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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Brown, Thomson and Co

Brown, Thomson and Co. (Richard Brown, and Robert Thomson), Stationers, Booksellers, Printers, Engiavers, Lithographers, Bookbinders, and Manufacturing Stationers, 111 Lambton Quay. Telephone 360; P.O. Box 175. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. London Agents, Sampson Low and Co. Private residences; Mr. Brown, Majoribanks Street; Mr. Thomson, Rintoul Street. The business of Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co. was established thirty years ago by the late Mr. Robert Burrett. It was in a very small way that Mr. Burrett commenced, but it was at just the right time—the time when nearly everyone was doing well; and in a very few years he had a splendid business. Twenty years ago Mr. Burrett was one of Wellington's thoroughly successful men. For the past eight or nine years the business has been in the hands of Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co., who, conceiving the old site opposite the Government Buildings to be rather far from the centre of the town, moved into that handsome block of brick buildings erected by Messrs. Barry and McDowall, from plans prepared by the late Mr. Toxward. It is two stories, and very lofty. The shop is the finest of its kind in Wellington; and behind are the machine and composing rooms, the engraving, bookbinding, and manufacturing rooms being upstairs. The machinery comprises a double-demy and several smaller “litho” machines and presses, printing machines and presses, and a very fine arming press, or gold blocking machine. The hands employed, all told, number thirty, whose wages in the aggregate amount to about £200 per month. Besides doing a good town trade in all their branches page 726 Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co. have a large country connection, their operations extending, by means of travellers, throughout the southern portion of the North Island. They are direct importers from the principal Home manufacturers of books, stationery, and all the raw materials and various appliances required for the business. Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co. stock “Cowan's flat papers”—a term perfectly understood by the trade, but rather mystifying to outsiders. Messrs. Cowan and Co., as all the world knows, are very large manufacturers of papers, both writing and printing. They are imported “flat”—which means “not folded into quires”—for convenience in ruling, cutting, printing, & c. Messrs. Cowan and Co. have agents all the world over for the sale of these papers, and Messers. Brown, Thomson and Co. have a stock always on hand. As to the quality of these goods there is no need to speak. The name “Cowan” is the best guarantee of that. The agency of Valentine's (Edinburgh) photographs is also in the hands of this firm. The specialties of the firm are commercial and law stationery. Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co, have at various times held contracts for the supply of printing, engraving, and manufactured stationery to the Manawatu Railway Company, the Harbour Board, the City Council, and other influential bodies, including all the departments of the New Zealand Government. The lithographic machine of the firm is said to be the largest in Wellington, and has been specially useful in the matter of the large maps issued by the Survey Department. Next to that of Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, the business of Messrs. Brown, Thomson and Co. is the largest of its kind in Wellington, and reflects very great credit on the proprietors. Mr. Brown is a native of New Zealand, and learned his business with Messrs. Lyon and Blair. He was twelve years with that firm, during the last four or five of which he occupied the position of manager of the commercial department. On his severing the connection to go into business on his own account, he was presented by his fellow employees with a very handsome gold watch and chain, suitably engraved—a token of esteem of which Mr. Brown is naturally very proud. Mr. Thompson is a native of Glasgow, and arrived in New Zealand in 1875 per ship “Peter Denny,” from Greenock. He was apprenticed to McKay and Kirkwood, of Glasgow, completing his apprenticeship in 1861. For several years previous to entering the present partnership, he was in the employ of the founder of the business and had charge of the binding and manufacturing department. Mr. Thomson is a prominent Freemason. Both partners are exceedingly attentive to business. Mr. Brown undertakes the commercial management, including the oversight of the shop, leaving Mr. Thomson free to concentrate his efforts on the control of the manufacturing and wholesale departments, and the superintendence of the engraving, lithographic, printing and bookbinding branches.