CITY WAS IN ITS THIRD DECADE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30898, 3 November 1965, Page 28

CITY WAS IN ITS THIRD DECADE

Mason Struthers and Company, still known by its original name, was commenced by Robert Struthers in the third decade of the life of the young, though rapidly-grow-ing city.

At that time there was still a great amount of unoccupied land even in the city area and the drainage system of the swampy ground was still in course of development; it is therefore not surprising that one hears that on the ground very near to Lichfield street the evidence of the underlying swamp was readily seen. If the ground was stamped upon it would shake for several hundred yards around. Ducks flying overhead from the Avon could be shot from the doorways of Colombo street shops.

There were no tar-sealed roads, and one may better imagine than describe the infinite amount of labour involved in caring for any perishable goods that might be stocked and in keeping reasonably clean and bright anything on which dust might readily gather.

One has only admiration for the courage and enterprise of those who established businesses under such conditions as existed in the first quarter of a century of the life of Christchurch. Associated with Robert Struthers in partnership was Frederick Mason, the business taking its title as Mason Struthers & Co. A fine three-storey building was erected in 1878 at the corner of Colombo and Lichfield streets, on the site still occupied by this company. The building has been extended further down Colombo street, the windows all widened to modern standards, and many internal alterations made; but the structure of the building is unaltered. Robert Struthers was a great Scotsman and a great bowler, says a contemporary. The partnership worked amicably for some years, the Deering reaping and binding machine—one of the first imported—being sold by them. They conceived the idea of introducing the machine to Australia, and Mr Mason went there with that in mind. It was found necessary for him to remain to work the agency properly, so the partnership was dissolved. For some time Mr Struthers carried on in Christchurch, being associated with Hill and Hartridge of London. The partnership with Hill and Hartridge and Mr Struthers was dissolved from December 31, 1899, Robert Struthers continuing on his own account. The original business was described as wholesale and retail ironmongers, and one can imagine the nature of the goods stocked in the early days of candles and kerosene lamps, open fireplaces, and transport by means of gigs, traps and coaches. Carriage lamps in varied designs would make an attractive display; locks and keys would not be the small and almost useless things such as one may pur-

This article is reprinted from the book, “They Made Their Own Money,” by kind permission of the publishers, Royal New Zealand Numismatic Society (Canterbury branch). The book had an issue of 500 copies. It was published in Canterbury’s centennial year, 1950.

chase today for many times the price charged then. They had security as their main purpose in manufacture in those days. The ironmongery of all kinds was of solid, honest workmanship and was meant to last for a reasonable period of service. There was a substantial saddlery department and sports goods of all kinds were stocked. These would include supplies for the sport of archery. Cart wheels and all parts were sold: stock was displayed on the outside of the doorways and, after the invention of the cycle, these hung from the ceiling. Mention has been made of Canterbury’s prosperity, and, keeping pace with the progress of the province’s basic industry, we find Mason Struthers and Co. at quite an early date advertising themselves as chief agents in New Zealand for modern farm equipment such as dairy machinery and appliances, cream coolers and vats, engines and boilers suitable for dairy factories, and so on, steam pumps and injectors, milk testers for hand and power, dairy glassware, skim milk weighers, cream elevators latest books on dairying and milk testing, churn and butter workers, scales, shafting, pulleys, piping and belting; also butter and cheese-making appliances, machine - oils, plants for cleaning and pasteurising milk, recorder for weighing and measuring milk in one operation, all separator goods, and requisites of

every description for factory, creamery and dairy. Goods were delivered by young boys in handcarts sometimes with disastrous results to breakable goods. Goods were also delivered in a horse-drawn cart, similar to those stocked for sale.

To popularise bicycles, the Timaru-Christchurch road race was started, the first race leaving from the Timaru wool stores.

No expense was spared to provide equipment to facilitate handling and storing of goods. The iron rack cost £5OO, being of imported wood, without any nailing. That figure would be considerably higher on today’s money values. Another invidious comparison of “Then” with “Now” records that one man in the employ of the company could carry scwt of iron on his back—no mean feat. Country travellers went their rounds on bicycles and also by coach. One amus-

ing story is told, evidently of the days when telephonic communication was little used if at all. A commercial traveller went into North Canterbury due to return within four days. At the end of a fortnight there was no sign of him, so another traveller was sent to find him. At the end of another fortnight neither man had returned. Apparently their enthusiasm for the “wares” of the country hotel offered greater attraction than the rewards for selling those stocked by Mason Struthers and Co.

In 1903, Robert Struthers sold the business, then established a quarter of a century, to a company. Mr Struthers lived in retirement after disposing of his interest in the business, and his beautiful home on Papanui road is now “Acland,” the Girls’ High School Hostel. His name is perpetuated in Struthers lane, off Colombo street.

. The nature of the goods stocked has changed with the passing years, and as one strolls through the modern store today, the most up-to-date goods in not only ironmongery and farming requirements may be seen but also, attractively displayed, all sorts of household goods, china, crystal and glassware, toilet luxuries and sports necessities. It is now 70 years since the business was established, and is still progressive and progressing. Although some of the land originally owned has been sold in the interests of a growing city, the premises occupied cover a substantial area of land in the heart of the city and the buildings are kept upito-date.