Barber, Robert, Baker, Confectioner and Pastrycook, Karangahape Read, Auck and. This business was originally established by Mr. Henry Brown, and has been only a few years in Mr. Barber's possession. The shop, which is of wood, is two stories in height, and a portion is set aside and fitted up as a refreshment room. Mr. Barber has a fine display of choice confectionery, and makes a specialty of wedding cakes, and all kinds of sugar work. Mr. Barber was born and educated in Edinburgh, but learned his trade with Mr. T. Scott, of Cumberland, England. He came to New Zealand in 1888, and after his arrival in Auckland, he entered the employment of Mr. Leigh, of Queen Street, and was his foreman for nine years, at the end of which he commenced business on his own account.

Mr. R. Barber.

Burton, J., Baker, Confectioner and Family Grocer, Grafton Road, Auckland. Telephone 606. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Mr. Burton arrived in Auckland by the ship “Egmont,” in July, 1860. After spending eight years in the country districts, he returned to the city, and entered the employment of the late Mr. Charles Canning in Shortland Street. In 1875 he left Mr. Canning's service to start business in Hobson Street, in partnership with Mr. Bernie, another of Mr. Canning's employees. The firm experienced the difficulties that usually beset beginners, and the partnership was dissolved in 1878, when Mr. Burton removed to Grafton Road, where he has since carried on a steadily increasing business. His premises are freehold, and occupy one of the finest sites in or around Auckland. Mr Burton's business motto has been “Excelsior,” and he has found that by steadily facing difficulties he has been able to overcome them.

Mr. J. Burton's Premises.

Davis, James, Baker, Confectioner and Family Grocer, New North Road, Auckland. Mr. Davis was born in 1822, in Herefordshire, England, and was engaged at farm work for several years. He emigrated to New South Wales in 1848, and remained in Australia for six years, after which he returned to England, and took to farming again for seventeen years. In 1873 he left England for New Zealand, by the ship “Queen of the Age,” and arrived in Auckland, where he followed various occupations for five years. He established his present business twenty-three years ago, and for many years past has been assisted in the bakehouse by his sons. The main building is of two stories, of wood and iron, and the bakehouse is situated at the rear. At present five hands are employed, and three carts are kept busy delivering.

Mr. J. Davis.

Davis, Jabez, Baker and Confectioner, Wellington Street, Auckland. Mr. Davis was born in 1857, in Hereford, England. The early part of his life was spent on a farm, and he camo to New Zealand, with his parents, by the ship “Queen of the Age,” in 1874. After learning his trade with his father he was employed by the late Mr. Dixon, bakor, of Hobson Street, and by Mr. David Grubb, of Karangahape and, Road, for many years. In 1882 he entered into partnership with his father and brother in Mount Eden Road, and ten years later bought the business of Mr. C. Smith, Mount Eden. After remaining there two years he removed to Victoria Street, and later on left there for his present premises, which are in a good central position. He has two carts delivering goods, and is also assisted by his son. Mr. Davis is a member of the Church of England.

Jowers, Mrs E., Wholesale Confectioner, 318 Queen Street, Auckland. This business was established by Mr. John Jowers, who was horn in London in 1863, and was apprenticed to Messrs S. and G. Coles, of Holloway, Islington, for six years. While in the employment of that firm he manufactured publicly in the Crystal and Alexandra Palaces, London. In 1882 he left England for Canada, and was employed for some time by Messrs Crowther Bros., confectioners, of Kingston, Ontario. He then went to Toronto, where he gained considerable experience with Messrs Robertson and Co., and Mr. W. Hessen, the largest confectioners in that place. In 1885 he came out to Australia, and landed at Melbourne, where he was in business for nine years. Mr. Jowers then came to New Zealand, and commenced business in Queen Street, Auckland, in January, 1894.

Mckeown, Edward, Baker and Confectioner, 5 Queen Street, Anckland. Mr. McKeown was born in Kent, England, and came to New Zealand in 1849. He learned his trade with Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. T. Douglas, of Queen Street, Auckland, and was for seven years in the French Bakery, In 1870, be commenced business for himself in Hobson Street, and seven years later removed to his present premises. Mr. McKeown has a fine two-storey brick building, which runs through to Little Queen Street; he employs about thirteen hands, and the daily turnover aggregates 2000 loaves. The restaurant attached to the premises is extremely popular, and about 200 people sit down daily to luncheon. Mr. McKeown has been contractor to British and foreign men-of-war, and also to the Union and Northern Steamship Companies. He is a Freemason, an Oddfellow, and a Forester. In 1883 he visited Melbourne as delegate from the Auckland lodges, but has been compelled latterly through ill-health, to retire from active connection with them.

Mr. E. McKeown.

Marriott, James William, Wholesale and Retail Confectioner, 216 Karangahape Road, Auckland. Mr. Marriott was born in Sydney in the year 1858, and came to this Colony in 1860 with his parents. He was educated at Mowbray's Academy, Auckland, and after leaving school was apprenticed for five years to Messrs S. S. Griffith and Co., the once well-known Wellington confectioners, with whom he remained as journeyman for a few years. To gain experience in his business, Mr Marriott left for Sydney, and on arrival there obtained a situation with Messrs Enever and Appleton, who have one of the largest confectionery works in Sydney. In 1874 he returned to Wellington, and was with his old employers, Messrs S. S. Griffith and Co., for some time. He then went to Wanganui, where he filled the position of foreman at the confectionery works of the late Mr. James Payne. Finding there was not sufficient scope for him in Wanganui, he decided to remove to Auckland, and for two or three years he was in business in Queen Street. In 1884 Mr. Marriott was offered an appointment with Messrs C. G. Laurie and Co., Newmarket, and was with them for almost four years. For six years he was with Mr. J. Mennie (of Mennie and Dey), and in 1894 he purchased the business which he now carries on in Karangahapo Road. He commenced the manufacture of confectionery in a small shed at the rear of the shop, but his business increased to such an extent, that he found it necessary to remove his plant to a two-storey factory. Mr. Marriott employs three hands, and has a fine delivery van, which cost him over £100. He obtained two special gold medals for all-round confectionery at the Auckland Industrial Exhibition in 1896–7. Mr. Marriott carries a large stock of English goods, and imports direct from Fry and Co., Barratt and Co., etc, and has no fewer than 150 wholesale customers. He is a Freemason.

Mr. J. W. Marriott.

Mennie And Dey (James Milne Mennie), Wholesale Biscuit Manufacturers, Confectioners and Jam Makers, Lower Albert Street, Auckland; Branch, Queen Street, Thames. Telephone 303. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Mr. Mennie is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and on coming to New Zealand in 1869. he went to the Thames, where he began business as a bread and biscuit baker, and was soon joined in partnership by Mr William Dey, also formerly of Aberdeen. For ten or twelve years Messrs Mennie and Dey carried on a highly successful business at the Thames. Eventually Mr. Dey retired, and in 1884 Mr. Mennie removed page 327 his headquarters to Auckland, and left the Thames business in the hands of a manager. Biscuits have been the firm's principal line from the outset, and confectionery takes the second place in the order of importance. The factory also does a large business in jams, jellies, and preserved fruit. Employment is given in the factory to between eighty and one hundred hands; about £6000 per annum is spent in wages, and the value of the goods manufactured is about £50,000 per annum. Some seasons over £5000 is paid away for fruit for preserving and jam-making purposes, the greater part of it to Auckland settlers. The tins required for packing goods are made on the premises, and six tinsmiths are kept constantly employed on this work. Messrs Mennie and Dey's business connection now extends all over the colony, and a considerable trade is also done with the South Sea Islands.

Roberts, J. D. & Co. (Joseph Drayton Roberts). Manufacturing Confectioners and Biscuit Makers. Temporary premises, Excelsior Buildings, Customs Street; works, Stanley Street, Auckland. Mr. Roberts is a native of Leicester, England, and came to the Colony in 1893, for the benefit of his health, which has greatly improved by the warmer climate of Auckland. He had a very extensive experience in the Old Country, where he was director of several well-known English companios, and that and his thorough knowledge of the English and foreign markets, have been of great assistance to him in his colonial business. After his arrival in Wellington by the s.s. “Kaikoura,” Mr. Roberts made a tour through the whole island, and finally settled in Auckland, where, in order to note the difference between the English and Colonial trade, he obtained a position with Mr. J. Rigg, agent for Rowntree's cocoa, etc. Six months later, he took premises at No. 15, High Street, and became sole agent in Auckland and the Northern districts for Cadbury Bros., cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, Birmingham, and also agent for Messrs W. and D. Harvest, London, general drysalters; Messrs Grimble and Co., vinegar manufacturers, London; Messrs Hay Bros., the celebrated Scotch confectioners, of Glasgow; and he still holds these agencies. Mr. Roberts is also a large importer of English twine. Finding that his customers were enquiring for colonial confectionery, which is, of course, cheaper than English, he decided to enter into the manufacturing line, and took into partnership Mr. J. Jowess, but twelve months later, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Roberts continued to carry on the business. In 1896, finding his premises much too small for his fast increasing business, he decided to take a larger establishment, and removed to 36 to 38 High Street, where he carried on his business until its expansion compelled him to move to the well-situated and more commodious premises which he occupied in Stanley Street until the 12th of May, 1901, when the establishment was completely destroyed by fire. The loss thus caused amounted to quite £10,000, which was covered by insurances to the extent of only £2,500. However, in less than a month Mr. Roberts resumed business in temporary premises in the Excelsior Buildings, Customs Street, was erecting temporary works in Stanley Street, and stood prepared to execute all orders. Resourcefulness like this always deserves success, and almost always wins it. Mr. Roberts is in a position to supply retailers with every class of goods, from the highest English confectionery down to the cheapest colonial article. Besides largely importing from England, Mr. Roberts has frequent shipments from Philadelphia and New York, and all the latest American novelties can be obtained at his warehouse; in fact, there is nothing required by a retail confectioner that Mr. Roberts does not keep; paper bags, glass show bottles, scales and weights and all sundries are in stock in large variety. A special branch of the business consists in supplying the smaller manufacturing confectioners with essences, colourings, oils, gelatine, etc. Large stocks of Stevenson and Howell's and W. T. Bush and Co.'s essences are kept, as well as glucose and rollers and stands for manufacturing boiled lollies. Mr Roberts personally possesses the qualities necessary to make a good business man, and being courteous and attentive to his customers, he has secured a large and growing connection. He is a Freemason of the English Constitution, and a member of No. 1560, Art Edward Lodge, and St. George's Chapter attached, also a Mark Master Mason of No. 191 Simon de Montfort Lodge, all of Leicester.

Hanna, photo.Messrs Roberts & Co.'s Premises.
(Destroyed by fire, May 12th, 1901.)

Sarney, Horace Joseph, West End Confectionery Works, Ponsonby Road; Factory, King Street, Ponsonby. Mr. Sarney came to New Zealand from London by the ship “Tweed,” in 1874, and was for fourteen years employed in a responsible position by Mr. R. K. Murray, of Dunedin. He commenced business in Auckland in 1892, when he took over his present works from Mr. John Buchanan, for whom he had acted as manager for about eight years. Mr. Sarney is now doing a steady and progressive trade throughout the colony. His main line consists in boiled sugar lollies of the purest kind. The factory is built of wood and iron, and is one storey; the shop, built of wood, is of two stories; and together they cover a floorage space of 7200 square feet. The plant at the factory consists of a two horse-power gas engine, with gaspan, rollers, marble slabs, sugar mill, etc., and is capable of a very large output. Mr. Sarney's trade mark is “Fair Play.”

Tremain, John, Biscuit Baker, 54 Wellesley Street, Auckland. Mr. Tremain was born in Cornwall, England, in 1843, and at the early age of five left with his parents for Victoria. He was educated in Geelong, where he was subsequently apprenticed to Mr. McCallum, and seven years later he commenced business on his own account, as a confectioner and caterer. Mr. Tremain came to New Zealand in 1873 in the s.s. “Hero,” and was in business for four years in the City Market, Auckland. He afterwards removed to his present three-storey building in Wellesley Street, where, with improved machinery and close personal attention to business, he has been successful in working up a good connection. As an Oddfellow, Mr. Tremain is a member of the Manchester Unity, and he takes an active interest in temperance matters. He is a member of the Wesleyan Church, and in his younger days, in Victoria, was a Sunday school teacher.

Wilson, Ralph, Baker and Confectioner, Khyber Pass, Auckland. Mr. Wilson is one of the oldest bakers in Auckland, and established himself in business in 1874. His premises are freehold, and large and roomy, and are specially adapted to the bakery trade. He has an extensive bread round, and two carts are constantly kept going. Mr. Wilson was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, in 1846, and arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Viola” in 1865. He commenced business in Khyber Pass in conjunction with Mr. J. Robertson, but the partnership was dissolved in 1886. Mr. Wilson is ably assisted in the business by his sons.

Hanna, photo.Mr. R. Wilson.

Wilson, Thomas, Baker and Confectioner, 49 Grey Street, Auckland. This business was founded by Mr. Wilson in 1867, in a small wooden building on its present site, but finding the premises too small for his fast increasing trade, he erected the fine concrete block which he now occupies. The bakehouse contains two large ovens, and is one of the finest in Auckland. Mr. Wilson employs four men, and has two carts delivering in the town and its suburbs. He is a native of Fifeshire, Scotland, and in 1853 he left his native land for Victoria, in the ship “Goldfinder.” After gaining considerable experience with leading Melbourne bakers, he came to Auckland in the ship “Invincible,” and established his present business. Mr. Wilson occupied the position of chairman of the Master Bakers' Association during the strikes of 1890 and 1894, and it is generally admitted that he was the only man capable of keeping the men together. He was for six years in the first-class militia, and was at the front for a few weeks during the Waikato war. Mr Wilson's residence is in Wolseley Road.

Hanna, photo.Mr. T. Wilson.

Wright, George William, Pastry Cook and Confectioner, 220 Queen Street, Auckland, and Karangahape Road, Newton. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Sherburn Road, Mount Eden. Mr Wright established his business in 1886. He has been fortunate in securing two of the best business sites in the city for his particular trade; the Karangahape Road shop faces the Foresters' Hall, and the Queen Street premises are exactly opposite the City Hall. A very extensive trade is done in small goods, and provides employment for over fourteen hands. A large portion of each shop is set apart for refreshment rooms, and so successful has Mr. Wright been in this branch of his business that he has had extensive additions and alterations made to his Queen Street branch, including two splendid dining-rooms for ladies and gentlemen, each room with a floorage space of 1250 feet, and all the latest improvements and conveniences. Mr. Wright is a native of King's Lynn, Norfolk, England, and came to New Zealand in the s.s. “Ionic.” On arriving in the colony he settled in Auckland, and was with his uncle, Mr. G. Wright, for five years as manager, and left that employment to establish his present business. He is well-known as a conchologist, and his collection of shells numbers many thousands. Mr. Wright is a florist of repute, and has a beautiful garden, with two fine greenhouses, at his private residence. He has been a member of the Auckland Daffodil and Bulb Society from its commencement, and recently exhibited a large number of pots of jonquils at the local flower show, where he secured two first prizes. Mr. Wright is president of the Newton District Football Club, and until lately was a member of the Auckland Rugby Union.

Mr. G. W. Wright.