The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Ironmongers And Hardware Merchants. — Including—Cycle Importers and Manufacturers; Galvanized and Corrugated Iron Manufacturers; Ironmongers and Hardware Merchants; Sewing and other Machine Importers
Ironmongers And Hardware Merchants.
Including—Cycle Importers and Manufacturers; Galvanized and Corrugated Iron Manufacturers; Ironmongers and Hardware Merchants; Sewing and other Machine Importers.
Briscoe, MacNeil and Co., Wholesale Ironmongers, Iron and Metal Merchants, Victoria and Harris Streets. Cable address, “Briscoe, Wellington.” Code ABC, 4th edition. Telephone 792; P.O. Box 378. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Limited. This large firm is a branch of the business which was founded in 1862 in Dunedin by Mr. Hugh MacNeil, and of the Australian houses of Briscoe and Co., Melbourne, and Briscoe. Drysdale and Co., Sydney, the London and Wolverhampton firm being William Briscoe and Son, who have been established for over a century. The splendid premises occupied by the Wellington house are erected in brick, on concrete foundations, on the reclaimed land at the corner of Victoria and Harris Streets, from designs furnished by Mr. W. C. Chatfield, architect. The main building has a frontage of 110 feet to Harris Street, and 145 feet to Victoria Street, where the principal entrance is situated. There are three floors, each 17 feet in the clear, and affording, with the covered iron yard adjoining, a total floorage space of over 30,000 square feet. Entering the premises, the left hand front is occupied by Mr. A. W. Gellatly, who represents the firm in Wellington, while the rest of the front portion is used as a show-room, and for stock of builders' ironmongery. In the back portion of the ground floor the bulk store is situated. Here a large stock of the heavier goods is to be seen, the whole space being fitted up for the purpose of storing large quantities, but so arranged as to be easily accessible when required. The first floor is reached by means of a spacious staircase with handsome iron balustrades. Here the general offices of the firm are situated, Mr. W. Morley, manager, occupying the room on the right. The rest of the large space is utilised for displaying the extensive stock of general ironmongery. A smaller staircase leads to the top floor, which is used as a bulk store, and is fitted up with long rows of counters for the purposes of the trade. A magnificent hydraulic lift, capable of raising two tons, communicates with each floor. The iron yard adjoining is supplied with two powerful travelling cranes, specially imported, and able to lift and transport heavy weights to any desired position. From twentyfive to thirty hands are employed by the firm, and in addition they have competent travellers, who wait upon their numerous customers in the various towns of the North Island, as well as on the West Coast of the South Island. Messrs. B.iscoe, MacNeil and Co. are direct importers, while their regular shipments of up-to-date goods come to hand regularly. They have the advantage of the immense stocks held in their Sydney and Melbourne houses, and can obtain any special line at short notice by cabling. With a full stock in every department, the firm are fully prepared to meet any calls, however great, that may be made upon them. It would be quite superfluous to particularise the vast and diverse stock. Suffice it to say that they keep everything in the hardware and general ironmongery trade. The Wellington branch, the portrait of which appears above, was established in 1893.
Brown, Walter, Engineer, Dairy Engineer, and Importer of Machinery, Featherston Street, Wellington. Telephone 253. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Oriental Bay. Mr. Walter Brown established his business as an importer of all kinds of machinery in 1884. For a good part of that time his premises were in Farish Street, but for the last few years he has been more centrally situated as above. The building is of wood and iron and is very suitable for the style of business carried on. The floor space is 2400 square feet. Mr. Brown is a direct importer of all kinds of machinery, light and heavy, his special lines being engines, boilers, engineers' lathes, and similar tools and appliances, mill gearing, flax milling machinery, and dairy machinery. The agencies held by Mr. Brown include wrought iron pulleys and Egan's woodworking machinery. Mr. Brown is a native of Lancashire, and was apprenticed to Messrs. Platt Bros, of Oldham. He was subsequent'y in business on his own account in Manchester. In 1884 he came to New Zealand, per ship “Lady Jocelyn” from London, and entered into business in Wellington immediately on arrival. The wrought iron pulleys for which he is agent are of course very much safer than pulleys of cast iron, and it is therefore satisfactory to know that the latter are being rapidly replaced by the former. In flax milling and dairying machinery Mr. Brown has had much experience, and anyone about to embark in either of these industries would do well to give him a call. (N.B.—Mr. Brown died suddenly on June 17, 1896).
Cameron and Christie (Maurice P. Cameron and William F. Christie), Ironmongers, 93 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone 61; P.O. Box 33. Cable address, “Throb;” code A.B.C. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This English and American hardware house was established in the sixties by Messrs. Robert Gardner and Co., Limited, and has been conducted by the present proprietors for the past seven years. The situation is one of the best in the City, being right in the centre of Lambton Quay, and the building is large and handsome. The entire floor space occupied is nearly 10,000 square feet. The retail shop is well arranged, and well lighted with electric light; and from the centre customers ascend by a wide and easy flight of stairs to the showrooms, where handsome house furnishings, etc., are temptingly displayed. A thoroughly experienced and attentive staff is employed, some of the hands having been with the firm since its inception. A short time ago Mr. Cameron took a trip Home on business, with very satisfactory results. He made negotiations for the sale of butter and cheese in the Home markets, and so successful was the firm in this line of business that in the following year they headed the list of Wellington cheese exporters, having bought up the total output of the three Wairarapa factories. The agency for Symes' patent butter box and that of the Alexandra cream separator are also in the hands of this firm. Messrs. Cameron and Christie are in addition sole agents for Enfield bicycles, and for the manufactures of the Quinton and Rover Cycle Companies. In their own special lines, those of hardware and general ironmongery. Messrs. Cameron and Christie are large importers from America, as well as England. Their English buyer is Mr. E. J. Stout, of Birmingham, and their American buyers are Arkell and Douglas and Strong and Treubridge, of New York. Mr. Cameron, who is a Justice of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand, is a native of Glasgow. He was apprenticed in the Old Country to the well-known firm of Messrs. A. and J. Nisbet, West of Scotland Ironmongery Establishment, Glasgow, and came here via Melbourne in 1884. In 1894, Mr. Cameron married Miss Nellie McKenzie, third daughter of the Hon. John McKenzie, Minister of Lands, and has one son. Mr. Christie is a Wellingtonian, though, on completion of his apprenticeship with Messrs. John Duthie and Co., he sought and gained experience in the sister colony of New South Wales. In 1896 Mr. Christie married Miss Crease, eldest daughter of the late Mr. E. H. Crease, of Wellington. Both the partners are popular in the City, and there is an air of brisk business about the establishment which in these hard times is very cheering. The firm's motto is “To buy well is to sell well”; and in advertising their cutlery lines they remind their customers that “a bad knife spoils a good dinner.”
The Collier Two Speed Cycle Company of New Zealand, Limited. Directors: Messrs. J. P. Maxwell, M.I.C.E. (Chairman), E. W. Mills, Henry Collier, W. L. Meek, W. F. Barraud and Herbert Collier. Secretary, Mr. S. Robinson, 38 Lambton Quay, Wellington.
Denton, George, Ironmonger, Watchmaker, and Jeweller, 33 Willis Street. Warehouse, Upper Willis Street, Wellington. Telegraphic address, “Denton, Wellington.” Telephone 135. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, “Femhill,” Woolcombe Street. Mr. Denton established the present business as early as 1863. The building is of iron, with a wooden front, and is two stories high. The plans were drawn by the late Mr. Toxward, and the building erected by Messrs. Whiting and Jauncey. The total floorage space of the shop and warehouse is about 4000 square feet. Corrugated iron was used in the building, and of so good a quality was it that though erected nearly thirty years ago, it bids fair to stand a great deal longer, every sheet being in splendid condition. Mr. Denton's stock includes curios, Maori rugs, mats, and beautifully carved articles of wood and kauri gum, the handwork of the natives. Tourists and curio-hunters would do well to call on Mr. Denton on passing through Wellington, for they will find in his establishment many rarities. He is a large importer of hardware, jewellery, watches, and many other lines, especially all things pertaining to tennis and fishing. In the matter of Maori goods in stock, it might be said that Mr. Denton has some beautiful greenstone “meres,” to the value of £30 or £40; but these weapons, it might be mentioned, are of no value apart from that of a relic, as it is not now customary to cleave a man's skull at a blow, which the formidable mere can do if properly handled. Mr. Denton is himself a collector of these things on his own account, and the duplicates he is always willing to sell. Mr. Denton came to New Zealand in 1856, arriving in Nelson per ship “China,” but Wellington was his destination, and to this port he came by schooner, there being at that time no steamer. During the many years spent in Wellington, Mr. Denton has studiously avoided all public offices, and resisted the persuasions of his friends to take part in civic and other affairs. He did, however, interest himself deeply in the formation of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, in conjunction with Mr. W. T. L. Travers, and to these gentlemen the disciples of Isaak Walton are indebted for some of the pleasures they enjoy to-day. Mr. Denton was for ten years treasurer of the society, and only retired from the position on the amalgamation of the Masterton society with that of Wellington. He had the first trout hatchery in his own grounds at Fern Hill, and used to hatch out and distribute from 5000 to 6000 fish annually. At the time of writing the subject of this notice is on his way to England for a second visit, this time accompanied by Mrs. Denton.
Duthie, John, and Co., Limited (Mr. John Duthie, M.H.R., managing director), General Hardware Merchants, Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers, Willis, Victoria, and Mercer Streets, Wellington Cable address, “Duthie, Wellington.” Code ABO. Telephones: Wholesale, 156; retail, 573; private, 259. P.O. Box 93. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private address of managing director, Percival Street. The wholesale and retail ironmongery business of Messrs. John Duthie and Co. ranks with the largest in the Colony, and have grown with a rapidity seldom seen even in this land of quick development. It was established in the year 1880, by Mr. John Duthie (who at that time owned the large business in Wanganui now conducted by Messrs. James Thain and Co.), and in 1890 it was incorporated as a limited liability company. The premises cover quite a large area, and have splendid frontages to no less than three streets, two of which are among the most important in the city. The retail shop is a large three-story building, and the wholesale warehouses are two stories high. The iron store, of which an illustration is given wherewith, is a recent addition, and is in itself a much larger place than many of the business premises in the Empire City. All the buildings are of brick, and were built from plans drawn by Mr. Turnbull, the popular architect. The carrying out of the plans was entrusted to Mr. Murdoch, the well known contractor, who did his work well. Though exceedingly compact and well-arranged, the premises cover nearly an acre or ground. The trade of the firm extends over a wide area of the Colony. Four travellers are constantly on the road, and their efforts are augmented by the frequent distribution of trade circulars through the post. The imports are most extensive, and embrace everything in the hardware line of business. Messrs. Duthie and Co. are agents for the paints of Messrs. Alexander Fergusson and Co., of Glasgow, and for the incandescent gas-burners. In both of these lines a good business is done, but the gas-burnersare quite new, and are a wonderful improvement on anything of the kind previously invented. The incandescent burner produces a beautifully white light, and its inventor claims for it the quality of economy to a degree quite extraordinary. Gas consumers should certainly test these burners for themselves. The retail trade is confined entirely to Wellington City, the firm being very careful not to enter into competition with their customers in the country and in the other centres of the colony. A sketch of the life of the managing director will be found under the heading of the Wellington City members. Mr. Duthie has worked hard and brought a great deal of business ability and acumen to bear on his commercial transactions. Though he has given much time and thought to the furtherance of the interests of Wellington generally, he has never neglected in any way the vast private concerns with which he has been connected. He and his firm are alike held in the very highest estimation. Not only are they accredited with the possession of wealth; but it is everywhere acknowledged that their gains have been earned and accumulated only by means which would bear the strictest scrutiny. During the session Mr. Duthie is able to give the greater part of his time to parliamentary work, and in January last he took advantage of the recess for a trip to the Old Country. The business is manned by a competent staff, the majority of whom have been with the firm for many years, and not a few of them have attained to positions of great trust and responsibility. As a wholesale house, that of Messrs. John Duthie and Co., Limited, stands well to the fore. Their importing and indenting operations are so extensive and so varied that the value of their purchasing power is enormous. They are thus able to land goods of all kinds in Wellington at the very lowest cost; and the internal management of their business at this end is so complete and systematic that they enjoy a well-earned reputation throughout the country for their prompt and accurate attention to all orders entrusted to their care. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the business, both wholesale and retail, of Messrs. John Duthie and Co., Limited, is one of which Wellington may well be proud. The pictures give no adequate impression of the premises, as the Mercer Street frontage and half that to Victoria Street are excluded.
Grace, Clarke and Co. (James Grace, Alfred Clarke, Oscar Hewett, and others), Sewing. Knitting, and other Machine Importers, 13 Manners Street, Wellington, with depôts at Palmerston North, Napier, Auckland, New Plymouth, Hawera, Danevirke, Pahiatua, Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, etc. Cable address, “Triplex, Wellington.” Bankers, Bank of Australasia. This firm was established in 1889, and does the entire trade in the famed “Wertheim” sewing machines throughout the North Island, and likewise in the “Harrison” knitting machines throughout the Colony. They are also vendors of the “Jones” and “Pearson” sewing, and the “Griswold” and “Chemnitz” knitting machines, while a splendid English-made wringer and mangle sold by this firm has become very popular of late. All their importations are direct from the manufacturers in England and the Continent of Europe, their business enabling them to procure machines of the best and latest construction with despatch, while at the same time the volume of business being done ensures the keeping of large stocks from which purchasers may select their requirements. The members of the firm firm all well known as men of experience and business ability, always up-to-date with their class of goods, while ready attention is ever given to the needs of the public.
Lysaght, John, Limited, of Bristol, London, and Wolverhampton, Galvanised, Corrugated Iron, and Wire Netting Manufacturers. New Zealand head office, Ballance Street, Wellington; branches, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Manager for New Zealand, Mr. James McLellan. The company have established branches in every quarter of the globe. In the Australian Colonies they have offices and stores in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide. Launceston and Freemantle. The well-known brand of John Lysaght, Limited, is “Orb” Iron, of which a block appears herewith. The sheets are galvanized and corrugated, or flat. “Orb” iron is the covering of the major portion of the country, this brand having, it is claimed double the sale of all the other brands put together. The company have established a factory in Sydney to produce wire netting, and turn out 600 miles of the netting monthly; while the British works turn out about 1000 miles weekly. The works of the company are as large as those of the four next largest manufacturers combined. Many thousands of hands are employed by the firm at their various works. Mr. McLellan, the New Zealand manager, has occupied the position of president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co's Premises—Victoria Street Frontage. (From a photo taken before completion).
Stewart and Co. (late Greenfield and Stewart) (James Stewart, Charles Stewart, and James Hutchen), Iron, Glass, and Timber Merchants, Courtenay Place and Victoria Street, Wellington. This large and extensive business was founded by the late Mr. R. M. Greenfield and Mr. James Stewart, the present senior partner, in 1865. Mr. Greenfield, who is referred to at length as an ex-councillor for Wellington City on pp. 292–3 of this volume of the Cyclopedia, retained his connection with the firm for many years, but retired in 1877. Messrs. J. and C. Stewart were both born and brought up in Kirkcaldie, Fifeshire, Scotland. Mr. James Stewart arrived in the colonies in 1854, and, after “trying his luck” for some time on the Australian diggings, crossed the Tasman Sea, and founded the business in Wellington, as above described, in 1865. Mr. Charles Stewart came to New Zealand in 1862, landing at Port Chalmers. After spending two years in Otago, he proceeded to Wellington, and in 1865, joined the firm, with which he has ever since been connected. Mr. James Hutchen was born at Forfarshire, Scotland, and left his native land for New Zealand in 1862, per ship “Sir William Eyre,” landing in Wellington in 1864. Full particulars of the business of the firm will be found under “The Wood Trade” on pp. 764-5.
Thompson, Thomas John, Retail Ironmonger and Hardware Merchant, 60 Cuba Street, corner of Ghuznee Street. Telephone 285. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Wallace Street. Mr. Thompson is a native of the Colony; he was brought up to the trade in Cuba Street with Mr. John Young, and subsequently with Mr. Geo. Winder. The present business was established by Mr. A. J. Bennett in 1877, and conducted by that gentleman till September 1893, when Mr. Thompson became the proprietor. One particularly prominent feature of the business was its name for good quality, and this is what the present proprietor will maintain, making that his first aim, at the same time marking the goods at lowest prices. He has imported considerable stock from the very best makers in England, America, and the Continent of Europe since taking over the business, and the shop now contains a truly up-to-date stock, which is all marked at most reasonable figures. Mr. Thompson's trade extends through the provincial districts of Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawkes Bay in the North Island, and on the West Coast of the South Island The stock includes all kinds of furnishing ironmongery and house hold requisites. The premises consist of an imposing corner shop It has roomy show windows on two sides, which Mr. Thompson knows how to utilize to best advantage by a display of his well assorted goods. Cuba Street is well known as one of the best retail business thorough fares in the Empire City. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that with such a position, and the large connection that appertains to this old established house, together with Mr. Thompson's thorough grasp of the details of his trade, the business should steadily increase.
Wilkins and Field (Thomas Field, Thomas A. H. Field, and Henry Montague Field), Hardware Merchants, Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers, Manners Street, Wellington. Retail department and offices, Manners Street; wholesale department, Farish, St. Hill, and Old Customhouse Streets. Branch establishment, Nelson. Telephone: Retail 642; wholesale 218. Bankers, Colonial Bank of New Zealand. This large business was established nearly thirty years ago in Westport by Mr. Thomas Field, but about the year 1880 Mr. Field entered into partnership with Mr. W. C. Wilkins, in Nelson, when the style of this old-established business was changed to Wilkins and Field, in which name it is still carried on, although Mr. W. C. Wilkins retired from the firm after a few years through ill health. The head office was established in Wellington in 1889. The splendid premises, of which an interior view appears in the illustration, were originally erected for an arcade, and having been purchased, were altered to suit the business by Messrs. Wilkins and Field. The showrooms are said to be the largest and finest in the Colony. The total floorage space of the retail department amounts to little less than 20,000 square feet. Behind the retail shop is situated the large wholesale premises and factory. The whole of these extensive buildings comprise nearly the entire block formed by Manners, Farish, St. Hill, and Customhouse Streets. The wholesale promises include about 15,000 square feet additional floorage space. The firm are large manufacturers of spouting, ridging, wire mattresses, perambulators, and everything in their line that can be made in the Colony to compete with imported goods. For the purpose of this manufacturing trade, the firm possess a full plant of machinery of the latest and most approved description, and a large staff of competent workmen are regularly employed. There are no less than from fifty to sixty hands engaged in the different departments. Messrs. Wilkins and Field are large importers from the best markets of the Old World, but they do all they can to encourage colonia industry, and anything that can be manufactured in the Colony to advantage has the preference. Their trade extends throughout the greater portion of New Zealand, their travellers paying regular visits to customers in Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, every part of the Wellington province, and other districts. The firm are patentees of Yarrall's patent spray pump for spraying fruit trees, patent kerosene lamps, milk-strainers, and a host of other specialties. The Nelson firm are local agents for the Royal Insurance Company for the provincial districts of Nelson and Westland. Messrs. Wilkins and Field are a progressive firm, and may be relied upon at all times to supply goods of the best value at the lowest possible prices.
Mr. George Winder.
Other Ironmongers, Etc.
Cerchi, Lugi, Dealer in Cycles, 57 Willis Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, 23 Kent Terrace. Established 1895.
Duff, Arthur H., trading as the Zealandia Hire Trading Company, Victoria Street. Established 1895.
Grove, Jas. Bond, Cycle Engineer, 27 Ghuznee Street. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Established 1892.
Higginbottom and Co. (Wilfred Higginbottom), Cutler and Ironmonger, 21A Willis Street. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Brougham Street.
Jenkinson and Co. (Hon. J. E. Jenkinson, Manager), Bicycle Manufacturers and Importers, 15 Willis Street. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Tinakori Road. Established 1896.
McLean, J., Junr., General Ironmonger, 28 Willis Street. Bankers National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Hanson Street. Established 1891.
Singer Sewing Machine Depôt (W. Forsyth Geddes, Manager), Willis Street.