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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Flockton and Co

Flockton and Co. (John H. Flockton and Frank Bedford), Importers and Manufacturers of Furniture, Ironmongery and Crockery Dealers, Variety Stores, 47, 49 and 51 Manners Street, Wellington. Upholstering works, Cornhill Street. Steam furniture factory, Dixon Street. Telephone 211. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This large business was established in 1881 by Mr. Henry Flockton, who was compelled to retire (by ill health) in 1891, but he has now so far recovered as to be able to undertake the managemen of the furniture factory. The two-story brick shops—known as The Variety Stores—in Manners Street, are very extensive, affording about 18,000 square feet of floorage space. The furniture department—a splendid showroom—contains a very large stock of furniture of choice designs, and occupies a prominent position fronting Manners Street. The crockery and furnishing ironmongery department is in the adjoining shop, and there a very valuable stock is tastefully arranged to fascinate the eye of the prudent housewife. Messrs. Flockton and Co. have a second-hand department in a large store at the back of the two showrooms just mentioned. Here they have a large and truly varied stock of goods—so varied, indeed, that the term Variety Stores may be considered justly earned. Behind these buildings there is a large bulk store, which is approachable by the back entrance from Dixon Street. The upholstery works in Cornhill Street consist of a two-story iron building having nearly 4000 square feet of floorage space. The furniture factory in Dixon Street is claimed to be the argest of its kind in Wellington. There are two wooden structures, two stories high, which are fully occupied in connection with the business, the total floor space being 10,000 square feet. The machinery—consisting of lathes, shaping machines, circular and band saws—is driven by an eight-horse-power horizontal steam-engine. The escape steam is utilised for heating the drying-room, which is designed to thoroughly season a large stock of sawn and cut timber of splendid quality, some of which has been on hand for several years. The drying-room contains 1800 square feet of floorage space. Messrs. Flockton and Co. employ about thirty hands when in full swing. The manufactures of the firm are well known in Wellington, as well as in the country districts. The importations of the firm are very considerable—regular shipments being received. Arrangements have been made whereby the latest designs in linoleums, oilcloths, mats, and matting, iron bedsteads, and other lines, are shipped to the order of the firm. Experienced workmen are employed to make and lay carpets for their customers, and Messrs. Flockton and Co. are Black and white photograph of the premises of Flockton and Co. page 655 always open to contract to furnish houses throughout, with either new or second-hand furniture.