Foster's is the last of Auckland's original waterfront buildings and is classified as "listed" by the New Zealand Government. The company trades from its 1907 Fanshawe Street premises and three connecting complexes. |
Company Formed by Alex Foster in 1907
A. Foster & Co. Ltd. was started in 1907 by Alexander Fraser Foster, a marine engineer on New Zealand's steam-run commercial cargo ships. Operating his part-time business while in port, Alex's shop was in a small building adjacent to the shipyards and repair slipways where the wooden trading scows were built. Apprentices walked across the road to buy copper nails, oakum, sheathing felt, pitch and wooden blocks.
In 1917 Alex made Bill Teixeira, another cargo ship engineer, his partner. The business was formalized and named A. Foster & Co. Ltd.
At the close of WWII, Alex Foster asked his bank manager Sydney Street to join the organization. At that time, the survival of any importing business depended on the bank manager's ability to secure foreign currency allocations for customers.
As a result of this close banking/business collaboration, in 1952 Syd Street purchased 25% of Foster's shares. After the death of Alex and Bill in 1956 and 1957, Syd acquired the rest. When Syd Street decided to take a less active role in Foster's in the early 70s, his son John took the helm.
In addition to the boat builders, Fosters retained its customer base with commercial fishing companies such as Kia Ora Fish Co., Coromandel Mussel Co., Auckland Seine Boat Association, Waitemata Fisheries, Sanfords. The boom in crayfish catches at the Chatham Island created a boat building frenzy.
Additional to the commercial fishing market, Fosters retained the scow business, most of which had been converted to motorized or Dumb barges.
Scow operators included the famous Jock McKinnon (Rahin), Ted Ashby (McCallum Brothers), Ron and Carl Kasper (Kasper Brothers), Bert Subritzky (Subritzky Shipping), Alert Shipping operating the old scow. Included was Reg Collins with the Jane Gifford (1916-1938).
It was the Jane Gifford that Bert Subritzky gave to the Waiuku Maritime Museum, and with a dedicated group of enthusiasts returned the old scow back to sail. The Jane Gifford is now administered by a six person trust of which John Street is a member. The Jane Gifford is on the hard at Okahu Bay undergoing a $1 million dollar plus restoration.
Another old scow Owhiti was lovingly restored back to sail by David Skyrme after he acquired the vessel from the coal and firewood merchants A.W. Bryant Ltd. in Ponsonby. Owhiti was used in some films shot in the Bay of Islands, but sadly is beached in front of Dave's house close to the Opua Wharf.
With Foster's 100th anniversary coming up in 2007, the next 100 years will no doubt see amazing development in both materials and technology. However, Fosters will continue to maintain traditional ship chandlery items for the restoration and wood boat construction markets.
More Links:
America's Cup
Boat Tax
Foster's Ship Chandlery
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