The Central Arcade.

Observer, Volume XIV, Issue 781, 23 December 1893, Page 8

The Central Arcade.

Everyone knows Goodson's London Arcade in Queen-street, so that I need not waste time or space in describing its location. It has been a fancy bazaar as long as most people remember — even away back into the good old days of more than a quarter, of-a-century ago, when it was known as Montague's. It was a centre of attraction to old and young at Christmas time in those days even as it is a centre of attraction now. Pausing for a moment at the entrance, I was impressed by the vastness and variety of the stock within as evidenced by the samples displayed in the tastefully-arranged show windows. Here again, there were fancy poods of every design and style of workmanship, beautiful articles of all kinds for the adornment of walls and tables, and every conceivable style of gold and silver jewellery. And concerning that jewellery one word more. I have already mentioned that it is all genuine, and I have only to add that it is cheap — and remarkable for its variety. There are hundreds of articles there of which it can be said that no two are alike. And yet all are pretty and useful.

Once inside the Arcade, you are dazzled and bewildered— dazzled by the quantity, beauty and variety of the goods displayed and bewildered by the extensiveness of

the premises. One room opens into an., other in a puzzling way, and yet it mast be confessed that the buyer likeß to wander through just such a rambling shop, with its masses of pretty things opening, out an enchanting vista to the eye at every turn. And now for a little detail. I make bold to say- that there is nothing in the way of fancy goods or toys that you cannot get at Goodson's London Arcade. But the resource* of the establishment do not end here. For instance, the stock of silver and plated goods, such as tea and coffee services, cruets, spoons, etc., etc., is a splendid one. All these goods are in new and very attractive designs, and are imported by Mr Goodson with special regard to the requirements, of the local market. The large variety of clocks of all kinds in metal, marble, wood and other materials, should be mentioned in connection with this department.

Then, the stock of glasßware and crockery is entitled to a word. Mr Goodson must do a large trade in these goods alone, for he holds a very large assortment. Afternoon tea-sets are a speciality, and some charming styles are offered at exceptionally low prices. If you are in search of these, though, you Bhould go to the Japanese section. The best are there. A. novelty that took my fancy consisted of mugs, cups and saucers, plates and oandlestioks with views of Albert Park, Auckland, on each. These articles are bound to be popular, and more especially so as the price — one shilling each — places them within the reach of everbody. Under thiß heading, also, I must give a word to the vases and wall and marble ornaments that Mr Goodson haß on view. There- are shelves and shelves of them, and it would be a taste very difficult to please that could not make a selection from such an infinite variety.

The leather goods are novel and pretty, and of the lateßt stjles. These include purses, bags, cigar cases and albums, and I might go further and mention photo frames under the same heading. Then, the fans, in this section. You can have them in any style you lik«,— feather, satin, gauze etc. — and there is no limit to their beauty. I have not time even to enumerate all the other attractions, such as work-boxes, desks, companions, inkstands, and other standard articles for gifts, but they are in evidence on all sides— whole shelves and show cases filled with them. • * *

Toys are a strong feature of the Queenstreet Arcade. There are literally tons of toys on the threepenny, sixpenny, and shilling tables, while more tons of higher priced toys are heaped up on other stands waiting for the purchasers that are to come and buy them. The cheapness of these goods is remarkable. What will my young readers think, for instance, of a full rigged schooner or a brass-mounted drum and set of drum- sticks for one shilling. And yet that is the price. Then, again, what say they to a Noah's Ark filled with nondescript animals for sixpence. One would not like to make them for five or six times the price. A specialty in the toy department is the go - carts and barrows with iron wheels for boys. These should be serviceable. The teasets for little girls are also very pretty. Nowadays, the difficulty is to tell where the afternoon teaset leaves off and the toy-set begins.

The most attractive section of the Arcade I have left to the last. This is the Japanese department. It is replete with articles suitable for Christmas boxes. There are thousands of pretty things — to describe even one- half of which would require a whole Observer. But, in a word, if you require a present for a boy or a girl, go to the Japanese section ; if for a young man or a young woman, go there also. If for a middle-aged or elderly man or woman, still go to the Japanese section. You may be sure you will be suited. The eye has not seen and the mind has not conceived even a third of the articles in that treasury of art and mechanical ingenuity. Go and Bee for yourselves. And while you are there, inspect the splendid stock of Christmas oards. There are novelties there to suit every taste. One word in conclusion. I congratulate Mr Goodson on the enterprise he has displayed in supplying the requirements of the public in the matter of Christmas fancy goods and toys, and I hope that at all three shops he will do the booming business that he deserves to do on Christmas Eve.