Buildings Nearly 100 Years Old

Press, Volume C, Issue 29488, 14 April 1961, Page 16

Buildings Nearly 100 Years Old

The firm of C. Morgan Williams and Son, Ltd., and the premises occupied by the company, have been previously associated with the shipping trade at Kaiapoi. The company's premises, in Charles street, Kaiapoi, are among the oldest buildings in the town and according to Mr C. T. Williams, managing director of the company, it must be nearly 100 years since they were erected. In the course of their history they have been owned by a number of political

figures. The first owner registered on the title deeds is the member of Parliament for the Kaiapoi district from 1881-84, Mr Isaac Wilson, who was also a member of the Provincial Council. Like the present occupier, he was engaged in the grain and produce trade also. Later the premises were owned by the Kaiapoi Pro-

duce Company, of which the Hon. Richard Moore was one of the partners. This company disposed of the premises to the former Kaiapoi Shipping and Trading Company, which is in no way associated with the new company. Largest Vessel Formed in 1906, the Kaiapoi Shipping and Trading Company operated firstly the Wootton, which proved too small to handle the trade offering, and later the Kairaki. Specially ordered for the trade, the Kairaki began trading in 1909 and is believed to be the biggest vessel to work the port. The Kairaki was subsequently lost with its complement of 17 hands when she founded off Greymouth on September 25, 1914. With a length of 160 feet, a beam of 28 feet, and a draught of 9ft 9in, the Kairaki (181 tons register) had a capacity of 580 tons, according to D. N. Hawkins in “Beyond the Waimakariri,” and it was largely because of this vessel that more than a million and a quarter feet of timber were landed at Kaiapoi and more than 7000 tons of produce exported. When the former Kaiapoi Shipping and Trading Company was wound up in 1928, Mr C. Morgan Williams bought the premises now occupied by C. Morgan Williams and Son, Ltd. When the port was again operated in the 1930’5, this company acted as agents for the Foxton and Ngahau from 193335.