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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Tippler, Mrs. H. H.

Tippler, Mrs. H. H., 169 Lambton Quay; Telephone 104; P.O. Box 367. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This well-known grocery and Italian warehouse was established in 1834, by the late Mr. H. H. Tippler. It is claimed to be the only real Italian warehouse in the city, and especial care is take by constant direct importations to keep up the wonderful variety of special delicacies for which the establishment has been famous. After nine years of hard work the founder's health became affected and he was laid up for several month. When at length he was able to return to his business, and was believed by his friends to be permanently recovering, he had the misfortune to lose both premises and stock by fire. This was on the 4th November, 1893, and on the 7th Mr. Tippler succumbed to
By Appointment to His Excellency, Earl of Glasgw.

By Appointment to His Excellency, Earl of Glasgw.

page 744 the shock, leaving a wife and six children to battle against the worries and anxieties which had so sadly proved too much for himself. Securing temporary premises, Mrs. Tippler faced her troubles with a stout heart, and determined to retain the business her husband had striven so hard to build up. Nearness to the old spot was the only advantage the new quarters had, for they were much too small to be permanently useful. A few months later Mrs. Tippler was fortunate in securing really splendid premises, a little nearer the centre of the town, but still within a good stone's throw of the old site. The shop is roomy, well ventilated and well lighted. The door is in the centre, with a splendid window on each side, in one of which may be seen a Gruyére cheese as big as a waggon wheel. The display generally is effective and enticing. At the rear of the shop are the offices and store-room, the light here being obtained from an extensive sky-light and then through a well on the first floor, where there is a splendid show-room about 35 by 70 feet. Off this show-room are seven or eight other rooms of varying sizes, and over these latter rooms is a third story not at present needed for the business. The premises are large enough for a still greatly increased trade, and for the few months during which they have been tried most gratifying results in this respect have well justified the enterprise. The list of special imports contains about twenty varieties of fancy fish, a dozen or so of fancy cheese, and about the same number of varieties of tinned sausages and tinned game. Indian condiments have a conspicuous place assigned them, followed by a long catalogue of tempting delicacies under the heading of “sundries,” There seems to be nothing wanting in this well-appointed store, Lucullus him off would have been well content to limit his choice to so remarkable a list. The principal firms from whom these goods are imported are—Crosse and Blackwell, J. T. Morton, Lazenby, Maconochie Bros, Vencataehellum, and Swallow and Ariel. Both Mrs. Tippler and her, late husband were born at Roxwell, Essex, where they lived up to the time of leaving for this Colony. Having left many relatives and friends behind them, it was for many years their dearest wish to get their affairs here into such condition that they might run Home to visit the scenes of their youth where all conditions had been bright and circumstances affuent. Mr. Tippler especially was reared in the lap of luxury at “The Dukes,” his mother's estate, and this and the changes which followed made his many troubles in New Zealand all the harder to bear. On their way to this Colony Mr. and Mrs. Tippler came as far as Melbourne in the “Lusitania” at the same time that Sir Wm. Jervois with Lady Jervois and the whole gubernatorial party came out to Adelaide to the Governorship of South Australia. Being first-class passengers, they of course saw a good deal of Sir William and his interesting party, and Mrs. Tippler, who was at death's door for a part of the time, speaks gratefully of the kindly treatment she received at their hands during the whole journey. A few weeks after the death of her husband Mrs. Tippler lost her second son, a bright lad of thirteen, by drowning. The circumstances attending this bereavement were peculiarly painful, as the widowed mother was herself so dangerously ill at the time that it was considered unsafe to acquaint her with this sad addition to her many crushing blows. Mrs. Tippler has now, however, fully recovered, and the knowledge that there are still five little ones left, to be trained, educated, and fitted to take their places in the world, keeps her in the path of duty. She is an excellent business woman, attentive in all the little matters which make so greatly for success. A great deal of her work is made light by the faithfulness and energy of her managing men, Mr. E. V. Mecch in the sales department, and Mr. P. W Inge (a nephew of Mr. Tippler) in the office. Mrs. Tippler certainly deserves to be successful, and, as far as an outsider can judge by appearances, her plucky efforts on behalf of herself and family are not likely to go unrewarded. The public may rely on being thoroughly well served, and the high-class quality of the goods is sufficiently attested by the names of their manufacturers. The house has been favoured with the vice-regal patronage since its establishment—first by Sir William Jervois, then by Lord Onslow, and now by the Earl of Glasgow. Sir James Prendergast, as acting Governor, and a large number of the elite of Wellington have for many years patronized this well-stocked and well-kept house.