Along Stafford Street's northern end

The Stafford Street at the corner of Church St, the Old Bank Pub on the left. Beckingham Co. Ltd. Furniture Shop, Sign Painters Dephoff & Lewis House Decorators. N.Z. Government Life and Accident Insurance. Sutherlands Building.
On the back, typed, The Perfection Series. Published by A.J. Fyfe, Bookseller and Stationer, Timaru.

The Timaru Herald  Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Trevor Griffiths continues his occasional series of memories of the Timaru of his younger days. Here, he turns his attention to the northern end of Stafford Street. Obviously there have been many changes made in the northern end of Stafford Street since I was a boy in the 1930s and of course because there will always be change there will be more in the future. On the corner of Church and Stafford streets stands the Old Bank Hotel. It has seen many events over the term of its existence and no doubt many proprietors. Its name comes from an old Bank of New Zealand that was sited there from the earliest days. Next to it was the ladieswear shop of Miss Tovey, which in more recent times was known as Mavis Forde Fashions. Beside it was Faulks and Jordon chemists and nearby Brownies shoe store for fine footwear.

I am not quite certain about the sequence of the next group but Self Help grocery was close by. You may think that the large supermarkets have all the new ideas but Self Help had a chain of shops right across New Zealand where the customer selected their groceries and took them to the counter to be packaged.

Porter and Dawsons was a fascinating gift shop of every conceivable type of gift. Many people sought their help for the choice of wedding or birthday presents. On one occasion we purchased a gift there and somehow we paid a little too much. Later Tim met me at a meeting and gave me an envelope containing a few coins. Not to be outdone I returned the compliment and for several years we exchanged coins in this way.

Millers Fashions was a hugely popular shop in the 40s and 50s. Their clothes and materials were always reasonably priced, which suited the customers of the time after the Depression and the Second World War.

Next along the street came Woolworths and McKenzies, both stores being reasonably similar in their wares. The main advantage for the customers, their goods were about the cheapest in town. Laid out in a similar manner there were counters along both sides of the stores with a space behind for the attendant to serve the customers while in the centre of both shops ran double counters with attendants in the middle. They could be termed general stores. We hear so much today about faulty goods being imported from China. In those pre-war days our country was swamped with inferior goods from Japan. In fact, the railway engines of the time carried signs painted in yellow "Buy New Zealand made goods". After earning a little money I decided I would buy a pair of white sand-shoes. They were new and cost me one shilling and sixpence. Two weeks later my toes were through the sole. With much trepidation I took them back and was very happy when they replaced them for me.

Across the small access driveway came T and J Thomsons Department store. It was a large area at that time and had an excellent reputation for quality goods. My brother Colin joined the men's department when he left Boys High School in 1934 and then joined the army in 1939. For two weeks one Christmas I joined him there as a parcel boy.

I believe the next business was S A Bremfords photography shop. Sid Bremford was a shortish, well-built man whose black hair was well groomed and was always known for his smile. He was also a photographer for The Timaru Herald and did splendid work for weddings and portraits.

Next came the United Friendly Society's pharmacy, affectionately known as the UFS. In charge of it was AES Hanan who was mayor of Timaru for quite a period. I can still see him out on the footpath talking to people in the most friendly manner. To him fell the position of mayor during the years of the Second World War. The footwear store of Souters was quite a large area and handled a fine stock of well-made shoes. Next to it came the Regent Theatre, the fourth of the group. There was a time when all four theatres would be well attended. In those seemingly carefree days of our youth the major amusements were the picture theatres and the dance halls. A long way from the pastimes of the young people of today.

1970s. Looks like a Gladys Goodall postcard.

McKirdys Grocery was further along from the Regent and they too were popular suppliers of groceries to the townspeople. I believe Whitehouse's hairdressers for men were close by. George, a dapper little gentleman, and his son Basil tended to the requests of the district's men folk when mostly the demand was for "short back and sides please".

Also in this area was the Para Rubber shop, which offered all sorts of rubber goods for the home and of course if you required a pair of gumboots this was the store to frequent. I believe the Para Rubber Company had many outlets all over the country and behind the scenes it was the Skellerup Industries that manufactured most of the items sold by them.

A little further on came Miss Goddard Furrier who supplied fur coats and fur stoles and other items to those who could afford them. Like hat shops, furriers have disappeared from our view. Tucked in next was Lowe's Fruit Shop, where the Lowe family functioned for many years. Of Chinese origin, the two boys, Paul and Keith, attended the Main School and took an active part in the affairs of the community.

On or near the corner of Canon and Stafford streets LA Waters Optician operated for many years and was well-known within our town's community. Now we cross Canon Street and arrive at one of the oldest surviving men's and ladies' outfitters in our city. This was and still is J. Ballantyne and Co. Ltd and of course is a subsidiary of the parent firm in Christchurch. They have the knack of supplying top-quality goods even though they also have a top-quality price.

Originally the Timaru building was a very solid two-storeyed store which leaned towards an earlier time in its decor and outlook and curiously there was quite a large empty section on its northern side. For many years you would walk past a six foot iron fence which obscured it from view. When the old building was demolished the company spread its operations across this empty area and today the excellent new building has two storeys.

The next shop in line was Grant Russells florist shop, which he operated during the 40s to the 60s. He was a tough little business man who called a spade a spade. Above this floral haven was Sammy Moore's milk bar, already previously mentioned. Above again was Watsons Hairdressers and Tobacconists. I frequented this shop only a few times but on one occasion I saw the proprietor receive quite a sum of money and tuck it away in a drawer, which was not the cash register.

I believe there was another fruiterer before we reach the Dominion Hotel, which in its heyday served the local citizens and the travelling public with distinction. For some peculiar reason in recent years it has not functioned as a hotel should.

Across the end of Sefton Street stands a sad example of man's inability to make decisions. I mean the Hydro Grand Hotel. It sits on what could probably be called the prime site of Timaru. It does occupy the highest point along the coastal frontage of the city and the views alone of the sea and coastline, the mountains to the north-west and south-west would make many hoteliers in other cities of this country green with envy. Apart from its superlative situation and having been occupied by the Richard Pearse Tavern for a short time, there appears to have been nothing done for some years. It saddens me and no doubt many others as well to see this grand old structure neglected. If it does nothing else it surely proves the saying that "procrastination is the thief of time".

Just north of the Grand was situated Seaview House, a private boarding establishment. No doubt some of its occupants after a night out would realise that the magnificent view across the bay and harbour would brighten their "morning after" feeling. I am not quite sure of the position of Tommy Thomson's residence but I believe it to have been next. He was a well-known businessman and was known to walk down past the Grand on a Sunday morning to the nearby post-box dressed in his dressing-gown, pyjamas and slippers to post his mail. This, of course, took place during the 20s and 30s.

Caroline Courts were the next series of buildings moving on down the Bay Hill. This was and still is an extended block of 10 to 12 flats, all with a wonderful view of Caroline Bay and beyond. You will all be aware of the New Year bonfire and carnival on the Bay. It was in the mid-50s we decided that as a family of six we would go and witness the bonfire at midnight and the hooters on the ships in the harbour. Previously we had tried to do this down on the beach but found it too dangerous for the children. The usual larrikins would throw crackers and many were under the influence of alcohol. We parked our van outside the first flat of Caroline Courts and not long after a lady invited us into her second storey flat to watch the proceedings. You know there are some very kind-hearted people about.

Across the street from the Hydro Grand Hotel during my young years there used to be a very old cottage where an old lady lived on her own. It stood on the brink of the clay cliffs. I have no doubt that it caused the local authorities some concern and when she passed away it disappeared almost overnight. I often wonder about the truth behind this sudden action.

On the corner of what is now known as the Port Loop Road was a petrol station with a prominent sign visible from well along Evans Street. In the next section were Solomon's Tailor and Paterson's stamp shop and then quite a large area which housed the roller skating rink. It was operated by the Allchurch family, who also had a thriving auction house within the city. Eddie Allchurch was a regular visitor to my home and although quite young at the time I am sure he was tracking one of my sisters. The skating rink was a very popular place in those pre-war days.

Continuing down Stafford Street on the eastern side there was a Chinese laundry that made an excellent job of starching collars and shirts. I can still see my dad trying to get the studs into his collar and shirt before going out to a dance or a meeting. Sometimes the air was blue when the two would not come together.

Further down came Seaton's butcher shop who had the unenviable task of creating that famous Scottish delicacy "the haggis" which was in demand from various Scottish organisations within the city. The address to "the haggis" was given on Burns Night as a celebration of the life of the poet Robert Burns. If you have never witnessed this address then you have really missed something. Quite close by was Manning's fish shop and below again was Johnson's milkbar and tearooms. Mr and Mrs Johnson conducted a successful business for many years.

Also in this area was Blackwoods grocery store, an establishment that not only catered for the townspeople but also the country folk. I can recall one occasion when my brother-in-law, who worked there, took me on a country delivery with him. We visited Mrs Hardy who lived just south of Makikihi township near the railway line. She turned on some marvellous scones and baking for us.

Another service lane and then we come to Lewis and Sons, a paint and glass business that only closed in recent times after sterling service to our city over a very long time. Further south again Thomas Cook and Son operated a travel agency until it gave way to the more modern franchise holders.

Just about opposite T and J Thomson Ltd the car sales and service business of Dominion Motors was situated with a large showroom on the street frontage and an access-way on its northern side. The service and equipment areas appeared quite cavernous, being built in and over all round. Passing outside you were often very rudely awakened by a car horn in the covered alley. The property now hosts the greater part of the present day Mall. Mr Holland was the manager for many years, followed by Rex Gilchrist. Their main interest was Morris cars.

Next we come to the State Theatre, the third of the four available to us at that time. Its lay-out was different to the other three in that the rows of seats sloped down as you walked in and at the screen end it swept up towards the screen. It was also a much narrower building than the other three. At one Saturday night's performance Mr Johnson placed my young lady and myself in two seats and for some odd reason I could not get comfortable at all. Something was pricking my back. At the end of the movie I reported it to the usher and we found a large drawing pin in the fabric. Forever after when we attended the State Theatre Mr Johnson would ask, "did you want your special seat again?"

There was and still is an access-way on the south-side of the defunct State Theatre. In the building now occupied by the Westpac Bank a long stairway led to the Miss Thwaites dance studio. Many of the district's young ladies received lessons in ballet, highland and tap dancing from Miss Dorothy while her sister Winnie was a tremendous help behind the scenes.

Back down on the street frontage was Norrie's Grocery. Mr Norrie was a stalwart of the now demolished Trinity Church. You will all know the song Where have all the flowers gone? It could be asked "Where have all the groceries gone?" Youngs fruit shop was established in this area by Norman, one of the family previously mentioned as being educated at the Main School.

Finally we come to Slades Cycles on the corner of Stafford and Strathallan streets. Reg Slade was the proprietor, he managed the agency for Raleigh Cycles and most of my family had a cycle from there.

As one looks along Stafford Street today, north or south, it is difficult to realise that so many years ago parking your car was comparatively easy. Today there are less parking spots and many more cars. It does not make you happy to see two and sometimes more delivery vans and trucks double-parked just to make things more awkward.

Timaru Herald, 30 June 1885, Page 2
Municipal "Mud-Pies." As is usual after heavy rain, a scraping up of the mud in the Main South Road took place yesterday, the filth being raked into nice little heaps a foot or so deep, close to the kerbing. There the greater number of them were left for the night, much to the disgust of folk who had to pass from one side of the street to the other, and who found themselves floundering ankle deep first through one and then another. If the Inspector had heard half of the many kind wishes which were expressed for his health during the evening, we are sure he would have been up with the lark this morning.

Thorny issues belong, in fact, in Timaru. Legendary rose-grower and breeder, world-renowned rosarian Trevor Griffiths.
Every November in Timaru is the Rose Festival. Rose garden
Rose Poetry Award 2006

HAVE THORNS – WILL USE
By Tracey Bingham

What’s so romantic about roses? you ask
pruning me back
spraying me
cutting my stems

just leave me alone
give me space
not competition
give me warmth
not wet feet
treat me kindly
and I will bloom
beautifully

despite your harsh treatment of me
I will not be torn apart
without a fight
have thorns – will use

The Trevor Griffiths Rose garden was developed at a cost of over $183,000, was architecturally designed to includes some 60 small gardens with an attractive entrance, lych gate, gazebo, arbours and central pergola and it has become a talking point with local people and visitors since its opening on 10 December 2001  and until yesterday contained 1200 roses and opened in December 2001. Security cameras monitor the gardens. The garden since 2001 has survived weather, theft, vandals, flooding and herbicide poisoning. Roses have been pulled out of the ground, had branches pulled off, and others trampled. "Given the right conditions, the right situation, and the supposedly 1200 roses in the garden, I would expect, if they had been properly looked after, there might have been five or six that had defaulted in this time, and probably through theft, or simple damage -- by someone standing on it."  There is also a Peony and Lily Garden at Caroline Bay adjacent to the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.
April 2001 -  40 roses were washed out, along with about 30 macrocarpa hedging plants and many dozens of box hedging plants by an explosion of water beneath the garden.
November 2004 - 63 roses missing from the garden. Most of those were old roses.
December 2004 - 90 % cent of the roses have suffered herbicide poisoning and won't survive.

News in brief  19 January 2008 Timaru History
How pleasant it has been to read the articles by Trevor Griffiths, which I have been sent. When I was growing up, our farm was across the road from Griffiths' Nursery at Arowhenua, which adds to my interest. Trevor has a fantastic memory and his efforts to teach us a little of the city's history will, I'm sure, inspire many to deepen their pride of the city and district. The articles have made me more aware of the huge efforts of the people of the past and the many benefits we have inherited from them. It interests me that Trevor was schooled before the Second World War. A now deceased older English friend once told me he'd thought his younger brother was a bit of a dill but eventually concluded that the curriculum changes after the war were to blame. I've often noticed that people of Trevor's generation have a greater sense of history. Bill Daly, Auckland

2002: Timaru gets a rose named after it -- City of Timaru -- courtesy of local rosarian Trevor Griffiths and David Austin roses in England.
Wellington, Jan 18 NZPA - Timaru's Trevor Griffiths rose garden has joined the ranks of New Zealand's elite gardens, being named a "Garden of National Significance". The garden, established in 1997, joins 35 others around the country ranked of national significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust , an organisation established by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. Others of national significance include the botanic gardens in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington, and those of the Waitangi Treaty house in Northland and Larnach Castle in South Otago.

The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden near the water at Caroline Bay displays old varieties and modern crosses from David Austin while Timaru Botanic Gardens has New Zealand's largest collection of species roses. The garden features many of the species collected by Mr Griffiths over a 50-year career which saw him amass the world's third largest collection of old roses.  Mr Griffiths, published another book, Memory of Old Roses in 2006. Prune your schedule to visit the Rose Festival in end of November.

RELIVING THE MEMORIES
21 February 2008 Timaru Herald
Memories of Stafford Street will flow on Sunday.
A panel of three Timaru men -- Jim Morse, Trevor Griffiths and Gerald Taylor -- chaired by Ray Bennett, will be sharing their memories of Stafford Street at a Friends of the South Canterbury Museum event. "The changing face of Stafford Street" is the second such discussion to be held, but Mr Bennett is hoping that this time the reminiscing will be caught on tape, to become part of the town's oral history. "What we want to try to do is record the living memories of Stafford Street -- the polar bear at Miss Grant's fur shop." Mr Bennett said many a young Timaru lad would have fond memories of sitting on the bear's head while waiting for his mother to conclude her business in the store. The discussion will be held in the museum's theatrette, and will be followed by afternoon tea. "The more people who can come the better."

SEVENTH BOOK FOR LOVERS OF OLD ROSES.
8 November 2000 Timaru Herald
Old rose specialist and author, Timaru's Trevor Griffiths, is about to launch his seventh book, Glorious Old Roses - a rose lover's companion, at a function in Timaru next week. The book takes the number of editions of his books to 19, including English and Australian editions. Mr Griffiths said yesterday he was pleased with the book although there had been some difficulty getting the colour photos necessary now he no longer had all his old rose collection. Many varieties were left behind when he sold his property on the main road near Temuka. A tribute to Mr Griffiths' 40-year devotion to preserving and making old rose varieties available is being done with a rose garden at Caroline Bay. The garden was commissioned by the Timaru Beautifying Society and designed by Miles Warren, but the rose selections have been made by Mr Griffiths and his family. Timaru book seller Jeff Grigor said the launch would take place in the garden of the mayor and mayoress, Wynne and Nan Raymond, on November 17 and would double as a fund raiser for the beautifying society. Mr Grigor said the book was probably the best rose book he had seen and it was a fitting tribute to a lifetime devoted to old roses.

13 October 2000 The Christchurch Press
South Canterbury must be one of New Zealand's most under-rated tourist attractions. It tends to be the region holidaymakers pass through on their way to some place else. Yet those who make South Canterbury their destination are discovering they are richly rewarded. South Canterbury is a region steeped in history, dating from early Maori settlement. It also offers the visitor culture, arts and crafts by talented artists, many with international reputations, and a diverse natural landscape that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps for adrenalin-pumping and passive recreational activities. Nestled in the lush green valleys and rolling landscape are pristine waterways and secluded hideaways for picnics and morsels of history that collectively offer an insight into early life in the region and the colourful characters who shaped the communities. For those wanting to escape Christchurch's fast-paced city life but who still desire cosmopolitan comfort will discover Timaru has much to offer with its striking piazza and burgeoning cafe scene, overlooking Caroline Bay and the harbour. The piazza links the city with Caroline Bay via a series of cascading staircases and suspended viewing platforms. At the bottom the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, designed by award-winning Christchurch architect Sir Miles Warren to pay tribute to rosegrower Trevor Griffiths, is being constructed. The fish-shaped 3200sqm garden will feature 60 beds filled with 600 old roses and many David Austin roses, surrounded by white granite paths and edged with box hedging.

FATHER OF THE FAIREST BLOOM. By Lorna JONES.
5 June 2000 The Christchurch Press
A rose grower of world renown is being honoured in Timaru with the planting of a city garden in his name. This collector, author, and family man talks to LORNA JONES.
When rose collector, grower, and author Trevor Griffiths first saw the plans of a new rose garden to be planted in his honour in Timaru, he was "totally overwhelmed". The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden is believed to be the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The garden was designed by Christchurch architect Sir Miles Warren, who describes Mr Griffiths as "a marvellous rose grower". The garden will preserve and display many of the 1500 old roses in Mr Griffiths' acclaimed collection from his nursery near Temuka. The collection is the third largest of old roses in the world. When mayoress and Timaru Beautifying Society president Nan Raymond first put the idea of a rose garden to Mr Griffiths, he thought that "a bed or two of roses around the town" might be intended, but the scale of her brainchild has left him embarrassed. "I'd rather fold my tent like an Arab and subtly steal away," he says. Not that such an accolade should come as a huge surprise. Over the years his peers in the rose-growing world have heaped honours on Mr Griffiths. The distinguished English rosarian David Austin describes him as a "pioneering nurseryman", and named a dusky pink rose after the New Zealander he counts as a personal friend. David Austin has written the foreword for Mr Griffiths' latest book, Glorious Old Roses, to be published later this year. Mr Austin suggests that his friend can take "a large measure of credit for the revival of the old rose in New Zealand - and not a little credit for their present popularity throughout the world". Mr Griffiths' interest in roses stretches back to when he was a schoolboy. At the age of eight, his mother took him to visit a florist's shop in Timaru. The memory is as vividly coloured in Mr Griffiths' mind as the florist's shop he describes. His voice softens to a gentle whisper as he speaks of the enchanting scent of those "floral beauties of long ago". He recalls standing in front of that shop doorway looking at the bright colours and the green foliage. He recalls smelling the earth and fertiliser and the heady flower fragrances. As a child he did not know the names of any of the flowers, but was utterly captivated. A few years later he was fortunate in meeting senior master Tommy McDonald at Timaru Boys' High School. Mr McDonald fuelled his pupil's desire to grow flowers, teaching him about budding and grafting. The ex-pupil recalls an occasion when the schoolmaster approached a frosty janitor with a request that the boys be allowed to use some waste land at the school as a garden. The request was granted, though the response was cynical: "That won't last long."

Love of flowers in blood
Sixty years on and Mr Griffiths says the bug bit him then, and it is still biting. He speaks passionately of the "power and pleasure of creating something with nature". After a lifetime spent growing flowers, almost 40 years at his rose nursery near Temuka, Mr Griffiths says his interest is still "overwhelming and all-absorbing". A love of flowers must be in the blood, because all four of Mr Griffiths' children have worked for him at different times. Wendy worked for her father before setting up her own rose nursery in Auckland. As a young man, Owen worked at the rose nursery and is now a florist in Christchurch. Rhonda worked for her father until a year ago, when ill health forced him to give up the nursery. Bevan, the youngest, is now running the business, relocated to Timaru. Mr Griffiths refers to his wife Dixie jokingly as "she who must be obeyed". He credits her with the decision to buy the property for their nursery near Temuka. "If it had not been for her I would probably have waffled off in a different direction." Her contradiction is swift, but gentle: "You probably wouldn't." Two seedlings from Paul's Himalayan Musk have been named after Mrs Griffiths. One of them, called Darling Dixie, causes her husband's voice to drop to a murmur as he tenderly names the rose and his wife in the one breath. These days, at the age of 72, Mr Griffiths is conscious that time is running out. With a heart condition and two knee replacements (one of which is worn out and clearly causing pain), Mr Griffiths no longer works at the rate he used to. With a twinkling smile he speaks of "making haste slowly". But this year he will pay a final visit to David Austin in England and design the planting layout of the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden. His book will be launched in September. Glorious Old Roses was completed in two months earlier this year. "I just divided up 45,000 words by 60 days," says Mr Griffiths. Once he had calculated the daily word quota, he says, he did not go to bed each night until he had finished. Despite the self-imposed workload, Mr Griffiths has time for another interest. He is a freemason and in freemasonry circles he holds a high position, that of First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand. After he has visited David Austin in July, Mr Griffiths will be pressed for time in Europe. He confesses he is torn between his two passions. He is undecided whether to visit a rose grower in France or attend a freemasonry meeting in Wales. Mr Griffiths believes freemasonry gives people the opportunity to do good deeds quietly. There are many who view his work collecting roses as doing good deeds quietly. Doug Grant, president of the National Rose Society of New Zealand, is one of them. "There is absolutely no doubt that without Mr Griffiths' work, many old roses would now be extinct," he says. It has been an eight-day-a-week job for Mr Griffiths. "The trouble is, when you make your hobby your work, you cease to have the hobby." Looking back over his career as a rose grower, Mr Griffiths treasures many memories. He has corresponded with many world-renowned rose growers for years. The royalties from a book gave him the funds to travel and actually meet these friends. The list reads like a Who's Who of the world's great rose growers - Jack Harkness, Wilhelm Kordes, Seizo Suzuki, Edward Le Grice, David Austin, Sam McGredy, and Peter Beales. He has had some fun with these friends over the years. Mr Griffiths recalls attending the Chelsea Flower Show with Peter Beales and David Austin. At the entrance to the marquee, a uniformed Chelsea pensioner from the Royal Hospital for retired soldiers was on duty, taking tickets. "He stood there in his scarlet coat down to his knees, a chest full of medals, and beautiful black tricorn hat. He must have been 90." Mr Griffiths realised he had no ticket for the marquee, and told the doorman. Realising he was speaking to a New Zealander, the elderly doorman asked: "Do you know where Otaki is?" Mr Griffiths described the precise location of the town. "You may enter," said the Chelsea pensioner. "No charge." A meeting with Danish rose collector and breeder Valdemar Petersen remains Mr Griffiths' most precious memory. Apart from Mrs Petersen, Mr Griffiths was the only person offered the privilege of pushing the wheelchair-bound collector around his small town on a fine day. Later, as they toured Mr Petersen's garden, the men spoke of roses, trees, and shrubs. Each was surprised and delighted with the other's knowledge. Mr Petersen died two months later. In the garden of his new retirement home on the outskirts of Timaru, Mr Griffiths talks of a rose with special fondness. It is one of the summer's last roses, the black red Louis XIV. "An old China rose," he says reverently," from Valdemar Petersen." Despite his health problems, Trevor Griffiths might be able to plant the roses in the Caroline Bay garden, but it might please his admirers to think he will leave his spade in the shed and take time to smell the roses.

LEAVING THE OLD ROSES BEHIND.
14 March 1998 Timaru Herald
World authority on old roses, nurseryman and author, Trevor Griffiths, of Arowhenua, is moving on - but not far. He and his wife Dixie have put their 2.8ha Arowhenua property on the market but they have not sold their business, which will be run by their son Bevan on a property in Pages Road. Mr Griffiths said yesterday the aim was to sell the Arowhenua property as a lifestyle block, with or without the largest collection of old roses in New Zealand and possibly the second largest in the world. "We are hoping that someone, individual or couple will buy the place and continue the collection." Mr and Mrs Griffiths will live in Pages Road not far from the new site of the rose growing business which is still in the process of being established. While living in semi-retirement, Mr Griffiths will continue to play an active part in the progress of the enterprise and maintain his lifelong interest in old roses. Originally, roses were only indigenous to northern hemisphere countries with two-thirds of them coming from China, Mr Griffiths said. As a plant the rose pre-dated man on Earth.

ROSE VARIETIES FLOURISH.
23 July 1997 The Christchurch Press
TIMARU - Pride and passion rather than profits have been the secret to success for Temuka rose grower Trevor Griffiths, regarded as a world authority in his field. In more than 50 years growing roses Mr Griffiths has amassed a depth of knowledge most amateur home gardeners could only dream about. Mr Griffiths' extensive garden is home to more than 3000 varieties of old roses which he reckons ranks as the single largest collection outside Germany. He has scoured the world looking for roses and has varieties from almost every corner of the globe. While this is not uncommon among commercial rose growers, Mr Griffiths regards himself first as a collector of roses and as such his garden not only features top-line varieties. "I don't discard unpopular roses as many nurseries do. I collect them because they exist. Whether they are good or bad roses doesn't matter to me." Mr Griffiths says what attracts him to growing roses is their immense history. "Roses have been on earth for 39 million years so they have a fascinating history." Mr Griffiths has always been keen to share his passion with others and has published six books on roses which have been reprinted in most English-speaking countries. A seventh is expected to reach bookshops this year. His books are certainly not needed for advertising: the entire stock of 50,000 roses he and his three staff grow each year is always sold out despite competition from 200 other Kiwi growers.

South Canterbury NZGenWeb Project 

18/07/2009 Timaru Herald
Along Stafford St in Timaru, the Herald counted 152 occupied ground floor premises and 29 empty premises. Of the empty premises, 16 were at the south end of the street, including five empty shops in a row in, and next to, the Butterfields building. We get ebbs and flows all the time.