D. C. TURNBULL & Co.

WOOL AND GRAIN MERCHANTS, AND FROZEN MEAT EXPORTERS.

One of the most commanding looking buildings near the wharves at Timaru bears the name of Messrs D. C. Turnbuli and Co., who rank among the prominent merchants engaged in the wool, grain, and frozen meat trade. The first glance over Timaru convinces the visitor of the importance of the town as an agricultural and pastoral centre. In various places ample evidence is seen of the big accommodation provided for storing the products of the soil, on a more extensive scale, indeed, than anywhere else in the colony. It might also be added that no other town has produced such reputable institutions whose object it is to transact all the trading business connected with tho staple industries.

Of the principal of these are Messrs D. C. Turnbuli and Co., Mr D. C. Turnbuli establishing the. business in 1894. Within the intervening penod he has made himself well known among the produced of the four counties included in South Canterbury, in each of which his clients are to be found. The offices originally utilised by Messrs 1 Turnbull and Co. adjoined the Royal Hotel, but thirteen months ago they occupied that attractive new building in Stvatliallajii street at the corner of the ground bearing the extensive stores. These latter are of brick, and, three stories high, attract the notice of all new arrivals by sea or land. The ground is three-quarters of an acre in extent, and is served by a most convenient railway siding. The capacity of these buildings is 40,000 sacks of grain, separate departments being suitable for different storage. They are used for wool as well as grain" and in that department the firm act as warehousemen and negotiate wool dumping, large quantities of the stapU being Bent to them for the purpose. From the stores the wool is shipped as desired. They also buy wool and export it.

The grain business is a big branch, being gleaned from the country to a 35 miles radius of the town. Some conception of the turnover may be gained from the statement that last year some 200,000 sacks passed through their hands. This valuable produce is sold locally or is distributed over New Zealand, Australian and English markets. Messrs Turnbuli and Co. have a sailing vessel of their own, an unusual feature, which carries consignments into any intercolonial port desired. It is a vessel of trim lines, and arouses the admiration of mariners. Then the firm export frozen mutton on the bill of lading principle, purchasing killing tickets from the farmers. There is a deal of this class of work done in the district, and Turnbuli and Co. have their full share of it. Its success is determined by the judgmnt of the parties, tlie stock being purchased "on their feet" at a given price, according to what their weight is. believed to be. In; all these branches Messrs Turnbuli have an important connection, and among their clients they bear an excellnt repfltation. Their business is known to be conducted on the best principles, nnd hence every reliance is placed in them. Mr D. C. Turn hull associates himself with the welfare of Timaru, and is a member of the Harbour Board, a position he is well fitted for. owing to his connection with shipping.