THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3199, 24 December 1892, Page 2

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF CAMBRIDGE.

It must not be imagined that because this paragraph is headed as above, we are about to enter upon a lengthy dissertation as to the past, present and future of Cambridge, in a social or political sense, for our intention is merely to refer to the commercial aspect, and even in doing that to restrict our remarks in this issue to noticing one of the chief businesses of the town. It is now about fourteen years since Mr T. Wells erected his store in Duke-street, and at that time ho must have had every confidence and faith in the future of the district, or he would not have erected so palatial a building, it being 95ft, by 30ft, without a break, and containing 170 lineal feet of kauri countering, the tops being solid 3-inch wood, and the front panels beautifully mottled. At that time Cainbridge was being boomed by Native Land Courts and hordps of tourists, for then there was no other route from the north to the wonderland of Neiv Zealand, but through Cambridge—money was plentiful and the banks most obliging with overdrafts, so it may be imagined everything wore a ri gy hue. But nla*! the day came when native business was finished and tourists journeyed by another route; money was scarce and overdrafts nut to be obtained. Then many wondered where the tnde came from to support such a largees'ablishment. for they did not think the district could furnish sufficient to do so; but it did, -md is evidently able to do much more, judging by the alterations Mr Wells has lately made, which will enable him 11 do considerably more business without increasing his staff. Surely a man who has been intimately connected with, and engaged in the trade of Waikato for about a quarter of a century, should be able to form a very fair estimate of its future, and that Mr Wells has faith that its future will be a prosperous one is amply demonstrated by alterations above referred to. A short time since Mr Wells was fortunately able to purchase a portion of two adjoining properties, which has not only enlarged hie yard, but also gives him another frontage to Duke-street as well as one to Brewery-street. ; and now a four-horse waggon can drive in at one entrance and out at the other without turning the vehicle. The whole of the back premises have undergone a veritable transformation. The old outer store (42ft. x 14ft) has been removed to the extreme corner of the yard, and has been converted into a small stable and store for salt, potatoes, &c. Immediately at the back of, and on a level with, the front store has heen erected a large room (42ft. x 2(jft., with 12ft. studs), fitted throughout with counters and shelves, to hold the supplementary supply of goods for the general store. Opening out from thi--, o:i the east side, is the paint, oil, and wire room (28ft. x 14ft.). and on (ha noith is a butter room (1-lft. x Vlft.), brick lined, and with two brick wells, into which cages containing the butter are lowered bv pulley?, &c. Adjoining this is a covered loading wav (14ft. x 12ft.), and on the other side of the latter is a mouse-proof flour and meal room (14ft. x 12ft.). In one portion of the yard stands a small detached building, composed entirely of iron, and this is the kerosene store : while in another portion of the y ird a boiler h>is been erected to supply h"t water when needed. The magnitude of Mr Wells' store may perhaps be grasped from the following:—The superficial feet of flooring is 5,145, the counters are 250 linexl feet, and the shelving 2,420 feet. The main and outer stores, except the detached ones, are on the name level, which enables nnvthing to be trucked to wherever it may be wanted easily, and saves an immense amount of labour. The whole of the arrangements aja most perfect and reflect great credit noon the proprietor for he has personally superintended the whole of the alterations, and we very much doubt if a larger or better appointed store ran be found in tli<> N"rth I-land, or even in the colony. Mr Wells, who is a man of ripe years, has, as we before stated, had a quarter of a century's experience of trade in the Waikato, and we think no better omen of the future success of the Cambridge district could be obtained, than the fact that he has thought fit to extend his premises as above, for he certainly would not have done so unless the trade warranted the expense of his so doing. We wish him every success in his new venture, and as we believe, the goods contained in the store are equally an good in quality as the building above described, we d« not doubt but that Mr Wells will do a trade that will compensate him for the outlay.