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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Drapers, Clothiers, Etc

Drapers, Clothiers, Etc.

Geddes, John Haining , Merchant Tailor, corner of Dee and Don Streets, Invercargill. This business was established in 1877, and for the first ten years was conducted in Tay Street. The premises now occupied consist of part of a handsome three-storey building of which the shop, cutting and fitting rooms are on the ground floor, and the workroom on the second floor. About twenty-two persons are engaged in connection with the business, and the cutting department is in charge of Mr. Geddes, junior, who is an expert cutter.

Mr. J. H. Geddes , the Proprietor, was born in July, 1839, in Kircud-brightshire, Scotland, where he was educated and served a five years' apprenticeship to his trade. He learned cutting at Liverpool, and afterwards entered into business on his own account at Kirkpatrick. After landing in Victoria, in 1863, Mr. Geddes became cutter for Messrs Warnock Brothers, at Maldon, a quartz-mining township, where he continued for nine years, and was afterwards in business on his own account for four years. He came to Otago in August, 1875, and after two years at the Clutha, established his present business in Invercargill. Mr. Geddes was a member of the East Invercargill Borough Council for several years, and occupied the mayoral chair for a year. He has long been attached to the Loyal St. George Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, and in 1904 held office as Past Provincial Grand Master. Mr. Geddes was married at Kyneton, Victoria, to a daughter of Captain Mirk, and has three sons and two daughters.

Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr, J. H. Geddes.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr, J. H. Geddes.

Iles And Roscow (Walter Iles and Robert Rae Roscow), Merchant Tailors, Dee Street, Invercargill. This business was established in 1895 by Messrs E. Norton and Co., and in 1902 was purchased by Mr. Iles, of Dunedin, who conducted it as a branch of his business till July, 1903, when Mr. Roscow became a partner. About fourteen persons are employed, and a first-class trade is carried on. The premises consist of part of a three-storey building; the shop, cutting and fitting rooms being on the ground floor, and the work room on the top floor.

Mr. Robert Rae Roscow , the Junior Partner, was born in 1872, at Tuapeka, and learned his business as a tailor and cutter in Dunedin, where he had experience with several of the best firms of the city. He was cutter for Messrs F. Smith and Company for about four years before becoming a partner in Mr. Iles's business at Invercargill in 1903 Mr. Roscow is attached to the St. John Lodge of Freemasons, and is a member of the Southland Bowling Club, and the Invercargill Cycling Club. He married a daughter of Mr. James Leighton, of Dunedin, and has two daughters.

Lewis, W. and Co. , (William Lewis), trading as General Drapers, Dee Street, Invercargill. This business was founded in 1863, when the premises were opened by Mr. Lewis's brother, Mr. J. F. Lewis, as a branch of the Victorian firm of Hoad and Co., Bendigo, of which he was a partner. The present owner acquired the business, in September, 1864, and has been sole proprietor almost continuously since that time. For many years the domicile of the firm was in Tay Street, but in 1872 Mr. Lewis acquired the Dee Street site, which has a frontage of ninety feet, by a depth of 120 feet. There are three imposing entrances to the premises, and the proprietor keeps a very extensive stock of drapery, clothing and furnishings. The showroom and shop are on the ground floor, and the next floor is utilised for the workrooms of the millinery and dressmaking departments, and for the storage of reserve stock. Messrs Lewis and Co. are direct importers, and are represented by expert buyers in London. Branches of the business have been established at Gore and Wyndham. Mr. Lewis's premises have been twice destroyed by fire; namely, in 1875 and in 1888. After each fire a great improvement was made in the character of the new building which had to be erected, and the present is an imposing edifice. Mr. Lewis employs about eighty persons.

Mr. William Lewis , the Proprietor, was born at Llangadock, Car- page 841 marthenshire, Wales. He was brought up as a draper, and had valuable experience in the Old Country before leaving for the colonies. He landed in Victoria in December, 1863, and in January of the following year, settled in Invercargill. Mr. Lewis served for a number of years as a member of the Invercargill Borough Council, and in the early days was a member of the Hospital Board. He was married, in 1874, to a daughter of the late Mr. Colin Brown, of Invercargill, and has a surviving family of eight sons and three daughters.

Mr. W. Lewis.

Mr. W. Lewis.

Mair and Shepherd (Alexander Mair). Men's Outfitters, Mercers, and Hatters, Dee Street, Invercargill. This business was established in 1893, and is conducted on the ground floor of a double-fronted shop. A well assorted stock is maintained.

Mr. Alexander Mair , the Proprietor, was born in 1836, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and after leaving school served a four years' apprenticeship to the drapery trade, and six years as salesman. He arrived at the Bluff by the ship “Storm Cloud” in 1862, and settled in Invercargill, where he commenced business as an outfitter and general draper. Thirty years later he sold out and founded the present firm. Mr. Mair has served on the Athenaeum committee, and he is also a member of the Masonic Order. He was married, in 1866, to a daughter of the late Mr. Peter Swan, of Kelso, Scotland, and has four sons and four daughters.

Porter, Alexander Rogerson , Merchant Tailor, Esk Street, Invercargill. This business, which was established in 1893, is conducted in a two-storey brick building, with the shop on the ground floor, and the cutting and workrooms above. The proprietor imports tweeds and tailors' trimmings, and employs a number of operatives. Mr. Porter is elsewhere referred to as a Past Master of the Southern Cross Lodge of Freemasons.

Smith, H And J. (Helen H. Smith and John W. Smith), Manufacturers and Direct Importers of all manner of Ladies', Gentlemen's and Children's Underwear, Dee Street, Invercargill. This business was established in April, 1900. The premises consist of a two-storey brick building, with a double-fronted shop, showroom and offices on the ground floor, and the factory on the upper floor. The departments on the first floor consist of machine, packing, and finishing rooms, and the goods are milled in a separate department at the back of the building. There are fourteen hosiery and sewing machines, and about twenty-five persons are busily engaged in the manufacture of ladies, gentlemen's and children's outfitting,
H And J. Smith's Premises.

H And J. Smith's Premises.

page 842 of which the firm stocks a large variety; and, besides, special sizes and designs are made by the firm from all parts of the colony.
Miss H. Smith And Mr. J. Smith.

Miss H. Smith And Mr. J. Smith.