SIR F. T. SARGOOD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 371, 25 May 1889, Page 3

SIR F. T. SARGOOD.

I Ouk cablegrams announce that among the * colonial recipients of Birthday honours will be the Hon. Colonel Sargood, C.M.G., M.L.C.,' of Victoria, who is to be made a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. ' As the iirm of which Sir Frederick ' Sargood i.s the head may now be regarded 1 as belonging almost as much to New Zea- ! land as Co Victoria, the following notice, 1 which appeared in a recent issue of the 1 "British Journal of Commerce," will be read'with interest. ( "Of the Hon. Col. Frederick Thomas 1 Sargood, C.M.G. — thepresentseniorpartner of the firms — it is not too much to say that there are few men who possess in a greater degree the many essential qualifications for i developing a large, mercantile concern than he ; keen perception, sound judgment, judicious enterprise, and thoroughly upright principles, are .his marked characteristics. By his indomitable will and strict integrity he has i not only contributed largely to the success / ol the farm, but in commercial and social I circles there are few men who are better known or more widely appreciated in the Australasian. colonies. Throughout his deservedly - prosperous, career ho has not studied his own individual interests only, but has ever been ready to assist in any way the promotion of trade and commerce and the genei'al welfare and prosperity ot the polony of Victoria. In the administration of its government he has taken a very active part, having been for a number of years a member of the Legislative Council, and for a Jengfchtoned- period held a seat m the Ministry. He'was'the Minister of Defence for the colony, and whilst in that office, largely by his efforts, a paid militia force was initiated. He has always been an ardent volunteer, and still is a great supporter of the movement," and by his efforts arid liberality he has contributed largely to its success in Victoria. During the term of his ministry, for his many eminent services, 'the distinction of C.M.G. was conferred upon him ; and we hope ' that ere long Her Majesty will see fit to honour him with some still higher tille, which his work for the good of the colony so justly merits. He will also in future be remembered as the vice-president of the recent Melbourne Exhibition, and to his untiring efforts, assiduous labour, and generous assistance in its promotion, organisation, and general direction are due in a great measure its brilliant and unqualified success. He was president of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in ISB6. .His present partners in Melbourne are Mr Henry Butler, Mr Robert Nichol, and his son, Frederick George 'Sargood. It is about eleven years sinde' MessiVßutl-er and Niohol joined the firmj when Mr Nichol came home. These gentlemen had previously carried on a similar business in Melbourne, in premises adjoining those occupied by Messrs Sargood, Son, and Co,, but at that time the two businesses were amalgamated, and the house assumed its present title. Mr Sargood was exceptionally fortunate in securing two such astute and energetic partners as these gentlemen,' who since they joined the firm have materially contributed to the expansion of the Melbourne business. Upwards of thirty years ago — the firm having grown to such an e>tent — it was found necessary to open a buying house in London. For this purpose Mr Sargood, sen., returned to this country and took the sole control of this department. This proved agreatacquisition to the success j and development of the firm, for being a man of astuteness, great foice of character, and colonial experience, he was thoioiighly conversant with all its requirements, and was able to superintend the selection of goods most suitable to its people. The buj'ing department here— 'now under the joint direction of Mr Ewen and Mr Nichol, - the former of whom leturned frbm the colony in 1868 -has become a very important feature in the firm's business. They occupy $, very fine block of buildingb, with an * exceptionally good staff of buyers and .packets; and thus they 'have advantages such as few colonial houses possess. Mr Nichoi also, in , addition to supervising, does some of the buying in London ; bub it is Mr John Alexander Ewen who occupies the chief official position in the establishment, all financial matters' being .under his supervision. The firm is trading under the name of Sargood, Butler and Nichol, and Sargood, Son and Ewon. Mr Ewen is a gentleman well known in commercial circles- in London, being connected with several prominent companies. He is a dhector of the BanU of New Zealand, the' Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, and of the fire department of the South British and National Insurance Companies In the political world he is well known as an ardent .Liberal, and occupies several prominent positions in this respect. He has onvaiious occasions been requested to offer himself as a candidate for Parliament), which up to the present time he has declined. The New Zealand business is now under the control of Mr John Boss, who ;s a partner in the firm so far as it relates to that colony. In this respect again the firm have been exceptionally fortunate in securing the services of a man of such thorough business capacity as Mr Ross. With the strictest integrity he combines great determination, untiring energy, and the general ability for developing the business of the house, which he has done to a considerable degree ; tor not only has this now become the largest business' of its kind in New Zealand, but it is correct to say that there is no other firm in that colony which in any way approaches it in its dimensions and volume of business.'*. The principal classes of goods which the firm as merchants and warehousemen distribute to almost every pare of the Aus-> tralasian colonies and South Sea Islands are soft goods of every description, boots and shoes, which the film themselves manufacture largely, and almost every kind of fancy goods. In all cases the greatest care is exercised in the selection of stock, good quality at the lowest value being studied in all departments ; and in every way the firm make their clients' interests identical with their own. The limits of our space force us to a conclusion ; but from the above brief remarks our friends on the other side of the globe will be able to obtain an outline of one of those firms who have been instrumental in building up the greatest of these important dependencies ; .a house which in every phase of its long career has earned its wide fame by strict adherence to sound and upright principles, just methods, and a policy of spirit combined with prudence.

"Whom has Harrison appointed- mini«ter to Samoa ?" I don'fc know. I don'fc think he has appointed anybody yet." "I should think he would give the place to John L. Sullivan — that is if he wants to promote peace." " Why so ?" •• Why there's never any fighting where Sullivan is.' A centenarian, who begged in the streets of Paris, and who has just died, boasted that he drank a bottle of wine daily. The way to keep away death, he said, was fresh «ir and no trouble,