MESSRS MENDELSOHN & SON

THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

In England, where among the teeming millions there is a vast scope of trade, the pursuance of a special industry is the rule rather than the exception. In the colonies, however, it has been found expedient in many cases to have recourse to more than one channel in the search for business patronage. One firm, in Dunedin has found it possible to devote its energies entirely to a special line, and to achieve marked success in that direction. Messrs Mendelsohn and Son have, for years past, made the tobacco trade their own particular study, and from a retail shop their interests have grown, and become a flourishing industry, with substantial premises in one portion of the town devoted entirely to the wholesale and another building utilised for the retail business.

Mr Louis Mendelsohn, the senior partner, manages the wholesale branch, which is situated centrally, in Princes street, whilst Mr Joseph Mendelsohn, his son, has charge of the retail shop on the opposite side. Mr Joseph Mendelsohn opened the retail business some 12 years ago in the premises which he now occupies. The concern which he then took over was the oldest established in the colony, having a' history dating back 40 odd years. By skilful and careful management Mr Joseph Mendelsohn enlarged the scope of the trade considerably, and perceiving the opportunities afforded in the business, he joined his father about seven years ago in the establishment of a wholesale department, wherein the demands of tobacconists throughout the colony are catered for with enterprise and success. To trace-the history of the rise of "this firm. it is necessary to revert to a- former period. Mr Mendelsohn, sen., was born at Sorau, Germany, in 1841. At an early age he went to England, and became associated first with the jewellery trade, and subsequently with that of tobacco. He came out to.New Zealand about 36 years ago, when quite a young m.an, and entered a wholesale jewellery establishment in Dunedin. lii this warehouse the sale of tobacco, cigars, etc., was included, and Mr Mendelsohn was placed in charge of that department. His son, Mr Joseph Mendelsohn, ultimately became associated with him in the trade and was in the employment of the same firm. The elder Mr Mendelsohn's duties assumed great proportions, and on one occasion it became necessary for him to voyage to America, in order to visit celebratcd°ifirms of tobacco manufacturers in Petersburg, and Richmond in . Virginia, as well, as "other, centres of the industry. He remained in this managerial position for many years, but his knowledge o£ the trade and keen perception of populai demands induced him eventually to start a. wholesale business for himself, which he did, as related, some seven years ago in. conjunction with his son. The business grew apace. The establishment lias a frontage of 25ft toPrinces street by a depth of about 70ft. In front are the offices, and at the rear are several departments of a general warehouse, heavily stocked throughout with tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, etc. Mr -Mendelsohn has agencies solely, for some of the most celebrated brands of tobacco and cigars. Among other special agencies which are held. by the firm may be mentioned Messrs Hudden and Co/s (Bristol) Crown Navy Cut and Golden Long Cut tobaccos in varioiis packings, as well as their Bal Masque cigarettes; and Messrs H. L. Savory and Co.'s celebrated cigarettes (London),'by special warrant of appointment to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, and the principal royalties of Europe. Those cigarettes are admittedly the highest grade that have ever been imported into the colony. In the wholesale trade the firm are agents for all the American Tobaccc Company's m-oductions. Besides the imported lines, Messrs Mendelsohn and Son are large manufacturers of their own cigarettes, which command a ready and large sale. In addition to these are Messrs Cameron Bros', well and favourably known brands of Venus and Queen Aromatic Plug tobacco, and Messrs T. C. Williams's famous Victory, Welcome Nuejget, Golden Eagle, Ruby, and their various other brands. In the department of cigars they hold the sole agency for the whole of Australasia of the Alpina' Factory at Manila m their various grades. These cover a very wide range of quality, the whole of which are unsurpassed by any other Manila factories. In .Havana- cigars, some of the best known are represented among their stccks, and every possible taste is catered for. They are the only firm who deal extensively in Havana's throughout the colony, and it is a well-known fact that Messrs Mendelsohn and 8011 have made a special study of this particulai line. Their reputation in this respect is unexcelled. The business transacted extends throughout the colony, and two, and sometimes three, travellers are employed in obtaining orders from the Bluff to Auckland.

In the retail business, Mr Joseph Mendelsohn is agent for the M. L. ai;d Co.'s briar pipes, for Loewe and Co.'s liaml-mariß briar pipes, and is the sole agent for the "P. ¥." London hand-made briar p;i)es. The quality of goods stocked in. the

general retail store is generally admitted to bs unequalled, in any part of the colony. An important portion of the. business is the indent branch... The markets of the trade 'are carefully watched, 'and samples of 'the latest productions ■ received'■ by. every mail, thus guaranteeing that all their clients are brought into touch with goods which may advantageously be handled. ■ Mr Mendelsohn, sen., has taken considerable, interest in industrial matters, and has been for some -time a member of. the' Chamber of '.Com-' merce. His excellent qualities as a citizen were recognised many years ago,, when the Government of New Zealand conferred on him the Commission of the Peace, an honour much less generally distributed in those days than at the present time. Mr Joseph Mendelsohn was born in Dr.nedin and .- received his . education at the Arthur street school. "' For 11 years as an employee of a wholesale firm he was engaged in the tobacco trade, and he therefore entered upon private business equipped with an excellent traiuing and experience. In social matters, this gentleman has a decided taste for the bowling gracn, and is also an enthusiastic and liberal patron of all athlfft-ic sport. He is a member of many semi-public bodies whluh'tend to elevate and sweeten the social life of this' citj-. In Messrs Mendelsohn and Son the city of Dmiedin possesses a firra of methodical business men, who have given complete study to one channel of jhiblic demand, with that perfection and success which come of pcrsexer.ince combined with experience and knowledge.