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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
McEwen and Churchill
McEwen and Churchill
(Peter Cooper McEwen and John Churchill), Bakers, Pastrycooks and Confectioners, the Red House, 101 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone 56. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand and Bank of Australasia. Private residence: Mr. Churchill, Boulcott Street. This old established business was founded about the year 1848 or 1849 by the late Mr. Peter Laing who was so well known for many years. Mr. McEwen is a native of Dundee, coming to the Colony in 1843 by the “Phoebe” with his parents. He was apprenticed to the trade at the Red House, completing his term in 1858. Subsequently he continued to work as journeyman, with the exception of three years, till purchasing
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the business in conjunction with his present partner in 1884. Mr. Churchill is a native of Islington, and came to New Zealand by ship “Pekin” in 1849 when very young. He also learned his business with the late Mr. Laing, remaining in that gentleman's employ till becoming one of the proprietors. The Red House has always been noted for the splendid quality of the bread, pastry, and confections supplied. The present proprictors and their predecessor have always held special appointments as bakers to the several Governors whom they have regularly served. At the present time they hold the coveted honour from His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow. During the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh the proprietor of the Red House was entrusted with the supply of bread to Her Majesty's royal son and staff. It has been necessary from time to time to extend and rebuild the premises so as to provide for the increasing trade. In 1889 Messrs. McEwen and Churchill obtained a new lease, and had the present handsome building erected by Mr. Watson, from plans prepared by Mr. W. C. Chatfield, the cost of the entire premises being about £3000. The shop, which is of brick, two stories, has a commodious double front, as may be seen from the illustration which appears herewith. The interior is as comfortable and convenient as could be desired. Refreshment rooms are available at all hours, where tea, coffee, sandwiches, pies, pastry, and cakes are supplied, while special waiting-rooms are allotted to the use of ladies. The bake-house is replete with all modern appliances, having a large cellar below The ovens are a Bailey baker and furnace oven which have stood the test of time, and under the skilful manipulation of the proprietors and their expert assistants, produce large quantities of splendid bread. The firm are the makers of excellent malt bread, and also whole meal brown bread, in addition to the common white bread. They have adopted the very fair principle of allowing a discount of one halfpenny per loaf to those customers who pay their accounts promptly, thus ensuring that the good payers shall not bear the loss caused by the dishonest. The firm are noted for their wedding cakes, which are in demand from many parts of the Colony, both north and south. In fact, they have deservedly earned so good a reputation in this respect that these goods have been sent for from Australia. Messrs. McEwen and Churchill are the original makers of jubilee fingers and sandwiches. Their gingerbread and shortbread are much sought after, and are considered equal to the best that is made in any part of the world. The firm are direct importers of most kinds of confectionery, all varieties of wedding-cake ornaments, crackers, bon-bons, and oilman's stores (such as sardines in tomatoes, pati de foi gras, and potted meats, by Crosse and Blackwell and other manufacturers). They deal with such well-known London firms as Batger and Co., Hounsditch E., Thomas Smith, of Wilson Street, and others. For years they have been favourably known as caterers in many public celebrations, among which may be noted the starting of the Wellington Woollen Factory, the opening ceremony of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company's line, Sir W. Jervois's farewell banquet, and the Star Boating Club's Ball. On some of these occasions as many as eight hundred persons have been entertained without a single hitch occuring. The firm employ about twenty hands in connection with their business. The total floor space occupied is equal to 9000 square feet. Messrs. McEwen and Churchill have also been purveyors to the Union Steamship Company nearly the whole time since its inception.