On Shopping Bent.

Manawatu Herald, 22 December 1904, Page 2

On Shopping Bent.

A CHRISTMAS VISIT THROUGH FOXTON. We purpose bringing all our advertisers impartially under the notice fo Herald readers, and with that object in view take a jaunt round town to get a glimpse ot the many business premises as they present themselves to the Christmas callers. It would be useless buying up a large quantity of goods if one had no house to place them in. Therefore, although nothing novel is noticeable about a builder’s workshop, we think it advisable to mention that Alexander Speirs’ staff of carpenters will be found second to none in the district. So we will advise those contemplating matrimony to trust them with house-erections, while we content ourselves with a call on Dick Barber, who claims to be the best horse-shoer in the district. Certainly he can build a vehicle up-to-date, and his staffs experience in practical engineering often commands trade. Machinery is like humanity, it cannot last for. ever, thodgh Barber's hands can always be relied on to effectively repair a broken shaft and make things run along more smoothly. There is a bicycle business next door, conducted by ' Mr E. Howe, who has a good stock of Dayton’s, Red Bird’s, and, in fact, all first-class makes. It yod have a punctured tyre, the genial Ted will be foiind capable of filling the gap up. From bicycles to jewellery is a large order, though on the outline mapped out for this scribe, it is Only the matter ota tew yards and we observe the glitter of precious metals in the establishment of

C, L. Barnard, whose assortment of silverware is deserving of a visit from those seeking useful Xmas presents. It would be impossible to mention every article he has on view, but if you require engagement or bedding rings, brooches or trinkets of pretty design, don’t forget to look up this Shop. The average human being feels rather dull at times, and the man to’ put fresh vitality into the body is F. Healey.

This gentleman is located a little further down Main street, and he guarantees to cure you 6t any ailment. His medicinal articles are shown to effect. Still struggling on, we almost begin to feel famished when we find ourselves in the vicinity of an attractive supper room managed by Miss May Walden. We are agreeably surprised to know we can purchase Xmas cakes, and we may mention as a testimonial that this young lady’s soft drinks, fruits, and confectionery come in for commendation at the hands of the Foxton boys. Being footsore, a new pair of boots is required, and the place that strikes the eye to get satisfaction is Wright & Sons window. They say that the boots wear well, too, and, as the senior partner of the firm has been repairing “footgear" for decades past he claims to have mastered- that art. Right on the corner we find a grocer’s shop, run by A Pat, whose goods claim attention. After we have sampled his fruit, we are pleased to get out of the way of his assistants and cross the road to where Jack Overend, the shipping authority, is busy at work planning out the arrival and departure of vessels. Talk of the sea gives us raal de mer, so we pass on and soon find Phil. Hennessey’s Store. This is a busy place, to be sure! . He has an obliging set of assistants despatching orders of muscatels and almopds by the gross. Sugar, flour, raisins, etc., are going away continually to play their part in the manufacture of many of Foxton’s Xmas puddings. After casting an observant eye on his display of glass, china, and nickelware, which is of the best, we find ourselves in Main street again, this time inspecting the soft goods ot our only baker Mark Perreau. His cakes are appetising. Inside are supper rooms, and his catering is good. Not being tee-totallers, we find it impossible to accept his hospitality by partaking of Furrie’s Champagne, and glide away to order a suit of clothes from W. Baker, the fashionable tailor, whom we notice is full of work. Again, we discover more cotton, cloth, and buttons in the shop of E. E. Smith. .These tailors folk are busy-bodies at this particular season of the year. Mr Smith informs us that Osborne and Baker, of Wellington, have bought him out, and that they take possession at the beginning of next year, and, thinking we are much the wiser for our visit, we are glad to discard the cotton needle and visit Wycherly’s Saddlery, where we find much coarser threads stitching up broken traces and saddles. The manager of this establishment (Mr Frew) is at present out of town, but he has a chatty substitute, who vows that only the best of harness and leather goods are stocked by their firm. Taking his word for it, our tour is made somewhat enjoyable at sight of Shadbolt & Howan’s seasonable lambs, which strike us as making good eating. They have bullocks there for sale in pieces, and what with pork chops, sausages and civility will have little left when the shutters go down on Saturday night. Their meat is not quite tough enough to make teeth ache ; nevertheless, we wonder whether there is a dentist in the place, and we are told that W. H. Poole calls here every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and that those who who wish to suffer no longer should make it their business to call on him in his dentistry apartments above Fraser’s shop. You are admitted upstairs by the side entrance. The firm

attend daily to their business after Tuesday next. Enough of teeth, so we gaze in Alf. Fraser’s window. What do we find ? The best collection of Xmas and New Year cards it has been our lot to observe. Inside the shop a still more varied assortment meets the eye. The Xmas toys which are scattered about take thoughts back to the time when we imagined Santa' Claus to be a distinct human personage. Anyhow, Fraser’s shop is his home, and after viewing his fancy goods, books and beautiful presents, we purchase a sheet of fancy notepaper and envelope, scrawl a few lines of Xmas love and cheer, to our best girls, and feel highly delighted to think that only a few doors further down the street is Snow’s Bootshop. His boots will not wear out—at least, we should say so, judging by their bran new appearance. The next place which claims our attention is that ofSmale & Hay, where drapery of every description's offered for sale. Their suits for boys are good, judging by the large number sold, while the politeness with which the lady attendant supplies the wants of her many patrons commands a fair amount of trade. Now we set out for : a good stiff walk, but on our way do not forget to call at the Telegraph Office to extend the season’s greetings to Mr Clemett and staff. After despatching “ Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” to Mother, and posting the best girls’letters, it is only right to quench our thirst. So we make straight for Laxng’s Family Hotel, to find plenty of liquor exposed for sale. His wines and spirits are of good quality. However, we thought so, after our long journey. A change is often derirable, so we crossed to the opposite side of Main street and soon bumped up against another “ Santa Claus ” at ' . Mrs Hussey’s* This lady has her eyes well towards business, for has she not a grand display of toys, cards, novelties, and stationery. Being foil of business, she guarantees cheapness and quality. Fearing lest we may not get to our journey’s end before dark, we set out once more to inspect C. Easton’s Butchery. In his shop are lambs also. His beef, mutton, and pork looks delicious. His attendants are busy,, so without delay we make for the Post Office Hotel, and find genial host Gray in bis best spirits. His liquors are worth sampling. However, we consumed enough to take us as far along as the Bank of New Zealand, when we stopped short, and, droppjng into soliloquy, imagined pur Christmas to be a glorious one “ if ” only we possessed the gold and notes guarded behind those bars by 1 Banker England; Unlike Bill Sykes, we had weak hearts, and without further building castles in the air, we took advantage of our present freedom and visited M. H. Walker’s Store at the corner. Greetings and novelties are in abundance at the Red House. China, glass, and electroplate are stocked i n large quantities, as - are also currants, sultanas, and raisins. Having tested same, and reported favourably, we walk away only to discover we.have entered Haywood’s Hotel. This popular hostelry is well managed by Mr T. Haywood, who always has Speight’s special brew on tap. A billiard room is well looked after, as is also the dining table. Then another tramp to a tonsorial artist in the person of v E. Ball, who certainly knows how to handle th* razor and scizzors effectively. By his touch man’s hairy face is transformed back to babyhood—so clean is the artist’s work. He has a well-lighted billiard-room attached to his premises and a careful marker in attendance. Out the front door again, and we soon come in contact with Cummerfield & Spring’s, where more grocery, more crockery, more glassware, more currants, mor« potatoes, and more busy servants tell us they have no time to waste on idlers. They have business to attend to, and are expeditiously engaged therein. So we quit the haunt of the housewite, dodge past R. Moore’s Solicitor’s Office, lest he may claim 6s Bd, and taste Mrs Wright’s confectionery. It is second to none, as are her fruits and soft drinks —none of which made our feet damp. “On, On, half a Leaugue Onward,” and we behold the window of G. Stiles, which cannot fail to attract the the most dull. How nicely everything is arranged ? And what a varied stock to choose from ? We shall leave our readers to inspect for themselves. His linoleums and floorcloths do last, and his curtains are really superb. Hearthrugs, doormats, etc., are calculated to be the best in the market. Any class of mens’ clothing apparel is obtainable. Panama and Brazilian hats are in abundance. In another department, the ladies are well catered for in the matter ot dress stuffs, whilst the general seasonable display is guaranteed to satisfy the most vain. Well, we have seen enough of Christmas wares for twelve months, and, holding the opinion that our march has been profitable as well as entertaining to a marked degree, we hurry round to the Avenue to sample J. T. Levett’s Ales. We find him in readiness for our visit, and having completely refreshed ourself, stroll over for our Christmas washing, which we obtain from Soy Lee’s Laundry. Having thus completed the circuit, we walk quietly back to the “ Manawatu Herald ” Office and pat ourselves on the back, for we

—- know full well that at this up-to-date printing establishment all that the truth can tell is told. Try us once with printing work of any description, and you are sure to give us the second , call. .