SCOULLAR & CHISHOLM, LTD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23039, 16 November 1936, Page 31

SCOULLAR & CHISHOLM, LTD.

ESTABLISHED 1863

The well-known firm of Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm, of Dunedin and Invercargill, and the Scoullar Co., Ltd., of Wellington, Hastings, and Blenheim, furniture manufacturers and importers, had its origin in a very humble way -73 years ago. Among many others who, in the ’sixties, came over from Victoria to seek their fortunes in the newly-discovered goldfields of Otago were Mr Henry North and Mr Arthur Scoullar, the original partners in the firm. Like good colonists, they were willing and ready to turn their hands to anything they could find to do, and the building trade being, on their arrival in Dunedin, particularly brisk on account of the demand for house accommodation, they had no difficulty in securing work for a time at remunerative wages at house-carpentering Securing an unpretentious building at the corner of Canongate and Rattray streets, which had for many years served the purpose of a slaughterhouse in connection with the butchering business then carried on by the late Mr George Duncan, they subsequently started manufacturing furniture for the firm of Hey and Beswick, then in business in Dunedin. Soon afterwards, however, in 1863, Messrs-- North and Scoullar, with the view of commencing business on their own account, leased a wooden building at the corner of Rattray and Maclaggan streets, which, though a one-story dilapidated structure, was dignified by the name of the Shakespeare Hotel, and this building they converted into a furniture warehouse. Success attended their efforts—they had but little opEosition— and they steadily found their usiness increase to such an extent as to necessitate their obtaining additional assistance. In July, 1868, Mr R. Chisholm entered their services, and, the business continuing to prosper, the old Shakespeare Hotel had to give way to a substantial threestorey stone and brick warehouse, while the old slaughterhouse, which had up to that time served as a workshop, was displaced by the extensive factory that now exists. A few years later the firm’s business had assumed such dimensions that it was found necessary to extend the already large warehouse to the full extent of the land available, thus making it one of the largest furniture warehouses south of the Line. Such is the reputation of the house throughout New Zealand, that its name alone is regarded as a sufficient guarantee of the workmanship and design of every article produced by the firm. At the Wellington Industrial Exhibition in 1885 Messrs North and Scoullar obtained the cnly gold and silver medals that were awarded for furniture and furnishings, and their goods were in such demand and were so much admired by leading citizens in Wellington during that exhibition that they decided to extend their business to the Empire City. Securing a site on Lambton quay, they erected a handsome four-storey brick and stone warehouse, with the factory, a substantial brick building, fitted up with machinery and all the latest improvements. Mr Scoullar removed to Wellington to take charge of the business, which is now known as the Scoullar Company, Ltd. In 1887, when the City Council of Dunedin decided to send to the Queen an offering on the occasion of her Majesty s jubilee, the firm produced to the order of that body a casket which was a unique specimen of art cabinet work, made from about 200 pieces of 20 different varieties of New Zealand timbers; and, in the same year, they designed and manufactured a remarkably fine specimen of cabinet work in the shape of a cabinet and album as an offering from the Roman Catholic bishop and clergy of the diocese of Dunedin to his Holiness the Pope on the occasion of his sacerdotal jubilee. At the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in 1889-1890 the southern firm —Mr North having retired, and Mr R. Chisholm having become a partner —trading as Scoullar and Chisholm, Ltd., again took a first class award, and the “ Onslow ” pavilion, fitted up as a hall, dining room, drawing room, and bedroom, constituted in itself an exhibition which was a centre of attraction to visitors, and again during the 1925-26 New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition held in Dunedin. Scoullar and Chisholm were awarded three gold medals and first order of merit for (a) dining room Jacobean oak suite, (b) bedroom suite in grey sycamore, (c) lounge room upholstered furniture, and a special diploma of merit for general excellence of display. Both partners have rendered outstanding service to the city. The late Arthur Scoullar was Mayor of Dunedin during the years 1884 and 1885. and the late Robert Chisholm was Mayor of Dunedin during the Boer War period. 1899 to 1901, when, with pride of birth, country, and city, loyalty was their first consideration. It is estimated that from such a small beginning and after 73 years’ trading, nearly £24 000,000 worth of local purchases and imports have been required in the conduct of the business. Also from the figures available approximately £1.000.000 has been paid to factory employees and approximately £1.000,000 in salaries. To-day, 1936, as in 1863 the firm of Scoullar and Chisholm Ltd., are still keeping step with the times, and can be congratulated on having the most modern specimen showrooms in Australasia. This extensive and interesting exhibition of 15 rooms is in both period and modern furniture, all designed for present-day living, and the general public are invited to come and look around. These specimen rooms demonstrate the skill and taste which their interior decoration section exer-

cises in making a home comfortable, livable and charming. On entering the warehouse, you are taken up by elevator to the third floor, and (in leaving same you step into an old-time vestibule with period furniture. You then pass on to the period lounge (which has a grand old fireplace) and dining room, the whole going to show how inexpensively such atmosphere can be created. Both these rooms are set out with suitable furniture, also the ceilings are worthy of note, being finished in two-tone and also pastel colourings. Next you find a dual room, sittingdining room, tastefully laid out in oak. The drawing room is daintily curtained, and has mahogany furniture. The series of bedrooms are extremely interesting, showing several styles of modern art. Then there is the coffee lounge, the men’s den, also the loggia. A worthy note is the four-room bungalow, moderately set out, and it is surprising that one can furnish these four rooms, comprising dining-sitting room, two bedrooms, and kitchenette, completely furnished, including carpets, linoleum, and curtains, for £IOO. Then this is an age of glass, streamline, and tubular steel, also the unit system furniture, all these modern styles being fully gone into by Scoullar and Chisholm, Ltd. Again Scoullar and Chisholm, Ltd., have extended their services in interior decoration, and can suggest and plan the best for your comfort at a moderate cost. Scoullar and Chisholm, Ltd., extend a welcome to the public to visit their specimen showrooms at their warehouse at Rattray street. They are really worth a visit. If you are called to reside in the North Island, the Scoullar Co., Ltd., of Wellington. Hastings, and Blenheim will be delighted to give you a southern welcome.*