BANNATYNE AND HUNTER, LTD.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 161, 2 April 1919, Page 3

BANNATYNE AND HUNTER, LTD.

Tho firm of Bannatyne and Hunter, Ltd., Wholesale. .Merchants, corner of Wakefield and Allen Streets, have been established in the merchant quarter of Courtenay Place since 1805, occupying their own warehouse on part of the Harbour Board's Grainger Street block. Large and complete stocks aro carried of all lines required by general storekeepers, confectioners, chemists, tobacconists, etc. Among tho numerous agencies held by the firm are the famous chocolate and cocoa house or j. a.' Fry and S~ons, Ltd., .Bristol and London. They are the oldest firm in tho trade, letters patent having been grant-

Ed to them by King George II in 1729. They employ about 10,000- workpeople, and are the largest English firm manufacturing cocoa and chocolates, their I capital being two and a half millions sterling, Unfortunately, since the restrictions placed upon the exportation of foodstuffs from England during the war period, stocks of this favourite make of chocolate have been practically unprocurable,' but fresh, supplies aro now expected at any time. Other confectionery agencies aro Craven and Sons, York, England, established 1822. Keilson's, of Toronto, Canada, is a lino of chocolate confectionery recently placed on the New Zealand market, and is rapidly gaining favour, and bids fair to outrival some of its American competitors. New Zealand confectionery is a'so largely distributed wholesale by Baumilyrio and Hunter, Ltd., and includes the following manufacturers:—Dainties, Ltd., of Christchurch (late Atlas Biscuit Co.), Guillermo and Co., Christchurch, J. 51. 31'ennie, Ltd., Auckland, Stewart and Co., Dunedin, and tile "Elite" Toffee do Luxe, which, though made in New Zealand, is, a serious rival to the Eng-lish-made' toffee. ,', .

Amongst the firm's other agencies arc tho well-known spices, coffees, neppers, etc., of B. Strang, Ltd,, Invemirgill, the "Flag" brand sauces, pickles, etc.,, of Hayward' Bros., Ltd., of Christchurch,' and (ho --old-established. "n.~u favourite household soaps and.St. Mungo washing powder, of John ,'Newton ; and' Sons, Ltd., Kaiwarra. . ■ Finally, -the world-famous Columbia graphophones and records are supplied to the dealers from this corner building in Wakefield Street.

■ "All .shades •of musioal taste are provided for, from the' 'masterly singing, of"Clara Butt, Elsa Stralia, Liissnro, Burrientos, and Zenatello, i.nd the equally wonderful interpretation of instrumental music by-Pablo Casals, Sir Henry Wood, and tho. Beecham Orchestras, Ysaye,.'and a.host of. others; to the latest London revue, by ;tho original .'lpudon artistes ■and the'rollicking fun of the inimitable Geo. Robey. 'All these records arc still ottered to the public n\ precisely the 6amo prices as in pre-war; day.;, tins fact alone making Columbia Records unique in their appeal-to the public. In spite of almost insuperable difliculties, which included' tho partial commandeering of the Columbia factories for war purposes, snd'tlto loss by tiro in WIS of a large portion of the company's plant, supplies of grafonolas 'and records, with the well-known notes as trademark, have 'been, arriving at. almost regular intervals, and giving-pleasure .to thousands of New ed by'/arrangement.)