Tauranga local business moments in history, 1800s-1950s

Before Pae Korokī and Papers Past, the New Zealand Room librarians would note topics of interest in an alphabetised card catalogue, this is their selection of historic local business moments from the Bay of Plenty Times.

See also: Tauranga local business moments in history, 1960s-

See also Archive Collections:

• 1887-1940 in Ams 237, miscellaneous accounts from Tauranga businesses, early 20th century, relating to Mr Thomas Lochhead.
• 1914-1970 in Ams 236, miscellaneous accounts from the early 20th century.
• 1963 street list of shops in Tauranga in Ams 59/3/7.

 

This article contains two sections:

• Businesses and owners
• Lists of advertisers and business profiles, 1909-1910

 

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Businesses and owners

1860-1899

BOOTH:

• M. Booth and Son Nurserymen and florists. Bay of Plenty Nursery, near the Hairini Bridge, Tauranga. Have arranged with Messrs PAGET and HULME to act as our agents. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 July 1882, p. 3.
• Mr T.J. Booth is erecting a commodious store at the corner of Wharf and Willow Streets, size 24 by 36 feet. Bay of Plenty Times, 12 June 1879.

 

DURHAM HOUSE HARDWARE opened by P. TAIT, above the store in Durham Street. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 June 1882.

FRASER, W. tenders called for the erection of a store for him, next to the Masonic Hotel. Tauranga Argus, 15 December 1866.

HARDY, Samuel. Purchased premises previously occupied by Edward Butt in Spring Street, where he continues the business of selling coal and firewood. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 July 1879.

HOYTE, H.C. Opened a chemist shop on the Strand in 1875 (much later became Sinel-Francis Pharmacy).

 

HUNTER, T. D.:

• Mr Thomas Hunter has purchased 8 lots between 4th and 5th Avenues and intends to turn them into market and nursery gardens. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 November 1881.
• T.D. Hunter has Waitangi Nurseries, Cameron Road. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 February 1890.
• Waitangi Nursery, Fourth Avenue, Cameron Road. Tauranga Evening Star, 9 May 1890.
• Mr T.D. Hunter has entered into partnership with Mr Louis Woolliams. Business to be carried on as Hunter and Woolliams. Bay of Plenty Times, 19 September 1892.
• Death of T.D. Hunter. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 March 1901.
• Clearing sale of late Mr J.D. Hunter's effects to be held at Waitangi Nurseries on 10 May 1901. Bay of Plenty Times, 10 May 1901.

 

LEE, LEWIS. Watchmakers and Jewellers on The Strand. Bay of Plenty Times, 18 December 1879.

WRIGLEY, Thomas's additions to brickwork being used, half column article describing building and work. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 March 1880.

 

1900s

DAVIES BROS PLUMBING AND ENGINEERING:

• works on Devonport Road was sold in 1909 to Mr Chas Davies of Taranaki, previously owned by Mr A.L. Plumbridge of London. Bay of Plenty Times, 22 October 1909.
• description of Davies Brothers business on Devonport Road. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 December 1909.

 

1910s

HARBOUR VIEW GRILL and SUPPER ROOMS:

• Opened in Norris and Bell building by Mrs Rutter and Miss Pitcher. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 June 1911.
• To be re-opened by Mrs H.P. Asher as the COSY CORNER TEA and SUPPER ROOMS. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 May 1914.

 

MANCHUU, M., the Hindoo Barber, has just taken over J. Attrill's hairdressing business next to Tanner's Hotel. Bay of Plenty Times, 19 June 1915, p. 1.

 

PROSSER BROTHERS:

• Claude Thomas Prosser and Elliot York Prosser. Dissolution of watchmaker/jewellery partnership. Bay of Plenty Times, 15 May 1915.
• A.E. Innes has purchased their jewellery business on the Strand. E.Y. Prosser will be an employee. Bay of Plenty Times, 11 August 1915.

 

VIAL, M. Has taken over the blacksmithing business of J. Wright. Bay of Plenty Times, 2 July 1917.

 

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Lists of advertisers and profiles

1866 business advertisements (Tauranga Argus and Ōpōtiki Reporter, 1 December 1866)

• W.R. Ball
• A. Blanton
• A.J. Brown
• George A. Douglas
• W. Fraser and Co.
• H. Field
• V. Harnes
• D. Henderson
• C.R. Leighton
• A.G. Merrett
• J.R. Scott
• Theatre Royal
• Victoria Restaurant
• Abraham Warbrick

 

1909 description of local firms: (Bay of Plenty Times, 24 December 1909)

• Baths, caretaker Mr Toomath
• Bay of Plenty Wood Factory
• The Belfast Store
• The Big Store, Guinness Bros
• Mr Castaing's Tea Rooms
• Mr Chadban's shop
• Davies Bros
• Excelsior Art Studios, R.W. Meers
• J.J. Faulkner
• The Furniture Shop
• Mr Grieve's shop
• Mr C. Howell
• Land seekers (various land agents)
• Means of travel
• The Melbourne
• Mr C.T. Milner
• Mr Murdoch's Tauranga Arcade
• Novelty Depot
• Mr W.H. Poole, dentist
• A. and J. Quinton
• Mr Rawles Establishment
• Springwell Brewery
• Star Hotel
• Messrs Stewart and Shaw
• The Tauranga Hotel
• Where to stay in Te Puke
• The Wonderland, T.A. Pruden

 

1910 full list of advertisers with brief history of activities etc. Bay of Plenty Times, 23 December 1910.

 

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Sheet 2 of the framed plan of Tauranga city centre in 1934, from Elizabeth to Spring Street, showing buildings with details of the businesses. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries map 21-002.