A GREAT ENTERPRISE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 356, 29 April 1911, Page 5

A GREAT ENTERPRISE.

GREEN & COLEBROOK, LTD. AN "AIM TO PLEASE." i | New Zealand history is made very I rapidly, and what in an older country ! would be a decade or two is here counted as ancient times. So to hark back to "ISO-5, when the young firm of ' Messrs Green and Colebrook lirst commenced business in the King Country, ; by taking over Mr J. W. Ellis' store -at Te Kuiti, is to dive into remote ; beginnings. There was no borough | and no big population in tiiose days, | and probably the two partners little ! dreamed of the great future before their enterprise. For at that time, sixteen years ago, when Mr Colebrook was manager at Te Kuiti, and Mr Green at Otorohanga, there were only two assistants. And to-day, when one looks through the spacious and commanding building recently erected the contrast between the original two and the present 21 sub-managers and assistants, is striking in the extreme. In those old days, before there was even a Bank in Te Kuiti, Messrs Green and Colebrook were practically bankers to the settlers, who owe much to the facilities given them at that time. Large sums of money were left on deposit and pass books issued, and it was only when the Bank of New Zealand opened a branch in Te Kuiti that this class of business was given U P-

Five years ago, the store which ! stands at the corner of Rora street was built and opened, and was then considered to be very much before the times. For the last two or three years the business has quite outgrown the floor space available, and the rush at certain hours of the day has proved difficult to deal with. It thus became absolutely necessary to make extensive additions, and it was ultimately decided to provide additional accommodation amounting to 2000 feet of floor space. The whole store has a frontage of 75 feet by 119 feet deep, making it the largest store in the province outside Auckland, and covering every department associated with such a business, each under the charge of a competent manager. The verandah and shop front has been re-modelled right along, and large and roomy windows have been provided in the drapery department, which, when dressed, ought to be a feature of the establishment.

In the new portion an up-to-date showroom and modern conveniences have been given. The counters run down each aide, and a neat panel screen has been provided for giving privacy to the boot department. A large cash desk and the cash carrier system is being installed, and will deal with all cash transactions in every department. The vestibule is laid with pretty inlaid tiles, and the whole structure lighted from roof windows in the daytime and by accetylene gas at night. Considerable re-arrangements have been found necessary as a result of this great extension of the premises. The old drapery counter has bee>i made into the hardware department, in charge of Mr Bartley, lately with Messrs Wingate and Co., Auckland, who intends to specialise requirements of that class. The new drapery section is in charge of Mr Boles. Mr Walton has charge of the grocery department. In the place where the old hardware department stood an up-to-date confectionery branch will be opened up. The grocery department has also bean extended 20 feet. In the older portion will thus be the hardware, confectionery, grocery, fancy-goods and bakery departments, and in the new portion of the store the mercery, boot, drapery, men's and boys' clothing, furniture and similar departments. The firm is working on progressive lines, and has no intention of standing still where it is at present. It has gradually extended its branches from its original headquarters at Te Kuiti and Otorohanga to Waitomo, Hangatiki, Ohaupo, Pio Pio, Ngaruwahia, Tuakau and Huntly, and a few years ago opened a headquarters wholesale department in Auckland. The volume of business is going ahead by leaps and bounds. Each year shows an increase on the previous year, accounted for by the fact that the firm aims at giving absolute satisfaction to every customer, and indeed, literally carries out its motto: "We aim to please." The fact of such an old-established firm making such extensions as they are just completing, shows that they have faith in the future of the King Country, a district they probably know more intimately than any other institution. In Mr F. B. Darrow Messrs Green and Colebrook, Ltd. are fortunate in possessing an able and courteous manager at Te Kuiti. The planning and supervision of the new extensions have been in charge of Mr M. W. Forsyth, architect and structural engineer at Te Kuiti, and the contract has beep carried out by Messrs Hitchcock and builders, of Te Kuiti, at a total cost of about £IBOO.