A VISIT TO THE "D.I.C." WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3995, 22 December 1891, Page 2

A VISIT TO THE "D.1.C." WELLINGTON.

Nowadays it is not only neoes« % sary to keep a large and attractive stock to seoure a place in tho competition for publcj* favour, but art decoration as applied to the immediate surroundings of the place in which one goes to purchase the utilities and adornments of life, and good arrangements which secure the transaction of business with a minimum of trouble and a maximum of comfort all combine to make shopping 1 a pleasure rather than a matter of troublesome duty. A person thor-. > oughly realises these conviotions, writes our Wellington correspondent, if he pays » visit at the present time to that latest commercial institution and hive of industry, the new D.1.0. Co operative stores, in Panama and Brandon streets, Wellington, where i is now on exhibjfcn a most beautiful and couiprebenlwe stock of every possible article of bodily and household equipment and afljfcaent. But it is the wonderful u&ortment of Christmas novelties and new summer goods which most inoites popular enthusiasm and admiration, and it was these our representative was invited by Mr A. A. Oorrigan, the Company's courteou3 manager, to inspeot. They, indeed, revealed a wealth of tasteful choice, and the ] step of sending a buyer to the Oonti« t nent and England to specially select the latest conceptions of the year, has proved an eminently successful one to judge by results, and the D.I.C. is fortunate in possessing in I many instances lines of goods which have been sent to no other warehouse in the Colony. Mr Corripan first conducted us , to the Fancy Department. This, thronged as it is by thousands of visitors every day as Christmas draws nigh, contains a [wonderful collection of objeots of art and of trifles humorous, fanciful, and pretty. The Christmas and New Year cards are a marvel of artistio de.. • sign, and for originality and chaste* ness of subject, as well as in point of execution, they have never before been equalled. This remark applies to even the least costly, and none are expen« . sive, for from Id to Is 6d is about the outside range of price. This year's Christmas cards and illustrated booklets are indeed typical of the successful application of the artist's genius and poetic illustration in a manner which even the least wordly-andowed among us can tf>& advantago of, for these tasteful ana charming booklets and these lovely cards are modest in price. There are simply thousands of them at the D.1.C., and admirably arranged, too, on special stands where all can be seen at a glance, We next turned to the Fanoy Department in general, whose treasures, displayed in show cases, on stalls, Lxia on stands in a most elegant and spacious apartment, were simply bewildering in their wealth of number and enticing qualities. They aro admirably exhibited on stands graded according to price, and the good value of the articles on the one shilling table is, for instanoe, a startling revelation of how far a shilling v, will go in purchasing a really nice present. The dolls again are good. - There are simply thousands of them, and although many are exquisitely modelled and fashionably dressed, none are expensive, while some are very cheap. A marvellous collection of mechanical toys, all them new to Wollimgjon, whioh form the most extraordinary feats, are a source of wonderment to every child who visits cho show-room,and in many cases to the parents, too. But it is impossible to enumerate all the attractions in Fancy Department—our readers must visit it when they are in Wellington—for around us are photograph frames of every fashion, handsome leather ware, fans, books, writing cases, stationery,. perfumery, fretwork, carving, artistio fire screens of pattern, plaques, basket-ware, music, what-nots, and a thousand other things both of beauty and of use. N.owu—wo follow the manager Jownstairs. The China ware Department and the Hardware Department each demand attention, The newest tints and latest thing out in fanoy glassware, a consignment of the famous Doultou ware from Lambeth (first bt to reach Wellington, and nearly all gone already), Dresden lace porcelain, orystal in three different shades, biscuit China, all arrest the eye and secure a lingering glance of admiration. Silver-plate, too, is a leading line here, and the stock in it is of the most extensive range. The visitor may noxt be taken to the Boot and Shoe Department, handling ontbowayas we pass a show-case the D.I.C. specialty glove, a tour-button tan kid glove at 2s lid—wonderful value the ladies say! The Boot Department, roomy, lofty and well fitted, with a private fitting room for ladies, contains ladies', children's and gentlemen's boots and shoes of every kind and quality, iuoluding among the imported goods, some stylish evoning wear.

The Clothing and Tailoring branch is the last to be inspected. It embraces everything in mercery, readymade clothing, hats and caps and travelling gear, such as rugs, Gladstone bags, portmanteaus, &o. Special attention is given.to this department, so as to secure fy it and retain A first class connection'. In «« re'adymades," colonial tweed is feature, and every teed both for quality of u)ate%.l and for style and finish. Upstajrs is the' measuring and cutting room hi charge of ons of the best cutters in tho colonies, duly supported by qualified tailors. The stoqk of tweeds and cloths, both selected English and; colonial, is, we very complete, and places the depffement in a very favourable position to command ous •- torn. Before closing, the Refreshment Boom should have a word. Thw is especially convenient for country visitors and every kind of light refreshment ot first quality, and at the most moderate charges is supplied. There are also retiring rooms and lavatories attached. The Refreshment Room has already had most extensive patronage, and this is sufficient testw raony as to its popular^.