E. TURNER AND SONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1918, Page 6

E. TURNER AND SONS.

AN ENTERPRISrN.G,,FIRM,. This extensive business, now removed to commodious and up-to-date premises in the new municipal market, wag established upwards of 20- years ago iby Mr. Edward Turner,, who; has now retired from the active cares of business. This gentleman began, in a. comparativelysmall way in Commerce Street, but the business was conducted with so. much shrewdness and enterprise that it speedily forged ahead, and its history from almost the beginning constitutes, a record of steady progress. For the. past 16 years it was situate in the old City Market, now iv process of demolition. The fine new premises of the firm have a total floor space—including the bulk, store, that is—of nearly -K),000> square feet, and to cope with an ever-increasing trade a permanent Staff of some 30 persons is necessary, which number- is, at times, reckoning in casual assistance, increased to 40.. The present firm consists of Mr. E. C. Turner, who is in charge of the Ishuid and foreign, fruit trade, the correspondence and the- order department; Mr. R. Turner, who looks after the produce branch, and officiates as produce aucand Mr. H. Turner, who is at the head of the. fruit department, and acts as fruit auctioneer. Three brothers, formerly connected with the firm, are at the front. Mr. R. R. Dowden, a son of a former well-known Auckland auctioneer, and who has been actively connected with the auctioneering business all his life, is in charge of the office. A land agency forms another featnro of this comprehensive concern. This is also under the supervision, of Mr. Dowden, and is rap-, idly expanding. The firm's fruit .trade extends all over the Dominion, and it is in touch with all the principal orchardists in both islands. The firm believe there is a great future before the New Zealand fruit industry. Oust at present this trade is, like many others, rather seriously handicapped owing to war conditions "and the stoppage of the exportation of apples. This is proving a great year for apples in New Zealand, and far more of the fruit is now coming forward than is needed to meet the local demand. Hence the low prices ruling in Auckland at the present time for even the first-grade fruit. Last year our fruit crop was practically a failure, and prices hardened accordingly. But the industry is growing rapidly, and an enormous additional acreage of apple trees may be expected, to come into bearing within the ensiling two or three years. The recent storms have affected crops of lato applies slightly, but not so badly as anticipated.

The firm, by the way, is fortunate in the possession of a fine cool storage chamber, a matter of no small importance to consignees of a perishable commodity such as fruit. This is the only cool storage accommodation of the kind in the market.

In addition to handling New Zealandgrown fruit the Messrs. Turner do an extensive trade with the Islands, and also with Australia, Canada, South America, and the U.S.A. They are also grain merchants, and propose, with the facilities now at their command, to largely extend this branch of their business. Another important line handled by the firm is potatoes, and they have recently gone •into manures and fertilisers,,and .an.tic.i-, pate doing a very large business in these goods.

The. comfort and convenience of clients is studied in every possible way by the firm, and a spacious luncheon-room, with seating for from 40 to 50 persons, is now available on the premises for the accommodation of buyers and others who very often cannot spare the time on sale days to seek needful refreshment elsewhere.

The firm holds fruit sales daily, and grain and produce sales twice a week.

Messrs. E. Turner and Sons, it may be added, claim to do the largest fruit trade in New Zealand, and their annual turnover totals considerably over £100,000. They, have specialised in the strawberry trade, and control a very large portion of the sales. : . , J. JONES.

A POPULAR FIRM. This business was established by the late Mr. J. Jones thirty-and-six years ago in the then headquarters of the produce trade —the site of the Strand Arcade, Queen Street. When the arcade was about to be built the produce fruternity were obliged to seek other quarters, out of Queen Street. Most of them shifted to the old market buildings— now about to come down —-but Mr. Jones, sen., removed to Victoria Street East, where the business has ever since been located.

The founder of this concern was a man of sterling worth, and widely respected, and is still well remembered by old residents of Auckland.

Long before Mr. J. Jones passed away he was assisted by his sons, Messrs. A. W. and P. D. Jones, who now manage the destinies of the business for their principals, and who, following the lines which proved so popular and successful in their father's time, arc steadily developing and (building up the business, and may truly be said to be "making good."

11l a few days from this they will be installed in their commodious premises I iv the new municipal market on the waterfront. These premises, by the way, occupy a prominent position at the cor-! ner of the new market block, where the lighting is particularly good and the facilities for the carrying on of an extensive business are unrivalled. There is ample room on the ground floor and an up-to-date electric elevator communicating with the floor overhead, which will be principally used for the grain and produce department.

Tho firm handles produce, grain, fruit, poultry, and pigs. As for poultry, they are doing one of the largest businesses in 'this line in _Ccw Zealand. Their pens, which are of an entirely new design, are built to show off the poultry to the best possible advantage, and will carry some 3000 head—and all tho pen accommodation is needed. Tliey also do a large trade in pigs, which always command good competition. Both the Messrs. .Tones officiate as auctioneers, Mr. A. AY. Jones acting in addition as the linn's accountant, and Mr. P. D. Jones, besides wielding the hammer, has the auction and grain departments to look after. Auction sales are held on Tuesdays and Fridays of poultry, pigs, fruit, farm produce, and sundries. This business had made headway from its inception, but during the last few years its development has been extraordinarily rapid. With the removal to the new premises it will enter upon another phase of its business career, and under the improved conditions it may be expected to go abend faster than ever.

It speaks well for the firm that so many of the original customers and clients arc still continuing ibusinees with

them. It; may be mentioned that lihey; have hundreds of letters in their- possession from clients who have been satisfled with, the manner in which the Arm •has disposed of their goods and the prices realised; also with their promptness in rendering the account sales and cheques. The firm's sales are invariably well attended and attract buyers from far and near. The first sale in the new premises will eventuate on April 5, when all the lines-, it 'handles., -will bo well represented. It. only romains t.o add that few businesses receive the personal attention of the heads to a fuller extent than does that of J. Jones. Both sons have grown up with the concern, so to speak. Both possess, the moat intimate knowledge of th_ auctioneering and grain business, and take the keenest interest in thej firm's welfare and progress. Then the members of the staff are all old and: \ r alued employees of the firm, each one! having its interests at heart. All worki harmoniously together with one object— success.

MILLINERY OF THE MOMENT.

"BON MARCHE," KARANGAHAPE ROAD. While conditions are anything but normal in the world of fashion, business is going on much as before the war days, nnd at "The Bon Marche," the Auckland Millinery House, recent shipments more than fulfil expectations, the hats being intensely interesting from every viewpoint. The fashions of the autumn Benson are rich in new and characteristic shapes; not frjvoloiis, but rather possessing a great amount of dignity—simplicity and a certain primness of outline being the main features. This season's hats are conspicuous by a decided height of crown; one of the smartest imported designs is the "Anzac," which is to be much in vogue. Another is the tall turban-shaped toque, "a la Hindoo." For " ready-to-wcars" the French sailor with a somewhat taller crown will be the favourite. The colours will be chiefly brown, copper, cinnamon, and coffee. The Bon Marche millinery establishment courteously wishes to inform the ladies of Auckland that a special display will he made during the coming week, when the hats shown for originality, exquisite colour schemes, and picturesque effects will eclipse any previously shown. Style being the'fundamental principle on which the buying and selling of millinery is based, at the Bon Marche, Karangahape Road, you will see an exposition of fashions which represent the last word in "newness." Mrs. Kenny, the head milliner, who among the trade, is considered the best millinery designer in Australasia, will be pleased to advise as to particular suitability as to type and face. As a matter of good business you owe it to yourself to sec this display.