Eveline Fellmongery (Isaac Under-wood, proprietor), Eveline, Oamaru. The site of this fellmongery is on the banks of the Boundary Creek, near the beach, and consists of eleven acres of freehold. The various buildings are of wood and iron, and contain full appliances for the conduct of a large business. Mr. Underwood buys as many as 150,000 skins in the year from the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, and his shipments of wool often equal 1000 bales a year. He was born near Northampton, England, in 1855, and lived on a farm till he was sixteen years of age. In 1876 he entered the service of the Midland Railway Company, as engine cleaner, and worked his way up to the position of driver. In 1887, at the time of the Drivers' Strike, he decided to emigrate to the colony, and arrived in Port Chalmers by the s.s. “Ionic” in 1888. He found employment at Burnside as fellmonger for four years, and rose to the position of foreman. Afterwards he removed to Wanganui, and became manager of the fellmongery there, and four years later he bought the business, which he conducted for four years. In March, 1899, he bought the Eveline fellmongery, and in March of the following year disposed of his Wanganui business. After a trip Home his returned to the colony, and has since worked his Eveline business. Mr. Underwood was married, in October, 1883, to a daughter of the late Mr. Boyd Gatefield, of Chesterfield, England.

Hodge And Jones (Archibald Hodge), Saddlers, Harness Makers, and Importers, Tyne Street, Oamaru. This business was founded in 1866, and was acquired by the present firm in 1877. Mr. Jones died in 1903, and since then the business has been carried on under the old style by the surviving partner. The premises consist of a stone building, containing a large double-fronted shop and workshop.

Mr. Hodge was born in 1842, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and there served his apprenticeship at the saddlery business. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and in 1863 came to Auckland with his regiment by the troopship “Norwood.” He served in the Waikato. Tauranga, Wanganui, and Taranaki districts under Generals Cameron and Chute, and received the New Zealand war medal. On returning to the Old Country he purchased his discharge, and worked as a saddler in his native city. About 1870 Mr. Hodge came to Otago, and shortly afterwards settled in Osmaru, where he worked at his trade until joining his late partner in business. He was married, in 1875, to a daughter of the late Mr. A. Symon, of Taieri.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. A. Hodge.

Macdonald, William , Skinner, Exe Street, Oamaru. Mr. MacDonald's business was established in 1889, and is conducted in a stone building. The private residence adjoins the works. Mr. MacDonald was born at Elgm, Morayshire, Scotland, in 1844, and served an apprenticeship of seven years. He then worked at his trade as a journeyman till he left for the colonies in 1883. In that year he arrived in Brisbane, Queensland, in the s.s. “Archer,” and afterwards visited Sydney and Melbourne. He arrived in Dunedin in the following year, and in 1885 settled in Oamaru, where, four years later, he established his present business. As a volunteer. Mr. MacDonald served for three years in the Elgin City Rifles. He joined the Order of Oddfellows in Scotland, and is still attached to it. In 1872 he was married to a daughter of the late Mr. Charles Inglis, of Selkirk. Scotland.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs W. MacDonald.

Pocklington, James , Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, Tees Street, Oamaru. P.O. Box 36. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand and National Bank of New Zealand Private residence, Tees Street. The Oamaru Boot Factory was established in 1878 by Mr. S. Pocklington, who conducted the business till 1896, when the present proprietor, who is a son of the founder, took it over. The building is of Oamaru stone, and has three stories and a basement; the floor fronting Tees Street is occupied as the boot and shoe uppermaking department and the stock room, behind which are the office and the pressroom. The third floor is occupied as the bench and finishing departments, and the top floor is used as a dwelling. Twolve hands are employed at the factory, which does work wholesale for the trade and country storekeepers; and the plant includes the latest machinery. Mr. Pocklington also has a branch business at Kurow, under the management of his brother, Mr. S. Pocklington, junior. Mr. James Pocklington, the proprietor, was born in Glasgow in 1869, and was educated in Oamaru, where he learned his trade under his father, by whom he was employed in connection with the establishment until he acquired the busincss. As a volunteer, Mr. Pocklington joined the Otago Hussars in Oamaru, and afterwards served seven years in the Mounted Rifles. He is also a Forester, and is a member and past chief ranger of Court Pride of Oamaru, 4932. Mr. Pocklington was married, in 1894, to a daughter of Mr. W. Cairns, of Oamaru, and has two sons.

Mr. J. Pocklington.

White, George , Saddler and Harness Maker, Thames Street, Oamaru. This business was established in 1900, and is conducted in a two storey stone building. The ground floor is used as a shop, office, and workroom, while on the basement are the collar-shop and another workroom. Saddlery materials are imported direct from Walsall, and a well assorted and thoroughly up-to-date stock is maintained. The business has developed wonderfully, and seven hands are constantly employed in repairing and manufacturing.

Mr. White , the Proprietor, was born in July, 1864, in Camaru, where he attended school. He served a five years' apprenticeship with Messrs Hodge and Jones, for whom he worked afterwards as journeyman for fifteen years, before leaving to start on his own account in 1900. Mr. White has played in the local Salvation Army Band since 1887, and is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. He was married, in 1884, to page 540 Miss Addison, an English lady, and has three daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. G. White.