R. COCK AND SON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

R. COCK AND SON.

PROVISION DEALERS AND GENERAL GROCERS. From the inception of New Plymouth the name at the head of this sketch, has been more or less a familiar one, to the inhabitants. In ons capacity and another the late and ■the present gentleman have been usefully engaged .in the district, aro -so fax as the latter in particular is concerned the results^ from his energy and commercial acumen have bee a very substantial indeed. In the early history of any place the issues from individual effort may be more easily gUaged than in old and big cities, and those men- may be picked out whose influence has contributed! materially to the general welfare. No one who reads the sketch in another column Dairy Factory Company can fail to recognise the large part taken by Mr Richard, Cock and 'his partners in the successful pursuit and development of the j Taranaki dairying industry, nor is jthis the only substantial industrial institution with which Mr Cock's .name is closely associated He is a leading business man of New Plymouth and a prominent public man. , His father, the late Richard Cock, arrived Jin Taranaki irf the schooner Regina in October, 1841, when it brought out stores for the first settlers in New Plymouth. That gentleman Almost immediately took up his residence in the district, and was for some years signal master to the port. In that office he became known 'to a wide circle of people, and lived to a ripe age. Mr Richard Cock, the son, ( was born in New Plymouth,! and here obtained his education. After -various experiences he became! connected with Dr. Humphries in his chemist's shop, and subsequently with his wine and spirit businesp. It was in the latter that he had, that training which has since proved,' so useful to him, and which has enabled him to become one of the shrewdest of our commercial men. jHe was associated with the Humphries business for fifteen years, whereupon he decided to embark on his own account. He opened in a small 4^op in Brougham Street as a grocer ; and produce dealer, and in subsequent years his trade and industrial interests have expanded enormously. ' In recent years he purchased' the old bonk premises in Devon .Street near the Criterion Hotel, and there he opened new stores, and there to-day the firm of R. Cock & Son do a very large business. They have a considerable circle of customers, conducting a retail business, and importing all classes of groceries ,'of the best quality. All the wants.' of householders in this respect are catered for, oilmen's stiores, spice-s, sugars, teas, preserved goods, etc., ,only of the best being kept. The firm are agents for the Ugalla tea imported direct from Ceylon, of the Sunbeam tea, and also of the Bell tea. Each of these has a steady demand. A special cff6rt is put f<>rth to obtain the best provisions, and, so far as butter and cheese are concerned, there is little difficulty. Cool cellars are used, and perishable products are therefore always in good order. Messrs Cock & Son 'are among the leading business houses of New Plymouth, and their reputation is almost as well known as the Post Office. ; All ; Mr Richard Cock's commercial energy is not confined to his grocery and ; provisions establishment, the management of which indeed now largely devolves on his son, Mr Bert Cock; As already indicated he is -one bt the three proprietors of the Crortn Dairy Factory Company, the largest private proprietary dairying concern in New Zealand.. For nearly twenty years he has given this industry his close study, and has advocated its pursuance in Taranaki wltfcj the greatest persistency. Unlike many advocates he ha? invested In it more than • most. ,and to him and This partners all praise must be riven for their fostering of tins invaluable source of wealth. Then he wa? one of the founders, and is still >tor/ Co., Ltd., probably the largest employer of labour in Taranaki. and an institution which turns' to pracSalSSwnt the big forest resources lof the province. The Sash & Door Factory compares with the best concerns Of the kind in the colony. Ho i« a landed piopnetor, S as evidence of the appreciation in land values it is interesting to Jstate that thefarm upon, which his. handsome house and gardens now stapd was purchased twelve , S-gars ago at £11 an acre, while he Jiotf refuses £100 an acre for it. He Is a director of the Taranaki Land & Buildins Society and a trustee in the New Zealand Savings Bank. Mr Cock cannot lx? called selfish with his com-

mercial and financial ability, for in various public capacities he has •given freely of his time, advice, and practical assistance. He was for many years a member of the Borough Council, and also of the HarI bour Board. As chairman of the I latter body and also as one of the Sinking Fund Commissioners he performed excellent services in helping to rescue the Board from its serious difficulties, 'and to place its affairs on a more business like footing, Those whft best understood the troubles threatening the Board appreciated the most the assistance he then rendered. Mr Cock was a founder of the' local Chamber of Commerce, and !was the first vice-presi-dent, subsequently filling the presidential chair. At present he is chairman of the New Plymouth School Commissioners and also of the Recreatiion Grounds Board. To his enthusiasm and that of his 1 fel-low-commissioners is largely due those beautiful and almost unique grounds which make New Plymouth remarkable, and which would do honour to a city of a million inhabitants. Finally Mr Cock is a member of committee and a steward in the Taranaki Jockey Club. No further statement is necessary to convey an klea of the large part taken by him in New Plymouth affairs during the past twenty years-. A .native of tho district he has given it his best endeavours, and that they have been useful and meritorious" everyone will allow. In on© way and another he has placed the centre under a debt of gratitude.