THE BON MARCHE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16205, 15 April 1916, Page 4

THE BON MARCHE.

KARANGAHAPE ROAD.

This popular millineiy house has made, remarkable progress during the nine years that have elapsed since. its establishment. Like so many other now flourishing concerns, it commenced operations in quite a small way, and has gradually advanced until it is now known far beyond the precincts of Newton. Its success is perhaps in some measure attributable to the fact that it devotes its whole attention to a single line, and is said to be the only houso in Australasia where millinery only and its accessories are stocked. This simplifies matters for buyers who can be immediately accommodated with just the particular article they may happen to bo looking for without having to pass through a lot of departments, perhaps, where goods, of a totally different kind are on sale, and which they may not at the moment require. Ample evidence of the extensive trade done at the Bon Marche is afforded by a stroll through the artistically-arran-ged showrooms with their lavish display of hats, shapes, flowers, mounts, ribbons, and the thousand-and-one odds and ends that help to constitute an up-to-date millinery establishment. Here ladies may spend a spare half-hour or so very agreeably in inspecting the latest models and very newest creations. "Value for money" is the motto of the proprietor, Mr. J. Zahara, and he acts up to it. Great changes aro in contemplation in connection with this business, after tho war. It is proposed to erect a modern twostorey building, the two shops adjoining the present one being added to the building space. The reconstructed Bon Marche will then have a frontage of 62ft with a depth of 200 ft. There will be beautiful ana spacious showrooms, and a special feature will be a "beauty parlour," on the upper floor, which will be presided over by a lady expert. Here ladies requiring treatment for the hair, skin, or complexion, or wishing to undergo a course of manicuring or massage will received skilled attention. The premises will bo beautifully decorated and fitted up, no expense being spared in this way. It i? estimated that the new Bon Marche will cost about £5000.

During the next few days probably, many thousands of lady visitors from tho country will be in Auckland, and all who come with the intention of doing some special shopping during their stay in the metropolis aro advised to look in at the Bon Marche. They may depend upon receiving the utmost courtesy and attention at the hands of the proprietor and his able staff of assistants;

CLARK'S BOOT EMPORIUM, . VICTORIA STREET. Mr. T. Clark, the owner of this business, is a native of Auckland, and has been for a great many years connected with the footwear trade. He began by establishing the now well-known business at Three Lamps, Pcnsonby—which he is still running and about two and a-half years ago commenced operations at the Victoria Street premises. So successful has be been at the latter address that he has just doubled the frontage of his original store, and his premises now extend to the corner of Elliott Street—no bad record for two and a-half years' trading. The additional accommodation secured will bo partly devoted to a, special department for ladies, where they can "try on" in privacy, and examine the many attractive lines displayed, expressly for ladies' use, at their leisure. Owing to the alterations in question, more room will, of course, be available for men's goods, and the stock of these latter is now so extensive at Clark's that all tastes arc catered for, while the prices aro adapted to all pockets. You may buy a pair of gent.'s boots hero for as little as lis 6(1, although the principal demand is for an article costing 17s 6d to 275, and tliere is.one line of box-calf boots, solidly made with "durox" soles—a particularly durable- leather—priced at 40s. These boots look as if they would never wear out. Amongst the leading lines for ladies is tho Bostock ' patent leather gold medal shce, a beautiful model, and only costing a guinea. For those who prefer something cheaper, thero are prettily-shaped walking shoes at 12s 6d and 14? 6d, and black and coloured button leglets at 16s 6d to 355. Clark's make a strong feature of children's footwear also, and many of tho new styles in the latter are well worth seeing. Prices vary, of course, with the quality of the goods, but it may safely be said that in all cases the value is generous. Mr. Clark hopes to have all his alterations and additions completed in plenty of time for the holidays, by which time, also, full stocks of autumn and winter goods' will bo on view. The premises— 16, 18, and 20, Victoria Street—are very centrally situated, and being within ono minute's walk of Queen Street, will doubtless attract a great many of our country .friends, to whom a day's shopping in, Auckland is an event often long looked forward to.

To celebrate the opening of the new promises, Mr. Clark proposes to hold a special sale, when amongst the many bargains offered will be ladies' velvet shoes with patent collar, at 6s lid men's glace kid lace boots (all .leather), made in the Dominion, at 14s lid, and ladies' glace kid lace shoes (Bostock make) at 15s lid; also a good line of Ward shoes at from 7s lid.

EDISON'S PHONOGRAPH" MASTERPIECE. The new Edison Disc Phonograph, which could be aptly termed "The Natural Voice Machine," is the culmination _of long years of study and experiment, and Edison is content to let it represent the complete fruit of his outstanding genius. A musician of note, after listening to it for tho first time, exclaimed enthusiastically, "You call it the greatest phonograph in the world. Yes, it is that; but it is snoreit is tho greatest musical instrument in tho world. It means more to music than anything that has ever happened before." So much has been said and written about other phonographs, that it would be utterly futile to influence public opinion by the use of superlatives. Edison's invitation to the world is simplicity itself: "Let tho public hear and decide." There are special features in this new machine, leaving out of all consideration the beauty of the instrument, the lavish finish of tho cabinet work, or such details as appeal only to the eye. There is no steel needle to change after every record, its place being taken by a finelyground diamond point which is permanent. Tho disc, arm is not dragged forward by tho _ concentric movement of the record impinging the needle on the side of the delicate grooves and giving that peculiar and annoying jar which speaks of ultimate depreciation of pure reproduction— but moves forward automatically, and the diamond point is always in the centre of [the groove. The peculiar hardness and indestructibility of the new disc ensures that each record will not deteriorate with use. It' plays for 10 minutes, other records four or six minutes only. It is impossible to give an adequate idea of the fulness, naturalness, and absolute purity of reproduction of this machine. Tho diaphragm is so sensitive that it catches the over tones and gives a complete reproduction, in which the most delicate shades of liar/ mony reach the ear with enchantine fidelity; _ b The Edison Disc phonograph is weirdly human, in that it renders all musical masterpieces so faultlessly that the merely mechanical is engulfed and lost sight of, and the heart is thrilled with the rare charm of the artist's living presence. But this machine must be heard to be appreciated. The City Supply Stores, in Tabernacle Buildings, 45, Karangahape Road (opposite . Pearson's Boot Store), hold the largest stock of these machines in New Zealand, and have fitted out an attractive parlour where they can be heard to advantage. The genial manager, Mr. Wade, is always ready to extend the utmost courtesy to all visitors. This firm also stock tho "Columbia," as well as other makes of machines, and have a stock of records which number oyer, 4000 to select from.