Otago Motors Ltd
Date established
1929
Date closed
1971
History
Otago Motors was formed in April 1929 by Wright Stephenson & Co Ltd. The first manager was EC Armitage and the early directors were S.C. Sutherland (Chairman), LE Barrett and WJ Stafford, later joined by A Miller. At that time they held the agency for Graham Paige cars and White trucks. In 1931 I.H. Penrose replaced Armitage as manager and he was succeeded by F.R. Craig, who was manager from 1939-1958.
In 1944 the business of Kean & Weddell of Balclutha was purchased and in 1954 the business of Armours Motors Ltd in Alexandra. A new manager, Ron Turnbull, formerly of Dunedin Branch, was appointed. By 1958, therefore, there were three branches: Dunedin, Balclutha and Alexandra. H.R. MacKay, formerly in charge of Balclutha branch was appointed manager of Dunedin on the retirement of F.R. Craig, and R.A. Strong became manager of Balclutha.
In 1958 the Board of Otago Motors Ltd comprised JL Williams, DD Thomson, LS Durey, WP Lindsey (Chairman) and HR McKay, while DA Hogan was Secretary. At the end of 1958 LS Durey retired and DD Thomson resigned to become manager of Wright Stephenson Auckland branch. [The Wrightson No. 50]
HG Hore was manager of Oamaru branch from
1961-1965 and on his retirement FWJ Oakden, formerly of Dunedin branch, was appointed manager. In 1968 DM Hanlin (also formerly of Dunedin branch) became manager. The manager of the Alexandra branch from 1962- was John W. Ward. In 1968 HR McKay was appointed manager of the Te Aro branch and the Motor Division in Wellington. Also, in November of that year, a new sub-branch was opened in Mosgiel. From 1959-1969 MH Brown was Secretary/Accountant of Otago Motors Ltd and he was succeeded in 1969 by John Edgecombe as Secretary. In 1969 IS Anderson was Southern Area Manager of the Motor Division and manager of Otago Motors Ltd.
Otago Motors' name was changed to Wright Stephenson & Co Ltd in 1971 & traded under the name Wrightcars. In 1989 the company was sold to Cooke Howlison.
In 1944 the business of Kean & Weddell of Balclutha was purchased and in 1954 the business of Armours Motors Ltd in Alexandra. A new manager, Ron Turnbull, formerly of Dunedin Branch, was appointed. By 1958, therefore, there were three branches: Dunedin, Balclutha and Alexandra. H.R. MacKay, formerly in charge of Balclutha branch was appointed manager of Dunedin on the retirement of F.R. Craig, and R.A. Strong became manager of Balclutha.
In 1958 the Board of Otago Motors Ltd comprised JL Williams, DD Thomson, LS Durey, WP Lindsey (Chairman) and HR McKay, while DA Hogan was Secretary. At the end of 1958 LS Durey retired and DD Thomson resigned to become manager of Wright Stephenson Auckland branch. [The Wrightson No. 50]
HG Hore was manager of Oamaru branch from
1961-1965 and on his retirement FWJ Oakden, formerly of Dunedin branch, was appointed manager. In 1968 DM Hanlin (also formerly of Dunedin branch) became manager. The manager of the Alexandra branch from 1962- was John W. Ward. In 1968 HR McKay was appointed manager of the Te Aro branch and the Motor Division in Wellington. Also, in November of that year, a new sub-branch was opened in Mosgiel. From 1959-1969 MH Brown was Secretary/Accountant of Otago Motors Ltd and he was succeeded in 1969 by John Edgecombe as Secretary. In 1969 IS Anderson was Southern Area Manager of the Motor Division and manager of Otago Motors Ltd.
Otago Motors' name was changed to Wright Stephenson & Co Ltd in 1971 & traded under the name Wrightcars. In 1989 the company was sold to Cooke Howlison.
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