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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

General Merchants

General Merchants.

Linnemann, Carl Johannes Edward, General Merchant, Revell Street, Hokitika. Branches at Stafford, Rimu, and Ross. This business was founded by Mr. Linnemann in the year 1865 at Stafford, and four years later, a branch was opened in Hokitika. A branch was also established at Rimu, where Mr. Linnemann was one of the first to start business, and at Ross in 1899. The premises in Revell Street, Hokitika, and at Stafford are freehold, but the stores at Rimu and Ross are erected on ground held under goldmining licenses. Mr. Linnemann is a direct importer of various classes of goods, including grocery, hardware, crockery, stationery, and fancy goods. He was born in July, 1840, at Hamburg, Germany, where he was educated, and brought up to mercantile life. Mr. Linnemann went to Australia in March, 1860, and was for some time at forest Creek, Victoria. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and went to Dunedin in 1864, where he continued for fifteen months. Mr. Linnemann subsequently removed to Hokitika in the year 1865. As a Freemason, he has been treasurer of the local lodge, and he is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Order. Mr. Linnemann married a daughter of the late Mr. F. Strien, of Hokitika, in 1866, and has three sons and two daughters.

Paterson, Michel and co. (Henry Leslie Michel), Coffee, Spice and General Merchants, Wharf Street, Hokitika. This important business was originally formed by Messrs Parsons and Co., of Melbourne, who retired from Hokitika several years afterwards. It has since been carried on solely by Mr. H. L. Michel. The premises have a total frontage of about sixty feet and a depth of 100 feet. A ten horse-power steam-engine, by Messrs Richard and Watts, supplies the motive power for the coffee-roasting plant, which is a very complete one. Amongst the firm's well-known brands of coffee may be mentioned the “Arab” and “Globe” brands, which “once used always used.” Mr. Michel personally visits the larger towns of the Colony periodically, and so keeps in touch with the various local markets.

Mr. H. L. Michel , Proprietor of the business, is referred to elsewhere as a former Mayor of Hokitika, and as captain of the Hokitika Fire Brigade.

Stevenson, Andrew, Merchant, Hokitika. Mr. Stevenson is one of the most popular business men on the West Coast, and has been identified with Hokitika for nearly forty years. He was born in Barhead, Scotland, in the year 1862, was brought to New Zealand by his parents a year later in the ship “Victory,” and landed at Port Chalmers. On the opening up of the goldfields on the West Coast, Mr. Stevenson, senior, walked overland from Otago to Hokitika, where he was associated with mining for some years. Subsequently, he started business as a page 518 carpenter and builder, and continued to be so engaged until his death, in 1897. Mr. Andrew Stevenson was brought up and educated in Hokitika, and was for five years with Messrs D. Cullen and Co., storekeepers. In 1880, he began his connection with the well-known firm of Messrs James Chesney and Co., merchants, Hokitika; he has been associated with the firm ever since, and has been a partner since 1896. Mr. Stevenson was for some years chairman of the Westland Racing Club. He has also been chairman of the Westland Industrial Building Society since its inception. In all local affairs bearing on the welfare of the district Mr. Stevenson has always lent a helping hand. He is largely connected with the mining industry.