A Bradford truck owned by Howell Piano Co of 40 Taranaki Street,
on Oriental Parade, Wellington, circa 1950.
Photo: Gordon Burt. Alexander Turnbull Library.
The pianos probably served as ballast to hold this small vehicle to the road in the strong westerly winds that Wellington is famous for. One can imagine a clench-fisted driver perspiring as he struggled to get a full load up some of the steeper gradients around Wellington. Wonder if a verse of "Roll Out the Barrel" was ever sung as a piano cannon-balled back down a hill? And, for those who know Wellington, imagine home delivery of a piano up a 100 step flight of steps!
Crikey, that would be a painful experience to tickle the ivories like that :P
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