Sedley Wells Limited

Sedley Wells Limited  —  Music Store

Sedley Wells

The Sedley Wells music store was situated on High Street triangle, immediately opposite Beggs who were Sedley Wells' main trading opposition in the music business.  Sedley Wells became the de facto Christchurch agent for Fender guitars and amplifiers, and they supplied many of Christchurch's most significant groups with Fender instruments over a period of many years.  According to the late Alan Irvine, who worked at the Sedley Wells Limited music store at the time, shipments of Fender instruments started arriving around September of 1962 — although there is speculation in some quarters that things may have been happening slightly earlier that that.

Supposedly the owner and founder of the business (the late Sedley Wells), had liased directly with the legendary Leo Fender at Fender Electric Instruments Company in Fullerton, California, USA and as a result Sedley Wells Limited was importing Fender equipment  —  including electric guitars, amplifiers, leads, strings and picks  —  an enterprise in a rapidly expanding industry sector.  The manager of Sedley Wells Limited at the time was Graham Elcock, and Jack Speck was also on staff.  Sedley Wells Limited (nowadays owned by MusicWorks) has a proud history in the music business, and the company, which bears the name of the founder  —  Sedley Wells, dates back to 1935.  Anecdotally, in those early days, there was no New Zealand agent for the Fender range of instruments and accessories, and as previously stated, Sedley Wells conducted business directly with Leo Fender who was then operating The Fender Electric Instruments Company in Fullerton, California, USA

Mr Sedley Wells, Managing Director of Sedley Wells Ltd. retired on March 31st 1976 after a long association with the music trade.  His association began with the piano trade in 1921 in Christchurch as an employee of the Bristol Piano Company  —  a company which was involved in the repairing, regulating, tuning, voicing, and case-making of (and laterly in assembly work) of pianos.  Seven years later, he joined Robert Francis Ltd. as a piano tuner, but when it was discovered he had a flair for selling, Mr Wells was moved to the sales division.  In 1930, he moved to New Plymouth, where he took charge of the radio department of Hamilton Nimmo and Sons Ltd.  He later went to Wellington as sales manager for the same firm.  In 1932 Cordery Wells Ltd. was formed, selling radios.  Mr Wells bought the shares held by the Cordery family in 1939, and changed the name of the company to Sedley Wells Ltd.  During the depression, Mr Wells said, new pianos were remaining virtually unsold, thus he had the idea of selling them second-hand, but in almost new condition. Two craftsmen who were earning 30 shillings a week on relief work were taken on, and paid £3.00 a week.  Pianos began to sell, and the wages of the men rose accordingly.  Mr Wells later bought Peterson's Music Store, which was eventually formed into a company as Sedley Wells Music Store Ltd.  This was not trading at the time, but was a holding company.  He also formed Wellard Imports, a wholesale importing and manufacturing company, the name later being changed to Wellard Industries N.Z. Ltd. when it began manufacturing pianos.  Sedley Wells, Ltd. had its main store in High Street, Christchurch with branches at Northlands, New Brighton and Sydenham with a service department in Bedford Row.  Mr Wells's son, David, took over Sedley Wells Ltd. as well as Wellard Industries.

Sedley Wells, who founded the music and home appliance company that bears his name, and is still trading to this day, died in Christchurch on July 11th, 1985 at the age of 79.  He was born and educated in Christchurch, forming Sedley Wells Ltd. in 1939.  The company expanded to become a household name, specialising in musical equipment and home appliances as Sedley Wells Ltd. until 1982.  Mr Wells was a keen sportsman, playing hockey for Canterbury in the 1930s, and having had his name added to the honours board of the Sydenham Hockey Club.  He was a member of the Shirley Golf Club and Fendalton Bowling Club, and his extensive community involvement included work for Lions Clubs  —  he was the first South Island district governor of Lions International, and helped set up 13 clubs in the South Island.  He was a Past Master of the Avon Masonic Lodge, and a Past President of the Christchurch Businessmen's Club, as well as being a director of the Fisher and Paykel Finance Company.  He was survived by his wife and three sons.