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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Cook and Gray

page 561

Cook and Gray (William R. Cook and William Gray), Accountants, Trade Assignees, and Financial Agents, Victoria Street, Wellington. Branches: Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch. Cable Code: A.B.C., Number 4; Telephone 632; P.O. Box 247. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. Cook, Royal Oak Hotel, Wellington; Mr. Gray, Auckland, Agents throrghout New Zealand and Australia. This large business was established by Mr. W. R. Cook in Auckland in the year 1887. For many years previous to the establishment of this firm there had been considerable dissatisfaction among merchants as to the results of the liquidation of bankrupt estates. It was considered by many that the estates were not being wound up to the best advantage, and that the creditors were not receiving the maximum of dividends. Great uneasiness was experienced in consequence of the large number of private assignments, whereby a man who got into difficulties was able to compromise, and, without making any effort to pay off his debts, could carry on his business as if nothing had happened. With the object of meeting these disabilities, Mr. Cook established the present business, and to the firm is largely due the great improvement that has taken place of late years in these matters. The method usually adopted by the merchants when they find one of their customers unable to meet his engagements, is to at once insist on the assignment of the estate to Messrs Cook and Gray, and so far the firm have been most successful in the large number of estates which have passed through their hands, in realising to the best advantage and with entire satisfaction to the large body of merchants who now require this method of liquidation. Messrs. Cook and Gray's offices, in each of the four cities, are large and convenient, and in addition to unlimited accommodation for the ordinary work of the firm, a very large room is suitably fitted up in each place for holding creditors' meetings. Mr. Cook was born in London and educated at the City of London School. He commenced a mercantile life in connection with the soft goods trade in the World's Metropolis, and subsequently had a long training as an accountant. Mr. Cook came to New Zealand per s.s. Rimutaka, arriving in Auckland in 1886. He was employed to compile the Grey catalogue for the Free Public Library in Auckland, immediately on his arrival there, and on its completion he started the present business. Mr. William Gray was for many years in the Civil Service of the Colony, and has had a large experience in Auckland as an accountant, joining Mr. Cook in 1890. Mr. Cook is a member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and is secretary to the Wellington Warehousemen's Association. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, and is vice-president of that institution.