BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4232, 1 October 1892, Page 2

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

The progress of a town is indicated by the prosperity of its citizens. Aim, when we see new business men entering the field, and several have done so during the past few months, and old-established ones extending their sphere of operations, we may be sure there is something in it, and that Maslerton, though hardly frisky in its commercial movements, is at least steadily progressive, and that there is a fairly good time in store for those who have seen things through in the four or five years of depression now being left behind,

One of the most recent extensions of trading is that developed in the establishment of Mr George Johnston, general merchant, of Queen-street, Masterton. Within the past four and a half years, Mr Johnston has found that his business—wliiob, as will be remembered, was formerly owned by Mr E, Feist—has quite trebled in extent, and he has felt impelled to provide suitable accommodation for the increased traffic. The result is a most substantial and improving addition to his premises, and his well-known store is now about double its former size; in fact; the total floor space available, including bulk store-rooms at the rear, aggregates nearly 6,000 square feet. The front elevation has materially benefited at the hands of Mr G. E, Daniel), the building contractor, and suitably coloured in stone grey, it looks both substantial and tasteful, wliilo the three windows of good proportion, respectively devoted to an attractive display of drapery, ironmongery andfurnishing, and groceries, each lend their aid in creating a favourable impression upon the critical customer who is about to go into the handsome two-storey building before hira.

Entering, we find a most extensive square apartment—tho main shop, Ou the left is tbe drapery and clothing department and a most choice and comprehensive 'stock it teems to contain. before us is~the boot and shoo section, with reserves of every kind of covering for tho feet. While on the right is to be seen tbe grocery department. A glanco here shows that this portion of Mr Johnston's business has not been neglected, and a full assortment of all the leadingbrands testifies to the considerable call made upon him in this line of trado,

The general appearance of this exceptionally commodious and conveniently arranged warehouse is exceedingly pleasing. In tho centre are a series of floor stands carrying fancy goods, lamps, glassware, cut" lery, and light ironmongery, while around three sides of the spacious room is a handsome aiassivo polished counter, As regards the smaller furnishings, they seem to bo endless in their profusion of completeness. The shelving itself is most extensive, and runs in tiers all round the interior of tbe building, while among tho less ordinary and more superior equipments not always seen in a general store, are a fine glass show-case for patent medicines, perfumery, and toilet soaps, and a well-finished nest of drawers, containing no less than fifty-five compartments, for the reception o£ "Yates Reliable Garden Seeds."

We next proceed to tho tryiag-on room for boots and clothing, where, in winter time, a cheerful fire will add to the comfort ot those customers who are using the writing materials always at their disposal in this apartment. Then comes tho public office, with slide and p:.y counter, and accomodation for three clerks. From this room, we pass into Mr Johnston's own private office, and hero with its handsome pedestal writipg table, fitted with drawers antr jupboards, bright-looking fire place, Veil lit and roomy interior, wo find a most cosy and pleasant sanctum for the head of the house, Throughout tho establishment there is, ive should mention, gas, while all the floors are covered with tbe 'tidy-looking, everlasting linoleum. These features, of course considerably improve the general effect.

It in not easy, however, to convoy so clear an idea of the improvements Mr Johnston has made, as that which could be gained by a personal visit to his store. This being so, we are authorised to invite our readers to go find their way there this (Saturday) evening, when the wholo place will be lit up, and many novelties in in Spring and Summer goods will be on view,

. There are two commodities Mr! Johnston wishes us to particularly draw attention to, These are : first, bis specially ordered stock of grass seeds, of guaranteed quality, just arriving ; and then, his large assortment of paper-hangings, receivod direct from England. Customers should certainly see both lines of goods. In concluding, we should mention that Mr John Ring was the architect for the additions .to Mr Johnston's store, Mr G. E Daniell, the builder, Mr Pickering, the gasfitter, and Mr Q, Haskell, the decorator. Each and all did ample justice to themselves and to the work they had to do. The result is most creditable to everyone CODWtOQd,

Ploughing operations have been still (urthor retarded in this district by the recent bad weather. The beer duty received at Wellington last month amounted to L 461 18s 2d, 4 against L 509 (is fid for the corresponding month of 1891, aud LSOB Is 4d for tha 1 preceding month (A ugust jof this year Tho number of young trout still re-^_ served at the Masterton Fish Ponds Wf for diatributiou in Wairarapa Rivers this season is 100,000, not ten thousand as wa Btated yesterday. As already 30,000 have this year gone into the principal district rivers, anglers bavo a good prospect before them. We hear of new seasons lamb in Greytown and hope' in the course of tho present'month the Masterton butchers will supply it. Colonel Eoberts, B.M. is now in Wei- < lington, having been appointed to , enquire into tho complaints of Nicholas ■ Fryday, a permanent militiaman, whtrS alleges that ho was prevented from obtaining promotion or exchange into the police force. Colonel Roberts will probably be detained until Tuesday night or Wednesday next. Messrs Lowes and lorns add to theii Masterton Stook Sale, for Wednesday, October 6th, 60 fat wethers, 1 sinplo buggy, 1 set harness, 1 first-class buggy horso, and 1 light express. Two swaggers going, to Barrytown from Brighton, near Ureymouth, on ~ Thursday founds tont standing in tho bush, near Gentle Annie Traok. It looked as if it had been standing foy> couple of years. Inside was a akelctjpK* bleached, with boots, moleskin trousers, cotton shirt, coat, vest and hat alongside

the skull, The was a bridle underneath

the tent, old and mildewed. Zealand Times has beon informed by the Hallway Commissioners that they havo received information that the slips which have taken place in tho Gorge will block the line for a week aud possibly longer. As, however, the main coach road aud the other breaches on tho railway line were to be repaired somo time yestorday, the Commissioners have arranged for a coach to run between Ashuret and tho Mnnawatu Road Bridge, and passengers will be booked through from either end without extra charge, We are informed by larry king that the knock out with Arthur Francis has been definitely arranged, and will come off in the Masterton Theatre to-night at eight o'clock. Previous to the.big event there will be a match between Orbell / and Jimmy Eowtes, in nliich the former undertakes to totally eclipße Kowtes in i six rounds, or forfoit £lO. The ad" ,'' mission charges are as Btated in tho ' advertisement, and the doors will be open at 7.80, o'clock. Considerable dibcussion has been excited as

whether Laing can do the business ihe three roundß allotted him, and this, no doubt, will lead to a big gathering of sport#. Laing says that after doing a trip through this Colony he is off to 'Frisco.

There was again a largo attendance at the Masterton Mutual Improvement Society's meeting, held in the W«Bleyim Schoolroom, last evening. The Presi-

dent occupied the chair, and the business of the evening was a debate.—ls Republicanism the best form of Govern* ment i"—the aflirmativo boing cham-

pioned by Mr Pybua in a neat speech, and tho negative by Mr 0, Pragnell. Republicanism was supported by Messrs 1% and Steel, and non-Republioan-ism by Messrs Beale and Easthope. After the leaders had replied a vote was taken, resulting in Mr Pybuß's sido winning by a majority of five, votes, The next meeting of tho Sooiety will bo devoted exclußeively to the ladies, a lady will also occupy the chair. Visitors are cordially invited.

Very heavy rain fell in this district last night and continued until about ten o'clock this morning, The tvea'her has since olearcd up, and we are favoured with a little suushine. (Since writing MRfe' foregoing, wo regret to say, another downpour has commenced),

Mr F. H. Wood makes a number, of additions to his next Taratahi stock sale Messrs Lowes and lomb add to their Maaterton Btock Bale, for Wednesday, Ootober sth, 275 good wether hoggets. The following ladies are office bearers' in tho newly formed Masterton Women's Christian Teinporance Crusadn. President, Mrs Dukes; Vice-Presidents, Mrs Sheppard and Mrs Gillespio; Secretary, Mrs Fannin; Treasurer, Mrs Jameß McGregor; Executive Oommittee— Mesdamea Wood, Jack, Fielding, Burton and Miss Sheppard.

Mr James Tyson, the Australian millionaire, has stated his intention of visiting tho Chicago exposition: Tho New Zealand Times of to day in abiding to this, remarks that if this iB tho caso" it will be the first occasion on wliioh this well-known personage will havo gono boyond the borders of Australia." Wo think our ooritomporary is mistakon; for several yeara ago Mr Tyson visited Wairarapa, At loaat if ho did not do so, someone very much liko him did, who sported a private secretary and wl®, was tho recipient of considerable cou™ teous attention at the hands of several of our leadint; residents, Tho latter certainly thought thoy lmd the real Simon Pure, for ho brought letters of introduction, which apparently clearly set him forth as tho only and genuine" Jimmy Tyson."

Activity prevails all over tbe house, tearing open cases, ripping up parcels, slitting boxes, undoing packages, alt day long. That is hour the work of preparation is now 60ingonat Hooper's BonMarohe. Inconsequence of the advance of spring tho fashion's sections are specially busy. Hugo stacks of dress materials are rising in tho spooe• apportioned to tbem, and in the show rooms pile of bonnet boxes, being tho choicest millinery in the world. Boxes of feathers, flowers, parasols, and other fashionable, etc,, etc,, are gradually being absorbed into their comprehensive ana liberally assorting stocks. Such an array of elegant millinery, pretty bonnets and dainty hats. Tbe show rooms are a blaze of beauty, exhibiting fashion's choicest productions, On every side are trophies of tho mantlemaker's and costumier's arts. There should be no time loßt, no moments wasted and tho business shonld bo that of buying as fast as possible. Then are achoice sprinkling of many lines, so that are first in the field will haye,tho fir pick, -Auvr.