Messrs Kirkaldie and Stains' Establishment.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3936, 12 October 1891, Page 3

Messrs Kirkaldie and Stains' Establishment.

Moch has been said and much has been written of late as to the bad times now being experienced in New Zealand. In many instances, doabtless, tbere is only too much foundationjbr such statements, bu<; on the other hand many firms are now enjoying a season of prosperity, owing to their businesslike system of management, which presents a pleasing contrast to the depression which in many parts is so apparent. Ooe of the moat undoubted successes among&i Wellington business establishments is that of Messrs Kirkcaldie and Scains, of Lamb ton Quay, the well known drapers, &c. Established twentyeight years, their cash Bystem ot trading, combined with caref al attention to the wants of cnstomeis, has placed them in a foremost position among colonial firms, and, judging from the past, there is every reason to exfect an increase of business, which lftely in time to assume almost proportions. We were recently afforded the opportunity of making a tour through the extensive premises occupied by this firm, and were thu3 enabled to obtaia a much better idea of the extent of their stock, and the amount of business done, than from a merely casual visit. The first department that came under our noiiec was the millinery, to which.Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains have for many years paid particular attention, in return for which they have gained a reputation for exceptional tasie, combined with one equally important—moderate charges. Dainty hats and bewitching bonnets were there in grand profusion and of variety capable to satisfying the most fastidious taste, while the fact that the} have just arrived in the latest Home boat, is a sufficient testimony as to their being of the most recent fashion—without which qualUy of course, the loveliest head gear is to a woman unbecoming. Any attempt at description would require more space than we have at our command, and we must therefore content ourselves with recommending our lady readers to go and see for themselve , feeling sure that if they do, they will not be dissatisfied. The dress saloon is one of the finest in the colony. It is well lighted and comjnodions to a degree. Here we are shown light Cheviot tweeds, Saxony tweeds, camel hair tweeds, jacket tweeds, &c, a special line being some very fine shot foulards, with scroll and running leaf patterns, which, in our humble judgment, would "njke up" charmingly. Without going into further particulars, except to mentioning that tbere is here displayed every kind of material that can possibly be required, a complete assortment of children's dresses, we pass to the Mantle Department

where we see graceful visites, trimmed with lace jet, black lace mantles, t] dust cloaks in bine, grey, white, j and in fact in all colours and all . styles ; cloth-covered mack- % intoshes, a great improvement on the old-fashioned waterproof; capes, in all colours, for summer wear; jackets; blonses, in all shades of silk; Newmarkets, jerseys, ete., etc, Passing on to the washing cotton jy fabrics, we find some very handsome delaine 3, with running viae leaf and f scroll patterns, which Mts&rs K. and 8- have made a special line; besides d ginghams, checked and figured, Scotch zephyrs and ginghams, figured sateens embroidered washing robes, in all colours, and black embroidered cotton robes J very light and eminently suited for summer wear. fl A glance at the ladies' glove depart- 0 ment fully explains the reasons why i tlAprm have gained such a reputation i ( for perfectly fitting and good wearing gloves. They are sole agents for the celebrated Ernest Calvat'B goods, _ which are kept in stock of all sizes and lengths, besides Dent's and Florence gloves, which can be obtained in every variety, colour and make, PasAg on we visit the umbrella and sunshade department, where is dis« C played a complete assortment of these useful articles, from the fashionable j En Tont Cas and chiffon sunshades j (very. handsome) to the plain shot t ; parasols and diminutive children's 5 Sunshades., r The lace department has had special t attention paid to it this season, more 8 especially in view of the fact that it is ? to be very much worn in the ensuing j summer. Chiffon, grenade, Swiss j embroideries, etc., are displayed i here is a most tastefully attractive manner, with fall nets, scarve, sashes, and in fact everything _ that goes to make such a department complete in every detail. Passing by the : la : £]ies.' blpuseg and the fancy, scent, and haberdashery department, which are characterised by the same completeness and attention to detail which are everywhere noticeable in - these premises, we are shown over the c . Manchester and Furnishing Department-, the special feature in which is the immense stock of curtains of every shade and quality, besides which there •re some very handsome Soman rug or sofa covets, made from the waste silk; table covers, quilts, and antimacassars, in ill shades and of the latest patterns, nor must we forget to mention the very beautiful Liberty art "muslins that are here on view,"in ajl the »w art shade's. " The.' 3stfesi Tailoring and the Men's «£ .ts we "find complete in Itail, and our attention is then to the remarkably in which the *i»d°w3 l}ave f beep set put, but as the latter can be , seen by every passer-by, we refrain ' ftom further remarking on what to every observer must appear a very artistic display. St. George's Hall, further down Lambton Quay, is where the carpets are kept. Not so attractive to the <ae, perhaps, are th« thick ro )i(,i ™f*l "*»" w«" warehouse,, but when a courteous attendant unrolls them, we are shown Axminsters of a pile and design fit to covet the floor oE a palace, while "Wiltons, Kidderminster, Brussels, etc., are there, not by the yard only f but almost, we venture to say, by the mile. Bear, leopard, racoon tail, and wolf skin rags, -are there in abundance, New Zealand industry being represented in the shape of 4»me very nice sheepskin rugs. Jt must not be supposed that in the above description we have enumerated all the goods that may be obtained at this immense establishment. More apace by far than we have at our command would be required to do it full justice, and we have simply endeavoured to show that in every detail Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains' emporium if of such completeness and variety as may be equalled, but scarcely surpassed, by any similar firm in l h e Colony. In conclusion, we wish to convey our thanks to the heads of the various departments who, in spite of the pressure of business, gave as a hearty welcome and pointed out with great clearness the leading lines of the goods placed under their care.-' Adyt.