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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Briscoe, MacNeil and Co.

Briscoe, MacNeil and Co., Wholesale Ironmongers, Iron and Metal Merchants, Victoria and Harris Streets. Cable address, “Briscoe, Wellington.” Code ABC, 4th edition. Telephone 792; P.O. Box 378. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Limited. This large firm is a branch of the business which was founded in 1862 in Dunedin by Mr. Hugh MacNeil, and of the Australian houses of Briscoe and Co., Melbourne, and Briscoe. Drysdale and Co., Sydney, the London and Wolverhampton firm being William Briscoe and Son, who have been established for over a century. The splendid premises occupied by the Wellington house are erected in brick, on concrete foundations, on the reclaimed land at the corner of Victoria and Harris Streets, from designs furnished by Mr. W. C. Chatfield, architect. The main building has a frontage of 110 feet to Harris Street, and 145 feet to Victoria Street, where the principal entrance is situated. There are three floors, each 17 feet in the clear, and affording, with the covered iron yard adjoining, a total floorage space of over 30,000 square feet. Entering the premises, the left hand front is occupied by Mr. A. W. Gellatly, who represents the firm in Wellington, while the rest of the front portion is used as a show-room, and for stock of builders' ironmongery. In the back portion of the ground floor the bulk store is situated. Here a large stock of the heavier goods is to be seen, the whole space being fitted up for the purpose of storing large quantities, but so arranged as to be easily accessible when required. The first floor is reached by Black and white drawing of the premises of Briscoe, MacNeil and Co. means of a spacious staircase with handsome iron balustrades. Here the general offices of the firm are situated, Mr. W. Morley, manager, occupying the room on the right. The rest of the large space is utilised for displaying the extensive stock of general ironmongery. A smaller staircase leads to the top floor, which is used as a bulk store, and is fitted up with long rows of counters for the purposes of the trade. A magnificent hydraulic lift, capable of raising two tons, communicates with each floor. The iron yard adjoining is supplied with two powerful travelling cranes, specially imported, and able to lift and transport heavy weights to any desired position. From twentyfive to thirty hands are employed by the firm, and in addition they have competent travellers, who wait upon their numerous customers in the various towns of the North Island, as well as on the West Coast of the South Island. Messrs. B.iscoe, MacNeil and Co. are direct importers, while their regular shipments of up-to-date goods come to hand regularly. They have the advantage of the immense stocks held in their Sydney and Melbourne houses, and can obtain any special line at short notice by cabling. With a full stock in every department, the firm are fully prepared to meet any calls, however great, that may be made upon them. It would be quite superfluous to particularise the vast and diverse stock. Suffice it to say that they keep everything in the hardware and general ironmongery trade. The Wellington branch, the portrait of which appears above, was established in 1893.