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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Anderson, David

Anderson, David, Grocer and General Merchant, 40 Molesworth Street, Wellington. Telephone 331. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, 2 Hankey Street. This business is the oldest of its kind in Wellington, having been established in 1849, when the present proprietor came to the Colony with his parents in the barque Pilgrim.” Mr. Anderson's father, the late Mr. David Anderson, had intended to go on to Auckland and settle there. Coming ashore at Wellington, however, he saw a shop for sale, with dwelling attached, at the low figure of £140, and he ultimately bought it. The building was a wooden one with a shingle roof, and stood on the site in Willis Street now occupied by Mr. Edward Anderson's china warehouse. Founding a business, and becoming possessed of a suitable site in those early days of settlement was not the simple, easy thing many imagine it was. After Mr. Anderson senr. had carried on his business for some years, he was called upon to pay ground rent for the time he had occupied the site, and informed that if he desired the freehold of the section, which he imagined he had got in the purchase of the business, he would have to pay for it in accordance with its increased value. Mr. Anderson ultimately secured the freehold, which has now become one of the most valuable sites in the City. On taking possession of the place, he at once commenced to build up a business, not only of a local nature, but having extensive dealings with the other settled parts of the Colony. A considerable trade was also done with the natives and military. Very little money was passed, a system of barter being carried on. In exchange for their butter, eggs, etc., the settlers got what groceries and clothing they required. The few people who were in Wellington at the time were principally engaged in growing wool, in dairying, and in cutting timber. In those days, the ships lay in the harbour and discharged their cargoes into lighters and surf boats. Prices for the leading lines in a grocer's store were somewhat as follows:—Flour, £15 a ton; potatoes, £5 per ton; tobacco, 1s. 6d. per lb.; and sugar now sold at 21/2., was 6d. a lb. During the rush to California in the fifties these prices were doubled. In 1862 Mr. Anderson senr. opened a branch store in Molesworth Street, close to the present site, Mr. David Anderson, the present proprietor, being placed in charge. In the course of time the grocery business was entirely transferred to Molesworth Street, and eventually the present commodious freehold premises were purchased. The building is of wood and iron, two stories high, with a frontage of about 80 feet to Molesworth Street. The larger part of the ground floor is used for the purposes of the grocery business. On entering the shop one is struck with the extensive display of goods, arranged attractively on successive tiers of shelves, on all sides. The counters run down each side, with one across the lower end of the shop. This arrangement leaves ample room in the shop for the numerous customers to move about freely. The establishment carries a very heavy stock. Behind and above the front shop are the storerooms. Oats, chaff, bran, pollard, and other such kinds of produce are kept in a store in the yard behind. Upstairs, immediately over the shop, is the machinery, which consists of a water-motor, coffee-roaster, and fruit-cleaning appliances. The office occupies the front right hand corner upstairs. Other parts of the building are used for the storage of farm and dairy produce, and wine and spirits in bulk, Mr. Anderson having a wholesale license to sell spirituous liquors. Mr. Anderson blends his own teas, for which he finds a large sale. Nine men and a boy, besides the proprietor and his son, who manages, are engaged in the business; and two carts are employed for the outdoor work. A great deal of the stock is imported direct, which enables Mr. Anderson to give his customers the benefit of what would otherwise be the middlemen's profits. The establishment has for over forty years enjoyed extensive patronage, and despite the great number of rival businesses springing up in later years, has more than held its own.