BROUGHT MATERIAL

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 8

BROUGHT MATERIAL

The man who founded the business now known as Minsons was William Neeve, an ironmonger and brazier, who was also the son of an ironmonger. He was born in Suffolk in 1831 and came to New Zealand in 1856. William Neeve’s elder brother, Horace, who arrived in Ne w Zeala n d in 1851, farmed at the Island, Kaiapoi, for many years. Neeve road, off the Main North road, is named after him. It was very likely Horace’s reports of the new country in his letters home that induced William to set sail with his two sisters, Ann and Julia, in the Philip Laing in July, 1856.

Having arrived in Canterbury, he wasted no time in procuring a lease of a property on the west side of Colombo street. William had brought with him a quantity of household hardware, some farm implements for his brother, and the tools and equipment for braizing and tinsmithing.

His initial lease was for 19 years and the rent of the premises £l2 10s a year.

There were no street numbers at the time. Columbo street, as it was then spelt, was later numbered between the two city belts and his business address was 215. It was well after the turn

of the century that the numbering of Colombo street began from the Cashmere hills and the site of the original premises became 743 Colombo street, as it is today. The shop’s present premises, previously numbered 220, then became 746.

In its report of the laying of the foundation stone of the Provincial Government buildings, the “Lyttelton Times” says that the trowel used was made by Mr Neeve “a very creditable piece of work ... of silver with an ivory handle.” It was presented by the provincial architect, Mr Mountford, to the Superintendent, Mr William Sefton Moorhouse.

William Neeve bought the farm property of “Astrop,” which was later farmed by his two sons, James and William. In 1873 William Neeve sold his business to John Hallifield Spencer. He died in 1876, only 45 years old. His wife died at “Astrop” in 1902.