• Timaru’s Port Development:
  • 1851: George Rhodes begins landing goods at Timaru's natural shelter.
  • 1857: Rhodes sells the business to H.J. Le Cren and Captain Henry Cain.
  • 1866: Canterbury Provincial Government takes over, but its service charges and inefficiency lead to the establishment of the opposition Timaru Landing and Shipping Company.
  • 1871: The Timaru Landing and Shipping Company builds a two-storey, hip-roofed bluestone building, leasing it from Peter McRae.
  • 1875: The building is sold to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, which expands it.
  • 1875: The railway line is built in front of the building, causing inconvenience.
  • 1879: The breakwater accumulates shingle, covering the slipway, but it is replaced.
  • 1881: The first wharf is built, marking the end of the boating service.
• Later Use of the Building:
  • The building is used by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company and later Dalgety Ltd for storage for 99 years.
  • In 1984, the Timaru City Council buys the land for a carpark, but local conservationists successfully persuade the council to preserve the building.

- Timaru Herald, A colonial beachhead (29 Jun 2002). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 05/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/802

• Timaru's Early Landing Services: In 1852, Timaru's port operations began with small rowboats transporting goods to and from the shore. The first commercial landing service was established by Henry J. LeCren and Captain Henry Cain in 1859.
• Landing Site Controversy: The exact location of LeCren's landing site has been a subject of debate, with some people believing it was near Strathallan Street and others near the end of George Street.
• Deal Boatmen: LeCren employed six former lifeboatmen from Deal in England to man the boats, though three were tragically drowned soon after arriving.
• Government Control: The Provincial Government took control of the service in 1864, eventually improving it with infrastructure such as a woolstore and boatshed. However, the service was not without opposition, particularly from those concerned about a monopoly.
• LeCren's Landing Service: Despite opposition, the Government purchased LeCren's landing service, and in 1866, Captain J. F. Crawford took over under a government lease.
• Ongoing Competition: Other companies, such as the Timaru Landing and Shipping Company, were established to compete with Crawford's monopoly, though their efforts were hindered by legal and business challenges.
• Closure of Services: The various landing services, including those at George Street, faced increasing difficulties over the years due to competition, infrastructure challenges, and changing ownership. By 1881, many of the George Street services were closed or taken over by larger companies.

- Timaruvian, Where Was LeCren's Landing Service Located? (Dec 1955). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 05/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/6836

• Henry John Le Cren:

  • Third person in the business triumvirate that established N.M.A. in New Zealand.
  • Partner with Russell in Russell, Le Cren and Co. in London, which acted as a clearing house for goods from Dunedin and Timaru.
  • Grandson of a French nobleman who fled to England during the Revolution.
  • Worked in a merchant banking house before coming to New Zealand.
  • Set up a store and landing service at Timaru in 1858, where there was no port at the time.
  • Ran a cable-assisted landing service for goods transported to and from Timaru.
  • The Government bought the service in 1866 but struggled to manage it effectively.
  • Had pastoral interests with Russell and others at Teschemakers, Grampians, and Peel Forest.
  • Returned to New Zealand after N.M.A. acquired the London business, spending the rest of his life in the colony, passing away in 1895.

• First Timaru Manager: Percy Granger (joined Russell, Ritchie and Co. in 1866).

  • Managed the Timaru branch of N.M.A. until 1880.
  • Was followed by W. W. McKenzie and A. R. Spalding after McKenzie’s death.
  • The auctioneering business, particularly land sales, marked a turning point for the branch.
  • Notable land salesman, auctioneer, and manager, Alexander Scott, contributed significantly to the business's growth.

• Scott's Contributions:

  • Known for his work in land subdivision and settlement.
  • Made the company’s first inspector and was instrumental in the South Island’s land development.
  • Died in 1919 after an illness, despite a promising future.

• Waimate Branch:

  • Opened in 1911 in a district transitioning from timber milling to farming.
  • In 1919, Waimate became a branch, initially in rented premises, later expanding into a larger building.
  • Added departments like produce and groceries.
  • Thomas Lyneh, a member of the Waimate staff, became the first N.M.A. employee to represent New Zealand in rugby in 1913.
  • A sad incident involving employee theft was reported, but the employee stole from other businesses, not N.M.A.

• Geraldine Branch:

  • Originally a timber town, the N.M.A. agency struggled initially when W. M. Bruce became the agent in 1903.
  • Closed during the 1921 slump, reopened from Temuka, and later thrived after 1943.

- Timaru's First Landing Service / Timaru Branch Today (25 Nov 1964). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 05/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/452