Stevens and Sons Limited, motor/coach bodybuilders
99-101 Ferry Rd, Christchurch
26 New Regent St, Christchurch

H.C.F Stevens and Co., Ltd.
Rolls Appliance, Ltd.
38 New Regent St, Christchurch

Stevens and Sons were the sole distributors of "Rolls" branded radios.
Manufactured by Radio (1936) Ltd.

Agents for "Rolls" in Christchurch and environs:

J.P. Devlin, land agents, High St, Rangiora.
A.P. Paintin, jeweller, 104 Riccaton Rd, Riccarton.
Silver Radio Co., 90 Worcester St, Christchurch.
J.D. Smith, motor garage, Jolie St (Rue Jolie), Akaroa.
R.W. Stephen, Wills St, Ashburton.

Stevens & Sons Ltd

1872 Established by William John Stevens and went into partnership with J. R. Grenville in 1874. Stevens was a specialist in varnish and gold leaf work.  

1877 Grenville & Stevens partnership dissolved and Boon & Stevens commenced building Gigs, Parcel Vans, Dog Carts, Handsome Cabs, Drays and Hearses.

1894 The first tramcars were built.

1898 Partnership dissolved. William John Stevens carried on the business and was eventually joined by 5 of his sons who covered the main trades; Blacksmith, Coachbuilding and Painting. Herbert Stevens became manager in the early 1920’s and later became managing director.

1927 The factory was in full production with a staff of 80 tradesmen constructing wooden framed bodies for Morris Oxford, Morris Cowley, Armstrong Siddeley, Singer Bantam, Rugby Durant and specials on Bentley, Bugatti and Wolseley chassis’.

1927-1929 A third building was added to the existing factory 9-16 seat passenger service cars (buses) on Cadillac chassis’ extended to suit.

1930 The company decided to diversify and engaged sales staff to sell radios, washing machines and vacuum cleaners under the trade name Rolls. When the company was sold in 1946 Herbert Stevens continued to trade successfully in these products under the name HCF Stevens & Co. Ltd.

1930-1934 Depression years and the factory kept going with only a skeleton staff. The new factory area was turned into a skating rink and then a dance hall.

1935-1940 Business picked and included a production line for Morris 8, Morris 10 & Morris 12 cars.

1940 Saw the end of the assembly division due to the war and also Dominion Motors opening their own plant in Auckland. The factory was classed as essential industry and made barges, gas masks and other equipment for the services.

1945 Production resumed on bus building and commercial work.

1946 Stevens & Sons was sold to New Zealand Motor Bodies Ltd on 1 October. Herbert Stevens continued to sell Rolls Radios and other appliances under the Rolls brand trading as HCF Stevens & Co. Ltd from premises at 38 New Regent Street through to around 1952 when the business became Rolls Appliances Ltd which trade into the early 1960’s.

Sources:

Stevens Family Papers – The writer of this summary is the great grandson of William John Stevens.

Press 3 November 1898 Page 3.

Press 9 November 1923 Page 4.

Star 8 April 1933 Page 25 (supplement).

Press 12 February 1936 Page 14.

Press 24 July 1937 Page 19.