Gramble, Charles Roberts, 93 Lambton Quay; Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Mr. Gamble is in the fore rank of the Wellington tailors, having successfully carried on a high-class business for nearly twenty years. The premises are centrally situated and conveniently adapted to the business. His stock is always large and embraces all the newest goods. He does his own cutting and spares neither time nor expense to keep himself abreast of the times. Many of his best hands have been with him for years. Thus both master and men are well acquainted with the whims and fancies of all the regular customers, among whom are many of the wealthiest and most prominent ladies and gentlemen of Wellington city and district, headed by his Excellency the Governor, whose appointment Mr. Gamble holds. Mr. Gamble was born in the island of Guernsey, where he learned his trade. In the year 1858 he came to this colony, and in those early days had varied experience in common with most colonists of that time. Tailoring in New Zealand in the fifties was not a highly remunerative occupation. “Slops” were good enough for the best of folks then. Frock and dress coats, if ever seen, were things to be smiled at. Now-a-days the Maoris have more “tailor-made” clothes than the white folks had then. After numerous ups and downs Mr. Gamble entered the service of Mr. B. Poulson, where his abilities soon secured him the position of manager, which post he held until 1876, when he relinquished it to begin his present business. Two years later Mr. Poulson, who was then the foremost tailor of the time, retired and returned to the Old Country; and as was quite natural many of his best customers transferred their business to the late manager. Mr. Gamble, having taken care of his earnings, had by that time got together enough to purchase some freehold property in a rising quarter of the city, and thus he was enabled to begin business with something behind him. That property has in the meantime largely increased in value. The houses upon it have been very much improved and enlarged, and the whole are in the truest sense of the word “freehold” All this has been donne contemporaneously with the bringing up of a large family, many members of which are now doing credit to his name in various parts of the colony. His fourth son, Mr. Henry Gamble, of the firm of McKee and Gamble, lithographers and photo-engravers, is one of the directors of the Cyclopedia Company. As a tailor, Mr. Gamble is a great favourite. His cut is excellent, his workmanship thorough, and his materials reliable. In disposition he is open-hearted and open-handed, genial with friends, and though genuinely independent is civil, patient and obliging in all matters of business. The writer of this article has been one of Mr. Gamble's constant customers for the last eighteen years, and is glad of this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction he has enjoyed during the whole of that time. As shewing the importance of giving attention to small orders, a short account of the beginning of this connection may be interesting. A hat band was the first thing needed in the tailor's line by the writer after arrival in Wellington. It was Saturday evening and Mr. Gamble was just closing his shop; but on this want being made known to him, he at once turned up the lights and satisfied the demand. This was done so pleasantly and so evidently from a desire to oblige rather than in any keenness for trade, that the interest of the customer was aroused. That was a small order—only three shillings—in itself not worth the trouble; but those three shillings have been followed by a great deal more than a hundred times as many pounds. While Mr. Gamble is a large importer of English and other goods he is by no means prejudiced against those of colonial manufacture. His British imports are mainly from the houses of Messrs. Stewart and McDonald, of Edinburgh and London, with whom he has dealt from the beginning, and on terms most satisfactory to that firm from first to last. Being, however, in a position to buy from anyone, at any time and on any terms, he gets many cheap lines which, under other circumstances, he would never hear of. Gentlemen who have not yet made Mr. Gamble's acquaintance as a tailor will do well to give him a call. He is to be found at his post at all reasonable business hours. The portrait given above is an excellent likeness.

Green, Thomas, 40 Willis Street. Private residence, Hansen Street, Newtown. Mr. Green is a native of Harborne, near Birmingham, England. He was apprenticed in Birmingham to G. C. Chatwin, late lecturer to the Tailor and Cutter Journal. After completing his time he worked at the cutting in the same town at Griffiths', and subsequently with the well-known Charles Kino. Having by this time become an expert cutter, he was entrusted with the duty of opening branch shops for the latter firm at Liverpool and Manchester. Before leaving for New Zealand he was employed at the cutting in Brighton. In 1879 he came to the Colony per ship “Orari,” and at once obtained employment at the establishment of James Reid, in Wellington, where he remained for five years, till starting on his own account in 1884. Having had such extensive experience as a cutter, it is not to be wondered at that his business has steadily progressed so that from six to seven hands are employed, and the work gives general satisfaction to customers throughout the North Island. He keeps a large assortment of tweeds; his premises are central and commodious, affording 1500 square feet, the building being a single story, wooden structure.

Jones and Ashdown (Edgar Jones and Frederick Ashdown), Tailors and Habitmakers, 13 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Home Street. Established in 1877 by the late Mr. James Huxley—the present page 642 partners succeeded to the business four years later. The premises occupied in Lambton Quay, comprise a large shop with other rooms on the ground floor, affording over 1600 square feet of floorage space; while the workrooms above, extending likewise over adjoining premises, are fully twice as large, about twenty-five hands being employed.

Lilley, Arthur, Tailor, 48A Cuba Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Lilley is a native of Essex, from whence he accompanied his parents to the Colony when very young per ship “Merope,” in 1864. He was apprenticed in Christchurch to Wm. Brinsden, and completed his term in 1882. He subsequently added to his knowledge of the trade with the latter gentleman, and also at the premises of G. L. Beath and Co., off Christchurch, and with other firms. He was afterwards in business on his own account at Rangiora for some twelve months. The present business was established in 1879 by Mr. T. W. Whitaker, who conducted the business till 1888, when Mr. Lilley bought the same. Under his energetic and able management, the trade has steadily improved, till, at the present time, there are six hands regularly engaged. Mr. Lilley employs skilled male hands only, and is determined to maintain the excellent reputation he has already gained for quality, style, and finish. The work is almost entirely hand-work, the machines only being used for the minor work. Mr. Lilley employs a traveller in the City, and does a considerable local trade; he has also a good number of customers in divers parts of the Colony, having adopted the use of self-measurement forms where needed. He undertakes all classes of trade, and gives personal attention to the question of cutting. His premises are roomy and convenient, and contain a total area of over 1000 square feet, the building being of one story, constructed of wood.

Melton, C., and Co. (Charles Melton), Tailors, Hatters, and Mercers, Locher's Buildings, Manners Street, Wellington. Private residence, Vivian Street. Established in 1895, this business is conducted in a portion of the new building erected in Manners Street. In the front there is a fine show window, which is tastefully dressed with tweeds and gentlemen's hosiery, shirts, ties, mercery, etc., and is well adapted to the needs of the trade. The proprietor was born and educated in Auckland. He commenced to learn his business with Mr. A. Wright, of Shortland Crescent, and completed his term in America, where he lived for a considerable period. Returning to Australasia, Mr. Melton gained further experience in Sydney, remaining there some time. Since coming back to New Zealand, he has been in Wellington for five years, during which he has added considerably to his practical knowledge of tailoring at the establishments of Messrs. Mouat, Reid, and King and Muir. A good stock of English, Scotch, and colonial tweeds is kept. Mr. E. Melton, brother of the proprietor, is in charge of the hosiery and mercery department, he having been for the last twenty years with the leading gentlemen mercers in Auckland.

Oakley, Rickard, and Chapman (Francis William Oakley, Frederick Walter Rickard and Arthur Walter Chapman), Tailors, successors to Cook and Oakley, 227 Lambton Quay. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. The firm claims that this business, which was established in 1842, was the first tailor's shop in Wellington, and that Messrs. Sloan, Poulson, and Gamble, who have since been prominent tailors in the Empire City, originally worked in the old building on the present site which was shaken down by one of the old-fashioned earthquakes. Mr. John Cook, the founder, conducted a large business for thirty years. From 1878 to 1888, Mr. A. H. Cook—afterwards senior partner of the firm of Cook and Oakley—and his father, the son of the founder, carried on the trade. From 1888 to 1893, Mr. A. H. Cook solely conducted. The present proprietors have had the business since April, 1895. The firm enjoys and profits by the splendid reputation which was gained in the early days by the founder of the business. The house has been liberally patronized by their Excellencies Sir George Grey (1860–7), Sir George Bowen (1868), Sir George A. Arney (1873), Sir James Fergusson (1873), the Marquis of Normanby (1879) Sir William Jervois (1883), and the Earl of Onslow (1889), besides prominent gentlemen of the gubernatorial stff, colonial statesmen, and others from 1842 to date. Quite recently Messrs. Oakley, Rickard, and Chapman have executed orders from the Hons. R. J. Seddon (Premier), J. G. Ward (Colonial Treasurer), Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., and Judge Ward. The building occupied, which is given in the illustration, is built of brick and wood, and is two stories in height; the floor space is equal to 1300 square feet. The firm have the assistance of a competent staff. They keep a varied assortment of New Zealand, English, and Scotch tweeds of the newest and choicest patterns, and, above all, of the most reliable quality. All the important parts of their make are carefully executed by hand work, and only the linings and other minor parts are done by means of sewing machines. A large local trade is done, but in addition numerous customers who have moved to various parts of the Colony still send along their orders. Mr. Oakley, who was born in New Zealand, was apprenticed to Mr. W. T. Whitaker, and specially trained as a cutter, having become very expert in his art. Mr. Rickard is a native of London, where he served his time to the trade. Arriving in New Zealand in 1884, per s.s, “Tongariro,” he was employed by Mr. Coogan, tailor, on military work for some time, and entered the service of the late Mr. James Reid in 1887. For six years before joining the present firm, Mr. Rickard was foreman at Mr. Reid's, and at Messrs. King and Muir's, who succeeded to the business. Mr. Chapman claims the Empire City as his birthplace. He was apprenticed to Mr. Reid, and remained in his employ till that gentleman's death, continuing with the new firm till joining the present one.

Plenderleith and Co. (J. Plenderleith, D. Morrison, and B. Craighead), Tailors, 73 Willis Street, Wellington. This business was established early in 1896. The premises are well page 643 adapted for the business, and are a portion of a fine block of brick buildings with large verandah in front. The members of the firm have a progressive business in Eketahuna, under the style of Craig-head, Morrison, and Plenderleith. All the partners are practical tailors. Mr. Craighead learned his business in the Colony, and Messrs. Plenderleith and Morrison are late of Messrs. Hill Bros., the well-known West End tailors of Bond Street, London, where they became expert in the art of cutting and all branches of gentlemen's tailoring. Arriving in New Zealand in 1894, they found employment in Wellington, and subsequently joined Mr. Craighead, who had established the business in Eketahuna.

Shine, John H., Tailor, Manners Street, Wellington. Telegraphic address, “Shine, Wellington.” Mr. Shine was born in the County of Cork, Ireland, and was for many years connected with the tailoring firm of Richard Allen, Sackville Street, Dublin. He sailed for New Zealand in the year 1874, and secured an engagement with Messrs. J. McDowell, and Co., of Wellington, with whom he remained for some years. Mr. Shine then took the management of the woollen and clothing department with Messrs. Turnbull and Smith, wholesale merchants. In the year 1883, in conjunction with his brother, he purchased the business of Messrs. J. Paul and Co., Cuba Street, which was successfully carried on by them under the style of Shine Bros. In 1889 Mr. Shine removed to his present premises, confining himself exclusively to the bespoke tailoring trade. Mr Shine believes thoroughly in the principle of “What you give, that you get,” or in other words, by doing the best he can for his customers he thus benefits himself. By adhering to this principle he has succeeded in establishing a sound and prosperous business. Regular shipments of the latest novelties are imported from the Home markets. The whole of the business, including the cutting and making up, is under the personal supervision of Mr. Shine.

Sims, Thomas, Tailor and Habit Maker, Manners Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Shannon Street. Mr. Sims is a native of the Colony. He learned his trade with his father Mr. John Sims, of Napier, completing his knowledge of the business in Wellington. For eight years he was cutter for Messrs. W. and G. B. Clark, of Lambton Quay, Wellington. The present business was established in 1893. The connection extends throughout the Wellington provincial district, and orders come also from the West Coast of the South Island. From ten to twelve hands are employed. All kinds of tailoring work is done, special attention being given to superior hand-sewn work.

Other Tailors.

Bannin, James, Tailor, Molesworth Street, Established 1884.

Barsht, M. D., Tailor, Manners Street.

Berry and Orr (Alfred T. Berry and Thomas Orr), Tailors and Outfitters, 61 Cuba Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. Berry, Cambridge Terrace; Mr. Orr, Featherston Terrace. Established 1891.

Boock, Isaac, Tailor, Manners Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Abel Smith Street. Established 1893.

Cathie, Charles, Clothing Manufacturer, Manners Street. Private residence, Karori.

Coogan and Sons (John C. Coogan, John A. Coogan and James H. Coogan), Tailors, 31 Willis Street. Established 1870.

Eames, J. R., Tailor and Habit Maker, 36 Willis Street. Bankers, Bank of Australasia.

Jensen, Anton, Tailor, 110 Taranaki Street. Established 1895.

King and Muir, (Andrew King and James George Muir), Tailors, 75 Lambton Quay. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1838 by Mr. B. Poulson, Present firm succeeded 1892.

Kitto and Graham (Francis Kitto and Joseph Blythe Graham), Tailors, 18 Manners Street, Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Established 1890.

Levy, H. J. and A., working as the Monster Tailoring Company, 87 Willis Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1893.

Movat, James, Tailor and Woollen Draper, Lambton Quay. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Woolcombe Street, Established by Messrs. J. and R. Sloan in 1868. Acquired by Mr. Mowat 1888.

Murphy, William, Tailor, 68 Willis Street. Established 1879, and conducted by Mr. Murphy since 1885.

Nicholls, Charles Henry, Tailor, 3 Lambton Quay. Private residence, Tasman Street. Established 1891. Mr. Nicholls succeeded 1893.

Nodine and Co. (Charles Nodine), Tailors and Importers, 163 Lambton Quay. Established 1894.

Paterson, Alexander, Tailor, 43 Cuba Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1888 by Mr. J. H. Dalton. Mr. Paterson succeeded 1894.

Shields, Thomas, Tailor, 41 Lambton Quay. Private residence, Wellington Terrace.

Staples, Steel and Tuckwell (Lewis Staples, William Steel, and Morris Septimus Tuckwell), Tailors, 175 Lambton Quay. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Established 1892.

Staub and Bradley (Jacob Staub and Frederick Bradley), Tailors, 82 Willis Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1891.

Wilson, William, Tailor, 70 Vivian Street.

Wright, Johnson Lightfoot, Tailor, 98 Cuba Street. Private residence, Constable Street.