McTavish, A. J., and Co. (Alister J. McTavish and William Edwin Redstone), Land, Estate, and Financial Agents, Valuators, Attorneys for Absentees, etc., 33 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone No. 27; P.O. Box No. 149. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The business of Messrs. McTavish and Co. was established about 11 years ago, by Mr. A.J. McTavish and Mr. C. T. Tatum, under the style of “McTavish, Tatum and Co., House, Land, Estate and Financial Agents,” with Mr. Redstone as managing clerk. The previous history and then good standing of the partners gained for the firm the confidence of the public from the outset—an important factor of success in any business of this nature. After a successful course of some three or four years, Mr. Tatum retired from business permanently, much of his time since then having been devoted to the service of the city and district in various ways, including membership of the Wellington City Council. Since Mr. Tatum's retirement the business was carried on solely by the senior partner until 1894, when Mr. Redstone was admitted into the firm. Mr. McTavish, as the name indicates, is a Scotchman, born and educated in Inverness. He came to this Colony in the year 1864. Almost immediately after his arrival he entered the service of Mr. F. A. Krull, merchant. Such was the progress made in this situation that a few years later found him manager of the establishment, which he had entered as junior clerk; and after a brief course in that position a partnership was arranged with his employer, and those gentlemen carried on business for several years under the style of “Krull and Co., Importers and General Merchants.” Mr. Krull at that time held the office of German Consul, his fitness for that important position gaining for him wide-spread and well-merited popularity. During a prolonged absence of Mr. Krull the honours and duties pertaining to the Consulship devolved upon Mr. McTavish, who, as acting German Consul, discharged the duties appertaining to that position in a manner carefully calculated to maintain, not to eclipse, the popularity of his friend. While a partner in the firm of Krull and Co., Mr. McTavish identified himself with and took an active part in the business of the Chamber of Commerce as a member of the committee of management, and in the year 1884 had the honour to be elected president of the institution. Every appeal made to him to enter the aren's of either civic or colonial politics has met a kind but unwavering refusal. It is but fair to say that this stand has not been chosen from any Unnwillingness to devote time and talents to the duties of citizenship, but rather to be accounted for by the possession of a nature so sensitive that it would be painful to accept and impossible to ask the favour of a vote. That this spirit of extreme independence can exist without being seriously detrimental to the possessor's business seems incredible; but when balanced by a gentlemanly bearing naturally expressive of unswerving integrity the compensation is fairly complete, especially in a businessman in whom great trust is reposed. As an auditor of public companies Mr. McTavish enjoys a high and profitable reputation. He is chairman of directors of the Imperial Fire Insurance Company, an office with which he has had a long connection. In the days when this company was represented in New Zealand by agencies, Mr. McTavish was the Wellington agent. The Hanseatic Fire Insurance Company of Hamburg was also in his hands for many years. In his days of greater leizure Mr. McTavish was an enthusiatic member of the Wellington Chess Club. Being at the top of his own club, he of course ranked among the first players of the Colony. He still retains his connection with the club, but is now seldom met in “active service.” As a volunteer, too, the subject of this article made a career for himself, rising to the position of first lieutenant of D Battery of Artillery, under Col. Pearce, who was then Captain of the company. For good marksmanship, Mr. McTavish won numerous prizes. Coming back to present times we find him elected to a seat in the first Council of the Association of New Zealand Accountants, a position in which his extended experience will be valuable. Privately, Mr. McTavish is a well-informed, warm-hearted, sincere and generous gentleman, an implacable enemy of all shams, social, commercial, political or any other kind. Notwithstanding his retiring disposition Mr. Alister J. McTavish must be classed among Wellington's conspicuous citizens. Mr. W. E. Redstone was born at Tavistock, in Devonshire, where he was educated. In 1879 he came to the Colony per ship “Orari,” landing in Lyttelton. As showing the improvement in coastal service since that time, it may be mentioned that the Wellington passengers had to stay five days in Lyttelton for the first steamer to the Empire City. Prior to his appointment with Messrs. McTavish and Co., Mr. Redstone was for some three or four years in the position of managing clerk to the then well-known firm of Messrs. Williamson and Co., sharebrokers, etc., and in this position he took an active interest in the formation of the Wellington Woollen Company the Gear Meat Company, and other successful industrial institutions. Since his arrival in the Colony, Mr. Redstone has made good use of his time, and his investments in various city and suburban properties have been more than ordinarily successful. His elevation to a partnership is a well-merited recognition of his integrity, business capacity, and commercial status. The premises of the firm are in the north wing of the building now so well known as the Bank of New South Wales, but originally and for many years the Supreme Court House of the capital city. It is a handsome building, despite the fast that it was erected in the “early days,” and it is so centrally situated that all the other banks are within a stone's throw. The whole of the north wing is held on lease from the bank, and the offices unnecessary to the business are let off in suites to various tenants. Altogether the firm stands high and enjoys the confidence of all classes.