Bruce Ayson. 1909 - 1991

Bruce Ayson, youngest son of John, was born at Christchurch on 24 July 1909.

 

He married Emily Florence Hills and they had two sons, Trevor and Robert.     Emily died in 1972 and Bruce later married Cora Prisk.

 

Bruce spent much of his life developing a retail business in Christchurch.   B Ayson and Son was established in Colombo Street in April 1945, and continues to trade as a family business under the Mitre 10 logo.

 

The Christchurch "Press" newspaper paid a tribute to the work of Bruce and Emily in 1990.   The following is an abridged version of that report:

 

A number of South Christchurch businesses along Colombo Street were established at the end of World War II.   Many of these are still trading, but in a very different form. "At first we supplied local farmers with seed potatoes, straw and feeds," says Mr Bruce Ayson .   "We were soon supplying farmers in West Melton and Kirwee.   Then the demand for our supplies spread to the West Coast and the North Island."

 

The firm rented a small shop on the present site of Mitre 10.   This, along with an adjoining shop and other buildings, was bought by Mr Ayson about a year after he established the business.   The firm built a clientel in the growing residential areas during the post-war years. "We diversified  into hardware  and gardening lines, when much of the bulk farm feed was taken over by big merchants" Mr Ayson says.

 

The firm expanded in the 1950s and Mr Ayson bought the Malthouse from New Zealand Breweries.   This was used to store wheat and seed potatoes, until the building was sold to the Children's Theatre group.   The firm packaged its own seed.   This work was frequently done in winter when staff had extra time.

 

 Mr Ayson's son, Trevor, joined the firm when he left school and took over in 1973.   Trevor was involved in forming Allied Hardware, which was a group of  six shops.

 

The Children of Bruce and Emily.

 

Trevor Maurice Bruce Ayson

Robert John Ayson