N. J. King.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

N. J. King.

BUILDER, CONTRACTOR, GENERAL JOINER (STRATFORD.) Stratford and the surroumding districts contain many monuments of the handiwork of Mr King. Few trades, surely, are likely to afford more pleasure than that of the masterbuilder, who, when driving through the town, may here and there observe substantial records of his skill in buildings. They are a constant reminder of his toil, of his having accomplished. In his time, Mr King, in conjunction with his late partner, Mr Elliott, has constructed the major portion of the houses, big and little, in Stratford, and it is encouraging for the present prosperity of the centre to hear the former declare that it is long since he was so busy as at present.

Mr King learat his business in the Old ' Country, whence, after becoming a master worker, he came to New Zealand. He spent ten years in Auckland, and then proceeded to Victoria, where in Melbourne and elsewhere he greatly extended his experience of the building trade. Ten years ago he returned to New Zealand, and in partnership with Mr Elliott opened as a builder in Stratford. The names of Messrs Elliott and King have since been intimately connected with the expansion of the centre, for they hardly spent an idle minute after establishing their business. There are scores of structures in every direction ia town, an€ to s>_wide radius, which owe their existence to them, and among prominent ones are the Loan and Mercantile, Presbyterian Church, and Curtis' buildings. Nine months ago Mr Elliott retired, and Mr King is now sole proprietor. ' His well known industry is fully tasted to keep psce with the demands made upon him. '-Besides being a builder he has joiaery works, where he manufactures building materials for himself) and -also for the public. These works are situated in Broadway, opposite the Loan and* Mercantile Company's stores, and are -fitted with an up-to-date joinery plant driven by steam. The appliances aro being further improved by the introduction of new machines from America. By having joinery works of his own he kftows how well seasoned his timber is, and manufactures exactly to his requirements. Mr King is known as a most successful build*, his connection being the largest in the 'district. He exercises the greatest care in construction and whether the structure be small cr large puts bis best handiwork into it. It would be impossible in- this column to give a l ; st of the buildings, public and private, which he has constructed. He has just finished additions to the Toko Hotel and Post Office, and has obtained the con tract for a new town hall in Stratford at a cost of £2250. His buildings are to be found in numbers to a radius of ten or twelve miles of the town, while some are to be found beyond that. An average of

twenty hands are kept constantly employed, while the number rises considerably higher at times. Mr King must be esteemed as one of the principal business men of Stratford. He was for three years a member of the Borough Council, and was chairman of the school committee. He is president of the Taranaki Builders Association, and has generally devoted himself to the interests of the town. Stratford is fortunate in having in her population several enterprising and up-to-date commercial men.