Nelson Identity William Cole

Next month, about this time, William Unwin Harbertelle Cole will be entering his 90th year. But to him, this is but another milestone reached on a journey through life which has brought him into contact with a wide variety of interests, occupations and people. Today, Bill Cole is as chirpy as his step is spritely, and he still maintains an interest in all that is going on around him and, in particular, his fern garden, as he lives a quiet retired life with his wife at their home "Quietways", Arapiki Road.

William Cole was born on July 25, 1880, on his father's farm at 88 Valley. Upon leaving the school at 88 Valley, he worked as a sharemilker, cricket groundsman, grocer, market gardener, farmer, passenger operator, cycle and motor cycle repairer and salesman and petrol salesman.

He began his operations in the transport business in 1915 when he bought the transport business established by Arthur Baigent. The route followed was between Belgrove and Nelson, and the bus (below), a 2½ ton Buick truck with hard, wooden seats, took two hours to make the trip. He sold this business in 1920 and entered into partnership with Mr F. F. Doel, who ran a cycle shop. Mr Doel's son, Mr B. S. Doel, still operates a cycle business in Bridge Street today. In those days, however, the business was in Hardy Street, in premises now occupied by Andy Beattie. Mr Doel later sold his share of the business to Mr E. C. (Ward) Ellis and later the two men bought a second shop in Bridge Street, about where the Cole's Linen Shop is today. When this partnership was dissolved, Mr Cole took over the Bridge Street shop and obtained the agency for Caltex petroleum products. Disregarding the advice given him by Mr Doel, and taking instead, that of his wife, Mr Cole bought an overgrown section across the road from his shop and there built a new store on it. Today, this is the site of Coles (Nelson) Ltd.

In 1934, the firm of W. H. Cole and Co entered into the carrying business and this was continued until 1954 when Mr Cole sold his interest in the company to D.D. Merritt and Co Ltd., and established the new firm of Coles (Nelson) Ltd. In his younger days Mr Cole was quite a good cricketer and keen deerstalker. He played for a Taranaki XI against Australia in Hawera and played senior cricket in Nelson for several years. Later he played croquet. He has also been a long and active member of the Church of Christ.