Business Enterprise.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 47, 14 June 1895, Page 2

Business Enterprise.

Among the recent and most noticeable improvements to a visitor in son is the new and commodious building recently erected in Hardy Street, for Mr Robert Snodgrass, who, with his sons, have for many years carried on, in fact built up, step by step, a most successful grocery and crockeryware business in that pretty town. On a nice corner section they have erected a splendid wholesale and retail store, which will enable them to execute the numerous orders continually entrusted to them from Westland, Marlborough, and even the Empire City. The ground floor is 46ft 2in in width and 76ft deep, which enables them to display their well-assorted stock to very great advantage, while the two large windows in front show most conspicuously to the passers-by what a splendid selection there is for customers to choose from; an easy capacious stairs leads one to the upper floor, where the large space at command has been tastefully arranged so as to show off a wonderful assortment of Japanese and other Continental fancy goods, at prices which must defy competition. We have often wondered why it was that merchants in Nelson, with their low freights and lower rents, should allow themselves to be cut out of a trade they are eminently fitted to carry on, and we are pleased to see that Mr Snodgrass and his sons have now made up their mind to enter the lists and compete with any other wholesale houses in the Colony. “ Competition is the life of trade,” and Nelson, like Wellington, from its central geographical position, should be a wide distributing centre in all kinds of merchandise that are wanted, and now lying dormant. It is for the merchants to develops that business push and enterprise so necessary to assure success, and they must command it, while, from the long experience Mr Snodgrass and his sons have had indenting to suit the requirements of the general public, they should be able to excel in making selections most suitable for the trade, and thus extend their business both far and wide. We believe it will be so, for with their natural ability and courteous attention to those who have dealings with them, and their generous attention to inmates of the Old Men’s Home and other institutions, they combine a broad mercantile enterprise that leads them to speculate judiciously, and which must eventually build up a trade that will find employment for many hands. We wish them every success.