Whitaker, William Highton , General Storekeeper, Dipton. Mr Whitaker established his business in 1878. The business premises, which stand on a section of one acre, comprise a large wood and iron double-fronted shop, with a residence at the back. The departments of the business include groceries, iron- page 1007 mongery, drapery, crockery and boots. Mr Whitaker was born on the 5th of April, 1851, in Liverpool, England, and came to New Zealand with his two brothers, by the ship “Helenslea.” in 1865. He was educated at Queens-town, and afterwards engaged in gold mining for five years in the Nokomai and Nevis districts. Mr Whitaker afterwards entered into partnership with his brother James, in the drapery business in Invercargill, under the title of Whitaker Brothers. Three years later, he took over the stock and started hawking, and at the same time commenced his present business at Dipton. Mr Whitaker was for sixteen years chairman of the Dipton school committee, and one of the directors of the Dipton dairy factory. He is also an officer of the church of England at Dipton, chairman of the Domain Board, and acts as agent in the Dipton district, for the New Zealand and Phoenix Fire Insurance offices. Mr Whitaker was the first man to cross both bridges over the Oreti River with a vehicle. He is a Justice of the Peace. Mr Whitaker was married, on the 27th of June, 1877, to a daughter of Mr Benjamin Giles, of Athol, and has had eight sons and five daughters. One son is dead.