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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Cook, William

Cook, William, General Storekeeper, 38 Molesworth Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Johnsonville. Branches at Johnsonville and Kaiwarra, with postal and telephone bureaus at both these places. Mr. Cook was born in London, and served an apprenticeship to the drapery business in King's Lynn, where he gained a valuable experience in that trade generally. In 1866 Mr. Cook's attention was attracted to New Zealand, with the result that very soon he had left the land of his birth to cozen fortune in the Britain of the South. At that time the numerous goldfields that were being discovered in the Colony were the means of alluring to its shores the enterprising spirits of all nations; some to reap a golden harvest and then return to their homeland to enjoy during the rest of their lives the fruit of their enterprise, others to be disappointed and forced to continue labouring in the pursuit of the success and wealth which are the incentive to many a long journey and hard task; others still, to remain to minister to the requirements of their kindred spirits, to make the land of their good fortune their home for the remainder of their days, to take a hand in guiding its affairs and moulding its destiny, and to give to its people the benefit of knowledge acquired and means accumulated in the early days of its development. To the latter class the subject of this paragraph undoubtedly belongs. Soon after his arrival in New Zealand in 1866, Mr. Cook turned his attention to storekeeping. “With Mr. James Riddock he opened a general store in Molesworth Street under the style of Cook and Co. This partnership continued till 1881, when Mr. Riddock retired, and thenceforward the business was conducted by Mr. Cook, who has put so much energy into it that besides page 740 the Wellington business, he has now flourishing branches at Johnsonville and Kaiwarra. The branch at the former place is managed by Mr. W. Bowden, and at the latter place by Mr. J. E. Cunliffe, both of these gentlemen having considerable experience in a general store. At these places Mr. Cook has the agency for the Commercial Union Fire Assurance Co. Some twelve hands are employed by Mr. Cook; of these, six are in the Wellington business, four at Johnsonville, and two at Kaiwarra. In addition to grocery and drapery, a bakery business is conducted at the branches, and in all three places a considerable business is carried on in farm and dairy produce. Three carts are employed for the purposes of the trade, and these constantly call upon settlers in the country and supply their needs. The store in Molesworth Street, Wellington, which is freehold, is a two-story building of wood and iron, having a frontage of about 30 feet, with two large show windows to the street. There is a floor space downstairs of about 1000 square feet. The shop is arranged so that one side, the right as you enter, is devoted to grocery, and the other, the left, to drapery. Behind the shop the farm and dairy produce is stored, and ample accommodation is provided for a large quantity of grain, potatoes, chaff, bran, pollard, etc., access to which is obtained from the yard behind. The upstairs portion of the building is used chiefly as a stock and storeroom. Mr. Cook is invariably in attendance himself in the Wellington establishment, and actively supervises the whole of the business In 1886 Mr. Cook was appointed to be one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace. He has always been prominently identified with the public life of the district in which he resides. For six years he has been a member of the Johnsonville Town Board, and he has been a member of the school committee there, for a number of years. A total abstainer himself, he has been a keen fighter in the prohibition crusade, and he has made the traffic in strong drink his pet antipathy. He is a member of the Wellington Suburbs Licensing Committee. Besides being treasurer of the Hope of Johnsonville Rechabite Lodge, he is their district representative. In the sphere of outdoor recreations Mr. Cook is regarded as a “jolly good fellow,” and as president of the Johnsonville Cricket Club he assists to provide suitable amusements for the youth of that community.