Syndicate Buys Big Auckland Store

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31238, 9 December 1966, Page 10

Syndicate Buys Big Auckland Store

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 7. An Auckland-based syndicate has bought John Court, Ltd„ a Queen street retail store, for an undisclosed price.

Mr M. W. Relph, head of the syndicate, said tonight that he believed that the sale was the biggest business operation to have been carried out in the Auckland area. Mr Relph becomes chairman of the new board of directors of the 7-year-old business. Two other directors, Mr W. N. Farrell and Mr C. A. Staples, have been appointed by the syndicate. Apart from Mr Relph, the identity of the syndicate is not known. Mr Relph is general manager of the International Style Company Ltd., a New Zealand manufacturer of men’s wear under licence to Anthony Squires Holdings, Ltd., Australia. He has been associated with the clothing industry

since 1945 and holds directorships with several New Zealand firms in this field. Mr Farrell is managing director of W. N. Farrell (Wholesale) Ltd., Wellington manufacturer of shirts and pyjamas for men and women. The third director, Mr Staples, is a taxation consultant and a board member of several New Zealand private and public companies. He is chairman of Street Construction. Ltd., of Hamilton, and a director of Motor Traders (N.Z.) Ltd. The sale severs the dose ties between the store and the family of the late Mr John Court, who founded the business in 1909. The only association will be that of a former director, Mr R. J. Court, who remains on the staff as a senior executive. Mr Relph said that no immediate changes would be made to the operation of the store. Included In the purchase is the company’s branch at Rotorua. A London buying house is also maintained.