Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Scoullar and Chisholm (Arthur Scoullar and Robert Chisholm), Cabinetmakers and Upholsterers, Furnishing Warehouse, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Branch Warehouse, Rattray Street, Dunedin. Telephone 110: P.O. Box 319. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Scoullar's private residence is at 146 Upper Willis Street, but the other partner. Mr. Chisholm, resides in Dunedin This large business was established in 1863 by Messrs. North and Scoullar in Dunedin, Mr. Scoullar, the senior partner, having thus been connected with the business since its inception. In 1889 Mr. North retired. and Mr. Chisholm, who had for son e years held a position with the firm, became a partner. The Wellington branch of the business was established in 1886, when the firm purchased the interest of Mr. Kimbell, who had previously conducted a similar business in the Empire City. After a short time it became evident that the premises occupied were much too restricted for the business of the firm; consequently Mr. Chatfield, the well-known architect of Wellington, was instructed to draw plans for a new building. Tenders were called for its erection, and in the end, the present handsome brick building, four stories in height, with a floorage space of no less than 12,000 square feet, was page 657 erected by Mr. Ransom, the successful tenderer. Some idea of the size and splendid appearance of this structure may be gleaned from the illustration accompanying. In addition to this large accommodation, the firm rent two flats from the Gear Co. at the back of the premises, where the factory is situated. The motive power is a gas engine, which has a capacity of eleven-horse-power. The machinery used by the firm is all of the latest description, and includes two circular saws, two bend saws, a dove-tailing and shaping machine, two turning lathes, two planing machines, and a flock mill. The firm employ between forty and fifty hands altogether, to make up the large quantity of furniture in all designs, from the plainest and simplest to the most beautiful varieties, for which they receive orders. They are also large importers of English made furniture and materials used in connection with the trade which cannot be advantageously produced in the Colony. The business of the firm extends throughout the greater portion of the North Island, and the West Coast of the South Island. The firm are importers of pianos, which are disposed of on the cash or hire purchase system; and one of the latest additions to the business is a crockery department. A new plant has just been erected for the making of wove wire mattresses, which are now turned out “like clock work.” The shop-window gazer can spend a profitable quarter of an hour in viewing the artistic display always to be found in the very large window front of the establishment Mr. Scoullar, the senior partner of the firm, is a Scotchman, having been born in Stewarton, Ayrshire. His experience as a lad was very different from that of most of the colonial youth, for at the age of seven he was sent to work. He was engaged in the making of Kilmarnock bonnets for eight years, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed in Glasgow to the cabinet-making business, completing his term of apprenticeship about the year 1850. Mr. Scoullar worked for a short time at his trade in the Old Country, but left for Melbourne in 1854 “in quest of gold.” He sailed for the colonies as carpenter's mate on board the ship “Contest,” and on arriving in Melbourne, was able to secure employment at the munificent wage of thirty shillings per day as a carpenter. Even this high scale of remuneration, however, did not satisfy one who was struck with the gold fever, and during the ensuing six years Mr. Scoullar was in the thick of the Australian diggings. The financial result of his enterprise was not altogether satisfactory, and in disgust Mr. Scoullar shaped his course for New Zealand, arriving in time to form one of the many who found their way to the Clutha diggings, where there was a ‘rush.’ Here his luck changed, and Mr. Scoullar made more money in a month than he had obtained in the six years of his experience on the Australian fields. Mr. Scoullar was, however, cut out for commercial life, and did not stay long at the diggings in New Zealand. He went to Dunedin, and started the present business as above described. He has always been a busy man, and has had the care of a large establishment for many years. Notwithstanding this, he has found time to contribute his share towards the civil government of the district in which he resided. He sat in the Dunedin City Council for four years, and in the fifth year occupied the mayoral chair.