Ashton, W.M., and Company, Valuators, Land, Stock, and Station Agents, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. This business was established in the year 1900, by Mr W. M. Ashton, the present proprietor, who had formerly been a farmer for over thirty years. The firm have agents in all parts of the Dominion, and a large number of properties constantly pass through their hands. The offices are modern, and consist of public and private offices. A number of travellers are constantly employed by the firm.

Mr Walter Matthew Ashton, principal of the firm of Messrs. W. M. Ashton and Company, was born in Lyttelton in the year 1856, and is the eldest son of the late Mr George Ashton, a pioneer Canterbury settler. He was educated in the public schools, and afterwards farmed for some years with his father in Little Akaloa. Subsequently, he bought 1000 acres in Decanter Bay, Bank's Peninsula, which he occupied for twelve years. In 1892 he sold out, removed to the North Island, and bought Kaiwhatu station, a property of 2000 acres in the Tokomaru West district. This he successfully conducted as a sheep farm for six years; then subdivided it into three farms, which he sold at satisfactory prices, and after some time spent in the Wanganui district, he established his present business. Mr Ashton is a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the Jockey Club, the Bowling Club, and the local lodge of Freemasons. He is married, and has two sons and two daughters.

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Mr. W. M. Ashton.

Bond, Newcombe, and Company (G. Bond and C. E. H. Newcombe), Typewriters' Agents and Mechanics, Ridgway Street, Wanganui. This firm was founded in July. 1907. The premises, which are situated in Rutland's Buildings, comprise a spacious public office, a private office, and a large mechanie's room. The firm are local agents for Messrs. Yerex, Barker, and Finlay, and the Yost and Underwood typewriters. They do a large business as repairing and page 602 mechanical experts, and in the supply of general office furniture. They are also agents for the London Autotype Company, Chubb's Safes and Strongrooms, for Fenlon and Sons' bath-heaters and radiators, the Wellington Piano Company, the New Zealand Diamond Sign Company, and the Carrara Ceiling Company.

Mr George Bond is the second son of the Rev. George Bond, a prominent Wesleyan minister, and was born in the year 1882, in Onehunga. He was educated at the District High School and the Wanganui College, and afterwards gained commercial experience as a clerk in the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Subsequently he was transferred to the Wellington office, and, after two and a half years there, he resigned to take charge of Mr M. F. Bourke's office in Napier. Later he joined Mr Newcombe in partnership in Wanganui. Mr Bond is a well-known elocutionist, and has rendered valuable services on the public platform.

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Mr. G. Bond.

Mr. Charles Edward Hatherly Newcombe was born in Wanganui in the year 1886, and was educated at the Wanganui College. He entered the office of the Mutual Life Association, and five years later resigned in order to accept a position in the firm of Mesrs. Yerex, Barker, and Finlay, of Wellington, After one year's experience there, he left to enter into business on his own account in Wanganui, as a typewriter salesman and mechanic, in which he was afterwards joined by Mr G. Bond. Mr Newcombe has always taken a keen interest in athletics and the Dramatic Society, and is an amateur actor. He is also a member of the Liedertafel Society.

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Mr. C. E. H. Newcombe.

The Central Labour Agency (F. G. Shury, proprietor), 38 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. This business was established in the year 1903 by Mrs Brown, and was acquired by the present proprietor in 1906. It is regarded as one of the best agencies of its kind in the district, and a large business is conducted.

Mr Frederick George Shury was born in Dunedin in the year 1863, and was educated at Barrett's School, and at Christ's College, Christchurch. After spending six years in the service of the Union Bank, he went to England, and was employed for two years by Mr William Whitely, the Universal Provider. In 1888 he went to Australia, where he spent twelve years, and then returned to New Zealand. He was the promoter and prospector of the celebrated Barrytown Flat, near Greymouth, and spent some years on the West Coast engaged in mining and dredging. During this time, in conjunction with Mr C. J. Swan, he invented a filter for purifying the feed water for steam boilers. He started a land and commission agent's business in Wangaui, which he still conducts in conjunction with the labour agency. Mr Shury was married in August, 1905.

Holloway, Hogan, and Caddy, Limited, Auctioneers, Produce Merchants, Land, Estate, Financial and General Commission Agents, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. This firm was established in the year 1906, by Messrs. Holloway and Hogan, as land and financial agents, the firm's premises being then lower down Victoria Avenue. In January, 1907, it was converted into a limited liability company, with three directors. The present premises are large and commodious, and contain a fine auction room, three private offices, and one public office. Regular weekly sales are conducted by Mr Holloway. As estate agents, also, the firm have a good connection, and their business is rapidly increasing.

Mr John Thomas Hogan, M.H.R., is fully noticed elsewhere in this volume, as member of the House of Representatives for Wanganui.

Mr Herbert George Caddy was born In Wanganui in the year 1876. He was educated at the Wanganui High School, and at sixteen years of age entered the Aramoho Freezing Company as accountant, where he was employed for seven years. He was then appointed chief accountant to Messrs. Gilberd and Sons, soap manufacturers, and held this position until joining his present firm as a director. Mr Caddy is a member of the Agricultural Association, the Amateur Athletic Club, the Orchestral Society, and is secretary of the Trinity Young Men's Institute.

Otterson and Pickering, Land, Estate, Manufacturers' and General Commission Agents, 24 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. This business was established in the year 1907. The firm have on their books a large number of good farm properties for sale and lease, also town and suburban residences, and business houses.

Mr H. J. H. Pickering, of the firm of Messrs Otterson and Pickering, was born at Havelock, Marlborough, and is the second son of Mr William Pickering. He was educated at the Blenheim and Havelock public schools, and afterwards spent a short time in his father's coaching business between Blenheim and Havelock. He subsequently was employed as a clerk in the firm of Messrs. Fell Bros., Blenheim, and after some time spent in Wellington, removed to Wanganui to join Mr Otterson. Mr Pickering is a member of the cricket club, football, and other clubs. He is married, and has one son.

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Mr H. J. H. Pickering.

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Mr. A. W. C. Mountfort.

Park, Mountfort, and Company (R. G. M. Park and A. W. C. Mountfort), Land, Financial, and Commission Agents, Native Agents, and Interpreters, 76 Ridgway Street (opposite the Post Office), Wanganui. This business was formerly conducted by Mr Park, in conjunction with Mete Kingi, who has since retired. The firm is an enterprising one, and is well known throughout the district.

Mr Richard Gavin McIntyre Park was educated at Te Aute College, and at St. Patrick's and Victoria Colleges, Wellington. After some experience of Country life, he joined the Te Uriwera Commission as an interpreter, and was afterwards a Native Agent in Hawke's Bay. Subsequently he was employed at the head offices of the Lands and Survey Department and the Tourist and Health Resorts Department, in Wellington. Mr Park went to South Africa with the Tenth Contingent, and on his return rejoined the Survey Department. Later he was transferred to the Tourist Department, but retired to contest the Eastern Maori electorate at the general election of 1905.

Mr Arthur Wilfrid Cecil Mountfort was born at Greymouth, educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, matriculated, and attended Canterbury University College, Christchurch. After two years in the Christchurch Post Office he removed to Wanganui. On resigning from the post office he was for some years in a legal office before joining the firm of Messrs. Park, Mountfort and Company. Mr Mountfort takes an active interest in athletic sports and local matters, and has been treasurer of the Wanganui Rugby Union for some years. He is also connected in different capacities with various other athletic bodies and societies in Wanganui.

Phillips and Greaves (G. W. Phillips and J. Greaves), Land and Estate Agents and Native Interpreters, Maria Place, Wanganui. This business was established by Mr Phillips, who was joined by Mr Greaves in 1907. The firm have one of the chief land agencies in the town, and do a successful business both in town and country properties.

Mr Joseph Greaves, of the firm of Messrs. Phillips and Greaves, was born in the year 1858, in Yorkshire, England, where he was educated and brought up as a stonemason. He came to New Zealand in 1879, and for a time was employed in Feilding. In 1884 he established a business in Wanganui, which he still conducts in conjunction with the land and estate agency. Mr Greaves is a member of the Anglican Church, and a member of the local lodge of Foresters., He is married, and has four children.

Read, Stanley Eustace, Land and Estate Agent, Ridgway Street, Wanganui. This business was established in the year 1906. The offices are well furnished, and the staff consists of two travellers. There is a good selection of town, suburban, and country properties on the books. Mr Read is local agent for the Phoenix Assurance Company. He was born in the year 1882, and was educated at the public schools, Wellington. He afterwards farmed for about five years in the Wanganui district before starting business on his own account as a land and estate agent. Mr Read is a member of the Agricultural Association. He is married, and has one daughter.

Saunders, Imlay, Land, Estate, and Commission Agent, Ridgway Street, Wanganui Branch at Dannevirke (Saunders and Hall). This business was established by Mr Saunders in the year 1900. The purchase and sale of properties, both large and small, in town, suburbs, and country, is carried on, and a motor car is placed at the disposal of clients desiring to inspect properties. Mr Saunders was born in Wanganui, was educated at the Wanganui Collegiate School, and was afterwards for two years on the staff of the Bank of Australasia. He then became a partner in the firm of Lewis and Company, in which he remained for two years, and later removed to Dannevirke, where he carried on business under the style of Saunders and Hall. Mr Saunders finally returned to Wanganui, where he established his present business, leaving the Dannevirke branch under the management of Mr A. P. Hall.