The Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Volume 6 page 703, says: "PROUSE BROTHERS, LIMITED, Timber Merchants, Levin. Established by the present proprietor in the "seventies," this industry has steadily increased from year to year. The mill and yards are situated near the railway station. In November, 1905, a limited liability company was formed with Mr C H L Palmer as manager and the firm have since conducted a large and increasing business. The buildings cover about half an acre." To read the rest, view the Cyclopedia at http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-corpus-cyclopedia.html