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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Wighton, David

Wighton, David, 211 Lambton Quay, 81 Willis Street, and 75 Cuba Street. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Mr. Wighton is acknowledged to be the largest retailer of confectionery in New Zealand. He has three fine shops, all thoroughly well stocked and well kept. The head-quarters are in Lambton Quay, nearly opposite the Government Buildings, and this fine stand commands the principal business of the Thorndon end. For upwards of twenty years it has been a well-known and popular confectionery house, the business being established in the early seventies by Messrs. Lucas and Co. On the retirement of this firm, Messrs. A. Curtis and Co. bought into it, and carried it on for several years; but it is only since it came into Mr. Wighton's possession—now about ten years ago—that it has taken such a decided lead, for it is really no ordinary kind of stock which is displayed here. Mr. Wighton's principal specialties are high-class chocolates and general confectionery, and of these he has every conceivable variety. The chocolates are principally those manufactured by the eminent firms of Fry and Sons, Cadbury Bros., and Rowntree and Co. while he has for years been a very large importer of general confectionery from Hay Bros., of Glasgow; Craven and Son and Terry and Son, York; Clarke, Nickolls and Coombe, London, and various other firms. Mr. Wighton is agent for, and keeps a large stock of, the Kola” chocolate and other “Kola” preparations of Thos. Christie and Co., of Lime Street, London. “Kola” possesses a tonic influence on the digestive organs, and will be found invaluable by those troubled with biliousness or other liver complaints, and is specially recommended by the medical faculty. Though Mr. Wighton is so large an importer of confectionery, he is also a manufacturer on an extensive scale. The Lambton Quay property comprises a large workshop, where the plainer varieties are produced daily in considerable quantities. Finding his efforts to provide high-class confectionery for the “West End” of Wellington so well rewarded, Mr. Wighton soon inaugurated a branch establishment in Cuba Street to catch the Te Aro trade. This also is a good shop and in perfection of dressing, and in other ways so resembles the principal house that the “family page 596 David Wighton likeness” readily catches the eye. A good trade is done in this busy thoroughfare; and thus encouraged by the success of the Cuba Street branch, Mr. Wighton decided to open a third shop in Willis Street in order to cater for the requirements of that portion of the Wellington public not constantly passing either of the other two. This is a fine shop for retail trade, being at the corner of Willis and Boulcott Streets. It is one of that grand cluster of brick shops erected some two years ago by Messrs. Norbury and Trevor for the proprietor, Mr. McGill. The display here is also of Mr. Wighton's peculiarly attractive style, the effect being specially good in the evening when it is brilliantly lighted by electricity. Though Mr. Wighton mainly “spreads himself” for the retail trade, he does a considerable and increasing wholesale business both in and out of Wellington. He is enterprising though shrewd, and has had an extensive experience. Prior to coming to this Colony he was in business for himself in Dundee, Scotland. Mr. Wighton was born in Dundee, where he lived till 1885, when he came to Wellington per s.s. “Arawa” from London. Though fully ten years away from “the Land o' Cakes” he is a most enthusiastic Scotchman, and is generally known as “The Scotch Confectioner.” The Caledonian Society of Wellington owes him much, for he was one of its principal originators, and its energetic secretary for four years. He also gets at regular intervals direct shipments of American confectionery from different firms in San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Mr. Wighton, it may be added, is purveyor of confectionery to his Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand.