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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Varcoe, J.
Varcoe, J.,
Blue House, No. 179, Lambton Quay; Telephone, No. 153; Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. The Blue House was established some fifteen or sixteen years ago by Mr. George Towersey, who for many years previously had been in the employ of the once well-known and still well-remembered Peter Laing. Mr. Towersey made splendid bread from the start and thus came, as it were at a bound into the fore rank of Wellington bakers. The present proprietor entered into possession about seven years ago. Since Mr. Towersey's death, sometime before that, the business had run down very much, but a great change was noticeable as the result of Mr. Varcoe's management, and it is now one of the first bakeries of the city. The premises are of wood and brick, and contain some 4000 square feet of floorage. The bakehouse at the back is well appointed and well kept. Some nine or ten hands are constantly employed in the various branches of the business, and Mr. Varcoe's bread and other goods find their way into every part of the city and suburbs, while his wedding, birthday and other cakes are sent to order all over the province. But the special line for which the Blue House is rapidly becoming famous, and in which it has taken a most decided lead of all similar establishments, is “Varcoe's Brown Bread.” This deservedly popular article of healthy diet is in greater demand every day, and needs but to be tried to be appreciated. The writer speaks from special knowledge on this point, it being a rule with him to eat no other bread. It is, of course, dearer than white bread because of the malt-extract and other expensive ingredients largely used in its manufacture; but all things considered it will be found much more economical in the end. All the life-giving properties of the wheat are retained, and presented to the consumer in an eminently palatable compound. Mr. Varcoe
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is contractor to the British Admiralty for the supply of all the Men-o'-War visiting Wellington, and this in itself is a very high testimonial, as quality rather than price forms the basis of decision. The enterprising and pushing proprietor of the Blue House also holds the appointment under the Earl of Glasgow for the supply of Government House, another evidence of the high-class trade carried on. In the fancy confectionery department, the Blue House is noted for many special preparations. A good business is done, too, in the grocery department, to the purposes of which one-half of the front shop is devoted. In his buying, Mr. Varcoe is free to deal wherever he pleases and on any terms, an advantage of no mean importance in a business where the raw material of the first order will always command terms the most satisfactory to vendors. In fact his success is alike creditable to himself and the colony in which he has done so well. He and Mrs. Varcoe arrived in Wellington in 1879 per ship “Rakaia” from England. Up to that time they had lived in the parish of St. Dennis, county of Cornwall, and like many others who come from the Old World, Mr. Varcoe found no demand whatever for labour in the line to which he had been brought up. Nothing daunted, however, he took whatever came to hand and made good use of his earnings until he was in a position to establish himself in his present business, for which he had had no previous training whatever. Yet in the face of such difficulties as those he has by sheer industry and plucky enterprise, outpaced scores of his fellow townsmen whose chances of success have been surprisingly greater. In all his undertakings Mr. Varcoe has been ably assisted by his wife, a business woman of unusual capacity, and a warm-hearted, generous friend. Even now during times of great pressure, Mrs. Varcoe will ice and pipe a wedding cake in a style and with a speed that few trained men can excel. The success obtained by Mr. and Mrs. Varcoe shows what can be done in New Zealand—for the same might be done in any part of it—by industry and enterprise. Parsimony has had no hand in it, for they are both liberal and generous to a fault. A few years ago Mrs. Varcoe and their only daughter went home to the Old Country for a short visit.