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New Zealand Tablet, 11 January 1912, Page 32

■■■■*■■■ \ ' ■ -V - ' '".' _ We have to thank Messrs. Chas. Begg and Co., Ltd., for a copy of the firm's jubilee souvenir, which is practically a brief but very interesting history of the growth and development of the firm during the past fifty years. The business was originally founded l in 1861 by the late Mr. Charles Begg, .who, prior to his. arrival in New Zealand, had had considerable experience as a piano manufacturer in Aberdeen. With characteristic energy Mr. Begg,' on the day^ after his arrival in Dunedin, set to work, and within a brief period opened a shop in Princes street, the site of which is now occupied by a portion of the firm's fine warehouse. , A piano which was constructed by Mr. Begg was f awarded a medal, at the New Zealand Exhibition -of 1865. The founder, of the firm died in 1874, and some years ago the two sons Messrs. A. Begg and C. r became identified with the business, subsequently assuming the entire management. As time went on branches .and ~ agencies /were established in many of the f principal ' towns:'•,; of : - the " Dominion—branchesw iin hWellington,- • Timaru, Invercargill, i Oamaru, Nelson, and agencies: iin about a dozen i other centres, with a buying office in London The entire staff of the firm's employees numbers 86, 43 of whom are connected with the head office.