The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Merchants And Warehousemen
Merchants And Warehousemen.
Mr. E. Barlow.
Brown, J. M. And Son , (James Miller Brown and Andrew S. Brown), General Merchants and Manufacturing Agents, Esk and Kelvin Streets, Invercargill. This business was established in 1891, and holds agencies for K Jams, Hayward Brothers, W. and G. Turnbull, Newton's Soap, Ferguson and Mitchell, Farra Brothers, Otago Brush Co., the Sydney Salt Agency Co., Butcher Suppliers of Sausage Skins and Butchers' Requisites.
Mr. James Miller Brown , Senior Partner of the firm, was born in 1844, in Glasgow, where he was educated and brought up to mercantile life. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Pladda” in 1861, and lived for about four years in Dunedin.
After some experience in farming at Waikouaiti, Mr. Brown commenced business at Cromwell in 1869, and established the business of D. A. Jolly and Co., now carried on by Mr. Jolly; but six years later he removed to Invercargill, where he carried on business as a grocer, and for several years as a commercial traveller. He established his present business in 1890. At one time Mr. Brown served as a volunteer in the Anderson's Bay Naval Brigade, Dunedin, and he is a Past Master of the Southern Cross Lodge of Freemasons. Mr. Brown was married, in 1879, to a daughter of the late Mr. Andrew Stewart, of Victoria, and has three sons and four daughters.
Jenkins, Robert , General Merchant, Esk Street, Invercargill. This business was established in 1897, and is conducted on the ground floor of a brick building, containing a shop, office and show room. Goods are delivered throughout the town and suburbs. Mr. Jenkins was born in 1866, in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up to the trade of a grocer. He came to the Bluff in 1883 by the barque “Electra,” and after gaining experience with the principal grocers at Invercargill, he started on his own account in 1897. Mr. Jenkins was a member of the Invercargill Rifles for about twenty years, and has been a member of the Garrison (now Battalion) Band since 1885. He is connected with the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge of the Oddfellows, and has served for a short time on the Invercargill Licensing Committee. Mr. Jenkins was married, in 1898, to a daughter of Mr. James Shirley, farmer, of Fortrose, and has one son and one daughter.
Matheson and Co. , (Farquhar Matheson and John Matheson), General Merchants, Dee Street, Invercargill. This business was founded in 1863 by the late Mr. D. L. Matheson, under the style of Matheson and Cameron. It has been conducted by the present partners since 1895. Mr. D. L. Matheson is referred to in another article as an old colonist.
National Mortgage And Agency Company Of New Zealand, Ltd. , Invercargill branch (Mr. A. F. Hawke, manager). Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box No. 22; Telegraphic Code, A B C, 4th edition; Cable address, “Mortgage.” This branch was opened in Esk Street in May, 1878, by Mr. G. F. Martin (late of the firm of Messrs. Martin, Maitland and Co., whose business had been acquired by the company). Several years later, the offices were removed to the very handsome block known as Crescent Buildings. In 1882, Mr. Martin was succeeded by Mr. G. A. Birch, and, in 1890, Mr. A. F. Hawke was appointed manager. The premises contain the offices of the manager and staff, and a large wool store; in addition, there are extensive wool and grain stores at the Bluff capable of holding 50,000 sacks of grain.
Mr. A. F. Hawke , J.P., Manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company's Invercargill branch, is the second son of Mr. Hawke, of Invercargill. He was born at Port Augusta, South Australia, in 1862, and received his education at the Invercargill Grammar School and Monsieur Henri's private school. He entered the counting-house of Messrs Martin, Maitland and Co., and on their business being acquired by the National Mortgage Company, Mr. Hawke joined that institution and was transferred to the Christ-church branch. Subsequently, he was transferred to Dunedin, and in 1890 took charge of the Invercargill branch. During Mr. Hawke's long connection with Invercargill he has taken an active interest in athletic sports of every kind, and has been president of the Invercargill Football Club, and vice-president of the Southland Rugby Union and Invercargill Cycling Club.
Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. J. H. Hughes.
The New Zealand Clothing Factory (Hallenstein Brothers and Co.), Southland branch, corner of Dee page 851 and Esk Streets, Invercargill. Head office, Dunedin. This large firm has been represented in Invercargill since the early seventies, and the fine premises now occupied were purchased in 1897. They consist of a three-storey brick building, of which the large double-fronted corner shop on the ground floor is occupied by the firm, and the rest let to tenants.
Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. J. S. Murphy.
The New Zealand Loan And Mercantile Agency Company, Limited: Southland branch, The Crescent, Invercargill. The premises occupied by the local branch of this company consist of a three-and-four-storey brick building, with handsome public and private offices at the front, and large stores behind. The latest elevating appliances are used in connection with the store in dealing with the large quantities of wool and produce that pass through the establishment, a gas engine of eight horse power being used for lifting purposes, and for driving the company's valuable seed-cleaning machinery. The company holds a number of agencies for all classes of machinery and farm requirements. It supplies all farm and station requisites and conducts regular stock sales throughout Southland. There are special agencies of the company established at Gore and the Bluff; and sub-agencies at Otautau, Winton and Wyndham, and these are under the control of the manager of the Southland branch. Mr. J. Callender is manager, Mr. W. F. Scandrett, produce salesman, and Mr. O. W. Strettell, auctioneer. Mr. John Turnbull, for many years manager of the company, is retained as local adviser.
Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. J. Callender.
Nichol Brothers (George Willis Nichol and Samuel Nichol), Merchants and General Agents, Esk Street, Invercargill, and at Bluff. This business dates from the year 1865.
J. E. Watson And Company, Limited , Stock and Station Agents, etc., Esk Street, Invercargill. Stores, The Crescent, Invercargill.
Mr. James Graham , one of the directors of Messrs J. E. Watson and Co., Limited, and manager of the Gore branch, is the eldest son of the late Mr. Alexander Graham, of Edinburgh. He was educated at West Coalgate, Scotland, and emigrated to New Zealand in 1883. For some time he was engaged in mining in the Lake district, In 1888 he entered the service of Messrs J. D. Hunter, wool and grain merchants, East Gore, with whom he remained until the opening of the Gore branch of Messrs Tothill, Watson and Co., wool, grain and seed merchants, in 1890, when he became that firm's local manager. Mr. Graham was admitted to a partnership in the firm in July, 1901, and on the retirement of the senior partner, in July, 1902, the business was taken over by Messrs J. E. Watson and Co., which was afterwards formed into a limited liability company.
Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. G. Barrie.
The Southland Farmers' Co-Operative Association, Limited , was founded in June, 1901, at Gore, but the head office was transferred to Invercargill in October of the same year. The Association's premises in Liddell Street consist of a two-storey brick building with public and private offices, and a general store, on the ground floor; and storage for bulk goods, wool, and skins on the upper flat. All branches of business connected with the farming community are conducted by the company, and the auction sales of stock and produce are regularly held throughout Southland. A branch of the business is conducted at Gore, and there is an agency at Otautau. In November, 1903, about 2,700 £5 shares had been allotted, and the balance for the year showed £936 to the credit of profit and loss account. Mr. A. Murdock is chairman, Mr. J. Gray, vice-chairman, and there is a strong board of directors. Mr. M. Carr is manager. A large building, combining store and offices is now (1904) being erected in Leet Street, and will cover nearly half an acre. The store is intended to be specially suitable for displaying wool for local auction sales.
Waugh, John , General Merchant, Corner of Jed and Yarrow Streets, Invercargill. This business was established in November, 1895, and is conducted in a one-storey building, containing shop, office and storeroom. A general up-to-date stock is maintained, and the goods are delivered throughout the district. In 1903, in conjunction with Mr. Harrison, the proprietor purchased the business of Mr. F. C. Delaney, at Colac Bay, and this is now conducted as a branch, under the name of Waugh and Harrison.
Mr. John Waugh was born in Invercargill, educated at the Central School, and brought up to mercantile life with various local firms. He is attached to Court Star of the South, Ancient Order of Foresters, and is a member of the Invercargill Cycling Club.
Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. J. Waugh.
Wright, Stephenson and Co. , Stock and Station Agents and Auctioneers; Southland Branch, The Crescent, Invercargill; head office, Dunedin. The Southland branch of this well known firm was established in 1896. The premises include a large four-storey brick building on the Crescent, and there is a seed-cleaning plant and a large wool store in a fine building in Tweed Street. Regular auction sales of stock and produce are held periodically throughout the district. Mr. W. D. Hunt, the resident partner and manager in Southland, is further referred to as vice-president of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce.