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History of the manufacturer  

Hargra (Brand), Hartle & Gray Ltd.; Auckland

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Name: Hargra (Brand), Hartle & Gray Ltd.; Auckland    (NZ)  
Abbreviation: hargra
Products: Model types
Summary:

Hartle & Gray Ltd.
Customs Street West, Auckland

Brand: Hargra

Hartle and Gray was a British radio and electrical importer and retailed from a shop in Auckland, advertising as “The shop for British radio goods”.

They advertised as a meeting place for radio enthusiasts and gave advice freely and sold components and radios in kit form.
Founded: 1921
Closed: 1932
Production: 1921 - 1932
Documents about this manufacturer/brand
  Hartle & Gray Catalogue, 1931. 3701 KB
History:

The company was formed by a partnership between Herbert S. M Hartle and Edward Gray to import radios and electrical equipment in 1921. They offered free advice and circuits to enthusiasts to use their imported parts and sold radios completed and in kit form.

They advertised the highly selective HAGRA 6 in June 1927 which had the capability to tune out interference from the local radio station, 1YA in Auckland, and receive Melbourne and Sydney stations.  It is not known at present if this radio was assembled by the company or a re-badged British set. [1]

In 1928 they advertised a New Zealand first for the radio amateurs, a set of parts to make your own Television experiments.  They displayed the Televisor Model 1 in their shop window stating the set of parts cost 85/-. For the additional gear that may be needed, discs, mirrors, screen, selenium cell, small motor, and 400-watt lamp an additional 45/- was required.[2]

The company filed for bankruptcy in July 1932.[3]

Note: The late John Stokes in  Golden Age of Radio in the Home refers to this brand as “Hagra”, however, newspaper advertising shows it as “Hargra.

[1] Auckland Star 1 Jul 1927, Page 15.
[2] Auckland Star 20 Jul 1928, Page 15.
[3] Auckland Star 15 Jul 1932, Page 3.

This manufacturer was suggested by Gary Cowans.

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

[1] Auckland Star 1 Jul 1927, Page 15. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Pasttbn_nz_hagra_1_auckland_star_1_jul_1927_page_15.jpg
[2] Auckland Star 20 Jul 1928, Page 15. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Pasttbn_nz_hargra_2_auckland_star_20_jul_1928_page_15.jpg
[3] Auckland Star 15 Jul 1932, Page 3 Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Pasttbn_nz_hargra_3_auckland_star_15_jul_1932_page_3.jpg
Auckland Star 26 Jul 1929, Page 7. mage sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_hagra_auckland_star_26_jul_1929_page_7.jpg
Offering free radio advice by mail. New Zealand Herald 13 Oct 1927, Page 17. mage sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_hargra_new_zealand_herald_13_oct_1927_page_17.jpg
New Zealand Herald 29 Sep 1927, Page 16 Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_hargra_new_zealand_herald_29_sep_1927_page_16.jpg
Auckland Star 26 Nov 1926, Page 15. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_hargra_auckland_star_26_nov_1926_page_15.jpg
Forum contributions about this manufacturer/brand
Hargra (Brand), Hartle & Gray Ltd.; Auckland
Threads: 1 | Posts: 1
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The bankruptcy of Hartle & Gray Ltd.
Gary Cowans
18.Dec.21 		  1
The bankruptcy of Hartle & Gray Ltd. 

RADIO DEALERS' LOSSES

MEETING OF CREDITORS,

INQUIRIES TO BE MADE.

With total debts of £1680 17/6, Herbert Schack Mackworth Hartle, radio dealer, met his creditors, before the Official Assignee, Mr. A. W. Walters, yesterday. Edward Gray was also named on the petition.
At the beginning of the meeting, counsel for Hartle explained that a partnership between Hartle and Gray had been dissolved on February 29 last and that the business had been carried on since then by Hartle. Gray was not present at the meeting.
The. Official Assignee read a short statement by Gray, in which he said he entered into a partnership with Hartle in 1921. The business was started with a capital of £500, which was supplied by Gray. This money was lost, and later Gray loaned the firm £2100, which was also lost. The business had been paying until about 18 months ago when the slump set in, and in February of last year, Gray sold his portion of the business for £60, of which he received £15. Gray said the slump had been the direct cause of the bankruptcy. Hartle had been in complete control of the business since it started. Bankrupt's financial statement showed that the total debts were £1680 17/2: money owed to secured debtors, £ 150 14/1: surplus. £48 5/1; stock-in-trade, £13 14/10; book debts £138 11/10: estimated to produce £200; total assets, £1879 19/11.

The business was started in 1921, said Hartle in a statement. There were very heavy losses the first year due to falling prices, and it was necessary for Gray to advance further loans. The business gradually pulled up. They catered for the small buyers, as they were the most profitable. As unemployment increased, the business decreased. As the business continued to decline, Gray decided to drop out. The position became worse, and Hartle decided to call his creditors together. A meeting decided that he should assign the estate, and that was done. It was found impossible to sell the stock at anything like the stock-sheet value, and it was resolved that the estate should be made bankrupt.

Under cross-examination, bankrupt said he had regularly drawn £5 a week out of the business. "Reading your statement, we gathered that you were, an up-to-date businessman," said Mr. Walters, "but when we go into matters, we find in what a lax way the business has been conducted”. A creditor: How long have things been going on like that?
Bankrupt: Ever since the business started 10 years ago. I take the whole blame. Further examination revealed that there had been heavy losses during the past three years, and a creditor asked why bankruptcy had not been filed three years ago".
Two supervisors, Messrs. E. Grimwade and A. W. Parker were appointed by the meeting to assist the assignee in making further inquiries. The supervisors are to be paid a commission of 2½ percent.

 Auckland Star 15 Jul 1932, Page 3.
 
Hargra (Brand), Hartle & Gray Ltd.; Auckland
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