Wilson, Balk and Co. (William Wilson and Oscar Balk), Ten Merchants and Coffee and Spice Manufacturers, Jetty Street, Dunedin. Telephone, 1308. P.O. Box, 393. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. Wilson, Selkirk Street, Roslyn; Mr. Balk, Frederick Street, page 360 Roslyn. Established in 1885. The building occupied by this firm, comprising office, warehouse and factory, is a two-storey brick structure erected on Harbour Board leasehold land, the total floor space of the premises being over 7500 square feet. The machinery, which includes all the latest grinding, crushing, and roasting appliances, is worked by an eight-horse power Otto gas engine. The special lines of the firm are the celebrated “Ouvah,” “Eringalla,” and “King” teas (imported from Ceylon and other markets and blended and packed on the premises), “French King,” “Turk,” “Moa,” “Phœnix,” and “Harp” coffees, and spices generally. Messrs Wilson, Balk and Co., whose connection extends all over New Zealand, three travellers being constantly on the road, are agents for Cadbury's well-known cocoas and chocolates, and Cope's “Rosebud” tobaccos and cigarettes. They also hold in the South Island the agency for the fruit preservers of Messrs Thompson and Hills, Auckland. Mr. Wilson, who was born in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1850, received his education in his native place, and learned his business in Dundee, being afterwards in Glasgow and London. He arrived at Port Chalmers in 1880 in the ship “City of Florence,” and was engaged in commercial life in Otago till entering into the present business. For nine years Mr. Wilson belonged to the 3rd Lanarkshire Regiment of Volunteers in Glasgow. In bowling circles, he is known as a member and ex-president of the Roslyn Club, and as a musician, is a member of the Liedertafel, and holds a seat on the committee of the Choral Society. Mr. Balk was born in 1864 in Ipswich, England, and was educated in Germany, but began his commercial experience in England. After five years in Yokohama, Japan, he came to New Zealand in 1894, and joined the present firm.