Easson, J. W. and Co , Produce and General Merchants and Furnishing Manufacturers, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. P.O. Box 47; telephones, 28, 58, and 59. The late Mr. J. W. Easson established this business about twenty-four years ago. Some years later, Mr. J. W. Easson, junior, was admitted into partnership, and since the death of Mr. Easson, senior, in 1892, the business has been carried on in the old style by the two sons, Messrs J. W. Easson and Percy George Easson. The firm's premises on Mawhera Quay have a frontage of thirty-three feet and extend back to Mackay Street, and the old premises on Richmond Quay have been turned into a furniture factory, which has a frontage of fifty feet; and there the firm manufactures all kinds of furniture and upholstery. Indeed, the factory is the largest of its kind on the West Coast, and every department is under the management of an experienced specialist. The warehouses are stocked on a large scale with all the lines of a general store. In addition to its stores and factory, the firm owns the West Coast Cycle Works, in Mackay Street, where a large business is done in every branch of bicycle work; repairs are efficiently executed, and “Remington,” Humber,” “White,” and “Triumph” bicycles are on sale. The firm has also a branch at Westport, and altogether the Messrs Easson have, by means of commercial talent and enterprise, made their business one of the largest and most noteworthy on the West Coast.

Kettle Brothers (W. R. Kettle and Charles Kettle), Merchants, Importers, Indentors, Wine and Spirit Merchants, and General Commission Agents, Mawhera Quay and Werita Street, Greymouth. Telephone, 17. P.O. Box, 44. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residences, Mr. W. R. Kettle, Tainui Street; Mr. Charles Kettle, Turamaha Street. This well-known firm was founded by Mr. W. R. Kettle in the year 1882, in premises previously occupied by Messrs F. and J. Hamilton on the same site as the present building. Business increased rapidly, and after one or two changes to larger quarters, Mr. Kettle bought the bonded store of Messrs F. and J. Hamilton, as well as a vacant section on Mawhera Quay, and in 1886 a large store in Tainui Street. In 1889 Mr. Charles Kettle was taken into partnership; and thus strengthened, the firm continued to add very largely to the success of its operations. Two years later, the Tainui Street premises were burnt to the ground, and, as the firm was uninsured, it lost heavily. Notwithstanding this, Messrs Kettle Brothers leased Coates' bond, and pushed trade with unabated vigour. But they were again the victims of a fire, which, breaking out in Mr. North's drapery establishment, swept the front block from Waite Street to Werita Street. By this second disaster the firm was a great loser, but its members were by no means disheartened. They re-opened their second store on Upper Mawhera Quay, where they continued till their new building was ready for occupation. The main portion of this fine brick building has a frontage of forty-four feet to Mawhera Quay, by sixty-eight feet to Werita Street, and is the handsomest business house on the West Coast. It was designed by Mr. W. H. Young, and built at a cost of £2000. The four main windows have 400 square feet of plate glass. The stock is valued at £5000, and is of the best quality. The very large amount of support the firm enjoys is ample proof of the quality of its goods and the moderation of its charges.

Mr. W. R. Kettle , the Senior Partner of the firm, is fully referred to in another article, as a former Mayor of Greymouth, Mr. Kettle is a Justice of the Peace.

Tacon, Tansey, and Company (George L. Tacon and P. Tansey; I. Nashelski, accountant), General Agents and Indent Merchants; Manufacturers' Representatives; Sharebrokers and Company Managers; Office, McLean's Buildings, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This rising and enterprising firm was established in the year 1902. The offices include a large public office and two private rooms, and storage for goods is provided in another building. The principal lines handled by the firm are grain and produce, butter, hams, and bacon, candles, etc., and the owners also handle timber as selling agents. The firm represents many of the leading New Zealand manufacturers as sole agents; and its business extends over the whole Coast, including Nelson; and only the trade is supplied. As insurance agents, Messrs Tacon, Tansey, and Co. are direct agents for the Government State Fire Insurance Department, and are also brokers to the Government Accident Insurance Department. The firm's business is of an extensive nature, and from a modest beginning has been of rapid growth.

Mr. I. Nashelski was born in Christchurch in 1878, and was educated at the Boys' High School, and Christ's College, Christchurch. He received an appointment in 1897 as bookkeeper to the recently formed Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand; and remained at Reefton in that position until 1905, when he removed to Greymouth to join the staff of Messrs Tacon, Tansey and Co. Mr. Nashelski is unmarried.