before the 1870s there were several brick works in newton gully including some which manufactured tiles, pipes and even 'art pottery'. these companies were progressively relocated to new lynn; many 19th-century bricks found in central auckland bear the imprint "newton". from the 1890s onwards newton was the location of many small scale industries: shirt, clothing and boot factories, upholstery, rattan furniture & basket manufacturing etc. it was also the location of several specialist metal works including brass foundries and bicycle importers & manufacturers.