Staples, W. and J., and Co. (William Staples and William Brunskill), Boot, Shoe, and Upper Manufacturers, Leather and Grindery Merchants, and Boot and Shoe Importers, Ghuznee Street. Telephone 576; P.O. Box 10. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residences at Island Bay. Mr. Staples is a native of Leicester, where he was apprenticed to Thomas Crick, one of the oldest firms in the trade in that locality. After completing his term, Mr. Staples travelled over England and Scotland in connection with the trade for some eight or nine years, during which time he largely added to his experience. About 1870 he came out to the Colony per ship “City of Glasgow,” and worked as journeyman in the trade till 1873. Mr. Brunskill hails from Manchester, where he was brought up to mercantile life, arriving in New Zealand in 1880 per barque “Portland” For eight years, from 1881 to 1889, Mr. Brunskill was in business in Manners Street, Wellington. The original factory from whence this hive of industry has developed was founded by Mr. William Staples in conjunction with his brother, the late Mr. John Staples, in 1873. The premises were not large, and the number of employees but few, and it was beyond the anticipation of the founders that so large an industry would spring from so small a beginning. Both partners were thoroughly practical men who understood every operation in connection with their business, and with the needful energy and supervision, it is not wonderful that the establishment kept increasing. The business was conducted by the brothers till 1888, when death, that ruthless enemy of our race, removed the elder brother, leaving Mr. William Staples to conduct the important industry alone. This he did till 1890, when Mr. William Brunskill joined the firm. The building occupied by Messrs. Staples and Co. does not convey any impression of the extent of the operations which are conducted within. The premises are of brick and wood, being two stories in height, affording a total floorage space of little less than 8000 square feet. Every corner of this large factory is profitably utilised in connection with the trade. In the clicking room, which is situated on the first floor at the north end of the building, Mr. Thompson is superintendent. Here all the boot uppers are cut out, the latest Amazeen skiving machines being used for page 701 p[unclear: a]ring the edges of the leather, and blocking machines to give the required shapes. The splendid national wax thread machines are used for sewing the heavier descriptions of leather. The thread used in this connection passes through a receptacle containing wax, which is kept hot by means of gas jets. The work turned out is said to be equal to hand-sewn work. The machine-room on the same floor is under the supervision of Mrs. Boyd, who has about thirtyseven girls under her care. From twenty-four to thirty sewing machines of latest designs, among which are the celebrated zig zag machines, besides eyeletting machines, are used in this department. Messrs. Staples and Co. claim to be the first firm in Wellington to drive the girls' sewing machines by power, which is much to the advantage of the employees, and results in a very great saving of time. The sole sewing-room is provided with a splendid Goodyear machine, and one of Pearson's improved sole sewing machines, which is capable of sewing the soles on 200 pairs of boots daily. The press-room contains two splendid presses. The sorting-room is large and lofty, and is fitted with pigeon holes to hold every size of fitting and shape of bottom stuff from stiffener to outsole and lifts to top piece. A ranging machine enables the workmen quickly to cut up the leather into ranges, which are then passed through the two-ton steel roller. The sole knives, of which there are hundreds of different forms and [unclear: s]izes, are used to produce the requisite shapes. The firm has lately imported a sole-rounding machine, which does the same work without the use of the press and knives. The splitting machine is a marvel of simplicity, and will split the leather to any thickness that may be needed for the lightest ladies' work. On the ground floor there are two large benching rooms, which present an animated appearance. A very large number of hands are here employed in steadily pegging away at driving metal rivets and wooded pegs into the soles, thus firmly securing the latter on the uppers. Adjoining the northern bench-room is the finishing department, where the boots and shoes receive final polishing, being then ready for the market. The leather room is well worthy of special note. The stock is both large and varied, comprising all kinds of English, French, and German calf, and ooze calf, also glaze kids, kid skins, glove kids, and Persians, for making fine class goods, in addition to a quantity of colonial kip. The stock room contains thousands of pairs of boots and shoes. There is also one of the latest patent treeing machines, which is provided with right and left adjustments for expanding the boots to full size, and enabling the attendant to smooth out the seams and put on a special finish, both inside and out. The sample and show-room contains from two to three hundred varieties of footgear, from the most [unclear: deli]cate lady's to the heaviest bushman's. The numbers run from one to four hundred. For years past Messrs. Staples have imported varieties of the finer Continental and English brands, but as time goes on they find that they can produce goods of equal value, and at considerably less money than the imported article. It is not, therefore surprising that the firm should be gradually discontinuing importation. Taken as a whole, the factory is a most complete one, bein thoroughly up-to-date in all respects. A six-horse nominal gas engine furnishes the necessary power. The number of hands employed varies from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty, the wages sheet being from £600 to £700 per month. The output of this centre of industry is about 8000 pairs of boots and shoes each month. This large output is sold within the Colony, the firm's representatives visiting almost every part of New Zealand periodically. Mr. Thompson travels in the North Island as far north as Gisborne and New Plymouth, carrying the firm's samples, while the North of the South Island and the West Coast are worked through Messrs. Sclanders and Co., of Nelson. Messrs. Staples have several brands, the leading line being the head of the Iron Duke. Some of the other brands are “Melrose,” “Wellington,” and “Duke.” There can be no doubt that the firm's reputation has been won by means of the celebrated “Duke of Wellington” brand, which is sufficient guarantee for the excellence of the material and workmanship. Messrs. Staples have long-standing arrangements whereby they can secure supplies of the best makes of English and Continental leather, also grindery of all kinds. They are at all times able to satisfy any demands for leather and grindery that may be made upon them. The turnover is very large, being no less than £23,000 per annum. In local politics Mr. Brunskill is a member of the Melrose Borough Council. Portraits of the partners are given herewith.