Russell and Son.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

Russell and Son.

MASONS AND BRICKLAYERS

A large nunnber of the principal buildings in New Plymouth bear evidence of the work of Messrs Russclj and Son, masons and bricklayers Even though most struct-^ in Zealand centres are composed of wood there yet remains a quantity of work for followers o' these trades, not only in laying s » •: foundations of substantial buildings and other necessary brick and stone work about them but also in drainage and sanitary work generally. Ijnlike most centres followers of these trades in the towns find it advisable to combine the two, and thus the mason is usually a bricklayer. Messrs Russell und Son are thy. cfore busy people, and being expert in their trades have ample demands made upon their energies.

The firm, Mr J. Russell, and Mr J. G. M. Russell, came to New Plymouth from the West Coast of the South Island about nine years ago and at once established their present business. They had been similarly engaged in Gr.eymouth and neighbouring centres, and upon "iheir arrival quickly demonstrated their aptitude in their work. Their office and yards are in Powderham-street, the yards being part of those used \ y Mr .Brooking, the monumental worker, for whom the firm do a good deal of mason work. Within the comparatively short period that they have been in business in this district they have built up a considerable connection and among other structures they have been engaged upon are tho Gentlemen's Club, Cock & Co.'s warehouse, St. Mary'b Church, the Government Buildiatrs. "Herald' " office, Waitara Freezing Works, Drake's Bacon Factory, W. J. Shaw's offices and private house, and numbers of others. Some six hands are kept regularly employed, and business is done in all the country round about, at Inglewood, Waitara, and other places. Owing, however, to the demands now made upon them in New Plymouth itself they have little time to go out oi the town. All sorts of masonry and brick laying work is negotiated in a manner satisfactory to all parties, while a;special study has been made of sanitary and drainage work, a branch that is of the utmost importance to a growing centre such as New Plymouth. In whatever branch they are engaged in the Messrs Russell are thoroughly reliable. In their office they have a general stock of sanitary ware— jars, vases, filters etc., manufactured by Peter Hu^on, of Wellington, and in the yards of pipes from R. O. Clark, of Auckland hydraulic lime and cement from j' Wilson & Co.'s of Auckland and bricks > from Matthews and Co., of Patea, and the Onaero Brick & Tile Co., of Waitara. Mr J. Russell sen learnt his trade in England while his son, Mr J. G. M. Russell who practically manages the busi-' ness, has had a wide colonial experience.. The business of the firm is a necessary branch of the industries of New Plymouth, which it is the object of this review to give an example of in each class.