Bartlett, Lewis, Gentlemen's Clothier, Hatter, and Mercer, Market Street, Blenheim. The premises have a frontage of 42 feet to Market Street, and the owner is doing a good, sound, and steady trade. A large stock of ready-made clothing is kept always on hand, but orders for measured suits are also taken by Mr. Bartlett, and fulfilled at the shortest notice.

Girling, W. B. and Co. (F. S. Clarke, manager), Drapers, Clothiers, House Furnishers, Etc., Market Square, Blenheim; branches at Havelock and Picton. P.O. Box 13. Private residence, High Street. Telephone 57. This business was established in 1872 by the late Mr. W. B. Girling, who died in 1898. The shop is centrally situated; it is of two stories, and has a floorage space of 7000 square feet. The stock is large, embraces all the newest goods, and all classes are carefully catered for by the management. The firm has an extensive dressmaking room, with a large staff of dressmakers; also a large millinery and fancy room, which is always crowded with novelties. The firm is in touch with the great manufacturers of England and the Continent, and so is enabled to supply its customers at the lowest possible prices, with goods of the newest possible designs and patterns, and with every season's specialties.

Mullen, Francis, Draper, Clothier, Milliner and Dressmaker, Market Place, Blenheim. P.O. Box 57. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Sword's House, Main Street. This business was established in 1882, and is carried on in a two-storey building, which has a floor space of 1000 square feet. Mr Mullen was born in Dublin, Ireland, and entered his father's business to obtain a knowledge of his trade. He came to New Zealand in 1874 by the ship “Knight of Snowdon,” and landed at Port Chalmers. Thence he went to Wellington, where he was in the employment of Mr. McDowell, and managed his branch at Wanganui for six years. Mr. Mullen was in business on his own account in various parts of the North Island before settling in Blenheim. He is a member of the Wairau Lodge of Freemasons.

James K. Vail and Company (James K. Vail, proprietor), Tailors, Market Street South, Blenheim. This business was established in May, 1905, in succession to the firm of Messrs Bates and Lees. It occupies a portion of a new and handsome brick building, has a fine show window facing the main street, and a large general business room, a fitting room, and a private office. The work rooms are situated a short distance away, in High Street. The firm employs about ten persons, and an extensive business is done throughout the province. A heavy stock of the best tailoring materials is always kept, and the fit and finish of the suits turned out are such as to increase and ensure patronage.

Mr. James Knight Vail , Proprietor of the firm of Messrs Vail and Company, was born at Geelong, Victoria, Australia. He came to New Zealand as a boy, and was apprenticed to the tailoring trade under his father, then a leading tailor in New Plymouth. In the early eighties, he spent about one year and six months with Messrs Ballantyne and Company, of Christchurch, and later on went to Auckland, where he worked for Messrs Poseniski, and then for Mr. Murchie. Mr. Vail afterwards managed a business for Mr. Williams, and subsequently for Mr. Morgan, at Whangarei, for about three years. He again spent a short time with Mr. Poseniski, in Auckland, and from there was appointed cutter for Mr. Blyth, of Napier. A little later, Mr. Vail went to Wellington to take up a position in the firm of Messrs King and Muir. In the year 1902, he was appointed manager of the tailoring department of Messrs Bates and Lees, and in the following year was sent to take charge of their Blenheim branch. This he successfully conducted for two years, and when the firm withdrew, in the early part of 1905, he continued in the business on his own account. Mr. Vail is an Oddfellow and a Freemason, and is a member of the Blenheim Borough School committee.