1851-1921-60 YEARS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 12, 8 October 1921, Page 3

1851-1921-60 YEARS

CHAS. BEGG AND £O., LTD.

The story of the development and growth of the firm of Chao. Begg and Co., Ltd., is a record of steady onward progress in enlargement and expansion. The firm was founded by the late Mr. Chas Begg, who commenced business in Dunedin on October 8, 1861. Mr. Begg manufactured pianos in Aberdeen in 1819, prior to corning to New Zealand, and several of those pianos were brought to New Zealand by the early emigrants. He sailed in the Robert Henderson from Glasgow with his family, and a piano constructed by himself gained highest award at the New Zealand exhibition of 1865. The first piano manufactured by Mr. Begg was secured for the museum at the Early Settlers* Hall. Dunedin, where It now finds a prominent place. The founder of the firm died in 1874, and the business was carried on by trustees. Ten years later two sons of the founder —Messrs. Alexander and Charles Beggassumed entire management, the former as managing director, and the latter as general manager, up to the time of his death some five years ago. Mr. Alexander Begg is still managing director. Th'* firm has branches at Dunedin (head), Wellington, Nelson. Timarn. Oamaru, Ashburton, Christchurch, Invercargill, London. The Christchurch branch was originally Milner and Thompson, and Was purchased by the firm about two years ago.