AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 696, 22 December 1909, Page 5

AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

THE .'SHOPS AND THE WAREHOUSES.; • • , ''-;''';'.'-' . : Tlio : following ;aro some further notices: of tho ;Wollington sh'opsat'CMristmasitime:— .-'','■ -•-■• ■'■■\ .V;: : "KIRKCAtDIE'S"" . /' ■ In' , conveying- to the'''pnb'lio- the. season's compliments' from • Messrs. Kirkcaldio' and Stains, Ltd.,,. one':; naturally desires; to present, sonio idea of tho .remarlcable metamorphosis which ■ Jibs' taken, place in tho •general appearance of : -'lvirlcV'tsinco the ; new building 'was-completed ,—riot'. very ,■ loiig. ago. ~Of ,the. architectural :dcsign L and extent : of ■ the firm's how premises the. public• is 'already very.'familiar; it is one of the most imposing,buildings' on the-ljuay. But -it is' orily: when, one passes through tho interior ; that.;>it .is possible to form any adequate impression of.'the'magnitude' , of- tho trade which is done. Even then, the task is by ino' means- easy,, for .there are so man}" departments', and ; extensive and ; elaborate displays, 'that it is as'if one travelled by train for. 1 a^whole day throughfa country riohly endowed • with; scenic attractions. The generous variety of impressions produces upon the mind hot a cataloguo .of -separate ideas,'. but a .magnificent.picture of ;tho whole; : So it is with "Kirkcaldie's.- , One might well, spend a whole day;in , the huge establishment, and yet only-'be:'able< to see half.'"lt , is an industrial exposition on a' fairly large scale. - One really must be .prepared' to "do" the big store', after the manner of tho seasoned toUrist—have a fixed and "settled itinery. ' Let it be supposed, for example,- that.-Paterfamilias- has' been in-veigled-into, taking, the-children ;to 'Turk's". He- goes, and-is straightway piloted to Toyland, ,and:the "House that Jack Built," wherein, .between the blandishments of his childrenVand ; the wealth, of/.suggestions'that meet:his :eye at every turn, ho must perforce stay—if .he.r-be human. .Algernon,; desirous of presenting his Angelina ■ with something ■ ior .Christmas, stalks boldly, in,:bent,on'a desperate ;.plunge.. ; A .card catches. his .eye—"Suitable Presents; for Ladies." Angelina, for her part, prefers' to examine a tasteful array of "appropriate' -gifts: for 'gentlemen." And so on. This f is .all part'of: an admirable system which has .been designed to. emancipate pie Christmas shopper from 'the harassing vacillation: which is: the inevitable, result of displays en-masse. One. does not- require; .to scour- the whole -of. the ipremise? ' serfrching.;for an' ;ideai' Tho idea is presented; to him,- as to hpr, almost as soon-',as he tenters .the'., door; .he'-, purchases ex-aotly-'what,..he :.vrants, and: departs, satisfied. ."Shopping'rnadp.easy,"; "is : the: guiding principle .at' : "Kirk's." ;.:--:'' : ■■'•'. ■■

■"■■;.--' : ','■■>:'-':■ NOAD^S.■;■'•'.•; ':.'■';" -. -.<' >"Noad's";-.;is'. that.,very- well-known., pastrycook business'that for ; years was pop.u-larly.khbwn-as'Mawson'svin' Cuba Street. For calces, 'tarts, scones,-and'-tho- hundred and one 'afternoon-tea dainties,'Noad's ; is■ noted; amonß .(jhose : 'of-- th'p .nicest, tastes, arid'' it: is' a. hard matter : for'the homeward-bound -to pass without; looking iri;..'Just :now.Jlr. ; ;Noad':is mating a- specialty , in'particularly palatable' Christmas : cakes, : plain; .or, iced, 1 - and ■ from the- ■ mounds of. these-cakes that, disappear from'behind .the counter .'daily, it :is easy, to' seo h"ow;'th'is: seasonable '~provender,-has caught the public. -y-Noad's is-a place that, anyone can drop, in at.anytime ofthe. day.or.evening,'and~have a:cup of tea and.'a scoriq:or^cake's in.quiet comfort/assured tha'ti.what:is'proffered is .wholesome and palatable'at all: seasons, of'the year. ': ■'■•

.; . 'iltas-a .wise.'maii that takes'a• pride:in his ■wife s' 'appearance, 'for. .with J. a well-dressed wouian-rrwhich- means ■ia , -tastefully-dressed woman—a'man:is;in ■distinguished, company. Andito;dress his!wife-well is , within the.means of-any -man' worthy' of the: name." "'At Sicgel's, in';.llanners Street; :■ >ve'ryv moderate: prjees. are at being: quoted for jl'adies' • costumes, designed from-the.most,'fashionable'models, and la'diesV in-'search of , ' a ,r tastefully-designed'and -well-fitting., costume -may .visit this well-known estaWishmen.t..'With:confidence. - '. Autumn cos- . t umes:". are..' now: coming, fin to • vogue—the' summer- soon may :be' obtained in'desig'us,:..not only'-; suited".to ■ the. requirements' of the., climate 'of ■ the Wellington autumn,- but very suitable for. 'the .nliWness of-our winter season.''Besides :■ costumes, other 'articles ■;■ of apparel,;'tastefuV. blouses,:-neat- skirts, and-so on,: are included in the .'■resources, of■ the staff employed at. SiegelV ''. :. : . . :

': ;i ,A; CHIUDREN'SV PARADISE.;; •. '.'■'■; . '. T fe s J?:>tHri& speaking, :fpr: though . adult ■ 'persons"'take a moro: pr ■ less; sober delight, ill i the mutual giving .and.'receiv}ii ? :pfXhristmas'gifts, there is absent.; that; .exhilarating, spontaneity ~ of .surprise ■■ and .delight /which -attends the giving of Christmas,,favours, to', little: ones.-" There are ■long hours.of eager anticipation, one.glorious mpment:.of .ecstasy .when, the ..Christmas stocking is 1 - emptied < and' the parcel: unpacked,. and a;.period pf,.enthusiashi '.which .must inevitably be. .all-satisfactory to: the j givers! •■■ The ■ big»est trouble 'to o 'tKe., giyers '■ is' tho - settlement, of the .all-important ■ question—TH'hat ■ shall -it■ be?" An'.easy answer';to that Question is supplied °T/ an /inspection ,pf ■-■.'that', tastefully-arranged little;esthblishmenty."H[acandrew.:.and ■Hayes;"; on ■ the, Quay-r-a -veritable m.ultum;: h'n ■■ paryo.' eTeryXhinggood of/its. kind;, toys' in. abundance, art ,;ohuia of .distinct ■ in. design, ,iind a' great-variety .of articles which", may: conveni-chtlr.,-be arranged .under-th'o'heading.' of "fancy goods.".-. The/establishment is' well-, worth ; -aV laspe'ction..'-. 'V '..:;,,■,' ■■■:■"'■'•.•.•-■ .•:

.; _.; ■ : _WINDER?S CORNjER. ; ; - .i ,': Since; that- little .plot of landsat the corner', of' Cu.lja'iStreet.', and:'. Mariners' Street was. taken by ;the.:City. Council ;and. r turned into footpath and,.roadway,: Mr. George Winder -has. erected np-to : date:bnsiness premises:on..the corner, sec-'I tidn: .-They; have":bcen v carefully planned, and 'ovpry.'brick arid;,board' has been', firmly placed. There' are. a,;.ronnd''. : dozen' .windows ;• 'on the ground .floor, tastefully : filled with, all, manner qf'nse'ful manufactures from'.a : brass tack to I a bedstead, arid'.the; continuous verandah round. the'building •■keeps, off the- summer sun and the showers, of: winter. . : Insidev there - isV a great bustle--.the' ; retail department; is ■busy..,"..Siiring.tha last fejr, days .the shop trade hasten a'lonß, mdnotoridiis: hurry, and -the/assistants have enough,-that" Christmas is coming. .Everybody;with;a■ missing-'door-knob, or..a'..lqdse,-Eofa castor,!dr:-a nrasherless tap has' been . along, iandj• their. wantsihave'sheen- .supplied. .i.Butj.the.- passenger' lift '.is .':runnin eral "times a. minuteV Why:? .'Upstairs there are.':the; ; ,shbivrooms, pretty'ffurnisKings' hrid'carpets Showroom ijfo.'- i: on! ;the: first: '.floor : . s'displays'i'; all' ■ irianner of.i-v drapery, l carpets,. ! and! '■'/ rugs; on the ;■_ next floor ' above are '.'bedsteads, ; fenders, and; ;,kerbs; above., these again: the, lift. will take prospective, jirirchasers of: tiles'and; ranges; and, the fourth floor is given over to the storage'of'goods in bulk; There is still another storey,' and vat/the present moment' every'' available ■ square/ inch of r space on the ■ fifth floor ,is:,dgcupied; by,bales, .Mr.l.Wjnder having let" this portion .of '.his'/premises at a remrinerative.:' fignre.■;/.This ;is a-•■ very. '■'■ brief glance<at a t very: big business. : The. stocks -of electdplatedvware.'V fnrriishinus;;'.'. and:' carpets :haye'.recently,'beeriiaugmented, and no one need hayo any 'in- -.selecting-' a -suitable Christnias preseritfrom the collection of household', goods and sporting material. r . :.

.; CRAIG'? CROCKERY,WAREHOUSE. -.' -Messrs. \Craig and .Co., 'crockery merchants,, of ~ Maiiliel - 's'. StreeV,; have' 'a'\spe'cial' ; Christmas' istock' of novelties. It is so' difficult'at ■ this .time of /.the, year, to .decide what would bo ..the' 'correct?.iind.-.-acceptable \present! for a. fritad, "butia ;fe'w' minutes'jn sGraig's Warehouse , oue;ht to'-be sufficient for mostjpeople'tomake' a very.'satisfactory■ choice.'.-.if■ a serriceable./ori , ornaartiplp is -, Look-.for a-,m'bnient .atsome 1 of-the 'newest lines: In Eoland -waTe,'' which is : a really ; superior china,.'daintily'patterned,. and'.shaped : in .the oinaint«st ■■■: and most , attractive.; cleeißns,- there are,'.afternoon'";tea-i sejej bows,, flowerpots,, and dessert-plates. , "Parian ware provides ornaments, such ■as would ■ add' inestimably • to/the appoint.merits of any/, room. -, Tho most' 'remarkable thing about-'.them, is; tho reasonableness of ..their prices/'- A couple, of hundred toilet-sets, are there.to select from, arid!well.over a.hundred tea eets . are',- included •ia the - stock, whoseprices"• range from ,85..-Gd.'.to Geven'Oor "eightguineas. . Artistic-.'ornaments may be purchased for'.'a -modest shilling,;and• their -variety, is amazing. -.The assortment,of-fruit dishes;-jam, jelljv nnd' sugar diehes; andhohey - jars, is iinmbnso. ■'hid' prices ',are' uniformly.'moderate. British -. hand-made articles arc obtainable at 25. , :.9d.,":and.' similar particles: of ;-useful/ design cost'no : more than a;shUlinfi. ; -. .■:■' . : .

' oKIRKPATRICK'S AND ")<". JAM. ■ ■' '■This..is -the''fruit'season: v the.7seaspn .when fruit'is most-abundant ; ! and:-in- most'demand ,• but i-fresh , 'fruit ■ is/.never''.very.'- cheap [.in-. Wei-, lington'.-. Thus, , the.Housowifo-who; makes Ker ; own 'pjeservee-;'..firids : '•jam' a -s'omewliat ;' coafly swc!et:.in-'the end , .- -.•That being so, .tho cheapness', of'tho-famous' "K r ". l .j'ams'is-'-a-''thirig re- , ■markablo; ; ;arid; tho .-popularity-:, of -,"K";jams is 'easily;!iindcr6tbpd/- : " ; -. -v : ; ■'.;.}..: : .: : :.'..'. ; ' ; -- ; . ■ 'MessKl-.: -. S,7.;Tvirkpatrick';''and', ;: - •-.Co.v have .their !■"-own'} 'ideas,' : of s '.;; jam-making,' , ;, and those'ndeas •nave': , ,a ibearingibli;.'the To^t'|ait ; ;,^tli',^tl»y-: ; yui-~',w: i iiOM B ;bftt'? , drf/

sound fruit. They will havo it neither overnpo nor : under-ripe. . The slightest trace of brmso.or.bhght condemns it. -With this excellent fruit, they use 'nothing but tho highest :qnajity .{refined :white -sugar. . All: tho-pro-cesses of manufacture aro financially clean aud orderly. : . ... '-.- ' ~ ".■,.. . • - ; Kirkpatriok's ■do not mako oost aiul profit primary considerations: the thing they go .for first is quality. ' They have- at their doors the finest and healthiest fruit district in Australasia, , and from all that splendid region they have, the pick of the ripe fruit. The ,jam is made under the superintendence, of men who have become experts through experience. Among the operatives, each knows his precise duty, and does it with precision. As'a result, we have "K" jnm, and the ever-increasing. demau,for "K" jam is directly traceable to the -fact that in tho.: jam, nlo-iiR ' with perfect purity, there'is"preserved the distinctive characler; ami flavour of tho ripe fruit. So "K", jam is lvnlcome 'everywhere, and every plaoo that knows it wants it inincreasing quantities all:the time. It is the jam .that made New Zealand famous as a jam-pro-ducing country. "K" jam has. won medals, and awards all over-'the-.world.' : ■' . ■ ' :

A WEST END TAILOR. Although ilr. James A. Doherty, the now tailor from London who has fitted up central and commodious premises at 203 Lambton Quay (opposite Kelburno Avenue), opened business only about six weeks ago, ho is already doing quite a remarkable trade. He has found it necessary to put in 15 hours' work a day, and to puthis men oh overtime, and, increasp his workroom space' so as to accommodate his staff of nearly twenty. Doherty's immediate success'is, no doubt, due to his excellent credentials and the reputation ho had already earned' whilst, cutting for Mr. Milligan. of this town. Mr.' Doberty was bom to the business, being of the.;third generation of a family ,of master tailors. Ho has had. London experience : of the'.. highest, order, having been five years head cutter for Menes, Hart, and Son, of Regent Street, tailors by appointment to members ; of-the Eoyal family.' and he is connected, and in close touch with, the noted West End.firm of.Doherty and Yell, 24 Hanover Square, London. Moreover, .Mr. Doherty has made a name for himself: through the celebrated seamless, knee-grip riding ■" breeches which he invented and patented.'.With such a,record it would seem strange if. success did not come to Mr. Doherty in this part of the world,-where we'have a fairly large: community of drossy men and are not overburdened with really-tip-top exponents of. the sartorial art.. - Besides, Mr. Doherly is one. of .the o.xtremely.."pain'staking kind, who' takes a pride in his" work, and, whatever' he 'does, ■ does thoroughly. .•• . ■ ■ .

-. ! - CERAMIC ART.A V The. old-established firm of Messrs. Edward' Anderson; and. Co.i Limited, .china and glass ; Willis Street, -arc , showing latest developments in ceramic art. Their display of useful mid ornamental Roods .suitable to the season; is an interesting one, and well worth a visit. -The firm reports good business this month,' with- their staff very fully employed. :V/ ; : " A POPULAR GROCER. The name of Campbell—W. Campbell, of 'Manners Street, 'with several , branch houses throughout the city—is' a household word all over Wellington. .Campbell's red-coloured ■ delivery; vans • are, having a 'busier . timo than , usual just now, for,' with 'the' advent of the ; festive 'season, orders -for Christmas cheor ■ are coming in fast, and, as, fast as they como in, the goods'go "out. There is "no delay—that is what has helped .to build, up Campbell's reputation. This year,»he,is, as of old, right up tp'.date with the Christmas and Now Year requirements of tho festive public, as a glance at his shop windows will demonstrate. .Hams, of the choicest variety, . Christmas puddings, Scotoh currant buns,' Christmas: cakes; Christmas crackers, .the , almonds and muscatels, .rich cheeses, Jains'in infinite variety, confections, are all well to the fore. • But these are'but a few of tlio special lines'stocked at Campbells. -To. really- grasp the.situation, .as it were,, a visit should be paid to the shop, or a catalogue sent for.. Only then. will, it:be possible to arrive at some adequate impression of the scope, of the business done by CampTQYS AT HUNTER'S-WILUS STREET. 1

. Paterfamilias, with his eager family in tow; will have a. hard task "to get past Hunter's toy shop in Willis Street, during the festive season, for this enterprising firm is abreast-of the. times in tho. matter, of toys and fancy goods, nearly oyo.ry, conceivable kind of Christmas gift in these lines being .well, represented.' Kocking-hors.es, trains, wheel-barrows, balloons, steamers,-motor-cars, and: other! toys so dear! hoarts'of boys aro there in force, whilo 1 (lolls, chma.'tea-sets,-.skipping-ropes, miniature Eo-cartVand other things in which littlo girls delight also claim attention. Adnlt require- {? e 1l S a j r - 0 ?° if one is to judgo I by tho display of a ; wide range of'faricv goods -ornaments, toilet luxuries, and so "on.'Ecallr. Hunter's,-is well'wgrth a .visit- ■ • '.' ; '■■'..;■.' ; . ' PRINGLE'S." ".-"'. i;\ )• /To aid people. to realise the home beautiful ?s. the aim of tho -well-known- artistic goods fpporjJißi'-on- Lambtbn. Quay presided, over- bv 'Mr. .Thomas Pringle.,. Being .a' confirmed traveller, Mr. Pringle -may- bo-said to have his linger on tho pulso of every fancy goods market in tho world, a'fact quit6'reasonable to assiimo in view of,. ■ that oft-recurring topic of conversation among ladies—"tho- latest at Pringles. 'TringloV never looked:quite so bright or busy as it does this;, Christmas- . wealth of goods displnyed exhibits a cultured, taste ..consonant with all .that -is -most forward _m the applied arts; For instance, brio cannot lair to bo struck by the rare beautr ,of form and workmanship of the Celtic pewterware, gleaming,with.a soft lustre of its own from two or three enormous, show-cases. This ls-rcally the verj- highest; class of Old English ware, 'worked up into- chaste: designs byV cunning hands. Another"novelty is the fine'show 'of.. Ceramic pottery, which . has only ■■ recently' arrived in; Wellington, i This pottery the ..varying shades; of burnt biscuit, and has a nch , sheen peculiarly' its ■ own. ■' There are Cernmic vases, jugs/bowls, etc., - all-suitable-aspresentsatthe., present open-hearted' season. Fino needlework and "Pringie's" cannot be dissociated. Just now there is a fine • display 1 of needlework novelties, embodying many i'dcas new to Wellington. A-peep into this fine art store . is recommended : "to all ' visitors to Wellington;.': .. i';; ' • v .... ■..■■..'.,•.."•

;.//:;; tearo house, ■~' ■'■■■■■ ■-'. '■ ."Te'Aro; Hpuae; //established- . 18io;. rebuilt 1886." In that inscription tho public is given tho briefest history of the. eldest drapery business in -Wellington, and ono which has never wandered from its original site in Cnba Street. ; It stands, solid,, like..Gibraltar, with an immovablo purpos&-to, do - tho fair thing by tho public in all times and-seasons. This big business was- inaugurated'by the Misses Smith when' To. ,Aro flat was largely overrun by faupo, and stray clumps of flax:gave sanctuary to the grunting descendants of the: tribe established• 'here/ by Captain ,Cook.;■:Ev«n in those'idays"'the -early."settlers-,- showed a predilection . for .shopping at Te 'Aro- House, for the' history, of -the firm : relates"that when-, the two' maiden ladies who established '-.the business .sold out to tho'Jate ,Mr.. .James Smith, they.;were' amply.- provided for . foY.-the- remainder of their : days.: -Ten years ago -the present Te-Aro-House: Company took over the business, , since when it has been an ever-grow-ing, prosperous' concern, thanks to' the appreciation snown by the public of tho' efforts mado .to meot ; them by tho company, in a thousand and one little ways. As a/further' improvement, the company has just, expended another 1 i! 10,000 -in improving thn/ riremires. This' has taken tho form of transforming the whole'of ; the Dixon Street frontage—which up to": tb'e present has been-, a dead ..wall—into a glittering 'line of ahiiw. window's,"which has' meant an-enormous improvement, to Dixou Street. -This;work has meant tho remodelling and extending of .the .whole establishment, and has effected a transformation.in the lighting of the interior—which was good before. Now Mr. Tom'psitt (the mannger) claims that' it is the besUighted ; shop in New Zealand..The work (now being: completed by. Jlr." Jas.. Trevor, from the plans of -Mr. '.'-W. Turnbull) has exactly doubled tho area of window space. In addition to the now Hue of show windows, the height of all tho : other windows has been increased so-as to literally flood tho interior with light, and givo a top light to tho windows which have hithprto been roofed in, but are how enclosed iii dust-proof glass frames. The entrances;have 'been entirely remoiielled. On tho. Dixon Stroot-coriier an -"island"- window—tho first of its kind in Australasia—has been'orected. ■ It. is just an enormous showcase, extending'from the- wound ; lovol: to the roof,, round which-the,public may walk without entering' the shop/proper at all. ' Of aril evening this unique winnow will bo a blaze'of light,, as' Lux lamps -dovoloping 0000 candlepower will play on it, from outsido and COO candle-power of Osrft'm electric lights will illuminate tho island from within. A colonnade entrance-has'.beon. substituted for the; old vestibule' in : Cuba Street, giving that frontago- "lUinost'.'n. , classical character—something right' awajv from the ordinary ; ; entrances ■;■ to such 'shop?.'' Thowholo' of tho .'.oxtonor .Slights jqtal ,17,000 candle-power.. As .for the business itself, every.; department Ifa's been extended' tin-' der tho prcssuro-of Rro\Hh; Th'o : 'tailoring de--p'arttnent; is: now. allied to'.tho. men's cldthinu end V ruercary, ". anil ■ Iβ ' a bujsinets distiiict^iuft

all;other branches. Tim dress, millinery, lace, gloves and .hosiery, and underclothing, fancy, Manchester, and carpet departments, lmvo all been- extended and inorc conveniently arranged, which will enable the company to cope more tucccssfully with, Ihn ' largely increased business nuticipal'cil the coming' year. A S[iecial display is being made with children's toys this- Christmas, and as tho" shop room is urgently needed, and it.is'uot intended to stock toys in the future, the whole lot is to bu cleared out at' sacrificial figures. A magnificent assortment.of, Christmas gifts is a speciality all Wellington and visitors to'the city' should inspect.- ■■.-'■'■■•• ■ . .■• . ■ •

THOP/lAS BALLINGER AND CO.,' LTD. : The history of ahygorahend community is of necessity to a large extent a history of the progress of its concerns.. No. recital of the successful business enterprises of Wellington would- he- complnte without -the name of Tlios. Balliiigor and Company. Limited,; plumbers, electricians, and plumbing supply merchants, 'of. Victoria Street, Wellington. Though .cstaUished just over sixteen years ago (when it took over the business of Thomas Ball.inger, which was started in 18TC) this firm has twice outgrown, its premises, which now compriso the 'fino fireproof warehouso of eix floors in Victoria , Street, and also the-com-modious yards and workshops at'Dixon Street. ' To describe in detail all the various and extensivo departments, of Messrs. Thos. Ballinger and-Co., Ltd.,-would require much more space than is available just now. .Suffice' it to mention a- few of the more prominent. Tho ; importing branch! handles "'the... thousand- and one lines that go-to the successful carrying on of the various pluming and sanitary iworks of Wellington and district. Then again, the'gasfitting and , electrical trades arc supplied, large stocks of the most up-to-date accessories and fittings being ; on'hand. Tho company holds several very valuable agencies both from abroad and at home. The mention of'a few: Grinhell automatic'.sprinkler and fire alarm (which is fitted on many local warehouses and factories, including tho D.1.C., Kirkcaldie and Stains, Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Bell's.MatchfFactory, Wellington Meat, Sxport Co.'s' works, \ etc.) j ''Solar" hot water radiators and boilers, Med ; way's patent • automatic 'safety' lifts aud elevators, Twentieth Century water heaters for gas or fuel—will', give an idea of their scope and importance. Tho patent rights of the "Empiro" ventilating : skylights, "Empire" : clip spouting bracket,'cinder sifter, "Excelsior acetylene gas gonerator, etc., aro also owned by tho firm. .' , . ■-. ,' . '■■-:■. •.'.'

Tho factories and workshops of Messrs. Thos. Ballinger and Co employ a large staff of workmen in a number of departments. There are plumbers sanitary fitters, arid electricians constantly! em-ployed-on outside work, while within are the tinsmiths, coppersmiths, brassfounders, and finishers, besides the. general manufacturing staff'engaged in turning but spouting,.ridging, down-pipe, .lead-bead nails, and the like for the requirements .'-'of the .'building '-. trade's throughout tho Dominion; -.'■■'• .--.:.' ■■"'/'., MESSRS. WHITCOMBE; AND TOMBS, lVq. It -would be hard to; findi,anywhere,' articles so'suitable for Christmas gifts as tn'oso displayed in infinite variety in the well-known '.retail establishment of Messrs. Whitcombo arid Tombs, Ltd., on the Quay. It is part of the.'admirable system. adopted by this firm in presenting its wares to the public to specialise in certain lines, to avoid the indiscriminate importation of something of everything. vThe careful-fostering and:educating of the public taste in high-class articles has created a steadily •growjng demand • for. gifts which ■ are not. only- intrinsically valuable, • but. of ;permanont utility,, arid in the, purveying of those the firm has been especially successful. Then there are certain articles de luxe' which ; desorve some notice. OfV these,:, the most unique are the. "ooze velvet calf",presentation books, the "Dorothy" bag, so much admired of ladies, is of the ;samo material, and the. admirablo "Jack's Masterpiece Series" of books, containing choice reproductions , of. masterpieces in the fine arts. -These are but a.few of the special lines;'stocked, by Messrs. 'Whitcoinbo and ■ Tombs, Ltd. Autograph stationery, of -ap-propriate-design, is rapidly, coming into voguo as; a 'tasteful Substitute for the old-fashioned and more or..less .over-embellished Christmas card. . But greetings -'.cards. are by' no means being left..behind.. They arc becoming: more artistic ,in "design—many of'.the .'.series, represented on .the:firm's card■ counters ■ are■ works of .art,, from .the best known • art printers , in London.'.:.;ln tho high.class fancy and leather goods ■ stocked by the firm •■' are >■ to : . bo ' found suit-cases, bags, brush-cases, toilet: cases, collapsible ooze calf collar boxes. Books by the hundred line the shelves—story books and'picture " books for children, an ■■ admirable \ : tion from the latest; published works of well-novelists,-ns .well as tastefully.,designed editions of tho standard' classics!" The-window 'displays., at the -firm's'.establishment-are.un-usually 'attractive, and' a'pleasant''augury';.of what the , interior.'.has". : in ;store, for tho',purr chaservof, Christmas.gifts.,,Tho.firm's reputa-. ti'on as' , nian-ufactiiring and retail' stationers' is' too. well, established to', need any- further reference. ; ::'„..,-'... ; ..•■ '-.'■ :..-■ '. }'.■■..-,.'■■'.'■■..

' ;V YE ITCH, , , j, • , On - ; the second floor, of the : greats drapery and general : emporium-in Cuba' ; Street, .known as Vcitch.and Allan's, stands "tho;H6uso that ;Jack'Built;"' If'parents'do not know it, let. ;thein. ask. their children , for nearly every little onefor arnile round "the house- that Veitchand Allan biiilt", knows of tho wonderful display i-.of' toys .the firm is- showing' this . Christmas. ■If" those toys'could'speak, as'did tho'trees j and animals in Maurice Maeterlinck's beautiful fantasy, "The Blue Bird," how, would , they plead to bo taken off tho shelves to be given to 'the! littlp. ones,.,to giyo them that measure of happiness . duo to- them ,at Christmastido. Great stacks of , toys eurround the/ wornior; Housb' that-Jack. 13uilt---a. world of dolls, ~ a jolly lot of animals, nono so comically aggressive ,as the '■■ Teddy- Bears, drums, rattles, coloured 'balls, trick:toys, trains,: doll-hoiises, anda, thousand other, things \to delight the- ■ hearts- of tho. little ones. Nor is tho Christmas (show mado;exclusively ; for minors.-What.could. bo.. more-Useful. and. ornamental.. than tho ..fine gallery of Raphael Tuck's pictures, the handsome copper-ware, made picturesque with artiste yrepousce..' work. : . Then'thore is 'a, -great apartment dedicated, to .glassware and cookery; including some dainty , , afternoon tea-sets—the very acme of , good taste arid refinement.; The show-room just, now "is, a -veritablo gardendecked' jWitlu-thjr light, and; airy fabrics, and millinery of mid-summer. ;'One' line' in particular that was pointed out as especially suited vto these- luxurious sumnior days was a light 'but dolightfully. shapely mushroom linen hat, with' a dome crown. : It is lighter l and more- comely than the cork helmet, and its family, .and is- just 'the'/very' thing for. .the holidays and the seaside.. In tup domestic department on the first floor, As to bo found a complpto.range ,of/-tinware, enamel ware, and brushware, including' all .the latest labour-sav-ing dovices. ■On tho' same floor,'is - the carpetdepartment, in- which is being shown probably as find a variety of carpets as.are to bo/seen anywhere in' New Zealand. A .specialty' that the firm.is showing-just now in this, line , is a .line of French velvet pile' squares of exquisite texture, -in the daintiest;'shades imaginable. Furniture in all the latest designs .fills'one ilat, •' and; bulges over on-'- to' another, giving those' about' to furnish ■the widest choice and best, value. : In- the .well-stocked, fancy .goods department, which never lacks.'"a'.string, of customers at this season of the year, are hundreds of; beautiful' nick-nacks' suitable for presents; including some : charmingly-designed; Cloisomme nnd Satsuma" waro'of the'daintiest 'description'. Veitch and Allan's is certainly one of tho show, places this Christmas, vlt ■should be visited'.by all! ;'-.; .•■','■' / . •-, v> - .

CLOTHES' THE MAN

"Costly thy habit.as thy parse can buy, .but not expressed -in.:.fancy,;' rich, not gandy, fot the apparel , oft proclaims the liian." So wrote William Shakespeare some.4oo years' ago, and his'advice holds-good to-day. In thisconnection'the' publio ; would do well to ; note" that : Mr. David' Milligan, tho.well-known master ■■ has just returned from' a visit to the'world's centres, where-ho has taken careful' stock of tho latest fashions in men's.clothes in, London, Paris, arid Vienna', out of which great cities come the fashions for- ,the'; world, "It is., popularly'supposed,"- says Mr- MiUigan, "that; we in New Zealand lag behind in the matter of style in men's clothes, but; I noticed on the Promenade dos Anglais- atrNice, and , also in. Paris and London,; that the clothos werij-cut after the same stylo,as'l had been turning imt for tiro or threo months before I left:Wellingtoii.: What amazed mo were the high prices tailors 'were able to command at.' Honio compared with what" wo get in .' New ' Zealand for work ovbry!bit as gootl,"iuid in somo coses better.'.Some-of-tho : good- shops: in ■ SoriUb liow—tho tailors' Mocca— get as f6r a loungo suit,'and the Wo is one I had mado at-,one of the most fashionable shops. Wo would never dream of .-turning a' coat out- so roughly finished, as that; You-.'pay for .the cut.. No,- I don't fcel-djs-posed to apologisolqr the- colonial: ■worimon after seeing'tho work turned'out by Eomb'of "the London, shpps./i ■■'. <>'••: ' ''. .:; '■"■.- ;' : -,■'. "In.Paris'l. did see some .beautiful tailoring, works—a■ superb finish—but'the:prico charged' was enormous., What I-maintain is _that'tho public, can get as good .value % for. their; money' m.'Kolb.urno Avomio , as; they can "in any- , part' of t.he-world-'Cutj-wpTkmanEhJT), aud qualify; of stufT.,.thrq\ni»into'the-aßgreßnfe.": ■'. ..::-,.•,,:' ,'Thd rapid.'irtowth..of■ Ifr.>Milligan's,premises in'; 1 Kelbnrho Avenue>'is ';in,-itself' a -tostimonial to tha ; quality; of the ■ work ' turned out, ' Origin> ally tin •' pießiiMJ-'coastatfid:->ol•"•a-'-two.stoix■'

brick building at the rear of Mr. H. W. Lloyd's jowellery establishment.' During' tlio last year or .so, another stqry has been added,'and the building now extends right back into tho Kdlbumo tramway, platform. Clients mar . rely absolutely ,011 getting that satisfaction 'out .of a fsuit they have ovory reason, to expect Is}. • 3T an up-to-date tailor, with tho audition of'the very latest ideas, in. cut and fit which v Mt. Milhgau has absorbed. during his extended • trjp abroad.

HANNAH'S FOR'BOOTS.; "There's' , nothinp; like, leather " is an' old says that implies tho many valuable uses leather can he nnd is put to. Thoro's nnotlicr aiid a newer saying when footwear is the topic of conversation—"Thoro'e nothing liko Hannnh's!" The: business conducted by Mr. Robert;Hannah'is' the biggest in tho colony. I In addition to the two.citj- shops— porhars liio finest boot shops in Australasia—tho ■ name is above the door in Greymouth, .Nelson, Vnstprtjin, Pahiatua, Palmcrston North, %Dannovirke, Feildiiig, WanEanui, Hawern, Eltham, Stratford, and Gisb'orno. ' The latest, oxtonsion is to Auckland, whore Mr. Hannah is to open a retail business in Karangahapo Eoad next month, and•-, in; Queen Street .in tho samo city later in the year.' . "Our year: ends on October I;" , said'Mr.' Hannah, "and in spito of bad tinies it has broken all records/ , AVo have now between 390 nnd 400. hauds'working in our big factory in J«eds Street, and the plant. there is as up-tp-date as any, in the world. Our weekly output is now working up to 10,000 pairs: o'f boots and shoes. ■Aβ a raattcr of-fact,'it has come to this—the public has taken . charge of us, wo no longer, take'chargo of the pub.to tlie public,' Mr. Hannan explains, as tljo .bigger' the , output tin lower the price. WKeri Mr. Hannah was m. America - ho ; had :an ' interview with Mr. "eorge Keith, tho big 'boot mau, and was told that so groat-was tho output , that ho was content to. make 8d profit/on each case of boots'(24 pairs). "We are going. , , to work on- tho same lines," said Mr. Hannah. "Wo calculate that a profit of IJd.'per pair (wholesale) will soon pay ,us, and: tlitit is what it. win come to \nthin the next twelve. months." Hannah s trade is always good at this time of the year, when people mako a special effort to look-neat about the feet. •■

' ' CORRECT CLOTHES. , of slen'dcr;income who wants to. look real nice' must seek'out a tailor he can trust. K these days of cheap suits, a good many -.made to .'measure' by our own cutter garments are decidedly, "ohean." Not so those made by'the-Wholesale Woollen Company, whose, premises,are in the Hotel WindEor buildings ~Willis .Street. The inan \who wants a -reliable; suit, ■■ that will fit 1 well 1 and wear well, may. repose faith -in ■ tho firm. They do things in a big Way, and'can thercforp bring down: the- prices.: They caV that the man who pays five and six .guineas for a.smt is keeping the crcdit-.'-Tstem alive—he urmaking up'for the unpaid bill of the'other' fellow. I*ow, .the Wholes»)o Woollen Company, which has flourished for. eighteen months, gives no every suit must bo paid for before it leaves,the shop. Customers have a largo assort-' mont of suitings to select from, and all work :• ie dono! speedily ,in the firms'.own workrooms. Air. A. ; C. Cutler, tho manager, has had 21 years experience with wholosalo houses in New Zealand, and has been engaged , in buyingifrom markets.-: Ho. .sees to it, therefore, • 1 S° s ? ff of a brown-paper: texture comes into tho shop, and guarantees the-quality of every length.;in the firm's oxtensiv* stock Every suit is fitted on before-being finished, and for 50s. to 795: 6d. it-would bo difficult to get-more serviceable suits in tho'city.' , -'

. ■ WARNOCK AND ADKIN., ; "J'-At the. shop' of Messrs. Warnock and Adkin, Quay, although the windows are out-of-date, the/stocks in them bear the unmistakable imprint of fashion. New goods are exhibited 'in every corner, iind the passages are closely' surrounded .by piles of tho.- latest things in drapery, which are sure to disappear during Christmas week. The lady ..shopper 'must; think of "sweated labour'when"-her eyo lights on a huge stack of. skirts marked at Is. lid. Blouses, white skirts, and print xo'stumes 'necessary for the warm .weather are ticketed at' below' the regular prices. Some- striking, designs in : material for underskirts have been opened, and:aro: displayed- in the-dress department at 2s. 3d. per. yard.' Dainty white embroidered boxed robes, have already won many purchascrs, ; their prices ranging from 14s. 6(1. upwards. Pretty■ shades-of dust coaii in new shapes,, with' fancy and .floral' collars", are being sold' at 235.' Cd.'th% week,- th'eir originalprice .being 335.' 'A-largo'disftlay'table'-benrs' nothing but block-walkini; skirtffl. ma.rkcd v in' plain figures : from ss; 'Thfere , . are 'also" Whito .underskirts, with, rows of insertion, lace; and embroiderj-, at : incredible-prices -(5. lid., ss:, lid., 6s: fid., to 105. , , 9d, Acloarance'is being made in.attractivo nocks for tho: youug. folk,.in white' ; muslin, ; with "laco and embroidery, from -35.- : 3d. to Cs. -6d. each. : Boys': tunics: in dark materials (mostly' blues) are g6ing at,2s. Gd. and, 35. ; 3d. each. Tiv tho'men's department,'the latest domands'aro adequately, met, and the stock'includes-some'very comfortable straw boaters. ■ Holiday- shirts oither white,-or coloured, are in great request at 3s. lid. each. Woveq bathing suits,. made in accordance with the by-law requirements, are priced at Is. 9di and 2s. 6d.,,-'ln the fcicy department,- there is ■ aii assortment or vests, tics,; collars, handkerchiefs, such like, to detail : which would .'be impossible here. The would-be purchaser would ba actiug in • his. or her own interests in ninkiug a prouipt call on Messrs. ;Warnock and Adkiu. ','•" '.-.-.,' ,:>