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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Holmes, John, and Co
Holmes, John, and Co. (John Holmes), Wholesale Wool, Crain, Flax, Seed, and General Merchants, Land and Financial Agents, Grey Street, Wellington, and also in Blenheim. Their cable address is “Amicus, Wellington,” and “Pax, Blenheim.” Codes ABC, fourth edition, and International Mercantile Code. Telephone 655; P.O. Box 368. Bankers, Colonial Bank of New Zealand. The private residence of the head of the firm (Mr. John Holmes) is Holmdale, Blenheim. Mr. John Holmes was born in county Cork, Ireland, which has given more celebrated men to Victoria, at least, than any other portion of the Emerald Isle. He comes from the county that has given Australia such eminent citizens as Sir Redmond Barry, Sir Francis Murphy, and a host of other gentlemen who have immortalised themselves in colonial history. The writer of this brief sketch has know Mr. Holmes for twenty years. He has done an immense deal of good for the Marlborough district, where he has inaugurated the direct shipping from Picton to London, established the frozen meat trade, and opened up the export of tinned and frozen rabbits to the Mother Country. As manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency at Blenheim, he gained a large and varied experience in finance, wool, shipping, and land values. Recognising this, the Government of New Zealand appointed him assessor for the Crown, under the Public Works Department. His energy and enterprise have gained for him the confidence and approval of all with whom he has come in contact. His firm at present represents the following agencies:—Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, Limited; the Commercial Union Fire and Marine Assurance Company, Limited, of London; the Auckland Fibre Manufacturing Company, Limited; the Massey-Harris harvesting machines, steel cultivators, mowers, and horse rakes; Hawkins and Tipson, hemp and wire rope, and sail-cloth manufacturers, London; Anderson' patent metal ear-mark, for horses, cattle, and sheep; Adams's fertilizers, sheep dips, and disinfectants; the Colonial Ammunition Company, Limited, sporting ammunition, powder and shot; the Palatine Fire Insurance Company, Limited, of Manchester; Lawes's celebrated powder and liquid sheep dips; Barnard and Lake's thatch-making machines; William Houlker, shot and vinegar manufacturer, Nelson; P. Baylis, Ironfounder, Chippenham, England, for hay and wool presses; Anglo-American Rope and Oakum Company, Liverpool, England. The New Zealand Flax Mill Association selected Mr. Holmes out of a large number of applicants for the first appointment of flax grader ever made in New Zealand.