I GROUP OF PALMERSTON'S PIONEER BUSINESS MEN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1912, Page 20

I GROUP OF PALMERSTON'S PIONEER BUSINESS MEN.

KEN WHO HAVE HELPED TO BUILD THE TOWN.

Mr. C. A. Bergersen can fairly lay "laim to being one of the oldest business men of the town. He is a native ox Norway, and arrived in Pabnerston on 15th February, 1871. At that ti'iie there was only one house and a slate whare in existence. The Foxton line vas only partly formed, and, like many of the early settlers, he had to forsp'^e his trade as a blacksmith and take on splitting sleepers. Subsequently Mr- Bergersen built a blacksmith's shop, and had to pse charcoal instead of of j. Some difficulty was experienced in procuring tools of his trade from Wel'^igton in those days, and when they did arrive he had Jo set to and mani*^cture a turning lathe, as a job to make eight "spinning jinnies" had been, placed with him for the early Scandinavians, who spun their own wool for stortings, etc. At a later period Mr. Bergersen became blacksmith and engineer to "tichter, Nannestad and Co., which position he filled for eighteen years, and tb/n started in Rangitikei-streefc on his own account, and in course of time pure 1 ased a section in Broad-street, near the Square, from Mr. Joseph Nathan, ar«l built his present shop, where to this day he is recognised as 'one of tba best engineers, machinists, and gunsmiths on the Coast.

; mr. - Tke above is a familiar figure, who will be missed at this year's National Dairy jshow. Mr. Bett, -who is a member of the motor agency and carriage-building ■firm of J. Bett and Bayly, Ltd., is at present sojourning in the Old Land, and from latest accounts is having a real busy time, with pleasure and business combined. Notwithstanding the absence of Mr. Bett, the firm are making a fine display of motor-cars and carriages at this Show. Mr. Bett, .who, by the way, commenced his busy life as a "printer's devil" on the Advocate at Marton, has 3been connected with his present business for nearly thirty years. Its rapid of recent years necessitated the incorporation of Mr. Win. Mason ■tJayly's fine motor business, and this combination easily makes it the largest in !she. Dominion. Mr. Bett has the honour of being the oldest^and most consistent "fexhibitor at the Manawatu Shows. He exhibited his vehicles the firsts year the was held,., and has continued to do so ever since, both summer and winter. "Why not present Mr.' Bett with a memento in recognition of this achievement?

There are few people on this Coast but know Mr. Wm. Cook, who established -Ills coopeiuge and box-making business in Palmerston upwaids of thirty-three .years ago. °His present-day iactozy, illustrated elsewhere, is indicative of the •development of his fine business. In the days before butter factories Were dreamt of, one of Mr. Cook's vocations was to supply the settlers with boxes and casks for their butter, and to them he proved a good friend, "for cash. was pretty scarce ■in those days, and frequently it vas years before accounts were met. but this never made any difference to him; the work was always undertaken cheerfully, "and no one was ever pushed for payment. Amongst the eaily settJers and their descendants Mr. Cook is greatly admired, and has the reputation of being one of the most conscientious afld straightforward men in the Dominion^

Among the names identified with the early history and progress ot Falmerston North, none is better known than that of Mr. William George, proprietor of Edinburgh House, a popular rendezvous for drapery, clothing, and millinery. The business was established by Mr. George's father in 1883, and since 1889 the gentleman whose photo appears at the head of this short sketch has continued to conduct it with marked ability. Edinburgh House is situated right in the heart of the Square, and forms one of the landmarks of the town. For years it was the only building between the Town Hall, which stood on the site of the Occidental, and Pegden's premises. When Mr. George established this business there had been two other drapery , shops in the town — one conducted by Mr. T. Manson, of Manson and Barr, and subsequently a Mr. Hamilton had a business ; but Mi\ George's is now the oldest established drapery business in Palmerston.

Mr. Browning, proprietor of an extensive and up-to-date carriage and motorbody building and repair works in Main-street, Palmerston, in close proximity to the railway station, is one of the best-known business men of the town, and is particularly popular with the old settlers. It is just twenty-six years' since Mr. Browning laid the foundation of his present-day business, and he has continued to exert an influence in the coachbuilding trade of the district ever since. Some splendid specimens of his work can be seen at his showrooms on Main-street, and at the Winter Show to-day.

The above gentleman is the senior member of the firm of Dawick Bros., proprietors of "The Buffet," in Rangitikei-street, Palmerston North. The business was established in 1875 by Mi". Da wick's parents, and has been conducted by the family ever since with marked ability. It is no exaggeration to say that Dawick s Buffet is the most popular and one of the best conducted private hotels in the Dominion. It is lit throughout by electricity generated by their own private plant, and for goodoneals, good beds, it stands unexcelled.

It was in 1868, just 44 years ago, that > r Mr. L. G. West arrived in Manawatu, ' and ever since has been associated with \ the rise and progress of the town and district. He is one of the best-known architects on the coast, and many ex- ! amples of his work can be seen in public buildings and private residences throughout the district. He commenced business as an architect in 1880 and has practised his profession ever since. Many of the fine grandstands and other buildings erected on the best racecourses in the island were designed by him, and many letters from Racing Clubs congratulating him on his work can be seen at his offices. Like other pioneers referred to, he took a prominent part in municipal matters in the early days, and filled the office of Mayor of the town with credit. He also contested a seat in Parliament against the late Mr. D. H. Macarthur in the Liberal interest, when Feilding was included ill the electorate, and in this maiden effort put up a great against, the veteran who iepiesented the district for, many

A member of the firm of Dawick Bros., who have for many years conducted the Buffet in Rangitikei-street, Palmerston. Like other members of the same family, Mr. Arthur Dawick is a Palmerstonian, having resided in the town from boyhood, and has been interested in the conduct of the business so ably managed by his parents in the early days. The houso in latter years has been rebuilt in brick, and now forms one of the most imposing buildings in Palmerston North.

Mr. Leary is a printer by trade, and in the early days took an active part in journalistic work. He was at one time on the staff of the Auckland Herald, and for many years worked in the Government Printing Office, where he had charge of the Hansard printing staff. In 1874, with Mr. Kirkbride, he founded the Rangitikei Advocate at Marton. A year later he took up his abode in Palmerston, where he established the Manawatu Times (1875). In those pioneering days, Mr. Leary gave great assistance through the columns of his paper to the early settlers in obtaining necessary requirements for the town and district. The great battle put up by him for the construction of the Fitzherbert Bridge over the Manawatu River can be remembered by many to this day, and it stands to his credit that only for his strong advocacy of this necessary work it would not then have been undertaken. Mr. Leary is principal of the well-known firm of J. P. Leary and Co., whose premises in the Square are fully stocked with high-class pianos by some of the best makers, sewing machines, gramophones and records, violins, music, etc., and for the benefit of show visitors are holding a special sale. Prices are considerably reduced, and a visit to their warheouse will well repay anyone.