PAHIATUA NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3078, 24 December 1908, Page 6

PAHIATUA NEWS.

(From Our Resident Reporter)*

CHRISTMAS JOTTINGS.

Wednesday

Christmas is once again upon us, and our Pahiatua tradesmen are not behind the times with Christmas goods of all kinds to cater for every class of the general public. Visiting Mr J, K. Carpenter, one of our leading bootmakers, popularly known as the "Pahiatua Bootman," I was informed that his Christmas sale was a great success, and he thought this ■was due to the fact that people could rely on his stock to consist of the latest styles and fashions. Buying direct from the Home market, he was able to give his customers a good article at prices equal to those in the <ity, and, added Mr Carpenter, "I am quite satisfied that the residents here knew a good article when they see it"

Going along to Sandford and Co.'s j drapery establishment, Mr Bur- J rougts, the manager, said they were ; having a great rush on the men's clothing and mercery department. ""The special box suits are something Tve are proud of," said Mr Burrous?n.-, "and we are hardly abie to cope with the increasing orders for them; in fact we had to telegraph for extra supplies last week. These suits are guaranteed to fit and keep their shape, and what is more pleasing to us, people are getting a second and third suit Irom us, while we are stocking a line of boys' Norfolk suits'of a similar make. Another line that is finding favour is the dress .goods, and we are fortunate enough to buy a warehouse clearance of 500 .yards, all this season's goods, many of which we are selling at less than fcalf-iprice." The showroom is a picture of the latest novelties for ladiss, and is in charge of Miss Kiernan. The firm are undoubtedly keepang their name to the front for the quality of their goods and the attention paid to customers.

Further down the street, at Mrs Moncrieff's old shop, Mr A. Pringle is found busy with his Christmas •display of all kinds of furnilur", and he mentioned that people were beginning to appreciate a shop that stocked everything in the furniture line, and that they did not need to send to outside centres for articles in the furnishing line. "Christmas goods at your own price," remarked ,iMrs Moncrieff of her portion of the shop. "People have found out that my sale is a genuine one, and as—

'My time is short, I soon must quit; So if you your pockets jingle, Empty them here, for honest goods; And make more room for Pringle."'

Once again the smell of leather is noticeable, and Mr Richardson, .saddler, smilingly states that though not dealing in Christmas goods yet he is feeling the benefit nf the joyous season. "This fine set of harness," he remarked of a splendid specimen of the saddler's art, '"was made to the order of a resident beyond Palmerston North." A further move is made down the street to another new house-furnisher, Mr W, Entwhistle, and at his bench, toiling hard, he is found making a bedroom suite. "I am making all my furniture here," said he, "and I have been very lucky in securing a good line of extra well-seasoned timber." Then a visit to the well-known "Mart" in Wakeman street elicited the fact that business was improving, and, said Mr Mitchell, "orders for fruit, poultry and Christmas lines in general are coming in freely."

This morning I was quite surprised on entering Mr Koss* chemist shop to find he was unpacking three very large cases, which he informed me contained an extensive and varied assortment of cameras. On my return in the afternoon, I was much pleased by the beautiful display of cameras in the window. Mr Ross informs me they are at all prices from 15s each up to £5, so that anyone desirous of giving a useful and instructive present to their friends, male or female, at this festive season, in my opinion cani.ot do better than procure one of them.' Should anyone desire a camera or anything in the line of photography, he should not hesitate, but go and see Mr Koss, who will be very pleased to show him the assortment of cameras, and explain the working of any'of them.

I called at Messrs J. VV. Sturton and Co.'s, general providers, and managed to secure a moment with Mr Sturton. He reports that although the weather is not quite seasonable, business is quite up to expectations. He mentioned that the firm laid themselves out particularly for country trade, and made a specialty of farmers'requirement?. "As our stock comprises everyday requirements," remarked Mr Sturton, "we have not experienced any sel back iu the recent so-called bad times." At Mr H. A. Thomson's hook and fancy goods shop, we find Mr and Mrs Thomson up to their eyes in work, and they have a really grand display of Christmas dolls, toys and books. A new line of coloured views of Pahiatua have just come in and are sell irig rapidly "and the only trouble is" said Mr Thomson, "that the shop is not half large enough to show our large stock. We stock all the weekly papers, and aho the Wairarapa Age."

At Hannah and Co.'s, Mr F. G. Milne, the popular manager, stated that their stock af Christmas goods excelled those of previous years, "and never before," mentioned Mr Milne, "have we held such a large and well assorted variety of footwear, suitable for all classes, from ladies' pumps to men's heavy watertights. The prices are within the reach of all." The window display reflects great credit on the firm for | their enterprise, in offering such a varied assortment to the town and ■country residents.

Looking into Allan Campbell and Co.'s drapery establishment, Mr Campbell remarked that all he wanted was the people to come in and inspect the large Christmas display, and he felt sure that once seen, they would not go away without buying, as every Jine was remarkably'cheap.

Then a visit to Donald and Eastwood's well-known cycle and motor establishment found that firm's em-

ployees very busy. "Our business in the motor trade is steadily increasing," said Mr Eastwood, "just have a peep at our up-to-date workshop. We have all the latest appliances and machinery for repairing motors at a moment's notice, and being a centre for Wellington, Napier and Wanganui, we have to hold a large supply of benzine, motor tyres and all accessories. We are agents for the famous 'Stuart' motors, and Raleigh, Rudge-Whitworth, Pahiatua, Centaur and Premier cycles."

Stepping into the Trocadero, recently taken over by Mr E. Wintringham, 1 found everything in up-to-date order. The place has been renovated all through, and gave the appearance of every home comfort being accorded to patrons. Mrs Wintringham took me upstairs to inspect the private drawing-room for ladies, and the gents' private sitting room, which for comfort would be hard to beat in the Dominion. "We have had all the furniture renewed, and are doing our best," said that lady, "to make everyone feel they are at home."

Going over to P. Bentley and Co., bootmakers, Mr Bently said he would like to thank all his customers who had supported them since starting business in Pahiatua, and as a Christmas present the firm were reducing the price of boots and shoes. "In our repairing department we are doing good business," said Mr Bentley. The W.F.C.A. reported that they were fully stocked with Christmas goods of the best variety, "for," said Mr Godso, manager of the drapery department, "it pays us to stock only the best of goods, as they are the cheapest in the long run. In fact, we have everything from a needle to a bar of soap, and we may wall be termed the 'Universal Providers.' "

Our local hairdressers, Messrs M. Quirk and H. Taylor, are having a busy time attending to customers, and have a good window display. The secretary of the Mangatainoka Sports' Society informed me this morning that all arrangements were complete for the Sports on Saturday next. The sprint events will be run in heats, and for the first time in tapes. Masterton residents desirous of spending a pleasant day's outing will be able to do the journey in the one day. Special trains will leave Masterton -at 7 o'clock and 10.5 o'clock on Boxing morning, and Mangatainoka in the evening at 8.25 o'clock.

The cantata, "Bethelem," which was so successfully rendered in the Presbyterian Church recently, will be again repeated in the Olympic Theatreat an early date'in aid of the Hospital.

Mr J. J. Doyle left for Dunedin yesterday to take up his duties there.