AN HOUR IN KIRKCALDIE & STAINS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1061, 30 June 1892, Page 16

AN HOUR IN KIRKCALDIE & STAINS.

BY OUR SPECIAL LADY REPORTER. (Concluded.) I would almost feel some qualms of conscience in asking you to leave all this finery and splendour and enter a part of Alessrs Kirkcaldie and Stains’ establishment which is devoted to LADIES’ MOURNING. But, my dear reader, you need not feel nervous on entering, for if you were only to have a chance of looking in you would almost wish that there was a necessity for wearing such beautiful fabrics as you see here. This department is replete with goods of the latest productions, that find favour when death overtakes the courts of Europe. Orders in this department have preference to all others in making up. My next move was to the LACE DEPARTMENT. which is superbly decorated with chiffons of all shades and widths in gauzes and striped in leafy patterns, in fact no lady should be without a dress trimmed or made up with these. I saw some very handsome embroidered chiffons about 18 inches wide, which were very suitable for the basques of dresses, and narrow to match for morning bodice. This would be an exquisite style for ladies from. 16 to 30 years of age. Amongst the chiffons and gauzes is displayed a beautiful assortment of fans. The shapes this season are more 1 oval than round. What do you think, why Poppy fans are said to be very much in favour and feather ones seem to have gone out altogether, as wliat I had seen were principally gauze ones. Not very far from here is THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT, which is a special foature of Kirkcaldie and Stain’s establishment, as they pride themselves, and rightly so too, on their magnificent display of this line of goods. My dear young lady readers, if it should happen at any time that you might win a

pair of gloves of a gentleman —and I am mire most of you do from time to time — make it a proviso that you must have them from this establishment. Kirkcaldie and Stains make a speciality of French gloves, having a magnificent exhibition, of these goods from the world-wide known firm of Calvat and Sons, for whom Kirkcaldie and Stains are the sole representatives in the Colony and they also pride themselves on being the first firm that has introduced to the colonial public this unrivalled glove. They devote a great deal of attention to the cultivation of this intricate trade, being the largest importers in the Southern hemisphere. I may here mention, they «an fit any hand, from children’s sizes oughts to ladies sizes eights, in all colours and shades. There was a speciality shown me in the way of evening gloves—Mosquetaire Suede in pale tints, eau-de-nil, pale sky, mauve, tuscan, tans, greys, blacks. These are all the ‘go ’ for this season’s wearing, and after I had examined those and many other varieties I then passed through several other parts of the establishment, where I saw many novelties that I would so like, not alone to possess, but to describe, for the benefit of mv readers. I could not, however, resist the temptation of spending a few momentr an the

MANCHESTER AND FURNISHING DEPARTMENT. The firm has a New Zealand reputation 1 for the excellent style of goods which they I keep in the furnishing department. I was shown some very fine tapestry curtains with brass curtain poles, and some beautiful guipure lace curtains. Then over there on another side of the apartment, were some very splendid eider down quilts, which would be just the thing for a frosty night, these being from the celebrated firm of McLintock, so well known in this trade. I cannot wait to tell you of half the pretty things I saw. There were .cosies, and pillows, and rugs without numiber, whilst the choice of Liberty art muslin is unlimited. A novel window blind attracted my attention. It was of holland with heavy guipure lace and an insertion let in. lam told that these are very much in demand now. Included in this department are calicoes, flannels, and blankets, but as these are articles which change very little with the fashions, I will not spend my time describing goods which are not luxuries but necessaries. I had just a minute or two to look in at the trimming department, where I saw some very pretty gold and tinsel fringes, feather trimmings, gimps, girdles, and ribbons, but I did wish to spend an hour or so in the

LADIES’ TAILOR MADE GOWN DEPARTMENT. which, I was informed was one of the most flourishing branches of the establishment. As it has been in existence only a short time, its increase is all the_ more remarkable, and gives a very good idea, of the satisfaction of the customers both with the quality of the materials and the style and fit. On my way out I had to pass through the gentlemen’s clothing department, but my fair readers would not be much interested in what I saw, although the place is packed to suit the tiniest boy in knickerbockers to the admired of the ladies —the giant athlete. I had a peep irto the FNRNISHING WAREHOUSE, St George’s Hall, which is replete .with everything necessary either to furnish a cottage or a mansion. This is one of the largest and most commodious concerns of its °kind, in the Colony, and being well lighted, the goods which I dare not stay to particularise, can be seen to the best advantage. Kirkcaldie and Stains, bearing in mind the labour and expense which councustomers have to undergo in coming into town, issue periodically a pi'ice list and purchasing guide, which not only gives the cost but also a detailed description of each article. I know that many ladies at a distance do not dress as becomes their station, for the very good reason that they do not care to undertake so extended a journey. I think I may safely urge upon miy lady friends at a distance to send for ATessrs Kirkcaldie and Stains’ list, they ma v be sure that anything they will order therefrom will be despatched to them with a promptitude and neatness, which could not be impi’oved upon by a personal visit The guide can be had post free on. application to the firm, and any other information supplied with much pleasure at least that is my experience in my dealings with Kirkcaldie and Stains. I have refrained in my remarks from quoting prices, not that I refrained from making enquiries in that direction —what woman would —and I found them, in all cases moderate. The firm, wishing to encourage cash payments, give a bonus of 5 per cent for such, and one of 3J per cent for payments within a month.