NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND LOAN & MERCANTILE.

Same three years ago the New Zea» land Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., a household word in the Dominion, purchased the business of Messrs. Nolan, Tonks, and Co., stock auctioneers, Hawera. Prior to this, the company was only represented at one point in Taranaki, viz., Stratford. It was felt that this rich province deserved moro attention at the hands df the company, and, when the opportunity of acquiring the abort business, those in authority were not slow to seize it.

Situated in the midst of some of the richest dairying land in the Dominion, Hawera could not fail to offer attractions in the way of business, to a firm like the "Loan and Mercantile," aa tho company is familiarly known to the farmers' and general public. At Tattercall's (of which we reproduce a photograph), where the main .offices of the company in Hawera are situated, some thousands of horses annually come under the hammer; and the spring and autumn fairs attract buyers, not only from all parts of the Dominion, but from Australia,-the class of draught horso bred in Taranaki being particularly suitable for Commonwealth farmers. At the spring fairs (2) which arc held in September (four days) and October (two days), no fewer than 1500 horses are catalogued by the company, while the autumn fair is generally responsible for an entry of 500. Besides these great fairs, the company holds a monthly horse sale, at which an average of from ,80 to 100 horses conic forward, and it will be readily seen from the :ibove-figures that the selling of horses is no small 'item in the contpaqy's operations.

i In addition to "Tattersall's," the company has shefcp and cattle sale-' yards at Hawera, Eltham, Manaia, Opunake, and Kakaramea, all under the' control, of the Hawera branch, and, at' each of those places, a representative is stationed, so that everything pos:ible is done .to keep in close touch with clients, and further 'their interests. With the same end in view the company has just purchased the business and premises of Sir. Win. itowc, seedsman. Princes Street, Hawera, and will carrw on the grain, seed, and manure business on those premises, adding, from time to time, such lines as are scon to be most in request by farmers. An exhibit of seeds, grain, etc. (which will no doubt attract considerable attention in view of the near approach of spring sowing), is being made by the company at the. great Dominion Dairy Show. We reproduce a photograph of the store recently acquired from sfr. Rowe, from Which it will be seen that splendid storage accommodation is available, the capacitv of tho store being about 20,000 sacks of grain. The Hawera branch is under the management of Mr. H, L. M. Kitto, who has passed nearly a quarter of a century in the company's service. He has a very competent staff associated witb him.

Mr. A. H. Arthur, furniture warehouseman, Hawcra, announces that ■show visitors may save 20 per cent. In visiting his business premises next week.. Special lines, which have -just won imported direct from London., will bo on view, and are marked in plain figures. Mr. Arthur's establishment if or a very extensive na.ture, and includes furniture in all its branches. All the machinery used is of the latest- description, and nothing is turned out hut- very superior work. Tho stock is very large, and there is a splendid collection to'' choose from. Mr. Arthur's business if one of tbo olcVst in New Zealand, having been established in 1863.