BUSINESS CONCLUDED

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3274, 4 March 1937, Page 5

BUSINESS CONCLUDED

MR T. F. RICHARDS' GROCERY | ESTABLISHED FOB 34 YEARS i Thirty-four years ago Mr T. F. Richards commenced business in Cambridge as a grocer and general provider and until this week he has carried on in shops in various parts of the town. A tribute to his business integrity is the fact that a number of people who were his customers when he first opened, continued to deal with him until he closed down. .

Mr Richards states that his future plans are indefinite, but for the present he is going to enjoy a good holiday. He has no regrets that his old-established business has come to an end. Mr L. Richards, who has been associated with his father in recent years*';will open a confectionery shop in; the new Tudor Theatre being erected by a company, in which Mr T. F. Richards is the main shareholder. ':

As a young married man, Mr Richards came to Cambridge in 1900 to manage the grocery and crockery department of Mr T. Wells’ department store. After three years in that capacity, he decided to launch out on his own, and the firm of Richards and Savage was established in Duke Street. They occupied a two - storeyed building in Duke Street, where the offices of the Cambridge Dairy Company are now situated. Early Days Recalled Duke Street Was then the main shopping centre, but Mr realised the possibilities of Victoria Street and 18 months later he commenced business oil his own in Hill’s building, where The Arcade is at present Mr Richards recalls that at that time there were only four shops bn the east side of Victoria Street. They were occupied by Mr Arnold, butcher, Mr H. Webber, blacksmith, Mr Howard, draper, and Mrs Murphy, fishmonger.

Five years later, Mr Richards shifted further' up < the street to the premises previously occupied by Mrs Murphy, and where the Farmers’ v Meat Company' now has an up-to-date buildings. Alter another five years, Mr Richards bought the old Town Hall on the opposite side of the street, and rebuilt it into a shop. Here he remained in business until fire destroyed the buiding two years ago. For a number of years Mr G. H. Wallace in partnership with Mr Richards. Following theJ fife, >Mr*’ Richards entered temporary-premises at the courier of Victoria^andfDuke Streets, and it was here that his associations With the grocerjfvfcusiness terminated this 't c i Interest ift PulttiF Affairs

During his long : rfeidehce in Cambridge, Mr Ricfihhds* has taken' an active part Wf aif public affairs, and has been kleefary Interested in ' the progress of tlte'cHstrict. When he ’‘-first elected to the Borough many divided opihiorisycdncerhiftg the ad’ ministration of- CarrfbrMgfe/ but as a of‘ Mr Ff Buckland’s progressive party,' 1 lie Assisted in the carrying out df mtffiy 'improvements of which the full benefit^;-arc being reaped today.' ft: T. TudeReieFWhd FPOTefole were 'elected to* the same ‘‘ticket” and with the support of Mr Stone, • updertakip# «#ss**s* %evcl Bridge,' w^* ter works, add a rd'id tarring scheipC member of the Wf 1 ,c; * If ai Mayor froiic'lf during which .time th‘ e '‘gravitation water .scheme and the abaftoir were major works ,carri'*d put., He has been a ■member of f the, Board and .School many bodies', jineindihg ‘the Cain* Men’s Christian "Assdcisrtaoa.