Webb, George, Grocer and Provision Merchant, Baker and Confectioner, Coffee and Spice Manufacturer, Globe Coffee and Spice Works, 63 Tory Street, corner of Vivian Street, Wellington. Mr. Webb was born in Hampshire, England, where he was brought up. He served his apprenticeship as a grocer in Guildford, Surrey, and came to New Zealand in 1876, per ship “St. Leonard's.” Since his arrival Mr. Webb has been closely associated with the mercantile life of the Colony, The present large business was founded in the same year at the corner of Buckle and Tory Streets. The developmental of the trade was such that it became necessary to provide increased accommodation for the various branches of the business. The fine two-story block of buildings now occupied by Mr. Webb (an engraving of which appears herein), at the corner of Vivian and Tory Streets page 745 was designed by the proprietor to meet the requirements of a growing trade, and was erected in 1888. It stands on freehold land, having a frontage to both streets, and behind the buildings there is a pretty lawn and a large garden. The main building, which measures sixty feet on the Vivian Street and fifty feet on the Tory Street sides, contains fully, 6000 square feet of floorage space. The entrance to the retail branch of the business is at the corner, large show windows facing each street. Mr. Webb keeps a large stock of groceries and provisions, and is assisted by a good staff of assistants. The cart entrance to the wholesale manufacturing and delivery departments is by large double doors from Tory Street, the paved waggon way passing right through the building. A cheese floor for ripening these goods has been put up over one end of this spot, it being the coolest place. Iron doors separate other parts of the premises from the manufacturing, wholesale, and storage departments. In the factory, which occupies the back portion of the ground floor, there is a complete plant for making the tins required in the trade for the pepper, spices, etc. One of the largest steel wire coffee roasters in the Colony, heated by gas supplied through thirty-five Bunsen burners, can be seen here. This fine machine, which was made by Savage and Co., of London, will roast from one hundred weight to one hundred weight and a quarter in thirty minutes. The pepper and spice grinder contains a pair of French burr stones, and is fed through a wooden shoot from the upper floor. The front apartment of this floor is devoted to the storage of general and reserve stock. The first floor being reached through this room, a splendid self-regulating lift by Savage and Co., of London, capable of hoisting five hundredweight, communicates with this part of the building. There is a fine screw press for packing hops, and a large tea-cutter used in connection with the tea blending and packing trade. For coffee, spices, etc., Mr. Webb's brand is the Spider in Webb, which is well known. The baking and confectionery department is conducted in a large two-story wooden building on the opposite corner. The bakehouse is replete with all modern appliances for the work, and under the management and control of competent experts, there is no wonder that the bread is appreciated, and secures a large sale. Mr. Webb has large brick stables behind the main building, six horses, three carts, and a van being employed in the delivery. The private residence of the proprietor is situated above and behind the shop. Mr. Webb finds some time to assist in the management of public bodies, and for several years past he has served as a councillor of the Borough of Melrose.