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Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18008, 13 July 1928, Page 16 (Supplement)

AND ITS DEVELOPMENT. The Borough of Timaru is now making use of its third means of locomotion. Eirst there were the bullocks, then the horses, and now the motors. It is said that no industry in tho world has made such rapid progress as the motor industry, in a short period; and Timaru makes use of it as liberally as any other town in the Dominion. As a matter of fact Timaru can boast that it was practically the first town ill the Dominion to “take to” the new order of locomotion. As far back as 1906 the complicated hydro-carbon engine was being made in Timaru, under extreme difficulties, and the first New Zealand made car and engine was run in the streets of Timaru in 1899. Shortly after this; imported cars began to'appear in- very crude form, and one enterprising Timaru citizen added to his premises to accommodate the new vehicle and to attend to its many wants. Improvements in ears begaii to appear, and mucli credit is due to a few of the early citizens of the town for thejr speculative spirit, to say nothing of their risk in purchasing these early “infernal machines,” as the sceptical public termed them. About 1905 enterprising people oegan to erect garages—a French word, adopted generally in England. Encouraged by the garages, and workshops for repairs, buyers became more Humorous, and some interesting and humourous stories could be related of varied motoring adventures. The stable keepers always kept a horse and trap ready to go out and tow' somebody home.' A twelve' mile .journey without trouble was considered an excellent outing. Expert mechanics'were scarce, and sales dropped off for a few years, until improvements established the industry more firmly. Then came the • i:bic|uitcnis commercial vehicle which established a new and reliable carrying agency for commercial houses. Timaru began to prosper; everybody was busy, garages were springing up; farmers began to change their views, and both town and country people began to realise the value of the motor locomotion:

. To-day, Timaru'- can boast of being one of t,ile most up-to-date towns in tbe Dominion in respect to the motor trade. The garage proprietors .are linked witli the parent body of New Zealand, tbe Motor Traders’ Association, with head offices in Wellington. The Association, is bound to a strict code of rules and regulations, and a high standard of business life is maintained. They are fortunate in their expert mechanics engaged on repair work, and a subject of frequent remark by visitors is the smooth running and excellent mechanical conditions the majority of Timaru cars are kept tuned up to. The motor trade in Timaru employs from 270 to 300 workers. There are 420 commercial vehicles in the Borough, and more than 4,000 cars, and commercial vehic'es in the district of which Timaru is the centre.