A R Harris Company Ltd.
200-202 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

Brand: Rogers

New Zealand distributors of Rogers brand radios from 1929 to 1938 at which time government import regulations severely limited the importation of radio sets into New Zealand.

Rogers brand radios were 230v versions manufactured by Rogers-Majestic, Standard Radio Manufacturing, Toronto, Canada.

A R Harris Company Ltd was founded by Ambrose Reeves Harris (1885-1963), an early pioneer in New Zealand radio broadcasting. Ambrose worked alongside Thomas Edison at the Edison Laboratories between 1910-1913. On his return to New Zealand he helped construct the Lake Coleridge power station near Christchurch and introduced fleets of battery powered trucks to local businesses.               

As Edisons' representitive in New Zealand Ambrose began selling a range of electrical goods including early radio sets.In the mid 1920's, in partnership with William Goodfellow established a national broadcasing service Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand which began operation in 1925. This private business operated the 1YA, 2YA, 3YA and 4YA city stations along with 1ZH, 2ZF, 2ZD, 3ZR and 4ZP town stations. In 1931 the government refused to renew private licenses and nationalized the Radio Broadcasting Company network.                                   

1. The Golden Age of Radio in The Home. Pages 129-133.
2. Press 31 October 1929, Page 6.
3. Press 19 May 1934, Page 20.
4. Press 14 July 1934, Page 3.
5. Press 9 October 1937, Page 1.