Jones & Company History

Tauranga in 1909 – what was going on?

Looking at Tauranga today, it’s hard to imagine it in 1909. The first car (a Darracq owned by a beaming Mr Hamilton Grapes) had inched its way here just six years earlier, in 1903. In 1911, only 12 number plates were needed for the first licensing of Tauranga’s vehicles. Downtown parking, it would seem, was relatively stress-free.

The first telephone

In 1908, the first telephone system had been installed in Tauranga, and boasted a hefty 21 subscribers. A link was extended to Te Puke late that year. (Work on the rail link from Mount Maunganui to Te Puke started in 1910.) In October 1909, in a cunning innovation, it was decided to install a telephone in the Police Station.

Many residents were involved in the farming and fishing industries. The Sanford fish curing plant had opened in 1906 –on the site of the old sulphur works on Sulphur Point. (The sulphur works had closed in 1898.) In 1908, The Salvation Army had moved its own fish curing plant from Rangiwaea to Sulphur Point. The same year, the Tauranga Co-operative Dairy Company was formed, taking over a butter factory which had opened in 1905 on the corner of 11th Ave and Devonport Road (see if you can recognise it now).

In 1909 – modern as modern – a coal gas plant took shape on Grey Street, a gas showroom opened on The Strand, and the laying of gas mains was started. Possibly as a result of these introductions, the fire brigade was reformed (having been disbanded in 1900). Late in the year, though, the Greerton Primary School was destroyed by fire.

The Tauranga Furnishing and Manufacturing Company

It was in this small, rather isolated community of 1909 that Mr Hugh Jones opened his furniture business on The Strand. Cabinet-making and the making of caskets have long been linked, and Mr Jones added the role of funeral director. In 1910 he moved to Harington Street, as the Tauranga Furnishing and Manufacturing Company. In 1913, Jones & Company expanded its successful business with new premises on Devonport Road (where Goddards Centre is now).

Other local names were also emerging. In 1909, Mr A Tudhope commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor, and John Faulkner first advertised a regular holiday service across the harbour to Mount Maunganui.

Leisure pursuits were taking off too. In May 1909, a branch of the Boy Scouts opened, in September, the Star Football Club was formed, and in December, a meeting was held to form a Croquet Club.

A new chapel on Grey Street

Many years afterwards, in 1938, Jones & Company opened a new chapel on Grey Street (keeping the furniture business on Devonport Road). Photographs show the chapel standing in the open, without adjacent buildings. Take a close look at the photograph to the side. Seem familiar? Look carefully when you’re next on Grey Street.

We operated from the distinctive Grey Street building until 1980, when we opened Hillsdene Chapel on 13th Avenue.

Our promise

It comes down to a promise to all who share our beautiful Bay of Plenty environment. When you need us, you’ll find we’ll do everything possible to help you through life’s most difficult journey.

Call anytime. We’re here to help you manage.