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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Jonathan Tonson Garlick

Mr. Jonathan Tonson Garlick, who at the time of his death in 1898, was one of Auckland's best known men, was born in London in 1841, and was the son of Mr. Charles Garlick, draper, of Clapham. Mr. Garlick was educated in London, and arrived in Auckland in December, 1861. After a connection of some four years with the “Southern Cross” newspaper, during which time he rose to the position of manager of the financial department, Mr. Garlick entered into business on his own account as an accountant and sharebroker during the stirring times occasioned by the startling gold returns of the “Shotover,” “Caledonian,” “Golden Crown,” “Long Drive” and other mines. In this undertaking he was very successful, but the dulness of the mining interests in 1874 led him to turn his attention again to the calling which he had followed with his father in London. In conjunction with Mr. E. Holloway, Mr. Garlick purchased the branch drapery establishment of the firm of John Cosgrave and Co. Two years later Messrs Holloway and Garlick added the furniture branch to their already thriving business, and in 1877 Mr. Robert Cranwell, the well-known practical cabinetmaker, was taken into partnership. In the following year Mr. Garlick bought the senior partner's interest, and for three years thereafter, Messrs Garlick and Cranwell continued both branches. It was then, however, decided to relinquish the drapery branch in consequence of the very rapid growth of the furniture and furnishing business. In the drapery department alone, the turnover for three years averaged over twenty thousand pounds per annum; and yet the premises in which this large business had been conducted were soon insufficient for the ever-increasing furniture trade. As a business man, Mr. Garlick was energetic, attentive and enterprising to a very high degree. Prior to the removal of his private residence to Mount Albert he had been for several years a teacher in the Wellesley Street and Mount Eden Baptist Sunday Schools, and was for
Messrs Tonson Garlick & Co.'s Premises.

Messrs Tonson Garlick & Co.'s Premises.

The Late Mr. J. T. Garlick.

The Late Mr. J. T. Garlick.

page 360 some time superintendent of the latter. At Mount Albert, there being no Baptist institution, Mr. Garlick held the position of superintendent of the Wesleyan Sunday School for a period of seventeen years. During his connection with the Baptist Church he filled many important offices, including that of deacon, and for several years prior to his death, he was the honorary treasurer of the Auckland Tabernacle, the New Zealand Baptist Union, and the Auckland District Home Mission Association. He was actively engaged as an executive committeeman on Mr Henry Varley's, Mr. Noble's, Mrs. Bayertz's, and Mr. Matthew Burnett's missions, and was one of the oldest members of the New Zealand Alliance. He was the originator and secretary of the Mount Albert branch of the Gospel Temperance Mission, and treasurer of the Auckland branch, and was also president of the latter for a period of five years. Of the Mount Albert Total Abstinence Society he was successively the originator, secretary, vice-president and president. He was president also of the Mount Albert Mutual Improvement and Literary Society, and of the Mount Albert Tennis Club. As a chess player he ranked among the prize winners of the senior division of the Mount Albert Club. He was at various times, member of the Point Chevalier school committee, secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, director and chairman of the “Leader” newspaper, auditor of the Union Sash and Door Company, secretary to the Mount Albert Highway Board, a Master Mason in Lodge St. Andrew, treasurer of the Auckland District Gumdiggers' Mission, and of the Auckland branch of the Australasian Foreign Mission Society, etc., etc. In 1898 Mr. Garlick left the Colony on a visit to the Old Country, but contracted pneumonia and died quite suddenly, very deeply regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was married in 1865 to the daughter of Mr John Houghton, a well-known Auckland resident, and left a widow, two daughters and three sons. All the sons are in the business of the Tonson Garlick Company, and two of them are married.
Settler's Home in The Bush.

Settler's Home in The Bush.