A BUSINESS JUBILEE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1928, 10 December 1913, Page 7

A BUSINESS JUBILEE.

s KIRKCALDIE AND STAINS. LTD. In the old world, and even in Australia, there are many business houses that can show records of iifty years and much longer periods, but it is only hero and there, that such a record is possible in Nvw Zealand, and to Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains this distinction falls. Mr. John Kirkcaldie, who still takes an active interest in the business, and the late Mr. Robert Stains having decided to start iu business in Wellington, Mr. John Kirkealdio left Sydney on October 15,1803, for Auckland, and among the passengers were six officers who were com ing across to join General Cameron, who was then operating in the Waikato. The passage across the Tasman Sea took about six days, and Mr. Kirkcaldie lost no timo.in Auckland, for ho left "Onehunga iii the Phoebe, and arrived iu Wellington on October 28. Mr. Kirkcaldie had some interesting -stories to tell our reporter of those early days. On reaching Wellington he stayed tho night at the New Zeala.nder ' Hotel. "Going to bed, I. put nil tho treasure I had under my pillow, and on going to lock the door, found neither lock nor key,, so I. put, a'.chair against the door, and turned in. About tho middle of tho night, whether it was customary or not I cannot say, the proprietor, with a lighted candle in his hand, pushed open the door, and, finding tlio room occupied, left." . This, apparently, was too much for Mr. Kirkcaldie, for next day he went to the "Independent" .Office, and saw the late Mr. Thomas M'Kenzie, who recommended him private lodgings, where ho stayed until tho arrival of Mr. Stains.

Messrs. Kirlteaklio and Stains commenced business on December 9 in a littlo shop about ISft. square, situated opposite Barrett's Hotel., and then known as.Noah's Ark. This littlo shop was leased for a period of live years, and tho population of Wellington at that time was about 5000. There was no gas, no trams, and tho other conveniences that people are now familiar with. The sea ebbed and flowed from the Oddfellows' Hall, near the Commercial Union Offices, to where the Hotel Cecil now stands, whore there was a pier, at which lpen-o'-warsmon landed, and from there on tho waters of Port Nicholson were uninterrupted. Tn the Oddfellows' Hail all public meetings, , concerts, • and dances were held. The seat of Government was removed from Auckland to Wellington, which had the elfect of inercasin." the population of the city, at all events tho growth of business compelled the young firm to look around. 'The Provincial Government had in tho meanwhile reclaimed land, and when the sections were offered for sale Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains boutrht two sections at the upset prices. For the corner section, with frontages to Lambton Ouav and Brandon Street, thnv paid £1(3 nor foot, and for tho adjoining section ill' per foot, which were tolerably bi ■• prices in those days. The late Mr. C. J. Toxward, tho architect, prepared the plans for tho new buildings, and the building contract was let to Mr. John M'Komdo. In October, 1.865, the firm moved into its new premises, and having in the meanwhile opened a Loudon office. Kirkcaldie and Stains were able to open with stock imported direct from the great metropolis. From then onward the business continued to expand, and architects and builders have been repeatedly called in, and now the premises of Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd.. are probably the mast extensive in the Dominion. Li 1803 the two partners with an apprentice were 'able to serve all customers, and now there are about COO names on the pavjoll. On Monday evening all the employees were called together, and were e.ddrr-sr.-ed bv Mr. John Kirkcaldie. who dealt retrospectively witn the affairs of the firm winding im wilh lb<> pleasant announcement that on Monday next everyone on the pay-roll would receive a week's salary bv way of bonus lr> commemorate tho jubilee of Kirkcaldie and Stains. Ltd.