BRADLEY AND CO., COACH PROPRIETORS.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3258, 16 May 1893, Page 2

BRADLEY AND CO., COACH PROPRIETORS.

Many people wore surprised when the news first camo to hand that Bradley and Co., coach proprietors, To Aroha-Paeroa-Thames etc., had sold out. That the linn had been malting money must lnivo been pretty evident to those of the residents in that part of tho country, who noted tho expansion of their business. As might have been expected, opposition from time to tinio had to bo mat, but invariably went down before theenod generalship of the firm who had so long enjoyed the well deserved patronage of the public, due to their personal care find attention, Mr Bradley and his partner Nat Ferguson, always devoted to their clients. Tho purchasers of tho business are a syndicate, comprised of Messrs Iticltetts, Gallagher, Campbell and Crosby and Co, all mora or loss interested in the same line of business in that part of the country. After the question of tho value of tho goodwill of the business had been settled, the plant, stock, and properties were taken at valuation. Mr George McCullagh, acting for Messrs Bradley and Co., Mr R. 0. Jordan, Taimmga, for tho syndiciito, with Mr J. Fenton, of Tauranga, as umpire, The valuation occupied some live days and out of the 00 horses taken over, 21 were Waikato bred ones. The prices reilised were over 20 por cent, above their original cost and some had been at work for eleven years; this speaks well for tho manajement. Wo understand it takes two years slow work to get horses thoroughly fit fur stage coaching, and many likely looking horses have to bo passed out aftjr a I rial as unfit to gland tho work. During the eleven years this linn has beon carrying on tho business, they havo lost only h\'o horses by accidents, and for veterinary services during the same period it has not cost the (inn a pinny. In all departments the interests and convenience of the public wore studied. At their stages the linn had built commodious stables, Ax, away from tho public-houses, so that their passengers might alight or remain in their seats without fearing the annoyance of the usual hanger-on so often met with at wayside " pubs." The round trip, Auckland to Waikato via Thames, inaugurated by the firm some eight years ago, was well patronised by the public, and proved a great boon to commercial men and holiday makers, Tho linn has also carried out a number nf mail services on the line during the full term of the eleven years they have been in business, and so satisfactory was the work carried out that the authorities have never had occasion to inflict a fine for cirelMsness or for failing to deliver their •nails up to contract time. We' congratulate the old (inn upon their successful career, and wish the new pronriotors an equal measure of success. Mr Bradley, wo understand, will settle down on his Meadow Bank Estate, a fine property of some thousand acres in the vicinity of 'IV. Arohn, and wo have little doubt, carrying tho same business capacity with him in this venture, ho will become one of our loading agriculturalists, Mr Ferguson will remain at Te Aroha for a time until some field for his capital and enterprise opens out. He will undoubtedly be a very desirable resident wherever ho may decide to throw in his lot,