Amner. William Ambrose, Wood and Coal Merchant, and General Carrier, Clive Square, Napier. This business was established by the present proprietor in the year 1879. The premises consist of a commodious storage shed, an office, and ample yard accommodation. A large and increasing trade is conducted in wood, coal, charcoal, and produce, and also in cement and pipes. In connection with the produce department Mr. Amner has an efficient chaff-cutting and seed-crushing plant. Of late years, however, the manufacture of lime has claimed a good deal of his attention. He has three large kilns, situated in Milton Road, Shakespeare Road, and Faraday Street respectively. These have been fitted up at great expense with up-to-date machinery, and there is a brisk demand for the output of the kilns. The carrying plant is a large one, and twelve men are employed in the various departments of the business. Mr. Amner was born in Ireland, on the 9th of June, 1850. He was educated chiefly at Loak's Academy, Mile-End Road, London, and in 1867 emigrated to New Zealand. For two years Mr. Amner worked on the Thames gold-fields, and afterwards found employment on the railway construction works. He then married and settled in Napier, where he established his present business. Mr. Amner is a Freemason, a member of the Order of Oddfellows, and of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. W. A. Amner.

Crowther and McCauley, Coach Proprietors, Napier. This firm run a line of mail coaches between Napier, Lake Taupo, and Tokaanu, via Tarawera, leaving Napier every page 394 Monday morning at 6.30, and reaching Taupo on the following day. The return coach leaves Taupo every Thursday at 7 a.m., and arrives at Napier on Friday at 5 p.m. The coach for Tokaanu leaves Taupo, during the summer months, every Sunday and Wednesday, arriving at its destination the same day, and returns on Mondays and Fridays. The Pipiriki coach runs twice a week during the summer, leaving Wednesdays and Saturdays for Tokaanu, returns to Pipiriki on Tuesdays and Fridays, and connects with the Wanganui river boat service. For the winter months a weekly coach service is run, leaving Pipiriki every Wednesday, and arriving at Tokaanu every Thursday, returning from Tokaanu on Monday, and arriving at Pipiriki on Tuesday, connecting with the Wanganui river boat on Wednesday. Mr. Crowther has an hotel at Rangitikei, on the Napier-Taupo Road, where the coach stops for about two hours. It is a fine comfortable hostelry, where tourists can break their journey, and enjoy a few days' shooting and fishing in the district. The rivers and streams in the neighbourhood abound in fish, and game is plentiful. The hotel is admirably kept, and visitors receive every attention.

Mr. Samuel Crowther, one of the partners, was born in Wellington, his father, the late Mr. Samuel Crowther, being one of the earliest settlers in that province. Mr. Crowther left Wellington in 1868, joined the colonial forces, and went through the campaign of that year. He left the force in 1878, and started an hotel and store at Taupo, which he personally carried on for five years, since which time he has resided in Napier, managing the line of coaches.

The Hawke's Bay Motor Company, Limited . This company was established in the year 1902, when it bought out Messrs J. and W. Harvey, of Napier, Mr. George Rymer, of Taradale, Mr. P. Cram, of Wairoa, and Messrs Crowther and McCauley, proprietors of the Napier-Taupo coach service. It now controls practically the whole of the bus service between Napier and the neighbouring townships, together with the inland coach service to Taupo, Patea, Wairoa, and Waikare-Moana. The firm has two large stables in Napier, another at Taradale, and also one at Wairoa. The town stables are situated in Hastings Street, and occupy about three acres of land. They are asphalted throughout, and fitted up in a modern and up-to-date style, and afford large accommodation. The rolling stock consists of about eighty vehicles, including landaus, wagonettes, drags, 'busses, coaches, buggies, and gigs; some 300 horses are kept, and nearly forty men are employed. The firm does a large business in letting all kinds of traps out on hire, and in general and special tourist traffic.

Mr. John Thomas Harvey, Traffic Manager of the Hawke's Bay Motor Company, Limited, was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1862, and came to New Zealand at twelve years of age. He was first employed at a livery stable at Port Ahuriri, and in 1890 took over a general carting business at Petane. Later on, in conjunction with his brother, Mr. Harvey established a livery stable at Napier, but on the formation of the Hawke's Bay Motor Company, which purchased the business conducted by himself and his brother, he was appointed to his present position.

Mr. William Harvey, Secretary of the Hawke's Bay Motor Company, Limited, was born in Napier in the year 1877, and was educated at the district schools. He was afterwards employed for about eight years as a clerk in the Union Steamship Company's office at Napier, and then resigned in order to join his brother in business. For some time they conducted a livery stable business in Napier under the style of Messrs J. and W. Harvey, and on being bought out by the Hawke's Bay Motor Company, Limited, Mr. Harvey received his present appointment. He is a member of the New Zealand Accountants' and Auditors' Association.

Mr. W. Harvey.