Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1898, Page 2

MESSRS. KIRKCALDIE & CO.'S NEW PREMISES. « j A UANDSOMIO Mil It, DING AND A I- 1 LO Ult I H 111 N(i I) USINESS. npilE popular linn of Messrs. Kirkcaldie & -*- Stains dates back to IH(>B— to those days when Wellington was young, and a business venture in Now Zealand was a thing o£ much courage and onterjfciso. The establishment and early history of the firm under notice is one of the romances of colonial commercial lifo. After an apprenticeship in adjoining houses in London, Mr. John Kirkcaldie and Mr. .Robert Stains met as fellow-employoh in a Sydney house iv the first of the 'Go's. They, with some other friends, then cast eyes upon Now Zealand as ;i likely country for young men to make a start iv life for themselves. One friend chose Christchurch, another decided to settle iv Nelson, and then the two London friends, who had left the first choice to the others, came across to Wellington. That was in 1863, when communication with Australia happened once a month, p«r the steamer Prince Alfred, when 1 the houses in Wellington were few, and places of business almost as scarce as churches. The premises first occupied by Messrs. Kirkcaldie & Stains were upon a site opposite Barrett's Hotel, but after five years' occupation they removed to st corner of the .spot where Wellingtonian»..now know them to be located. In 1868 the first instalment of that building was erected, which has ever since stood prominent among our places of business. Additions have been made which mark the growth of Wellington's commerce; then came the brick structure In Brandonstreet, the absorption of St. George's Hall as a carpet warehouse, and now comes the handsome edifice to be thrown open to the public this week. The internal history of Messrs. Kirkcaldie aud Stains shows a remarkable growth, but the secret thereof is known to everybody in the city. The fair sex especially knows that not only is strict atteution shown by a staff of expert attendants, but the wares in every departmei.^.tre of the very best obtainable, and sold at a price which even the Australian colonies cannot better. The postal order branch of the business shows wonderful success, and Mr. KirkcalJie reckons that from 15,000 to 20,000 orders from the country districts now pass annually through the different departments. Seasonable illustrated catalogues posted throughout the country by the firm give the fullest and latest information to clients at a distance. Therein prices are clearly set out, and the people know just what they are doing, aud find their orders carried out to the letter. In view of providing accommodation for his fast-growing business of, recent years, Mr. Kirkcaldie was fortunate in securing space adjoining his old premises, aud thereupon has been built a handsome, massive three-story building* the putting in of the foundations and building of the basement of which has been so closely watched by the curious for months past. The putting in of the immense compound girders and the sturdy cast-iron stanchions was likewise of much iuterest. To-day the structure is complete, and to-morrow the publiu.will be given an invitation to be present at the house-warming, for Mr. Kirkcaldie will on that day throw the, doors open for one of the largest of the many large sales for whioh the bouse has become noted. Whilst the full strength of the staff of the house was busily engaged in the rearrangement; ;of . the departments caused by the additional space uh opportunity was given the writer to explore the new regions. As already stated, from Lambton-quay the now building presents a handsome appearance, with its niauy aud large windows, those to the middle story having wellarranged balconettes, and the whole front elevation is picturesquely worked in plaster, reflecting credit upon the architect*, Messrs. T. Turnbull & Son, and also upon those expert plasterers, Messrs^ Fullford k Smith. The building has a frontage of 66ft to Lambton-quay, the depth covers the same area, and the height 58ft. From the northern portion of the quay the building presents quite a striking appearance, aud on closer inspection the details become effective. Beneath an ample verandah are displayed windows the match of which is certainly not in this island, and it is rarely that one sees such an expanse of plate-glass, in "panes" of 12ft x 10ft Bin, as ia shown in the central window, which has a stretch of 22ft and a height of 12ft. This will enable the firm to give an effective and striking exhibition of dresses, mantles, and millinery. The southern window will display an infinite variety of underclothing* whilst the northern one is given over to "mere man's" apparel. The windows will be lighted by electric float lights, which are adjustable to any position or angle, and brass fittings are used throughout. Passing down a short flight of steps from a doorway at the northern end of the Quay, a descent is made into the basement, and one sees a large space (66ft x 66ft) with concrete floor, electric-light pendants, and lighted by day by St. Pancras pavement lights, effected by the glass being out iv prisms, and so making the most of reflection. The plumbing throughout the buildiug has been done by Mr. Snaddon. In the basement all the work of receiving, unpacking, parcelling, and despatching will be done. The solidity of the work put in here shows how well the contractor (Mr. Trevor) has done his part. Off the basement is the engine-room, with a 2±-power Crossley gas engine with which to work the rotary-blower for the pneumatic cash system. An area well has also been arranged as a light-giver for the various floors, and this has a roof, the glass being wire-meshed. In the well is located an up-to-date passenger elevator, driven by hydraulic power, and absolutely proof against accident, and the movement of which is so easy and silent that the most nervous will not feel the effect of motion. The elevator was turned out locally — at Cable 1 & Co.Vfoundry. The main floor, level with Lambton-quay, has been divided between the sexes — the southern half (65ft x 32ft) being stocked with dresses, gloves, and hosiery. Two counters (46ft and. 3Bft respectively) run down the room, whilst every quality^ style, and colour of dress materials are piled around. The other half of the floor, on the northern side, is stored with men's mercery, tweeds, and clothing. Noticeable is a handsome hat cane of special design, and quite a novelty, with a central panel of glass as a mirror. At the rear of this department is a room set apart for the cutter and his subjects for fitting. It may be here mentioned that Messrs. Kirkcaldie & Stains have just engaged a high-olass cutter from one of the best houses in Melbourne, and there is no doubt he will enable the firm to cut a goodly figure in Wellington tailoring circles. Mr. \ Richard Davis, the new cutter, has just arrived from Melbourne, where for over 17 years he had been in the service of Messrs. Robertson & Moffatt, the noted firm of Bourke-street. Mr. Davis is the bearer of the highest credentials from the Bourkestreet house for taste, style, and technique iv his work, and that which is Melbourne's lo«s is the gain of New Zealand's Empire City. From the dress department access is had to an elegant stairway of easy grade, up whioh many light feet will help to drive