LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2342, 28 July 1871, Page 2

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Among- the local industries which have gradually grown up in our midst, none has taken a stronger hold, or maintained a surer and steadier growth, than the carriage manufactory of Messrs. Cousins and Atkins. At one time, and that not so very long ago, it was supposed that nothing in the shapg of a carriage could be obtained without sending to Sydney or Melbourne for it, but this was proved to be a fallacy upon Messrs. Cousins and Atkins manufacturing some carriages to order, and in a style to satisfy the most fastidious in such matters. To those who still assert that no first-class carriage can be built in Auckland, we have only to recommend a visit to Messrs. Cousins and Atkins carriage factory, where they will see a specimen of the coachbuilder'a art that could not be surpassed in any part of the world for strength and beauty. This is a landau, built to the order of James Farmer, Esq., and would do credit to a London coach factor. The body is painted a dark olive green, pricked with wL':e ; the driving boot in front is raised to the height of the top of the carriage, so aa to give the driver a complete mastery over his horses. The springs are both elliptic, and of the C pattern. The interior is trimmed with drab morrocco cloth in a most tasteful manner ; the top or hood is of a dark grained leather, the springs being silvermounted, and the general tout ememble is of the most elegant and yet neat description. The body of the carriage is made from English ash and the other parts of miscellaneous wood. It is intended to be drawn by two liorses, and, with two high-mettled steeds, is sure to excite great admiration wherever seen. We understand that his Excellency the Governor inspected it during Wednesday, and expressed his pleasure that such a highly finished landau could be manufactured in this city, and, at the same time, gave it as his opinion that nothing of the kind could be made in the neighbouring colony of Queensland ; while a gentleman by whom he was accompanied, and who is a recent arrival from England, gave it as his candid opinion that nothing superior could be made even in the old country itself. There is nothing flash or gaudy about it, but it speaks of comfort and neatness throughout, and will, we trust, be sufficient to prove to the public that it is not necessary to send out of the colony for carriages of this description when they can be manufactured so successfully at our own doors. We certainly must congratulate Messrs. Cousins and Atkins upon the magnificent piece of workmanship they have turned out upon this occasion. We understand that the carriage will inuke its maiden trip on Friday, when it will convey Sir George and Lady tiowen to Ouehunga.