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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Sargood, Son and Ewen

Sargood, Son and Ewen (Hon. Sir Frederick Thomas Sargood, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., etc., John A. Ewen, John Ross, and Percy Rolfe Sargood), Warehousemen and Manufacturers, corner of Waterloo Quay and Hunter Street extension, Wellington. Other establishments: London, Melbourne, Auckland, Dunedin, church, and Invercargill. Private residence of Mr. Ross, resident partner, Inverlochie House, Abel Smith Street, Wellington. This is one of the oldest and most important houses in the soft good trade in the Colony, and was founded in Melbourne in 1848 by the late Mr. Frederick James Sargood, as a receiving depôt for British merchandise. Success attended the founder's efforts from the beginning, and in the early fifties the rate of progress and development was accelerated by the entrance into the business of Mr. John Alexander Ewen, of Victoria, now of London, who successfully represented the firm throughout Victoria, and in the adjoining colonies of New South Wales and South Australia, and in 1863 established the New Zealand branch in Dunedin, which was carried on under the name of Sargood, Son, and Ewen. A few years prior to this, Mr. Sargood, the senior partner and founder, had returned to London for the purpose of establishing a buying-house in the world's commercial metropolis. In 1868, Mr. Ewen proceeded to London, and still occupies page 717
Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen's Buildings.

Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen's Buildings.

the chief official position there, all financial matters being under his supervision and control. He is assisted in the buying department by Mr. Nichol, one of the partners in the Australian branch of the firm, which branch trades under the name of Sargood, Butler, and Nichol. Besides directing the principal operations of this colossal commercial firm, Mr. Ewen is prominently connected with the London management of several colonial institutions. He is a director of the Bank of New Zealand, the Union Steamship Company, and of the South British and National Insurance Companies; and in all movements for the public weal Mr. Ewen lends a willing and powerful hand. The present senior partner of the firms is the Hon. Sir Frederick Thomas Sargood, K.C.M G., M L.C., etc., son of the founder. The distinction of C.M.G. was conferred upon him in 1884 for his eminent services as a Legislative Councillor and Minister of the Crown in Victoria, and the honour of knighthood was conferred by Her Majesty a few years later. As Minister of Defence, Sir Frederick Sargood initiated and successfully carried out many important movements in connection with his Department. British and colonial journals alike speak of him in terms of the highest praise, both as a business man and a politician. Speaking of Sir Frederick, the British Journal of Commerce says:—“It is not too much to say that there are few men who possess in a greater degree the many essential qualifications for developing a large mercantile concern than he; keen perception, sound judgment, judicious enterprise, and thoroughly upright principles, are his marked characteristics. By his indomitable will and strict integrity he has not only contributed largely to the success of the firm, but in commercial and social circles there are few men who are better known or more widely appreciated in the Australasian colonies. Throughout his deservedly prosperous career he has not studied his own individual interests only, but has ever been ready to assist in any way the promotion of trade and commerce, and the general welfare and prosperity of the colony of Victoria. In the administration of its government he has taken a very active part, having been for a number of years a member of the Legislative Council, and for a lengthy period held a seat in the Ministry. He was the Minister of Defence for the colony, and whilst in that office, largely by his efforts, a paid militia force was initiated. He has always been an ardent volunteer, and still is a great supporter of the movement, and by his efforts and liberality he has contributed largely to its success in Victoria…… He will also in future be remembered as the vice-president of the recent Melbourne Exhibition, and to his untiring efforts, assiduous labour, and generous assistance in its promotion, organization, and general direction, are due in a great measure its brilliant and unqualified success. He was president of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in 1886.” Associated with Sir Frederick in the Melbourne firm, as partners, are Mr, Henry Butler, Mr. Robert Nichol, and Mr. Frederick George Sargood (eldest son of Sir Frederick). Messrs. Butler and Nichol joined the firm in 1878. They were even then well known in the colonies, having for many years conducted a large business in premises adjoining those of Messrs. Sargood. The amalgamation of these businesses explains the double title under which the firm trades. Mr. John Ross is the resident general managing partner of the New Zealand firm. His appointment to this high position affords ample proof of his business abilities. Mr. Ross has been connected with the New Zealand house since 1864, and in 1883 was admitted a partner, in which year he went to Auckland to erect their new warehouse in Victoria Street, remaining there t[unclear: il]l 1887, when he returned to Dunedin to take up the general management of the firm's business in New Zealand. In 1892 Mr. Ross settled in Wellington, its central position being more convenient for general control. In 1893 Mr. Percy Rolfe Sargood, the second page 718 son of Sir Frederick, was admitted a partner in the firm, taking the management of the Dunedin business, the Auckland warehouse being managed by Messrs. Finlayson and H. C. Tewsley, Wellington by Messrs. Lloyd A. Williams, and Montagu Laing, Christchurch by Messrs. S. Hardy and F. Ross. Besides these centres they have branch establishments in Invercargill, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wanganui, and agencies in every district. If all the warehouses of this vast concern were neatly placed side by side, they would cover an area of about six acres, and the total floorage space would be upwards of 500,000 square feet. The Wellington building, of which a picture is given herewith, contains about 30,000 square feet of floorage space, and with the land is worth nearly £20,000. It is not only as warehousemen and importers that Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen are famous, they are also manufacturers on a most extensive scale. Their Dunedin boot factory alone has a ground floor space of 13,000 feet, and gives employment to upwards of 250 hands. No fewer than sixty sewing machines are constantly at work. Messrs. Sargood's boot brand is “Standard,” and every pair turned out has the word “Standard” branded on the heels. Their manufactures gained first awards in every section for boots and shoes at the Dunedin Exhibition of 1889–90. To give some conception of the extensive operations of this British and colonial firm, it is worthy of mention that during the last seven years Messrs. Sargood, Sen and Ewen have purchased the stocks, and incorporated the goodwills of four large New Zealand warehouses. In 1888, those of Messrs. Harcourt and Co., Messrs. Turnbull Smith and Co., and Messrs. Owen and Graham; and in 1894 that of Messrs. McArthur and Co. by every amalgamation the purchasing public benefiting. Altogether the “House of Sargood” is one well worthy of emulation and admiration. Their success is the result of general business ability, untiring energy, keen perception, and upright dealing. This wonderful business, though a very small one half a century ago, has advanced with the growth of the colonies to its present colossal proportions, and it is safe to say that no other approaches it in magnitude in the Australian colonies, whilst the architecture of their several warehouses in the leading cities is an important feature.