COACHBUILDING IN HASTINGS, HAWKE'S BAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9560, 11 July 1894, Page 6

COACHBUILDING IN HASTINGS, HAWKE'S BAY.

Among the Hastings local industries that have within the last few years steadily gone to the front is the now well-known coachbuilding establishment of Mr. W. J. Symonds (late of the Auckland province). The success this firm has achieved since its start in this town is due to the fact that the smallest detail of coachbuilding and repairing is personally supervised by the head of the firm, Mr. \V. Symonds, and no work of any kind is allowed to leave tho factory until it is completed in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. This week I have had much pleasure in inspecting a landau just completed to the order of the proprietor of the Hastings Repository, Mr. W. A. Beecrofr. This carriage is a triumph of coachbuilding skill, and will compare fovourably with anything that has been produced in Long-acre. The proportions of the carriage are roomy and comfortable ; the upholstering is of the best morocco leather, highly finished, the inside lining being of rich green cloth ; elbow-rests are on the front and back seats a small silver-capped lever adjustment fitted inside regulates the opening of the doors and lowering of the steps. The leather in the top of the landau is of the best English topping, specially imported. The under-carriage is a splendid specimen of cnachsmith's work, the whole of the ironwork being of first-class finish; neat, light, and strong. The carriage is painted dark green, picked out with black. The monogram of the owner is neatly painted on the door panels. The lamps are triple reflectors, and are arranged so that, if required, the interior of the carriage is lighted up. On the whole Mr. Symonds may feel justly proud in turning out of his factory such a splendid specimen of coachbuilding ; and Mr. Beecrofc may be highly gratified in owning such a first-class equipage, especially as the whole of the work has been completed under his personal supervision.—[Own Correspondent.]