The Prosser brothers returned from the goldfields to Wellington mid-1865 and took up residence next to the Crown and Anchor Hotel and their mother and younger family members joined them from Melbourne.

 

Wellington's Lambton Quay in the 1860s, had a row of businesses stretching along to the north with the waterfront on the left from the Crown and Anchor Hotel.

In 1865 the Livery and Letting Stables opposite the Crown and Anchor Hotel were owned by Billman.
On the 1st August the Prosser brothers purchased it in partnership with William Hannah and a fortnight later. the firm was joined by a third member, Richard Pierce.

Their horses, teams and wagons were available for hire, and privately-owned horses could be boarded for a short time - this was why stables were often attached to a hotel. The owner would negotiate the horse's requirements and care eg to be fed and watered, it's bedding, that the stall or loose box was cleaned. Daily advertising built a regular clientele.

6 Jan. 1866: The Town Board requested the health officer for a report on the condition of the stables from which "the effluvia was said to be offensive". Health Officer Report to Town Board Office, Jan. 12, 1866. "I have inspected the stables of Messrs. Hannah, Prosser & Co., and find that they are kept perfectly clean and well drained. They are now having the whole of the skylights made to open so as to give more free ventilation through the roof, which should remedy the evil complained of. The cess-pits are continually flushed with water and kept as clean as possible. They promise to remove the stable manure daily."

 

Despite this serious accident 4th Feb, 1866, the sale of the stables of New Zealander Hotel went ahead on Feb 20.

"NEW ZEALANDER LIVERY STABLES. MESSRS HANNAH, PROSSER & PIERCE beg to announce to the inhabitants of Wellington and the Country Districts that they have entered into arrangements with Mr Peter Alex. Chavannes, of the New Zealander Hotel, to take charge of those old established and renowned stables. The greatest attention will be paid to settlers' horses, and as a rule these stables will be found unequalled. N.B.? Carriages and Saddle Horses at five minutes' notice. An Omnibus will meet every steamer upon arrival. The best Loose Boxes in the Colony for thorough-bred and entire horses."

20 Feb. 1867: Captain Anderson and Mr John H Horner Arrived back in town today after an unprecedented rapid journey to and from Greytown of 44 hours. They left Wellington 3 o'clock Monday afternoon and by relays of horses furnished by Hannah, Prosser and Pierce reached Greytown at 8.30 making it the fastest journey on record and enabling our country cousins to receive the English news the same day it arrived in Wellington. They took some Evening Post   and distributed them en route and at Greytown, the Mercury published the telegrams and dispatched them to settlers thoughout the Valley.

Then! Surprise! A public auction is held on Jul 2 1867 of the entire stud, carriages etc at Hannah, Posser and Pierce livery stables Lambton Quay due to Dissolution of Partnership!

Cashed up, the Prossers were ready to make their next business step known with these 2 announcements: They buy out their partners and the stable name is changed to "The White Horse Repository" and become owners of the Crown and Anchor Hotel

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