Arnott and Sons, Builders and Contractors, Palmerston North. This business was established in April, 1903, and has since steadily increased. The firm have carried out contracts in various parts of the Wellington and Hawke's Bay provinces. Among the more important of these may be mentioned the Gas Company's new premises in Broad Street, Devine's Hall, Mr. Leary's residence, Mr. Dempsey's residence in Palmerston North, Mr. Lovelock's residence in Kairanga, Messrs. Dalgety and Company's new offices in Feilding, the new Post Office at Rongotea, the racecourse buildings at Foxton, the Weber Hotel, and the Anglican Church at Weber.

Mr. James Henry Arnott, senior partner in the firm of Arnott and Sons, was born in the year 1862 in Geelong, Victoria, where he was educated. He came to New Zealand in the year 1875, and was apprenticed to the building trade, under his uncle, in the firm of Messrs. Arnott and Seebrook, of Greymouth. For some years he worked at his trade successively in Greymouth, Reefton, and Westport, and in 1903 removed to Palmerston North and established his present business in partnership with five of his sons. Mr. Arnott has been a representative football player, was treasurer for six years of the Westport Labour Union, and a member of the School Committee. He is married, and has six sons and five daughters.

Blackbourn, Charles William, Builder and Contractor, Main Street West, Palmerston North. This well-known business was established in the year 1900. The premises are situated in Main Street West, and consist of a conveniently-appointed private office, and a well-fitted shop. A large stock of ironmongery, wallpapers, paints, plumbers' requisites, timber, etc., is carried. At the rear is a commodious workshop, fitted up with circular saws, planing machines, page 675 and other necessary machinery, which is driven by a seven and a half-horse power gas engine. There is also a complete plant for making lead-headed nails and ridging. Mr. Blackbourn has made a close study of architecture, and has designed most of his largest building contracts. Among these may be mentioned Mrs. Peter's coffee palace, Messrs. Rodgers' and Fair's ten shops in Main Street West, the extensive addition to the Commercial Hotel, Messrs. Nash and Company's two-storeyed shop in Coleman Place, a three-storeyed brick warehouse for Messrs Barraud and Abraham, Limited, and a two-storeyed residence of twenty rooms for Mr. William Coombs. In connection with his various contracts Mr. Blackbourn employs about forty persons. He was born in the year 1876, at Okato, Taranaki. where he was educated at the public school, and then spent three years on his father's farm. He afterwards served an apprenticeship to the building trade under Mr. Coupe, at Palmerston North and Wanganui, and subsequently worked as a journeyman until starting business on his own account. Mr. Blackbourn had three years' service in a volunteer corps, and was a member of the Duke of York's body guard in Christchurch and Wellington. He is a Past Chief Ranger of the local lodge of Foresters (of which he was three years auditor), is an R.P. of the Orange lodge, a deacon and member of the finance committee of the Congregational Church, a member of the executive of the local Employers' Association and of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member of the ambulance corps. Mr. Blackbourn is married, and has three sons and one daughter.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Blackbourn.

Mouldey, William, Bricklayer and Contractor, Wood Street, Palmerston North. This business was established in the early “nineties.” The office and yards occupy part of a site of three acres in Wood Street, and twenty persons are employed in connection with the business. Among the chief buildings erected by Mr. Mouldey may be mentioned the Gas Company's offices in Broad Street, King's Chambers, in the Square, and the extension to Messrs. Dawick Brothers' buffet in Rangitikei Street. Mr. Mouldey was born at Fernside, North Canterbury, in May, 1871, and is the second son of Mr. Henry Mouldey, who came to New Zealand in the ship “Cressy.” He was brought up to the bricklaying trade under his father, and afterwards worked as a journeyman for a time in Christchurch. In the year 1890 he removed to Palmerston North, and subsequently established his present business. Mr. Mouldey is married, and has three daughters.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. W. Mouldey.