W. ADAIR’S EMPORIUM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1361, 27 September 1883, Page 3

W. ADAIR’S EMPORIUM.

Hearing of the large shipments which w ere arriving for Mr VV. Adair, we resolved to test the accuracy of the reports, and accordingly presented ourselves at his fine emporium yesterday, where we saw that gentleman, who, in answer to the questions pfied, courteously invited us to see and judge for ourselves. We thereupon accepted his proffered kindness, and entering the tront door passed round to the left, where we were first shown the Men’s Clothing Department. Here we saw clothing and suits of every quality and size. English, Kaiapoi and Victorian tweed suits in every shade and colour. Shirts—Crimean, regatta, and White* sporting and tennis, in merino and cotton, the latter in every variety, those bound in blue and red being an entirely new and becoming article ; alao some in crepe looked very delicate and attractive. This department is also replete with men’s underclothing in merino flannel and cotton in every sue and quality. Men’s Boots and Shoes. The boot and shoe department adjoins the latter, and is well stocked with all descriptions of Colonial and English manufacture, comprising watertights and shouting bouts, walking buots and shoes, and dress boots in kid, Calf, and patent leather ; also, cricket and lawn tennis shots, and slippers, in all sizes. We were next shown some Saddlery. Here we saw some tine, strong and handsome saddlery, comprising ladies saddles and bridles, plain and ornamented, and gentlemen’s pigskins and bridles of the best workmanship and highest finish, with plated bits and stirrups of the best quality. We also saw some splendid saddles which were Belling at £3, worth £5, and saddle-cloths of every pattern, and courier bags, carpet bags, Gladstone bags, together with a variety of portmanteaus in bazil and leather. We now entered another apartment which contained Men’s Hats and Caps. Here were felt hats, soft and hard, felt and merino helmets, lawn tenuis and yachting hats, of various shapes and qualities, youths’ and boy’s hats and caps in every variety. We also noticed some nice looking tweed hats which were greatly surprised to hear were selling at 3s instead of ss. We next inspected the Ladies’ Fancy Dress Department. Here were piles of new spring goods just opened up, comprising beautiful silks and satins, plain and brocaded ; oatmeal cloths, plaid and fancy ; muslins and mercellas, and a large assortment of new colours in French merinos and Hoyle’s prints (fast colours), with an unlimited variety of plain and printed sateeus. The new stock of beautiful spring goods in this department will repay an inspection, Amongst these we noticed some very pretty brocaded siik and satin umbrellas and sun shades in all colours, shades, and shapes; black aud white real Maltese and Guipre laces, and a very large and se.ect assortment of brocaded and fancy ribbons. We also saw some very pretty patterns of striped linen drills ; also shawls in wools, Saxony and Mosgiel-Mauds. The glove department deserves special attention, as it comprises kids, silk and cotton 2,4, and 6-button, in every shade and colour. The Hosiery department was replete with Lisle threads, plum aud fancy cottons, &c. We were next taken into the Ladies’ Boot and Shoe Store . Here were to be seen boots and shoes in calf, kid, cloth, and prunella, of French, English, and Colonial make; also lawn tennis shoes and slippers. Emerging from this store we passed large piles of blankets in every conceivable colour, and quantities of table covers in velvet pile and printed cloths, table damasks ana napkins. We now proceeded upstairs to the Millnery Department. Here we found a large and spacious room with handsome show cases down the centre and on the right and left containing hats and bonnets, trimmed in the most fashionable and tasty style ; English and French millinery, also feathers, fruit, and flowers, the latter looking so real that we felt inclined to smell them ; childrens’ dresses and pelisses, sun hats and bonnets sweet and pretty, baby linen and ladies underclothing, brocaded uoltnans, cashmere capes and dolmans, ladies skirts and costumes together with ladies and children's stays. All these must be seen to be appreciated. Adjoining this we found the Dressmaking Department.

Here Mrs Vandy and her large staff of artistes fabricate costumes and dresses in such style and taste as to please and delight the most exacting and fastidious connoisseur, showing equißite perfection of taste. We now visited the large Wholesale Department. Which was crowded with innumerable cases, boxes, and packages piled around, containing every description of articles kept in stock. We next passed into the Wholesale Grocery Department. Here were teas with all manner of strange names, one of which we remember was called ** Cock of the Walk,” which has a beautiful aroma and flavor to match, which is highly recommended. It is composed of a judicious mixture of the finest Indian and China teas. Wine, Spirit, and Malt Store. Our courteous conductor now descended to the basement of the building, where we found one of the largest and best stocked cellars we have seen in the colonies—dry and cool. Here were Whiskeys of many brands, including Walker’s Teacher’s and Kinahan’s ; fine old brandies, including Hennessy’s 1 and 3 star, and others; Old Tom and square Gins, English Ales, Porter and Stout?, including Bull Dog and all other weL known brands; Champagne, Moet and Chandon, Crown and Star brands. Choice old Ports and Sherries, Clarets, rich, full, fruity and dry; Australian wines both red and white, including favorite rich Burgandy Grenache, fiue dry Constantia, rich Frontignac, fine aroma Muscadine, clear Sherry, soft round Maderia, favorite Tokay, nutty Pedro Ximines, and Hock Reisling, &c.. In connection with this department is a large and roomy bonded store. Passing out we saw a fine roomy fire-proof strong-room, with a massive iron door We next passed through a well lighted and well fitted office into the Retail Grocery Department. which was well stocked with everything conceivable in that line. Seeing a very large quantity of corn brooms, and remarking upon them, we were informed by Mr Adair that he had bought such a very large stock on account of them being an extraordinary bargain, which enabled him to sell a 3s broom at Is 6d. This completed our round which had been too hurried to do any thing approaching justice to an establishment which would grace and do honour to the largest trading firm and finest town in the whole colonies. We cannot close this article without wishing its courteous proprietor that amount of prosperity and success which his efforts and large enterprise so richly merits.