MESSRS P. HAYMAN AND CO.'S NEW ESTABLISHMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3367, 20 November 1872, Page 4

MESSRS P. HAYMAN AND CO.'S NEW ESTABLISHMENT.

A short time ago we noticed, among Uffe building improvements that were being effected in various parts of the city, the line business premises of Meters P. Ilayman and Co. Yesterday, we had the pleasure of inspecting the interior of them, and, to give an example of the rapid progress some businesses hare made in Dunedin during the past ten or eleven years, it iiiny not be out of place to furnish our readers with ay ■few particulars relating to the progress ©£ this firm in Otago.

In 1861, Messrs P. Hmyinan and Co.— who then were, and still are, tnuling in Melbourne —established a branch of their business in Dunedin, which was carried on for a. short time in » small place in Ilattriy street, and afterwards transferred to larger premises in High street, where it lias acquired such dimensions as to necessitate the erection of their present large warehouses ire llaitray itraet. Their new premises comprise a two storoyed brick building, with a frontage of 42 feet by a depth of 100 feet, at the rear of which is a spacious yard leading to another brick and stone building, GO feet by 40 feet, specially set apart for bulk goods, the two buildings communicating by means of a tramway, which facilitates the removal of goods from one store to the other. Having noticed the buildings theirselves1, we will now endeavour to give Home idea of their contents, a task somewhat difficult, owing to the great variety of the extensive stock of goods. It comprises productions from nearly every market in the world, and from the systematic manner in which the various departments are arranged, we should say Messrs Ilayman said Co. are prepared to do a most extensive trade.

On entering the ground-floor, immediately to the left, is the jewellery department, in which the trade can be supplied with articles, from those of the very commonest description to the moat elegant and costly ia. quality, design, and workmanship. Next to thin room is the counting-house or oflicts, conveniently fitted up for its particular work, and displaying quite a library of account books, containing the transactions o£

past yeara. Adjoining the office is the tobacconists* goods department. Here the shelves arc appropriated to the many sundries in this line; and pipes, from the common clay to the moat expensive carved meerschaum, may be obtained, as well as every other necessary for the smoker—the tobacco itself exccptcdL

Immediately alongside the tobacconists* goods department, the manufactures of Sheffield are largely represented by all kinds o£ cutlery of various brands. Another step brings us before a splendid stock of electro-plated ware, consisting of articles from the every day teaspooa to the elaborate candelabra. There are cracfc stands, salvers, card baskets, tea services, and prize cups. The next department in of a kindred nature, viz., hardware and ironmongery, and though it cannot boast of such artistic variety, is by no means wanting in the sundries for domestic *nd artisans' uee. The articles are of a most miscellaneous description, including dog collars and chains, measuring tapes, jews' harps, twine cans, corkscrews, block tinM-are, wid traya and waitcrr. Patming to the other side of the store, we found the shelves filled with nearly every known remedy for all the ills, internal or external, that flesh is heir to—Kolloway'a; pills and ointment by the hundred-weight, abio the world-renowned Vinegar Bittere, Aycr's, and the various other well-known medicines. Leaving this mas* of internal purifiers, the attention is next directed to the department from which the appliances for outward cleansing are to be had-—comb* and brushes of every description, and other toilet requisites. The greater part of this side of the store iV 7 however, devoted to an immense stock of account books, stationery, and works of literature in greater variety than we have space to describe. School books, prize booka, and novels may, however, be particularised. We next noticed a fine collection of optical instruments, including barometers of various sorts, field glasses, stereoscopes, and magnifying glasses. Close by is a neat set of pigeon, holes, containing every requisite in the way of tools and materials for watchmakers and jewellers' use ; and from what we learn, regarding the number of apprentices that are now serving their time to this branch of industry in various parts of the Colony, watchmakers and jewellers will bo numerous in oar midst in the course of a few yeans.

Having reached the front of the store again, we took a survey down the centre of the warehouse, and observed a fine display of saddles and saddlery of all descriptions.

The counters in the store are fitted with. glass show cases, for exhibiting samples of Home of the various classes of goods. At the end of the building is a spacious staircase leading to the upper floor, which in stocked with an endless variety of goods. Passing from the top of the staire on the left hand side, towards the front, we were shown a large Btock of brush ware, in great; variety. There are also clocks of variotw sorts, from different countries, and a number of very handsome figures in bronze. Immediately contiguous i» the toy department, containing an endless Taricty of funny, amusing, and instructive toys. There is altjo a large assortment of musical instruments—chiefly violins, ilutes, concertinas, and musical boxes. The whole of the other side of this ilat is devoted to the eabmetware, perfumery, and fancy goods departments'. There are also cricketing materials, and requisites for games of cribbage, draughts^ chess, dominoes, &c. Notwithstanding the size of the building, every available space is occupied. At both ends of thcupper floor are glass cases, containing various knick-knacks, also display ingsaiaplcß of elegant marble and other clocks; while the centre of the floor is fitted with a pyrarmidal table, glass show-case*, kc., exhibiting articles of th^ choicest description, froia Continenital and other markets. Even the principal* supporting the roof are mad* to

"twsar a portion of this varied -stock, for fcaa•lteta of every mm 'and shape are therefrom suspended. Descending the nfcairca*e, we passed along the tramway to tHe ba<Sk store, and from the number of cases stowed away there full of goods, it dom not appear likely that the ahelvea upstairs will eu/fer for want of stock. This store is to be also used as a show room for lookiag'glMse*. rouyli brush ware, and American clocks. We cannot close this notice without expressing the hope that Dunedin may before many years be able fco command such an extension of its commerce as will require several such establishment* ah that of Messrs P. Hayman and Co.