Johnson, Matthew, Draper, Mercer, and Clothier, Heretaunga Street, Hastings. This business is conducted in centrally-situated premises. The stock is large, and embraces all the newest goods; and all classes are carefully catered for by the management. Ten persons are employed by the proprietor. Mr. Johnson was born at Whistlecock, Northumberland, England, in July, 1871, his father for some years being manager of the Consett ironworks, in Durham. He was educated at Pendrith Castle, in the North of England, and came to New Zealand in 1881, his father having preceded him under contract to work the iron-sand deposits in Taranaki. Mr. Johson began his commercial career as a news-boy in Dunedin in 1882. He soon made his way, however, and was afterwards employed for seven years by Mr. Robert Brown, draper, of Dunedin. He subsequently worked for Messrs A. and T. Inglis, of Dunedin, and then removed to Napier, under engagement to Messrs Blythe and Company. He afterwards opened a branch for the same firm at Hastings, and after successfully conducting it for several years went into business on his own account in a small way, has gradually forged ahead, and has since taken over his old firm's premises.

Roach, G. H., Draper, Clothier, Grocer and Provision Merchant, Hastings. Telephone, No. 7. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Established, 1884. This business is one of the largest and oldest establishments in Hastings. The drapery business is carried on in a handsome building situated in the busiest part of the town, the windows of which are rendered attractive with a large display of the latest goods, imported direct from the manufacturers in Great Britain. The interior of the shop is tastefully fitted up, special attention being paid to lighting. The stock is new and up to date, and is divided respectively into fancy, dress, and Manchester, mercery, and clothing departments. The grocery and general store, including a crockery and ironmongery department, is domiciled in a separate buildings. The business is now conducted by Mr. G. F. Roach, a son of the founder.

Mr. G. H. Roach, founder of the above business, was born at Richmond, London, England, and received his education at the Birmingham Grammar School. On completing his education he returned to London, and was for some considerable time with the well-known firm of Messrs Shoolhread and Company of Tottenham Court Road, wholesale and retail drapers. Mr. Roach went to Australia in the year 1857, in the ship “Red Jacket,” and entered the employment of Messrs Alston and Brown, of Melbourne. In 1862 he came to New Zealand. and settled in Dunedin, where he was for six years in business on his own account. He subsequently removed to Christchurch, where he was in business until accepting an appointment as traveller for Messrs Harcourt and Company of Wellington, with whom he remained for ten years. He then settled in Hawke's Bay, where he established the business now (1907) conducted by his son. Mr. Roach is married, and has four sons and three daughters.

White John William, Mercer and Tailor, Heretaunga Street. Hastings. This business was establishe in December, 1905, by the present proprietor. The premises occupy a good, central position, and consist of two tailoring departments, and a general shop with a handsome plate-glass show-window. A large stock of the best tailoring materials and mercery goods is carried, and five persons are constantly employed, including a first class tailor. Mr. White was born in Hastings in 1879, was educated at the local District High School, and then entered the employment of Mr. H. K. Thompson, of Hastings. He subsequently worked for Messrs Burnett and Company, and later on for Mr. Ridgway, and then went to Wanganui, where he had two and a half years' experience at his business. Then he proceeded to Wellington, where he was employed for one year and six months by the Union Clothing Company. He next followed sheep-station life for two years, but returned to his trade as first assistant and traveller to Mr. Matthew Johnson, of Hastings, which position he afterwards resigned in order to start in business on his own account. Mr. White is a member of the Hastings Football and Hockey Clubs, the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, was for some years a member of the Hastings Rifles, and was at one time a sergeant in the Wanganui Guards.