New Zealand - W. and G. Winstone's first coal depot at the old Auckland railway station. The handling of coal was one of the firm's major activities, dating back to 1864. By coincidence, it was just 100 years later, in 1964, that the company gave up its coal interests owing to the evolution of new forms of fuel. The firm's Wellington branch was founded in the 1920's primarily to watch the company's interests in coal imports. The depot shown in this picture was in King's Drive, a street which disappeared in the construction of the outward goods yard of today's Auckland railway station. The Winstone coal depot was then moved to The Strand, Parnell. #602904 The First Century: A Centenary Review of Winstone Limited - FOREWORD - A HUNDRED years may not seem long in the sense in which the scientist calculates the vast span of geological time; but in terms of the human history of a newly-occupied land a century takes on a new complex. In the story of New Zealand, for example, the past century marks the transition from a land of a few thousand people to a land of more than two millions; it marks, too, the change from ancient Polynesian stone-age civilisation and primitive colonial settlement to a modern civilisation based on European codes, traditions and standards of living. - The Winstone firm has lived through this transition period, and, by the nature of its activities, has had some small part to play in the many changes that have come about. It was in 1864, just a century ago, that young William Winstone set up business in what was then the small and struggling colonial port of Auckland. Five years later, in 1869, his brother George joined him in partnership, and in turn the partnership became in 1904 the present firm of Winstone Limited. - The directors of 1964 feel that, on this 100th anniversary of the year in which William Winstone first entered business in Auckland, it would be appropriate to publish a brief history of the firm and to indicate its part in the development of New Zealand. The task was entrusted to an Auckland journalist, Mr. Frank Simpson, M.A., F.R.G.S., to whom we are indebted for compiling and supervising the production of this present centennial historical survey. - ERIC G. WINSTONE, - Chairman of Directors, - Winstone Limited. - 1964 Author: Frank Simpson Click the link provided at the top to purchase the book through the MAD on New Zealand Shop - Supporting New Zealand Authors and Artists