The Progress of Auckland—The Growth of Thirty Years

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 21, 23 November 1910, Page 33

The Progress of Auckland —The Growth of Thirty Years

Important Extensions and Improvements at Smith and Caughey’s, Ltd.

TO those who take the trouble to think, who can put two and two together, there is no more certain and no more striking indication of the progress of a citv than is afforded by its leading retail establishments. and the elegance, splendour, and luxury of its shops. For. as the wealth of a city grows, so does the spending f power of the people, and as this increases, we immediately find the retail merchants alert and watchful, ever spending more money to attract its return, ever showing greater and greater enterprise, bringing within ken of their clients the finest and newest goods the world’s various marts can produce, ever having to increase their opportunities for the artful, convenient, and artistic display of the same, and ever increasingly solicitous as to the comfort and luxury which shall surround those who visit their establishments. It was this thought which gripped the imagination of the writer, one day this week, as he took a walk round ■ the enlarged premises of Smith and Caughey, where The Improvements and Additions were rapidly approaching completion in view of the spring show which is to take place in a few days, and which, from what was already apparent, will be on a scale and of a class hitherto unattempted in the Dominion, and probably unexcelled south of the line. What an enormous increase of national wealth, what a splendid testimony of the prosperity ad spending power of our people is shown in this business; grown in less than three decades from a modest mercery shop to a vast general emporium —a huge block of buildings stretching back from street to street, with three acres of floorspace for business pur-

pi- t - (exclusive entirely of its large factories out-ide i. and employing on tho-e three acres in the main building, do-. u|>< n 400 employees. Really, we do not half appreciate the magnitude of su h a business or of such operations Realise fir a m<ment. just as an example of the scale on which such things are done at Smith and t aughey’s. that in the new showroom on the first floor 850 yard- of carjiet have been laid, so that eii—l<m. rs mav walk softly, and have their eve pleased with the best super Wilton procurable. What an expensive affair? Yes. but how well worth it! Fir it -hiw- Up with most admirable effect the numerous costly ebonised and gla ca-es and other richly-finished fittings and magnificent mirrors. They are a feature which go to make this perhaps the nm-t splendid, a- it i- certainly the largest show ri i tn in the Dominion, and prdiablv in Australasia. The fitting room- on this floor will be found marvel- of convenience and luxury. Equally indicative of the growth of population and prosperity. and the • le-:re and means of obtaining the beautiful i- the fact that there it lias been found m an to enormouslv extend the furniture showrooms. those now provided b ir.g of enormous -ize. and quire remarkable for the abundance of light and ventilation. Spaciousness and Light are evidently the motto of the firm in the display of every class of merchandise to whi.-h they have turned their attention. and one cannot but remaik on t’ne admirable knowledge of "effect evinced in the arrangement of every department. The beauty in design and excellence of finish in the locally manufactured furniture is worthy of much attention. It i- indeed an object lesson, and shows that Xew Zealand produces skilled workmen and artistic craft-men. the product of whose hand- can challenge comparison with the products of the Old World with

out any fear of shame. By way of giving an idea of the extent of the extensions, one may just mention that 350 new electric light- have been added, th-* whole building needing 000 and some sixty 400 candle-power Humphrey gas lamps to produce the brilliant illumination, which has ever been one of its characteristics.

Amongst the new departures which will attract much admiration and attention will unquestionably be that devoted to high-class china, glassware, and household ironmongery—the lofty mirrored walls, the crystal-reflecting tables, the shining glass and ebony cases, all bearing their precious loads of dainty and beautiful

ware —cannot but fail to rivet universal attention and cause much favourable comment. Conveniences for Shoppers. The instalment of a second new electric lift in the Queen-street premises wilt doubtless be appreciated, for shopping is

certainly tiring, and tramping up and down stairs particularly wearying: bu: it is not only in this ca-e that Smith an.l Caughey have marched with and in advance of the times (so far as Auckland is concerned) in considering the comfort of customers. On each floor are provided luxurious retiring rooms for tired shoppers. Tile rooms are filled with comfortable chairs, softly carpeted, and supplied with magazines and writing material. while the adjoining lavatory accommodation is of the most modern character, white tiled walls anl Roman-tiled floors being a noteworthy feature. Mail Order Department. Increased accommodation for this has become necessary, and this may be well understood when one realises that the special staff employed in this important branch deal with some thousand separate orders a week, sending goods east. west, south and north—the South Island contributing its quota of customers no less than the British dependencies in the Pacific. A stroll round this mammoth establishment is indeed a liberal object lesson, and is not only indicative, as we have said, of the wealth of our people and the progress of the Dominion, but is an eloquent testimony to the value of upright trading and the splendid rewards wh ch attend the same. From small beginnings, Smith ami Caughey have, by probity, enterprise, and sound business methods built up the splendid business, which anvone can —and should —take an opportunity of admiring next week. Th s already splendid achievement, we have, most of us. seen growing under our own eyes—who shall say what the end shall be —what splendid successes and surprises may not yet be in store? The important enlargements here teferred to were carried out by Mr. J. J. Holland, builder, under the direction amt from plans prepared by Mr. E. Mahony, the company's architect, and reflect credit on all concerned.