DIRECT IMPORTING COMPANY’S BLOCK, AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 2, 10 January 1891, Page 1

DIRECT IMPORTING COMPANY’S BLOCK, AUCKLAND.

The Direct Importing Company, who have for so long cai ried on their millinery, tailoring and clothing business in Auckland, are now in possession of one of the finest establishments there, at the corner of Queen-street and Victoria-street East. The new block occupies the greater portion of Queen-street frontage, as well as a very large frontage on Victoria-street, and is quite an ornament to the locality. It comprises three large floors. The shop has an extension of forty feet on Queen-street, and on Victoria-street one of sixty-five feet. On the top floor, which is really the ‘ foundation ’ of the Company’s business, is located the tailoring, dressmaking, and mantle-making departments, to which access is gained by a very handsome and spacious staircase, panelled with mirrors. The dressmaking and mantle-making employees occupy one of the rooms, under the direction of a lady recently arrived from Australia. The rooms are ranged round the sides of a large open gallery extending down to the ground floor. The show-

room, which measures 41ft x 65ft, occupies the whole of this. Very handsome cases are ranged round, besides the goods on view on the counters. This floor has a ladies’ fittingroom, besides waiting-rooms, lavatories, and a very convenient little apartment in which customers are enabled to do any writing or other business. The whole is under the care of courteous and competent assistants, and is well worth visiting if only for the purpose of taking a glance round the display of millinery, dress, andfancy goods. Theshopis on the ground floor, and no pains or expense have been spared by the D. I.C. to render this establishment as attractive as possible. There are two entrances to the shop from Queen-street, one leading into the gentlemen’s clothing department and the other into the millinery and ladies’ dress department. Everything is exceedingly well arranged, the show in the Manchester goods, hosiery, and dress departments being especially fine. Mr Morrison, the manager, states that he haaample accommodation on the premises for a hundred working hands in the various departments, and expects to employ that number when the place is in full working order.