THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 302, 24 December 1907, Page 3

THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.

SOME PLACES TO SPEND LOOSE . ... CASH, Christmas has a wonderful effect on the purse-strings. Tightly though they be held during the remainder of the year, they fly open at this festive season. The great questions for the public just now are "What shall 1 buy? Where shall I buy it?" In order that the Christinas shopper may to some extent decide upon the extent of her shopping, what shops to shop at, wliat shops have the particular lines in which she j wants to shop, so that she may go out and shop at the shops where she can shop with full sitigfaction. a "News" reporter made the rounds of the town shops, and here briefly sets out the commodities to be obtained at the different places of business. Drapers and clothiers have made special provision for the holiday season.

Messrs Anilmry Bros, in their windows give some idea of the great range of values obtain ible within, and right throughout the building show the goods to the very best advantage. Ladles may here find just what thevVe seeking, either for themselves or friends. Mr Amburv enumerated the "linens" in bedspreads, pillow and sheet shams, table centres and sideboard cloths, cosy and cushion covers, hand-worked TciieriHe mats, traveloths, etc., Mich as are shown in the window: dainty Japanese handpainted table covers and table centres, lovely goods; children's silk frocks, from babyhood up, displayed all tile way up the stairs, curtains in tile latest Styles: in the showroom, beautiful stocks of children's bonnets and hoods; | in silk, muslin, guizc, and straw: ladies' ready-to-wear costumes, blouses (silk and embroidered), underskirts, feather boas, sunshades, millinery and trimmings, all specially designed for the season. The Christmas design, showing Santa Clans emerging from a chimney. i| good. Messrs \Y. Moroy and Son, when our

reporter called, were full of business. All the lines and stands have been refurnished and re decorated for the holiday purchasers. One window is full of the latest curtains, of which tTie firm recently landed a big consignment, whilst the one opposite displays a fine variety of Christmas novelties. The showroom is replete with all that is most desired by women who know how to dress. Here are fashionable dust and shower coats, dainty blouses and skirts for tennis, millinery for the racecourse lawn or the tennis courts, flowers, fruit, and all the newest trimmings. Here, too, will be found blouses in silks, lace and chiffon scarves, long gloves, wide floral ribbons for sashes and millinery in white and cream silks and muslins, and cashmeres. In the main shop see the silk, cambric and cotton blouses, children's dresses for holiday wear, hoods, and bibs. Lines are dressed with underskirts, motor scarves, and other goods suitable for practical presents. There's a great showing of curtains, tablecloths, tjuilts, and materials for summer dresses. It baa been an exceptionally busy month with Messrs White and Sons, and this has precluded the firm's making any special display. The staff has been kept hard at it unpacking and placing on sale the new shipments from the European markets, and now shoppers have the opportunity of selecting from a well-selected stock. They are well prepared with ready-to-wear travelling and holiday wear for either sex. No need to fret because there's no chance of seen ring a dressmaker—(it on one of the firm's readr-to-wenr costumes in the specially set-apart fitting room. For Christmas presents, there are embroidered traveloths. cushion covers, cosies, d'oyleys, and other white embroidered goods. Sunshades, in white and every color, millinery, feather boas, handkerchiefs. neckwear, belts, and a hundred and one other things are shown. For seaside wear the children will appreciate the mnjlin. dresses and bonnets, alt washing lines.

Mr VV. Pellew makes a special feature this Christmas of floral sprays, and millinery, and a glance at the windows of the well stocked premises is well worth while. The shop can supply anything and everything for summer and holiday wear. " Mr Pellew has the happy knack of selecting his stocks to prevent undue duplication of models, and this fact is recognised. Vendors of clothing are, of course, kept busy with Christmas and holiday shoppers. The New Zealand Clothing Company keeps its "H. 8." well to the front. If you're making a gift, have a look at the ties, handkerchiefs, tennis suits, and so on. Travelling trunks are, as usual, a big feature in the display, which includes all sporting men's requirements. Another up-to-date fresh display of men's wear is made by Mr W. T. Hookham. N'eglige shirts, tennis shirts, straw boater am! Panama hats, fashionable ties, etc., are the chief articles on view. But the. particuuar man can get just what he wants in any selection of the clothing and mercery business.

The Auckland Clothing Co. has ma do an effective window show. There's a miniature lake mirror, on which float little painted ships upon a painted ocean," swan?, etc. And above is a rainbow sky. The firm is offering £or the holiday season a freshly-selected stock iit Woodrow's and Christie's hat;, i'amma hats, tine-texture Ceylon shirts, utility shirts, cuimnerbauUs, tenuis shirts and trousers, ties, siik handkerchiefs, and travelling bags and trunks. At "The Jiash," the ready-to-wear tailor-made "I'restwell'' suit is more I than maintaining its popularity, aud I men intending to lake a trip liiid these stylish suits the very thing. There is also a new stock of the latest neckwear, light tenn|s and knock-about summer suits, tennis and other shirts, all ready for the Christmas vacation. The "Melbourne" Clothing Co., as usual, make a special display of travelling bags, hand bags, trunks, and so on. | In the windows there are shown nobby ties, fashionable hats, and stylish footwear. There are also several special lines suitable for Christmas presents. Messrs Okey, Son and Arnold have a magniticent assortment of copper, elec-tro-plate, and silver-plated ware for practical Christmas gifts. There are cruets, jam and butter-dishes, fruit stands, egg stands, and a host of others whose designs and value should appeal to those in search nf presents for friends.

In fancy goods Mr T. Averv shows an even better assortment than ever of leather and plated wares. A few lines that will appeal to lovers of fine goods are the silver-backed hair brushes, handsome dressing-cases well appointed in every particular, presentation books, post-cards and Christmas cards, and art wares.

Miss A. F. Cottier has a big display of Christmas toys for the little folks, but can also satisfy the adult shopper with picture frames, purse*. inkstands, writing cases, and a good range of leather and artielcs of a similar nature.

Mr .T. \T. Henrietta. the 'T>re«dcn" <!"- T-ot. ninVo-* a of pleasing the j littl- fiilk-. .iiifl doIK prams. tope. I drums and picture hooks arc selling in <rrcat pToftv-ion. Fancy goods sitr-h ns silver cigarette and cigar cases, matchboxes. glove and handkerchief hoxfs, purse? and writing cases are worth inspecting. Fancy good', stationery, ' picturebooks. postcards, Christmas cards, presentation liook3 and albums, fountain pens, and all the wares usually found in a well-appointed stationers' shop are to be found at Mr J. Burgess' (late Hodder's).

Mr R. Deare promises to fit you with yonr holiday footwear, and his window gives an idea of the varied stock witli-

Tlie A.B.C. Boot Depot has a special Christmas inducement in the shape of a special discount. Messrs McEwen Bros, are catering well for the season's footwear, and fashion leaders and followers of athletics can be fully satisSed with the values offered. In the provision trade there's not a minute to spare. In preparation lor 1..-morrow's least the various _ grocers and merchants are going at high pressure.

Mr .1. Wliilaker brings under notice the U--t collet 1 ion of cordials in town, jn-t the thing for cool, refreshing drinks oil thirsty afternoons. Muscatels and other fruits arc convincingly shown. Tinned iruita mid preserves, I ior salads .nid dessert are a popular line

just now. .Mr C. Carter mentioned lire big supply of i'cek, l-'rean and Co.'s biscuits for 1 afternoon teas, dainties in bottles and jars from tlie best Old World makers, I 1 iced cukn and Christina- puddings, ian m:i-' it'-I-. 'I he s!i"p is full of [ Chri-i :na> provend'-r, and tiie showroom f.f ip' M'i'.v.:ne n:irl for pre--ent-. Christmas cileries, reiniiii-ceiit of the Home Land, ar| the Cheddars, Stilton-. Corgon/.ola, etc. .Ml' Carter has al-o put of the first prize cheese at the recent Mannwatu show. It i- in fiv-h fruit line that Messrs Aroa liro-. expect big business to day. There are :ijsn muscatel-. almomK 1 prunes, and other tropic>l and sub-trop-ical fruits, ns well as canned fruits by the leading firms.

Mr J. Bennett's stock of watches and jewellery is quite eijual to tiie demand, lie lias for this season laid In a store of silver and gold watches, chains, brooches, watches, serviette rings, and other articles all suitable for presentation. Mr K. Grelner shows a fine stock of rings, watches, brooches, pendants, scarf pins, and silver and electro-plated ware suitable for gifts. A fine present for the holidays is a camera. Mr W. Fraser, chemist, is showing a big variety of the latest models.

A window full of Christmastide is at Mr A. E. Sykes' pharmacy. He has bought largely in perfumes direct from the manufacturers, through a Homo buyer, and the public secure the advantage. He is also showing a fine assortment of real ebonv-backed and other hair-brushes, suitable for the Christmas trade. Messrs T. King and Co. make their •'rst Christmas display in New Plymouth .1 the premises purchased from Mr M. 'unison. The stock is well up to the | .iiment not only in saddlery and liar- " but also in leather travelling bags, handbags, and smaller leather goods. Tin' great cake archway at the Hy- ■ onie ii.ikerv has disappeared, owing lo the vigorous onslaught of the public; but the bakery is still turning out cakes r.uil paltry of all descriptions. Messrs. Scde liros. last night made their annual display of provender for the Christmas dinner-table. There are «ue-

enleiit -licking pigs, plump poultry, juicy ducklings, and toothsome turkeys—3o(l pairs in all. In addition, there'are (id splendid huubs from (lie farms of .Mrs. •lennlns (Waitara), (". Topliss, and F. Salwa.v. Mr. Sole says (his is the finest line <\f lambs lie lias ever bundled. They have also secured the pen of maiden t' : i( belters which secured the first prize at the recent Taranaki Agricultural Show, mid these provide the prime beef. Two splendid calves supply the veal, which is really excellent meat, fit for the tabic of Royalty. Mr. E. Dingle lias just landed new

rattan ware and fancy tables. These articles are quite the' freshest in the market, and form part of the best furniture stock ill town. The popularity of the gramaphone and other talking machines reminds us that one of these useful entertainers would make an excellent Christmas gift. Should your friend already possess the machine, some new record* should prove acceptable. Bniil n's stocks have recently been heavily replenished.