FERTILITY AND RELIABILITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 296, 14 December 1922, Page 9

FERTILITY AND RELIABILITY.

SEED MERCHANT'S MODERN" SLOGAN. GARDENING THE PEOPLE'S HOBBY. Gardening is a hobby that appeals to millions of people all over the world and New Zealand does not lag behind in this i regard. It is a healthy interesting pastime and one that can be indulged by every person who has a few square feet of ground to their premises. Auckland has some delightful gardens, and the enterprising young firm of J. and S. Hopkins, Limited, seedsmen and nurserymen, of Queen Street, have helped in numerous instances with their reliable seeds and invaluable advice to make them what they are. ">Yith only four years in business on their own behalf, the brothers Hopkins have brought many years experience in the principal eeed firms in New Zealand into their business and the result is an ever-growing trade and a nama for reliability. Their reputation is not only New Zealand wide; but they have executed orders to practically all parts of the world, including Japan. Scotland, California, the Pacific Islands and the North and South of America. The? deal in only the choicest seeds and obtain them from the world's best specialty growers ot oeautlful flowers.

Messrs. Hopkins, Limited are very par-] ticular as to what they place in their packets. They have established a special testing department and all seeds are tested before being placed in packets for sale. "Fertility and reliability" is their slogan and the firm certainly lives up to this practical motto. A general catalogue is issued by the firm and growers should always have one for reference purposes.

Country clients are specially catered for and by strict attention to the needs of those who are unable to make their purchases personally, Messrs. Hopkins,! Ltd., have built up a reliable postal! trade, all orders receiving the attention of the principals themselves.

Nothing can look nicer in the way of table and general decorations at Xmas time than beantiful pot plants ,and Messrs. Hopkins, Ltd., have a fine selection to choose from, including Kentia palms, Aspidestiaa, etc. One has to only see the fine display in Queen Street (opposite 'IHerald" offifce) to realise how well this young firm is catering for the needs of the people during the festive season.

DINING IN TOWN. POPULARITY OF THE " TIFFIN." •EXTENSIVE OUTDOOR CATERING. One of the best restaurants in the city lis "The Tiffin," situated in the very centre of Queen Street, at the corner of (Victoria Street West. Here visitors land the ever-increasing number of regular customers may find an up-to-date dining room, complete, with a courteous and efficient staff ready to serve you | with appetising and well-cooked meals, |of the best quality. Everything is prei pared under the personal supervision of 'Mr. J. Haynes, the courteous manager, [whose long experience in this business has gained for him many friends, and ensures satisfaction in every detail connected with public catering. The Tiffin has for many years been a favourite with the public who lunch in town, as a visit to the dining rooms will show. The menu is varied, and contains everything in season. A large and increasing part of the firm's business consists of catering for outside bodies. It is recognised that good catering is essential to the success of all outdoor functions, and it is interesting to note that during the past twelve months well over one hundred shows, sports clubs, racing clubs, societies, and private business firms" have entrusted The Tiffin Catering Company with the sole charge of their catering, and all who have attended a gathering where this very important matter has been under the direction of The Tiffin have experienced •the reason for the rapid growth of this branch of the business. Societies and clubs both north and south of the city are glad to avail themselves of the prompt and efficient service which is a feature of this firm's catering. Now that the holiday season is almost on us, holiday-makers should avail themselves of the services of a professional caterer to provide the necessary luncheon for picnics, water excursions, and outings of all descriptions where good fare is so keenly appreciated, and in this connection The Tiffin excels.

MANTELPIECE VALUE. ALMOND'S FACTORY DISPLAY. A CHOJCE FOR BUYERS. One of the most pleasing features of Auckland's recovery from the slump period is the revival of the building trade, which, of course, automatically reflects itself in other industries. Including the furniture line. The factory and showrooms of Mr. T. Almond, at 82-84, Hobson Street, are singularly fitted to participate a* utility adjuncts to progress, for Mr. Almond, after a valuaible experience and tre'oiing in the Old Country, specialises in the manufacture of mantelpieces of artistic and well-made designs, which in these days of attractive homes and bungalows serve as commendable de. corations around the happy hearth and enhance the interior 'beauty and value of any dwelling. Here, then, the special service of Mr. Almond, who has been 13 yeans established in Auckland, merits more than passing notice. His mantelpiece showroom, with models in oak. Oregon pine and rimu. is the only exclusive display of its kind in the city. Mantelpieces, supplied wholesale or retail, are on exhibition at prices ranging from £2 up to £15, all carried out with faultless" workmanship and finish. A handsome oak, with bevelled mirror inset, and double shelves carried on supporting columns, is priced as Tow as £8 15/, whilst a Ibeautifullyfigured Oregon mantelpiece, in a most ornate style, with leadlight cupboards, runs into £8. Mr. Almond, whose reputation as a mantelpiece and cabinetmaker stands high iq the trade, is naturally able to sell his products at hedronk prices, because the work is done on the premises and the middleman's profit is eliminated. This, to any pwn building a home—as well as to builders, who generally appreciate the advantagemeans quite a substantial saving, in addition to which the purchaser Is choosing a design that is specially selected for the purpose. Buying from the factory direct is generally conceded to be wise and it is, indeed, a consideration in the ease of dealing with the manufacture-wonder notice.