street; works, Waltham Road, Sydenham. This large and successful company was established in 1864. It has now a capital of £160,000, of which £120,000 is paid up. Its reserve fund exceeds £16,000. The value of its working plant, mains, meters, freehold property, and buildings is over £120,000, besides which a sum exceeding £7500 is invested on good securities. The company has paid a steady dividend at the rate of ten per cent per annum. Twelve thousand tons of coal are carbonised every year, the product being 114 million cubic feet of gas, which is disposed of at the rate of 6s 3a per 1000 feet for household consumption, and 5s per 1000 feet for motive power. There are eighty-four miles of mains laid down in the city and suburbs, and the number of consumers exceeds 4500. Formerly there were three large gas-holders at the works with a capacity, respectively, of 340,000, 80,000, and 40,000, or a total of 460,000 cubic feet; and a fourth, with a capacity of 400,000 cubic feet, has recently been erected. The number of retorts is 127, capable of producing 650,000 cubic feet of gas daily. The company claims to be the only gas company in the Southern Hemisphere which manufactures its own gas stoves, a very large number of which have already been made, and admitted to be equal, if not superior, to the imported article.

Mr. Rookwood Comport Bishop, J.P., F.I.A.N.Z., Secretary of the Christchurch Gas Company, is one of the very early settlers of Canterbury, having arrived with his father, the late Mr. C. W. Bishop, in 1850 in the ship “Charlotte Jane,” the first of the now historical “four ships” which brought the first “pilgrim fathers” to Lyttelton. Born in 1847, at Bermondsey, London, the subject of this notice was educated at Christ's College, and was brought up to mercantile life in Australia. He was engaged with a land and estate agent and surveyor, had a seven years' experience on the West Coast diggings, and was for some time in the Justice Department. Mr. Bishop returned to Christchurch in 1872, and joined his father in business as an accountant and commission agent. The late Mr. Bishop was secretary to the Christchurch Gas Company from its inception until his death, when Mr. R. C. Bishop succeeded to the position, which he still holds. He was a member of the Christchurch City Council for Northeast Ward for a number of years. As a resident of New Brighton, he took an active part in promoting the incorporation of his district into a borough, and was elected its first mayor, being returned unopposed for a second term at the end of 1897. Mr. Bishop has also been an active Volunteer both on the West Coast and in Christchurch. At the age of eighteen he was sergeant in the original No. 2 Rifle Corps. After his return to Christchurch, he was captain of the City Guards, from which he retired after many years' service. Mr. Bishop has taken a very active interest in page 348 the Industrial Association of Canterbury, as member of the committee, vice-president, and as president. He has been president of the Linwood Football Club, was formerly president, and is now vice-president, of the Richmond Swimming Club, New Zealand Cyclists' Touring Club, New Brighton Tennis Club, and president of the Christchurch Cycle Club. As a member of the craft he was initiated in the Westland Kilwinning Lodge, and is now attached to Lodge St. Augustine No. 4, N.Z.C., in which he has filled the various chairs, was president of the Canterbury board which was instrumental in bringing into force the New Zealand constitution; is past senior warden of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and past president of the Board of Benevolence. Mr. Bishop was one of the original members of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants of New Zealand, of which he is a Fellow.

Mr. R. C. Bishop.

Clegg, James, Perambulator Manufacturer, corner of High and Tuam Streets, Christchurch. Mr. Clegg established himself in this line of business in Auckland in 1884, and five years later removed to Christchurch. He served his time at the trade in Manchester, leaving that city in 1883 for the Colony. Mr. Clegg has been successful in building up an extensive trade throughout New Zealand, especially with perambulators and go-carts. His works are the largest of the kind in New Zealand.

Hayward Bros. (George C. Hayward and Joseph Robert Hayward), Malt-vinegar, Pickle, and Sauce Manufacturers, 171 Peterborough Street, Christchurch. Telephone 588; P.O. Box 163. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. G. C. Hayward, Kilmore Street; Mr. J. R. Hayward, Hereford Street, Linwood. This well-known firm was established in 1890 after the return of the junior partner from London, where he had spent two years in the factory of Messrs. Hayward Bros., pickle, sauce, and vinegar manufacturers. From very small beginnings the firm has made rapid progress. The factory has a floor space of over 21,000 square feet. The “Flag Brand” of pickles, sauces and vinegar is familiar throughout the length and breadth of the Colony, and occupies the front rank in the manufactures of New Zealand. Over thirty first-class awards have been gained by the firm at various exhibitions. In addition to the manufacture of all kinds of pickles and sauces Messrs Hayward Bros, make cordials, lemon squash, baking powder, etc.

Trent Bros. (Frederick Trent, sole proprietor), Manufacturers of Chicory, Pepper, Coffee, and Spices, corner of Durham and Chester Streets, Christchurch. This business, whose founder was the first to grow and manufacture chicory in the Australasian colonies, was established in 1868, when Mr. E. W. Trent bought about 150 acres of land near the Templeton railway station, and there began the cultivation of chicory. As early as 1873 the chicory grown on the property and manufactured in Mr. Trent's mill, gained the world's award at the Vienna Exhibition. At the Christchurch Exhibition, in 1882, Messrs Trent Bros, gained a special gold medal for the general excellence of their manufactures, as well as first awards at the Melbourne and Sydney Exhibitions. The farm at Templeton is now 600 acres in extent, and some of the produce is exported to all parts of the Aus tralasian colonies. Some years ago the firm purchased the world's rights of Dr Brandt's malted food, and its business in this manufacture has so rapidly extended in Australia as to necessitate the establishment of a branch office in Sydney for the distribution of this much appreciated product. The Christchurch factory, which was established in 1874, is domiciled in a two-storey brick building. Mr. Frederick Trent is referred to in another article as a member of the Christchurch Licensing Committee.

Vear, George Frederick, Umbrella Manfacturer, Armagh Street, Christchurch. Mr. Vear was born in Christchurch on the 5th of June, 1879. As a manufacturer of umbrellas he is carving out a successful career for himself. Owing to his father's retirement from business he is manager of the establishment in Armagh Street, where a large wholesale trade is carried on. About two years ago, he had a tempting offer to go to London for a year's training in Long and Co.'s celebrated Westend house. This opportunity he promptly seized, sailing four days later for Sydney by the “Waikare.” From Sydney he sailed for London in the well-known “Ophir,” and arrived in the Thames three days before Christmas. Mr. Vear's experience, during the year spent in London, was a broad and extremely valuable one. He went through the various departments of umbrella and parasol manufacture, visited stick and silk factories, and made arrangements for a constant supply of the latest fashions in silks and mixtures for the Christchurch trade, at rock-bottom quotations. He returned to New Zealand by the “Rimutaka,” direct, and had a pleasant trip. Ladies and gentlemen requiring parasols or umbrellas should inspect Mr. Vear's local manufactures, which are equal to the finest London finished article, and can be obtained for at least 20 per cent less cost. Mr. Vear is further referred to in the Social Section of this volume under the heading of Hockey.