A Quarter of a Century's Business

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16813, 3 May 1919, Page 5

A Quarter of a Century's Business

; ft PROGRESSIVE FIRM. To bo tlie First Business of its kind TO &tart. in Tjinaru, to have flourished ior a Quarter of a Century, and to Be like the faiiioiu-' old. gentleman ni I the poster "still going strong," is the i proud position of "Wood's Cycle Agency. i But in lookiny back over tlie 25 years I the .time seems to liavo been spread over a. few days. On April Bth, 1894, Mr J. Gibson, inpartnership with Mr, O. ~W. "Wood, opened up the first cycle business in-tlis district, and it has -been carried on successfully em-, since. Mr Gibson .retired, after a. year or so, and through all its years of ups and downs, adversities and prosperities it lias been under the. personal attention and supervision of Mr. C. "W. "Wood. A SALES RECORD. • A computation fronv. old and* recent records shows that the firm" lias sold well over 12,000 bicycles, some 200. or more motor bicycles, and qui-ce a number of motor cars, to say nothing ot odd motors such as auto wheels, sc6ateis, and-various motor attachments. THE SAME POLICY. • Thfl basis of the trading policy of the firm'lias remained the.same all through, varying, only in 'method to suLt - the changing conditions of la'oour and fashion.' Tlie proof that Mr. Wood's policy has met with universal • approval is shown by tlie fact that many of the old clients who dealt with lum 20 to 25 years ago have still open -account* on liis books. In fact,- luivo hardly passd a month without - some trans-' action taken place., - ■ y . '

"" In tbe' course of a Quar+er:'of-a'Ceri-tnry pr .business/ and thought many fr„if nds ai a necessarily made, all'grades and thatles-. of human* nature 'are encountered; ' • ams the Firm anci it.3 liold on the -public, is now greater i-han ever. .... J. OLD FRIENDS.' In- locking, badttover, .the years it .is mterebtang •to recall a lew 'oi tiiose who have passed through Mr Wood's or liave besu connected with him at one- tirno or the oitoer. It is gratifying to remember -their services while with him, and is a pleasure to see them all .prospering and holding the respect and > es"eem of the community in v their businesses.

. Among -Miy.-. .Wood's friends are Messrs Brehaut Bros, of .this' town who both served their "apprenticeship m Mr Wood's works. Mr 1 ;Sv Smith who is now associated with Messrs BreJtiaut's was Mr., Wood'.9 first apprentice, Mr Charlie Brehaut Starting a few weeks later. For some time after li;s arrival ■ll Timaru, Mr. G. Larhborn was connected with Wood's Cycle Depot,. as vast . : nlso Mr Hill, while Mr Ralph ftti'dgsrs, who also learned his trade at the pifrent establishment, will be 1 well rememberer] by. many 'for his .B.ldlr iri-t'lectro-plating at "Wood's. Further it m;sht be mentioned that'Mr of Grant Bros. v,fi,n first gtnrterl off off his racing career .'ov Mr Wood. Thi? "was >tli 2'=' forerunner of", the rFiriff. ■of' Grant Bros. . , * RUNNING TRUE. And- stjll the Jfiina carries' oji, selling,■! mending; and making cycles. .' Through the years Wood's Cycle Depot remains the - Cycle . Headquarters 1 , of South Can •' terbury,.. the,- old - Firm- that; i s always, "on the spoit:" .