Page 1 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 1

maia srcaw TE ARO HOUSE THE hlstorv of mercantile houses act! that of nations have maby points of common interest. Both take iheir rise from small beginnings, advance with the increase o£ population and the force of circumstances, attain under wise government and prudent management to prominent positions the one among the nations o* the earth, and the other in the world of business. Such in brief is the history of TE ARO HOUSE- The business founded iu 1815 was a very small one, and was conducted in an unpretending, double gabled structure occupy in? cot more than 40 feet by 30 feet, abont one-fourth of the prerent site, and remained the .-ame r'zh for many years, up to the time of its acquisition by the present proprietor In ihe year 1866. Four years after this—namely, inlß7o—tne buildiog being found too email for the requirements of such a growing trade, was pulled down and a new t trncture erected, having a frontage to Cuba Street ftf 55 feet and to Dixon Street of 4l> feet. This was thought a wonderful advance in those day®. Bat even this was surpassed In 1874. when, owing to the extraordinary increase of the hu-iness. more room was deemed absolutely indispensable, and the building was further enlarged by a depth to Dixon Street of 40 feet, making a total frontasr* »o Cnh* St-v-et of 55 feet, and to Dixon Street of 80 feet. During the whole of years TE ARO HOUSE was remarkably free from accidents of any kind, but in 1879 had a very narrow escape from being burnt down iu the great fire which consumed the Opera, House, the WesJey m Church, and a large number of other buildings. It had, however to succumb to the devouring a ement; and on the evening of Saturday, April 18, 1885, was almost entirely destroyed by G e. ''-oihira. daunted, the proprietor was equal to the emergency, and at once determine! to erect in brick a building that, while perfectly adapted to the transaction of a large amount of bu«ir>ea<*. should at the same time be an ornament to the city. Such a building is the now TS ARO HOUSE, of which we have already given an excellent iiihograpb. This handsome bui’dinr has » frontage to Cuba Street of 105 feet by 120 f«et to Dixon Street. Externally its appearance is most attractive, and as a distinguishing landmark ha? been surmounted by a handsome tower painted a dazz’iug vyt’to. From the windows of this tower is obtained a beautiful and complete panoramic_.view of the City and Harbor. A lofty flagstaff crowns this erection, from which will fl >at the house flag, 21 feet long on wibch will be the words ARO HOUSII, in white letters on a red grcuud. From the ground to the top of the flagsiaS i 3 83 feet. The internal arrangements are very complete ; all the latest improvers have been adopted, and everything done to promote the comfort and convenience of customers. The building is lighted from the roof in a very novel and effective manner, and is in this respect unequalled by any DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT south of the Equator. Eight is also admitted to that part ot the Warehouse immediately under the second fl >or by a well-devised range of Innette windows extending over the whole frontage to Cuba Street. These are situate just above the verandah, and in order to do this, the slope whi h is generally downward? from the building had to be reversed and placed upwards. Thus the light is diffused equally over every cart of the buildinr. Every attention ha i be=n paid to ven’iiatiwn, ana the height from floor te roof/lanterns is exceedingly lofty, being not less than 30 feet, while numerous ventilators of an improved type have been placed at regular interva:s through ois the entire building. 1 - ■ -o ' All the departments are roorav and commodious. The GENERAL DRAPERY- comprising the HABERDASHERY, HOSIERY, FANCY, MANGSESTfIt AND DRESS DEPARTMENTS^ occupies the Centre o» the buildings ".n't i* 78 tV-es long by the magnificent width >-r 43 reef. On theoneside is the CARPET AND FURNISHING DEPARTMENT, measuring <56 feet by 27 feet, and. on the other is the CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, covering a space af 48 feet by 2S feet. At the end of the ti-eneral Drapery Department, anu. passing through a handsome 9 feet archway, the visitor is ushered, into one of the fiee>t SHOWROOMS it is possible to imagine in connection with the Drapery business. It is a very handsome, well-nrnportioned room, and is intended for the sale of MILLINERY UNDERCLOTHING, MANTLES AND COSTUMES, »»■> i-».74 feet ion? by a depth of 28 feet. The other room; on the ground floor are two Private Offices, a Cashier and Accountant’s Office, a Parcel and Strong Room, and also a room for receiving, unpacking, and marking the orices on the goods. The DRESSMAKING ROOMS are situate on the second floor, facing Dixonstreet, and are reached by a hroad staircase leading from the Show-rooms. These comprise RECEPTION. FITTING, CUTTING, AND WORK ROOMS. Another staircase from the CARPET ROOM conducts to a suite of apartment* facing Cuba Street, and intended for the carrying-on of a first-class TAILORING 3USINESS. There is alto on this floor a most comtuodioas Refreshment Room, with Eavatohy adjoining, which the Proprietor trusts will be found a convenience not only to his many friends from the Country but aleo to ladies iu the City and suburbs, who mav wish to enjoy a chat with' their acquaintances, and at the same time an AFTERNOON TEA. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, and other light refreshments, will be obtainable at reasonable -1 charges. Finally, it is intended to make the new “ ■We mf&Trn JUfruse, Accessible to the whole population of the Province of Wellington as a' WHOLESALE FAMILY DIAPER! WAREHOUSE, - where customers may purchase;iu any quantity, small or large, at prices which will compare with any Wholesale House in the coloDy. A circular will be issued in a few days detailing the ney/ method of doing business, and giving particulars of a large quantity of Sew Goods ~ just to hand bv the st'amers RIMUf AS A ” “COPTIC,” “RUAPEHU," as also the ship •'CANTERBURY;” these /were bought expressly, for the opening of the new premises, and should command ah early inspection. • ;-• / :v TIE JEW TE MO 1 WILD BE OPENED ON Friday Ist October, 1886. Much as TE ARO HOUSE has been a houßhold word in the pact, it is detsrmiued that it shall be more noted in the future as one of the very best and cheapest Family Drapery Warehouses in the colony. The favor of an early Visit of Inspection will be eeteecied by JAMES SMITH TE ARO HOUSE. WELLINGTON, N. Z-