CHRISTMAS AMONG THE DRAPERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 307, 23 December 1908, Page 4

CHRISTMAS AMONG THE DRAPERS.

MOREY AND SON EXTEND. For some years past Messrs. Morey and Sou have suffered from want of 1 space in which to display what are commonly known as show-room goods. Ladies understand the meaning of this comprehensive term, and they know aho ' the pleasures of shopping when delightfully trimmed millinery, children's . pretty finery, sunshades, scarves, belts, and so on, are displayed in n manner that admits of easy inspection. A cramped, overcrowded showroom docs not present the -same delights to the shopper, and it certainly operates uuI favorably for the firm, because goods well shown are half sold and goods that cannot readily be inspected have to he "pushed." All of this has been quite apparent to this enterprising linn, and recently the increase of business and demand for further space has compelled them to again add to their already line premises, so that now the shop and show-rooms extend fully 120 feet back from Devon street. The latest addition is a second show-room, and the ladies of this department seem to fully appreciate the enlarged and improved quarters. The scores of attractive and fashionable lines that formerly had to be kept in their boxes «iu now he (lis- ; played to advantage, and at this season i the showrooms are u picture. The in- ■ terior decoration is of pale green, with . | white ceiling, an excellent foil for the : | many gay colors included in tile stock , of millinery, .sunshades, crepe de cheno . I scarves, siik. underskirts, lace, and silk ties, iauey handkerchiefs, gloves, and

so on, most of the above lines being in good demand just now for Christmas presents. Mention should be made also of the fine range of dustcoats and blouses and of the tunics, sun hats and ' sun bonnets, and innumerable other articles that one associates with children at the seaside and adults on holiday. The arrangement of the new department rellects great, credit upon the staff. The linn's forward move should be productive of increased business du :- ing the festive -season. The whole of tile establishment is fully stocked with the very latest designs in dress goods of all kinds, costumes, dress pieces, unidlins, curtains, damasks, trayeloths, embroideries and laces, and all those things which the summer weather dictates are necessaries. The additions and consequent improved facilities are bound t> bring the usual reward of well-judged enterprise.

AIII3URY BKOS. 'Messrs. Ambury Bros, have a Christmas display that is charming in Us variety. Indoors, on the , counters, stages, and lines is a bewildering collection of —well, everything. The window decoration, as usual, is very effective, and they are "selling windows," not ornamental only. In the large corner window the firm conveys its greetings to customers, the words being outlined in folded handkerchiefs. At the back of this window a representation of aii hour-glass shows the last few sands of 1908 trickling down, and the prospective 1009 ready to commence its journeying. The trade portion of the showing is from the "fancy" department, and the dainties of the showroom are here. Gloves including Dent's, the best in the world—millinery, flowers, sunshades, handkerchiefs, fancy neckwear, children's frocks, and real Maltese lace scarves. The next window, on the Brougham-street front, is devoted in curtains. Furnishings fill the next, with hearthrugs, mats, linoleums, and tablecovers en suite, fringes and draping;, tapcst'ry covers and casement covers, all prettily arranged in color scheme. A study in wliite is the household linen window on the same frontage. In thH the window-dresser has nattily placed on view a fine selection of goods which are very suitable for Christmas presents. There are hand-made Tonerifl'e cloths and runners, embroidered bedspreads, I hand-embroidered Irish linen cloths a:i I runners. Irish linen damask cloths U\ I several sizes and liordercd. duchesse seis, supper and afternoon cloths, quilts. I d'oyleys, towels, and so on. The second [ Devon-street window is devoted to costumes, silk blouses in lovely variety, dustconts, underskirts in silk and embroidered, silk and lace mantles, sunshades in all Hie prevailing shades. The men's clothing and mercery department is also in holiday garb, the work of Mr. A. Andmry, jun. Ties are suspended from arches in all directions and almost invisible wire trellises. The ties ar--' new, just opened for the Christmas trade. Straw hats, neglige hats, tennis and other shirts, fancy vests, boy«' washing suits, tennis, cricket, and bowling suits and hats are included in .the display.

WHITE AND SONS. .Messrs. White and Sons find that all the room in their new premises is required for the display of the large purchases made in the English and Continental markets for the general summer and special Christmas trade. The Home buyers did their work well, as has been amply proved by the ready manner in which the firm's moderately priced seasonable novelties have been purchased by their regular and new customers. They have had a busy time recently, with the result that no special Christmas effect is planned in the shop arrangement, but all the goods, nevertheless, are effectively placed on view. In the fancy department there is a pretty collection of the newest neckwear, ineluding tile exquisite Elizabethian ruf(lles with waterfall plastrons. JWts arc 1 in great variety, including some pretty ■ effects in gold tinsel and Oriental patterns. Rummer hosiery in black and tan is a special feature, Gloves are offered i in cotton, Lisle thread, and kid, in all [shades to match all costumes. These are a favorite Christmas gift, particularlly the "PalladiiW glove, which the firm finds is still increasing in popularity after fifteen years' experience of the [ local market. In the Manchester department there is a large stock of curtains, bought at "job" prices, and selling at low values. Another department that is very popular at this time of giving is the household linen portion of ' the establishment, where fancy napery of all kinds is stocked. The designs in traycloths, Tenerill'e and other work, are quite exclusive, and will repay inspection. Ladies desiring to make a gift to » member of the opposite will find here a line range of ties that should please even the most fastidious taste. Summer suits, summer shirts, summer hose, summer hats ,etc, are obtainable in all styles at all prices. Heturning to the ladies' departments, (Ire visitor will find the show-room replete with millinery. There are hats in.height of elegance, huts for the picnic and for lire seaside. There are ready-made washing costumes for (he holiday season, children's hats ami bonnets, and so on.