Currin, Manson Ashton, Baker and Confectioner, High Street, Hawera. This business was established about the year 1892, and was acquired by the present proprietor in November, 1904. It is conducted in a wood and iron building, which contains a shop, and a refreshment room. The premises include also a commodious bakehouse, under the charge of a competent baker, a residence, and a stable and trapshed. Mr. Currin was born in the year 1874 at Wakefield, Nelson, where he was educated. He was brought up to the business of a butcher in Riwaka, under Messrs Ryder Brothers, by whom he was employed for six years. In 1895 he removed to Taranaki, and worked at his trade at Stratford, Eltham, Kaponga, and Hawera, before acquiring his present business. As an Oddfellow, he was a member of Lodge Motueka, Nelson, for nine years, and passed all the chairs of the Juvenile Lodge before being transferred to the senior.

Keen, J. P. and Co., Bakers and Confectioners, High Street, Hawera. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1892.

Mr. Joseph Patrick Keen, Senior Partner in the firm of J. P. Keen and Co., was born at Ealing, England, in the year 1870, and came with his parents in 1874 to New Zealand by the “Ocean Mail.” They first settled at Feilding, and afterwards removed to Halcombe, where Mr. Keen went to school. Later on, he was apprenticed to Mr. W. Hogg, the well- page 240 known baker and confectioner, of Wanganni. After serving his time, he joined Mr. W. S. Dustin, with whom he remained two years, when he again entered the service of Mr. Hogg, as foreman, a position he held for four years and a half. About 1894 he removed to Hawera, and joined Mr. Nicholas, who was then in the bakcry trade; and in 1895 he took over the present old-established business from Mr. J. J. Connell. For over three years Mr. Keen was a member of the Wanganui Naval Artillery, and is a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, with which he has been connected for many years. Mr. Keen possesses a fine tenor voice, and is a member of the Choral Society and of the Wesleyan church choir. He is married, and has three children.

Mr. J. P. Keen.