JOHN CHAMBERS & SON, LTD.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 17

JOHN CHAMBERS & SON, LTD.

A Isew Zealand firm, that stands solidly by the British manufacturer and does a big business in engineering goods of proved durability is John Chambers and Son, Ltd. Ihei business was established in Auckland by Mr. .John Chambers at the beginning of 1888; five years later he was joined by bis son, Mr. J. M. Chambers, who, had been at Tangyes, Ltd., for several, yeare.. Wew premises were taken 111 I'ort Street, with the agencies of langyes, Ltd.,' Askham Bros. and AVilt°+j ""ni." 16 ■^'. tK: ' r ' c Construction Co., Ltd. ihe business was mainly built up on these agencies, and the firm confined itself to dealing exclusively with machinery and engineers' requisites of English manufacture. 'Other agencies were added from time to time, and as the business grew branches were established in Dunedin (manager, Mr w § ho l rtt )' ti)eu Wellington (Mr. »• J;. Cutubertson), and Christchurch (Mr. j\. Laver), followed by Gisborno (Mr. A. H/ Collin). In all places a large stock is carried, mainly of British manufactured articles; the company only purchase goods frgm other countries that are not procurable in England. In the four main cities the business has prospered, which made it necessary to get larger premises to carry the extensive stocks of the linii6 they represent. There is stated to be no larger stock .of machinery and requisites carried in New Zealand than by this film. In 1912 the company, was reconstructed, with a capital of £100,000, which is privately held by the family of the founder, although a few members of the staff are shareholders. The chairman is Mr. . J . M. Chambers, and the Board of Directors consists of this Honourable Seymour 'ihorne George, Messrs. Edward Kussell,' Claudu Heather, John Minle, and I'\ M. Sh'ortt. •Tito 'company lay themselves out to erect machinery of all kinds in any

part of New Zealand, and latterly have' carried out some big contracts in connection with the frozen meat business, supplying Haslani Foundry and Engineering Co.'s refrigerators to the Auckland farmers' Freezing Co. (two orders), Tokoniaru Sheep farmers' Freezing Co. (two orders), Hawke's Bay Farmers' Meat Co., Wellington Farmers' Meat Co. (tbreo orders), Tlios. Horthwick and Sous, Ltd., Waitara, Christchurch Meat Co., freezing works nt Balclutha, and Southland Frozen Meat Co., besides a number of smaller companies. Babcock and Wilcox forms 0110 of the best agencies, their boilers being used by all classes of people and companies' throughout New Zealand, and, in fact, are almost everywhere where steam is accessary. Most freezing companies have adopted the Babcock boiler as a standard, and even coal mining companies where coal is cheap, principally b.ecauso they can use their slack coal 011 the oliain grate stoker which saves labour. Tangyes, Ltd;, is another great agency. This firm is principally known for their steam, gas,'pumps of all kinds, hydraulic machinery, lifting tackle, and oil engines, which Messrs. Chambers and Son have spread throughout New Zealand, for they are- to ho. seen in large industrial works, 011 stations driving shearing machinery, on farms working milking plants, and, in fact, practically everywhere where machinery is required. The suction gas engine is a great factor, leading to a good deal of business; it is used iii driving woollen, Hour, and flax mills, mainly being adopted on account of its cheapness and efficiency. Edgar Allen and Co.'s agency is another prominent one. This company absorbed Askham Bros, and Wilson, who had command of the world's trade for points and crossings for electric tramways, also for cement and mining machinery. Allen's have further specialised in this work, and'a short time ago introduced a high-speed air-hardened introducedd a .high-speed air-hardened perial" brand being knowil in all parts o'f New Zealand. Latch and Bachelor is another famous firm, for' they are 0110 of tho largest and oldest manufacturers of steel wiro ropes in England, the ro]>es being largely used ill gold and coal mining companies, as well as in tho bush ior hauling logs. Davidson and Co.'s sirocco fail is getting so well-known in' New Zealand it is making Belfast famous, and it is stated that the sirocco fan has the highest efficiency of any fan on the market, and when oiice used in a mine for ventilating purposes, repeat orders always follow. Bell's United Asbestos Company, Ltd., is another valuable, agency. This company is .the largest of its kind in the world. They manufacture asbestos packings, gun metal steam fittings, etc., and in recent years erected large works specially for .the manufabture of asbesr tos roofing tiles and abestos sheets. They were the first British firm to commence manufacturing these well-known lines in England. Messrs, Chambers and Son's motto is to stock only goods of the highest qual-' ity, and they pride themselves oh only selling the very best. It is largely 011 this account they havo built up such a fine business in New Zealand. Clients can rely upon getting reliable machinery and requisites that.are second to none. A list of the agencies appears iii this issue.