HETHERINGTONS LTD.

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6543, 13 November 1924, Page 5

HETHERINGTONS LTD.

FIFTY YEARS IN BUSINESS , CELEBRATIONS IN TE AROHA In connection with the celebrations of the jubilee of Hetheringtons, Ltd., a large gathering was held in the firm’s shop, Whitaker street, Te Aroha, on Monday, when many old residents were present. An apology was received from the Mayor (Mr R. Coulter), who wal unable to be present, and also from Mrs Gordon (Mayoress), who had a prior engagement. Mr Rayner (manager) presided, and welcomed the guests, who were entertained at afternoon tea. A number of interesting addresses were delivered in which the speakers dealt with the early history of the firm, and souvenirs in the form of an illustrated booklet containing a brief story of the firm’s progress were given to all pres.ent. Mr Rayner, in welcoming the guests, said he was pleased to see them on such an auspicious occasion. Very few of them would see the end of the next fifty years, though some might have larger expectations of life than he had himself. The Te Aroha branch was only 35 years old, hut it was still going and "would in the course of time attain its fiftieth birthday. While the celebrations had their commercial aspect there was also the sentimental side, and the firm felt that such an important event could not he allowed to pass without some special effort. The firm had started business at the Thames and now they had branches at Te Aroha, Waihi and Hamilton. In Hamilton they had one of the best equipped houses in the province and in a few years they hoped to have an up-to-date concrete building at Te Aroha. While Hetheringtons had progressed he was pleased to know that other business firms had also progressed. It was cause for regret that the founder of the firm, the late Mr Samuel Hetherington, had not lived to witness the 60 years celebrations, but they had with them to-day a worthy representative in the person of Mr William Hetherington and his wife, and he would invite the former to address them. W. Hetherington said he was very proud to be there. When he received the invitation from Mr Rayner he had no hesitation about accepting it. He was glad to see so many old faces, including Mrs Eastwood. He arived at Auckland in 1874 when he* was met by his brother and they went to Thames together. At that time his brother whs in partnership with a man named Wilson, at the Thames, but a few months after his arrival the partnership was dissolved and they decided to start another shop. They took a place built by, Mr Hugh Pritchard, a draper, who had done so badly in business that he gave up and took all his stuff back to the West Coast. The shop had stood empty for a good while —he could not say how long. The shop was opened by him and his brother , on November 10th, 1874. He remained with his brother till 1888, when he left to open up a branch shop in Te Aroha in the present premises. The place was not so large as it is to-day. There were small double windows in the front of the shop, each window being lighted by two small kerosene lamps and there was a chandelier in the centre of the shop. As time went on the shop was lengthened. A room was taken in at the back and made into a show room, and a year or two after they built a boot shop.. That went on for some time and then they > found that more room was needed so they put in a new front, though not such a good one as they had to-day. They continued without any further* alterations for several years, and in 1908 he retired and went for a trip to England. He discussed with his brother the question of who should be given the management at Te Aroha. He thought of several, but his attention was drawn to Mr Rayner, who had started in their shop at the Thames, and with the exception of a few years in Australia had been with them continuously. Mr Rayner had been given the position and under his care the business had gone ahead and prospered. He was pleased to know that the prosperity was not confined to their own firm, and that other men in Te Aroha were meeting with success. The speaker, in referring to the old identities, made mention of Mr Wallace, whom he had known since 1888. Mr Wallace first had a shop at Waiorongomai. Mr Hetherington expressed his gratitude at the pleausure that had be6n given him in meeting those present and for the assistance they had received in the celebrations, which, had been carried out most successfully. Mr Wallace, senr., said they had met to celebrate the jubilee of Heth-

erington’s, Ltd., but the occasion served also„to welcome back Mr William Hetherington, who was visiting the town after a long period of absence. Fifty years was a long stretch, and the fact that Hetheringtons had reached the present stage showed that the services they had given the people had been appreciated. The people had gone where the good values were. The business had prospered well, and for this a large measure of praise was no doubt due to Mr Rayner, the present manager, who had been in charge for seventeen years. In the good old times when etiquette was not so strict as it is to-day Mrs Hetherington called him (Mr Wallace) “Davie” and he called Mrs Hetherington “Maggie.” (Laughter.) He remembered what a happy couple Mr and Mrs Hetherington were and how solicitous they were of each other’s wel-fare-how when William was up the ladder Mrs Hetherington would be watching below saying, “Be careful, William; be careful!” (Laughter.) They were like two pet lambs. Referring to a lady well-known to those present Mr Wallace recalled the time when as a fine looking girl she sold butter and other farm products at Waiorongomai. Her bright, happy disposition made her a very welcome visitor. Speaking of a gentlement present as the “Hon. Reuben Parr,” Mr Wallace said that if Mr Parr had not attained high distinction in public life himself he had given the country a Minister for Education, and he might yet give them a Prime Minister. (Laughter.) Concluding, Mr Wallace again expressed his pleasure at meeting Mr William Hetherington, whom he wished happiness a&d prosperity for the remainder of his life. Mr Kenrick, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, said he was pleased to add to those already expressed his tribute and good wishes to the firm. He believed that he had known the members of the firm longer than Mr Wallace. Mr Kenrick, in happy vein, then recounted some of his early experiences at the Thames. Looking back on those days he was impressed with the great disadvantages compared with to-day. The firm of Hetheringtons had been under the searchlight, of public opinion for fifty years and had stood the test. They lived while other firms had gone down., It was not only in, the establishment of a business but in the control during expansion that ability was shown. Mr Kenribk further said that he had known Mr Samuel Hetherington’s two sons who mere schoolmates of his, and had proved two of the best citizens in the Thames. Comparing the present with the past Mr Kenrick said he had seen a photograph of the shop as it was in the early days. No motor cars stood, in the street, ahd there were no telephone lines or other indications of the services enjoyed to-day. A photograph taken of the shop in Te Aroha now would show quite a different state of affairs. The success of Hetheringtons had been due to the fact that they had met the demands of the people and so well had the *early reputation of the firm been preserved that it was still customary for some people to go to the Thames shop from Tc Aroha, believing that they would be better served and could buy cheaper there than here. If, however, the ladies would ask his opinion he would urge them to shop in their own town. He wished the firm long life and prosperity, and hoped that some of those present would be living when the hundredth anniversary came round. Mr Fred Wild, on being invited to speak, said he came to Te Aroha in 1888, just before Hetheringtons took, over their present business. He had been associated with Mr William Hetherington, who had been a member of the Borough Council, and he was pleased to meet him again and congratulate his firm on the remarkable growth of their business.

Mr George Horn said how pleased he was to meet his old friend Mr William Hetherington. He (Mr Horne) arrived at the Thames in ’69 by the Enterprise No. 2. At that time things were booming at the Thames. Times were lively and the, memory of those days was very sweet to him. About 44 years ago he came to Te Aroha with another young fellow to build houses, and one of the houses they built was, he thought, that owned by Mr T. Stanley. They lived in a tent and the nights were so cold that he and his mate had to take turns getting out of bed so that they could pile fuel on the fire. Later he came to Te Aroha to tender for the railway bridge. Hearing about the Te Aroha springs he made an investigation with the intention of having a bath, and the bath in those days was a draper’s case lined with zinc. At the conclusion Mr Rayner thanked those present for their attendance and a most enjoyable function was brought to a close.