BUSINESS PROGRESS.

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1918, Page 1

BUSINESS PROGRESS.

MESSRS. D. W. JACK AND CO.

The best test of the development of a town and district is the growth and prosperity of the traders within its borders. Apply this test to Whangarei as the natural distributing centre of the North and the whole Peninsula and it emerges triumphant, "Sound as a bell" is the phrase one often hears used by manufacturers f.nd merchants to describe the hea.Uhy commercial conditions prevailing- in North Auckland. This is axe-uplifted in a marked degree by the firm of D. W. Jack and Co., who have just made another addition* to their premises. On Saturday, 27th August, 1898, Mr D. W. Jack opened business in a wooden building on the present site (corner of Bank and Vine streets) with a stock approachins £500 and since then year by year there has been a steady growth culminating , on August 19 last in the largest turnover in the history of the firm. The first five years were spent in the wooden building, but during that time the increase in trade necessitated three extensions. Then Mr Jack, with characteristic energy and foresight, saw that the old building had outlived its usefulness and that something more enduring and permanent Avas necessary; so securing temporary premises across the street, wood gave place to brick on the old site, and part of the present handsome building arose. Six years ago, still finding the steady growth going on, an extensive addition was built to the present block. With an eye to the future more space was acquired than was needed at the time and part was let to Mr K. R. Macdonald. "The future" has arrived, and now every inch of the whole block, and more, is needed for the extensive operations of the firm. The firm has always been keen in buying and at first did so largely with British warehousemen, but in 1910 Mr Jack made a business trip Home and was successful in making arrangements with an Australasian firm who have an extensive organisation of buying experts in London and who deal only with manufacturers. This stroke, Mr Jack considers the most fruitful deal of his business life as it placed his firm in as favourable a position as the largest wholesale firm in the Dominion A pleasing feature which may be noted (and which speaks well for the healthy commercial conditions in the North) is the fact that every effort to develop and push trade has had an immediate response. This the town has experienced right along for twenty years and last Saturday the opening , day of its new extension was no exception. The new showroom is worth a visit. It is lofty and spacious, well lit, with a polished floor and all its woodwork in white. Decked out with the latest modes, reflected in many mirrors, it really looks as up-to-date as anything of its kind in the Dominion. There is a fitting room so mirrored that we are told ladies can view themselves and their dress from any angle de r sired. The ladies' footwear counter has been moved in here and has already proved the great convenience of its situation to. ladies wishing to try on boots and shoes. A sketch of the career o:r this enterprising firm would not be complete without some notice of its recent development. A little over a year ago it started a furniture department and this venture met with such a striking success that it is now proceeding to put it on a sound and lasting basis. The factory, part of which they had on lease, has now been purchased, with ample room to stack and season timber. The skilled staff has been , augmented and now covers every I

branch of the trade: Cabinetmaking, upholstery and French polishing, so that the firm is now in a position to turn out any class of furniture or bedding from their own factory. A local industry like this should be well supported. The furniture showroom was found quite inadequate for display and the firm is now arranging the first floor in such a manner that more than double the floor space will be available, and it is* hoped to complete these alterations within the week. Another recent addition which has met with great success is the making and repairing of boots and shoes. It is stated that since this branch was opened five months ago about 1400 pairs have been handled for repairs. This firm has faith in,the future of the North, and believes that with the extension of railway facilities and butter roads the growth and development of tht< last 20 years will be small as compared with what the future holds.