EARLY TRADERS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 150, 25 June 1921, Page 15

EARLY TRADERS

SOME QUAINT ADVBBTISEMBNTS.

Advertisements appearing in tho oarl^ newspapers are often as interesting as newsltoms, and, in a groator degree mark, the progress of settlement, writes Mr. W. A. Edwards, of -tho Early Settlers'. Association. Below are given a few of more than usual interest-. Hotels, taverns, etc., are very prominent. .Thus, "the first shop opened in Port Nicholson,"1 the Britannia Hotel and Stores, is advertised in the first number of of the Gazette. There a lisfc_ of goodoon ■ sale, comprising, groceries of all1 kinds, bread, "haberdashery, ironmongery, nails, etc, in the -first number of tho Gazetto,. with M. S. M'Donnell'6 advertisement, giving his address as "last tent on west end of beach, Petoni." Some months !later the settlement had moyod to the Thorndon side of the harbour ; and under the heading of Wine and Spirit .Vaults, we read: "The New Zealander, delighted at the great influx of civilised and other beings to his native country, has opened his house to administer to their palates most of the. liquid luxuries of their own country, arid which ho feels assured upon trial will be found nriwi«e inferior to those which they were accustomed to imbibe at homei „ _. . . The abovo-meufcioned gentleman, being absent on a tour of discovery and pig jobbing, has left-special ordera with Roberty to transact business in hie absence, and has charged him to adhere strictly to" the following low prices. (Prices here follow). Kumu-toto. . Britannia:" The Queon'B Head.Tavorn, after an-, nouncing "the above is open," and requesting the 'Usual favours, etc., announces fchat the splendid.- now boat Speculator, with, an experienced crew, will leave tho beach at Petoni every morning at 9 o'clock for Britannia, and return from the above house at-3 in "tho afternoon. The Commercial Hotel and Coffee Rooms, J. Allen, proprietor, after thanking his friends for thsir support whilst'-at Petoni, notifies ho also has opened above establishment at Britannia, also a general store, from which ho can supply all articles in tho way of drapery, hosiery, provisions, fresh meat, etc., etc. He also announces that, his boat, with au experienced crew, will continue to leave Petoni every morning at 8 o'clock for Bi'itannia, and return at 4 in the afternoon. Three carpenters and builders annoUneu that they have entered into a co-partner-ship, and nre ready to reoeive specifica tions for buildings of '•.all dimensions, ito be executed with punctuality and despatch. The reason, given for this partnership is the difficulty of procuring compotent journeymen c&rpenters, who, individually, would be unable to contract for biiildimrs to be finished in a. specified time. Another gentleman advertisbs the fact that he is ready to prepare plans, elevations, and specifications of any publio or private buildings, etc., and refors to his experience at Home and in the neighbouring colonies,' and his knowledge^ of colonial timbor, etc. His address is Green pottage, No. 1, Britannia. ... :. One, notice of parfcioulftr interest ap» pi}»rs: —Any person desirous of building on land adjoining'the town; can procure Idnd for that purpose "free, of rent", by applying: to' JamO3. Wall,; Eeciii Britannia. One unusual fcdve-rfciM>ment (Obtober, 1840) id of fch* sale of~((ood* on board the barque! Magnet, a. veesel of 143. tons, trading from. Sydney. "The oftrgo of general merchetK disc, orockery, etc., ihcl'.'.ding blankets and prints, and everything, to , suit_ the ladies,'flour, sugar, taa, crockery and iron* mongery, tob*oC6, unuff, Manila oig&rs, etc., eto. Goods of all description too numerous to particularise. Goods landed free of expense to purchasers at highwater mark, on any part of the b&ach. between pa, Pipitea and-Messrs. Ridgways, Gu^ton, and Carp (near the pa, Taranak!)." "Archibald Anderson bogs, to inform the public he has opened a store at Thorndon, on tho north end of the beach, and has on hand «uoh goods as jackets and trousers in corduroy, velveteen, a^d daok. Groceries at differont prices, wines and spirits, hardware aad i ouklery, etc." Ho alsd informs tho public that they oan be supplied with good fresh mutton and pork daily. . ' ' '