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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Watch And Jewellery Trade

Watch And Jewellery Trade.

Beaver, A.N and Co. , Wholesale Jewellers, Indenters and Importers, 89 Princes Street, Dunedin; Telephone, 382; P.O. Box, 253; Bankers; Bank of Australasia. This business was established in 1892 by the present firm, and is conducted in a three storey brick building formerly occupied by Messrs. W. McArthur and Co. The ground floor is used as offices and show-room for jewellery, plate, clocks, and optical goods, the first floor being devoted to fancy goods of all descriptions, and the upper floor to glass and crockery-ware. Messrs. A. Beaver and Co.'s trade extends throughout the colony; three or four travellers are employed, and Mr. Beaver personally makes periodical trips. The firm imports from Great Britain, Europe, and America, and acts as sole agents in the South Island for Meyer's Liquid Putz Cream.

Hislop, John , Watchmaker and Jeweller, Princes Street, Dunedin. This is one of the finest businesses of its kind in New Zealand, and the shop is one of the sights of Princes Street. The founder of the business, the late Mr. John Hislop, is referred to amongst Old Colonists.

Hogg, Edwin , Manufacturing Jeweller, 19 Princes Street, Dunedin; Private residence: prietor, and is chiefly confined to the trade, Helena Street, South Dunedin. This business was established in 1889 by the present pro-although there are a good many private customers. Mr. Hogg has a complete manufacturing plant on a small scale, and undertakes all kinds of jewellery and repairing work.

Macarthur, Alexander Wallace , Watchmaker and Jeweller, 5 High Street, Dunedin; Private residence, Russell Street. Mr. Macarthur established his business in 1883 in premises comprising the ground floor of a brick building opposite the Grand Hotel in High Street. The stock includes watches and jewellery of every description, together with optical instruments and requisites. Mr. Macarthur makes a specialty of the business of opthalmic optician, in which he is an expert, and possesses the necessary machinery for grinding and fitting lenses of all kinds. Adjoining the shop are the sight-testing room and work-room, both adequately furnished for the needs of the business. Mr. Macarthur was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1844, and served his apprenticeship in Edinburgh; after arriving in New Zealand in 1871 he learned the business of optician with Mr. A. Beverley, of Dunedin. He was subsequently foreman to Mr. George Young for five years, and afterwards to Mr. John Hislop for seven years. During his period of service with the latter, Mr. Macarthur made page 366 the specifications for the Town Hall clock and bells, which he subsequently fitted up and also composed the chimes. As an exhibitor at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1889–90, he gained two first certificates for scientific instruments and an astronomical clock. As a musician, he is an old member of the Dunedin Choral Society, and has composed several pieces of music. Mr. Macarthur was married in 1869 to a daughter of the late Mr. James Smith, farmer of Haughhead, Peebles-shire, Scotland, and has two sons and two daughters.

Neill, Henry , Importer, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 22 Rattray Street, Dunedin; P.O. Box, 188; Bankers: National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Elm Row. This is an old established business, having been originally founded in 1868; Mr. Neill was interested in it from the beginning and has been sole proprietor since 1878. A considerable manufacturing trade is carried on, the special line being masonic jewellery; and the business is conducted in premises on the ground floor of a brick building, in a large workshop and show room. Mr. Neill is a large importer, and has connections throughout the entire Colony, through which he makes periodical trips to interview his customers, from Auckland to the Bluff. He was born in 1843, in Leith, Scotland, where he was educated, and subsequently apprenticed to the business in Edinburgh. After seven and a half years' experience, he removed to Dundee, where he remained for three years and a half before coming to Port Chalmers in 1867 by the ship “Resolute.” Mr. Neill arrived under engagement as watch-maker to Mr. George Young, but at the end of twelve months commenced business on his own account. He is a member of the Masonic Order, attached to Lodge Kilwinning, S.C., of which he was secretary for about five years; on resigning that position in 1886, he became district grand secretary. He is also grand superintendent of the Scottish royal arch chapter. Mr. Neill was a member of the Scottish volunteer corps until its disbandment. He is a widower, and has three daughters and one son.

Shaw, Arthur John , Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Optician, 13 Rattray Street, Dunedin; Bankers; Bank of New Zealand; Private residence, High Street. This well-known business was established by Mr. Peter Adair in 1870, and was acquired by the present proprietor in 1888. The shop is handsomely fitted up, has a fine show window, and contains a large display of watches, clocks, electro-plated ware and jewellery of all descriptions. Mr. Shaw imports as well as buys locally. The premises consist of the ground floor of a substantial brick building. Behind the shop there is a convenient work-room with a complete plant for carrying on all the requirements of the trade. Mr. Shaw was born in Bristol, England, in 1859, and came to New Zealand in 1863; he was educated at Mr. J. B. Park's school and served his apprenticeship with his predecessor, Mr. Adair, in whose employment he remained as assistant until he purchased the business. Mr. Shaw has earned a reputation for repairing and cleaning chronometers, chronographs, and repeaters second to none in the Colonies. He was initiated into the Masonic Order in Lodge Otago Kilwinning, S.C.
Mr. A. J. Shaw.

Mr. A. J. Shaw.

Mr. Shaw was married in 1885 to a daughter of Mr. S. Hanlon, of Dunedin, and has three daughters.

Stewart Dawson and Co. , Watch-makers and Jewellers, Corner of Dowling and Princes Street, Dunedin. This business was founded in 1872, by Mr. Stewart Dawson, at 20 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. Since then branches have been established in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Dunedin branch was opened in December, 1902. The building is of brick, three stories in height, and faced with cement. It has a total front-age of 67 feet, 25 feet on Princes Street, and 42 feet on Dowling Street. A large display of jewellery, gold and silver ware, makes the premises most attractive, especially at night, when they are not only lit up most brilliantly within, but are lighted outside by eight of the finest type of lamps to be seen in the city. The interior of the building has the appearance of a fairy palace: harmony of colour, design, and arrangement is combined in a most pleasing manner, and all the jewellery is of the very latest type, being specially sent out from the London office. It comprises the latest designs in rings, diamond jewellery, brooches, pendants, bracelets, and an array of gold watches of different makes and values. Choice articles in solid silver, and silver-plated ware, handsome clocks, and costly jewels in morocco cases are also kept in stock; and the whole is offered at prices that must give Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co.'s establishment a powerful influence in trade in the city and surrounding districts. Mr. Stewart Dawson, the head of the firm, is a man of many qualifications, and may be said to be the embodiment of the business man, his practical knowledge, energy and experience having built up all the houses which bear his name.

Stoneham, Arthur , Jeweller, and Diamond Setter, Dowling Street, Dunedin. Mr. Stoneham was born in Dunedin, where he learned the business of a manufacturing jeweller, and in 1898 established his present prosperous business, in which he employs a staff of skilled workmen. Mr. Stoneham is further referred to in the military section of this volume.

Waby, Benjamin and Co. , Watch-makers. Jewellers, Engravers, and Art Goods Dealers, 80 George Street, Dunedin. Mr. Waby was born in 1876, and educated at the George Street school. He entered the employment of Messrs D. Benjamin and Co., in 1889, and for about thirteen years was connected with that firm's jewellery business, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the trade. Early in 1902, he decided to try his luck on his own account in the retail line, and opened his now well known shop at 80 George Street. Mr. Waby's stock is already famous for its Japanese ware; and the china includes Doulton, Beleek, Wedgewood, Bretby, Dresden, and Austrian. The firm stocks many outside lines that the trade have never taken up, including Maori goods, such as kits, mats, piu-pius, and fish-hooks. Watches, jewellery and plate are on view, in
Mr. B. Waby.

Mr. B. Waby.

a fine skilfully selected variety. The repairing departments are in skilled hands, and every care is taken to increase the good reputation enjoyed by the firm.
Young, G. And T. (George Young and Thomas Gray Young), Importers, Watch-makers, Jewellers, and Opticians. Head Office, 88 Princes Street, Dunedin; Telephone 588; P.O. Box, 200; Bankers: National Bank of New Zealand; Private residence of New page 367 Zealand partner, Mr. T. G. Young, Heriot Row; Branches: Stafford Street, Timaru, Mr. William Martin, manager; Thames Street, Oamaru, Mr. Robert C. Young, manager;
Mr. G. Young.

Mr. G. Young.

Lambton Quay, Wellington, Mr. Matthew G. Young, manager; buyer in Great Britain, the senior partner, Mr. George Young, London and Edinburgh. This large and important firm may fairly be said to occupy a unique place in the front rank of New Zealand watch-making and jewellery houses. Not only are Messrs. G. and T. Young one of the oldest firms of the kind in the Colony, but their operations are certainly among the most extensive. The business was founded in Dunedin by Mr. George Young soon after the early gold discoveries in Otago, and dates from 1862. The first premises occupied were situated in Rattray Street, adjoining the Shamrock Hotel, and consisted of a small shop and workroom which would now be very diminutive compared with the handsome and well-appointed establishment of the firm. The Princes Street site was first occupied by Messrs. G. and T. Young in 1865, a freehold being acquired subsequently. The present building is constructed of brick and concrete and is two stories in height, with solid concrete cellar. It has a depth of 110 feet with a total floor space of 4,700 square feet. The Princes Street frontage presents a very attractive appearance, the plate-glass show windows and entrance being in keeping with the elegant style of the establishment. A profuse and valuable stock of gold and silver watches, chains and pendants, rings, brooches and necklets, plain or set in precious stones, together with plate of the chastest and most modern patterns, is always displayed to the passer-by. An ornamental ironarch supporting a clock, spans the pavement to an outer lamp-post fitted with two gas-lit globes. There is also a valuable regulator-clock at the street entrance. The show-room is a really splendid apartment, magnificently finished with a tastefully decorated ceilling. No expense has been spared in the internal fittings; plate-glass show cases with mirror-backs surround the visitor, and were specially made to order in Edinburgh. All the counters, together with the centre show-cases, are splendidly furnished with massive plate-glass, so that inspection of the extensive stock can be made without risk of damage. At the back of the show-room there is a large fire-proof strong room, containing three of Milner's best safes. The style and completeness of Messrs G. and T. Young's premises, together with the character and value of the stock in every line (with the single exception perhaps of diamond goods), are fully up to the standard of the best Australian firms. Messrs. G. and T. Young possess singular advantages as importers, which enable them to offer special facilities to the New Zealand public. The senior partner, who has had a life time's experience in the business, has since 1877 taken up his quarters in the English and Scottish capitals, with the object of rubbing shoulders with the actual manufacturers; and he periodically visits the Colony so as to keep in touch with the requirements of the firm's customers. He is thus enabled while in Britain to select suitable and reliable goods from the most recent and up-to-date stocks, and as Messrs. G. and T. Young are cash buyers they are able to place the goods before their customers at the lowest possible cost. The stock exhibited, not only at the Princes Street shop in Dunedin, but at Timaru, Oamaru, and Wellington, where large branches have been established for many years, embraces watches, jewellery, silver plate, electro-silver plated ware, clocks of all kinds from the
Messrs G. And T. Young's Premises.

Messrs G. And T. Young's Premises.

simplest to the most elegant, and fancy goods in great variety. Behind the shop in Princes Street are found the offices of the firm, and the various manufacturing departments of the business. The space devoted to watch-making, cleaning, regulating, and repairing is at the extreme end, where there is a specially good side and top-light. The
Mr. T. G. Young.

Mr. T. G. Young.

jewellery manufacturing and repairing department is situated between the show-room and watch department; here also an efficient staff is employed making brooches, chains, rings, studs, etc., etc. As opticians, Messrs. G. and T. Young, who have made this branch one of the special features of their business, hold an immense stock of lenses, frames, and optical requisites. Several years ago they sent Mr. W. H. Young, a son of the senior partner, to London and Dublin to learn lens grinding and fitting, and it may be mentioned that since his return to the Colony, the firm have supplied all spectacles, whether spherical, cylindrical, or compound, to the patients of Dr. Lindo Ferguson, the eye-specialist. Formerly the cylindrical and compound work had to be executed in Melbourne, whereby great delay and inconvenience were caused to patients. Now Messrs. G. and T. Young can usually supply these classes of spectacles within twenty-four hours. As exhibitors at the Dunedin Exhibition in 1865, the firm gained first prizes for watches and clocks, and at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition of 1889–90, first class awards were received by them for gold and silver watches, gold and silver jewellery, English and French clocks, silver and electro-silver plated ware and for a collective exhibit. Both the partners, as well as the two brothers who act as branch managers, were born in East Calder, Scotland; both members of the firm partly learned the business with an uncle—Mr. Gray, of Mid Calder. After founding the business under review, Mr. George Young went to Scotland in 1867, and two years later returned to the Colony accompanied by Mr. T. G. Young, and the firm was constituted under its present style in 1876