Danks, Samuel, and Son, (John Danks), Brassfounders, Coppersmiths, Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Electroplaters, 10 Brandon Street. Telegraphic address, “Danks. Wellington.” Telephone 43. P.O. Box 120, Bankers, Colonial Bank of New Zealand, This well-known business was established about twenty years ago by Mr. Samuel Danks and his son, Mr. John Danks. The building was one of the earliest of those erected on what was until recently called “the reclaimed land,” but since the more extensive reclamations at Thorndon and Te Aro have monopolized that name, the Lambton made ground has been looked upon as being within the original city boundary. Only the old residents can remember the tide ebbing and flowing where now the stream of commerce flows. Theirs is a fine business, and well situated for a large shipping and general trade. Since the death of Mr. S. Danks, 18th July, 1893, it has become the property of the junior partner, Mr. John Danks, who has practically managed it entirely for many years. The front building is of two stories, with the foundry and works at the back. The ground floor in front is occupied with the shop, the clerk's office, and the cart entrance to the works and iron store, the first floor being devoted to show-rooms, stock-rooms, and Mr. Danks' private office. The brass foundry and works at the rear are well provided with all the requisite machinery, including a twenty-foot lathe, with cutting lathes, brass-finishing lathes, slotting, nibbling, screw-cutting, polishing, and squaring machines, emery wheels, coppersmiths' planishing hammers, a dressing machine, and the dynamo for the electroplating. These machines appear to be carefully kept and well up-to-date. Messrs. Danks and Son do their own brass-founding, and have very handy furnaces for the purpose. The power for driving the rotary machines is obtained by steam. It is very interesting to watch the working of these various machines as they are deftly manipulated by the employees. The polishing machine, for instance, is driven at a speed of nearly 2000 revolutions per minute, and when in motion the wheel seems to be of wood, and capable of great power of resistance, but when stationary it is found to be as soft as silk, and incapable of maintaining its shape. The electroplating, although quite a recent addition to the business, is quite replete with everything requisite for carrying on a large trade in this branch. The business has been built up with the object of progressing, and, should occasion require it, in addition to the number of hands already employed, in times of pressure that number can be very greatly increased, as there is no lack either of machinery or other accommodation. Besides the local trade, the manufactures of the firm are sent to all parts. Messrs. Danks and Son are importers of everything in their, own line of business, and others, “Being in the enviable position of being able to buy at any time, on the best of terms, they send all orders to their Home agent, who purchases in the best markets and despatches with all original invoices. Messrs. Danks and Son are agents for the patentee of the Pemberthy Injector, one of the latest improved appliances for injecting water into steam boilers. As mentioned above, Mr. Samuel Danks closed his earthly career on the 18th July, 1893. His was a useful life, though he had family bereavements sufficient to kill almost any man. He was a native of Wednesbury, but left there for Australia when quite young. When Melbourne was a canvas town he and his brother went into business there and made rapid strides in common with many other early settlers in the palmy days of Victoria. But the climate was unsuitable to him, though his brother. Mr, John Danks, has enjoyed both health and prosperity up to the present time. While in Melbourne, nine sons and daughters were born, but the present Mr. John Danks, of Wellington, is the-only survivor. At last, for the sake of the father's health, Mr. and Mrs. Danks and their only son took a trip to the Old Country, and twelve months later returned to Melbourne en route for Wellington, New Zealand, arriving there per s.s. “Albion” in 1875. With the proceeds of his share of the Melbourne business, Mr. Danks established himself as mentioned above, taking into partnership his son, who was then a very young man. Not long after arrival in Wellington, a daughter was born, and it was confidently hoped that the bracing air of the breezy Empire City would at least bring her to maturity. But the time came when she too was laid aside, and after a brief illness, left a vacant chair. From this last sad blow Mr. Danks never quite recovered. For nine consecutive years he represented Lambton Ward in the Wellington City Council, where his practical experience was accounted of great value. Notwithstanding his failing health, he was regular and punctual in his attendance, and devoted much of his time to committee work and other public duties. The writer of this article was his fellow-councillor for three years, and is glad of this opportunity of perpetuating the memory of his friend. Mr. Danks was also a member of the Hospital Board for many years, and of the Board of Benevolent Trustees, and was one of the founders of the Home for the Aged Needy. He was a trustee also of Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, where he was a prominent member, and a strong supporter. It is needless to add that Mr. and Mrs. Danks had a very large circle of real friends. The numbers who followed the old gentleman's remains to their final resting place—beside those of the daughter he loved so well—testified how he had been held in respect by all classes. Mrs. Danks still survives her husband; but her health is very precarious, and she looks forward with patient complaisance to being at rest with loved ones gone before. Mr. John Danks has continued his father's page 678 work as a member of the Hospital Board, and the committee of the Home for the Aged Needy. And he, too, is a church trustee (Trinity Church, Newtown), and a prominent officer among the Masons. In all his public duties Mr. Danks is attentive and business like; arid if he has one habit of mind more strongly marked than any other it is that of looking matters straight in the face and calling “a spade a spade.” In his youth and early manhood he devoted a good deal of spare time to outdoor sports. For many years he was a prominent member of the Star Cricket Club, and is at the present time vice-president of the Midland Cricket Club. In the Cycling Club he also holds the office of vice-president. In fact he has always been a promoter of innocent sport.