Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Lichtenstein And Arnoldson

Lichtenstein And Arnoldson (Max Lichtenstein and Louis Arnoldson), Kauri Gum Merchants, Importers, and General Storekeepers. Head Office and Gum Storekeepers. Head Office and Gum Store, 38 High Street, Auckland. P.O. Box 425. Telephone 1235. Cable address, “Lichen, Auckland.” A.B.C. code used. Branch stores and kauri gum depots, Matakohe and Port Albert. It speaks well for the prosperity of the Colony in general and the energy and ability of Messrs Lichtenstein and Arnoldson in particular, when one learns that this extensive business was established only five years ago. Other firms have met, probably, with equal success when extensive capital has been used in their inauguration, but, though it may seem incredible, it is, nevertheless, true, that when Mr. Lichtenstein arrived in this colony, just six years ago, his total capital was £5, and his partner, who followed him a few months later, was even less wealthy. Yet this result has been accomplished by fair and straightforward business transactions, coupled with the unabating energy necessary to success. In another matter usually considered to be an essentialed namely, commercial tuition, the two members of the firm were heavily handicapped, as they had had no commercial training whatever. Starting operations by dealing in a very small way, they soon bettered their financial position, and at the end of a year, they opened their present store at Matakohe, and established the present firm. The business extended rapidly, and within the following year a branch store was opened at Re Point, and very shortly afterwards another store was established at Opitonui. At this latter branch the local Post and Telegraph Office was conducted by Mr. Lichtenstein. Its first disaster page 393 befel the young firm at this place, for within a year the Opitonui store was burned to the ground, and the partners sustained considerable loss. Confidence was not shaken, however, as they soon took up a lease of some 40,000 acres of native land, and set a large number of gum-diggers to work. Other leases were ultimately acquired, and the large quantities of gum obtained necessitated the opening of a kauri gum store in Auckland. Accordingly the firm's present premises, in High Street, were taken over in April, 1900. There is a large gum store on the upper floor, where an efficient staff of competent gum sorters is constantly employed; and the head office, situated on the ground floor, is in the same building. The gum is bought from the diggers at the country stores, and forwarded to the head store in the city, where it is graded and packed in boxes for direct shipment to the Home markets. In addition to the quantity thus sent, Mr. Lichtenstein makes frequent visits to the gum-fields throughout the Northern and Southern Wairoa, and purchases large quantities of gum from the diggers on the various fields. During the summer months over 100 men are usually engaged on the gum lands leased by the firm. As nothing succeeds like success, it is to be inferred that a prosperous future will crown the efforts of Messrs Lichtenstein and Arnoldson.