Charles and Bessie Griffiths
Page 5
Carbon Copy of a Letter written by Charles Griffiths March 1953.
… Book which we have used since 1915 is now to go out of print. I am not sure of the date of my first purchase. I started business in Hastings in March 1914. I think it was the following year that I was persuaded by a good salesman to try this book. I must say that right through these years I couldn’t have wished for a better system. I have recommended it to many of my business friends with what result I don’t know. My accountants Messrs McCulloch Butler and Spence have approved of it. I have shown your letter to them and they have advised me to leave it to them. I am sorry to part with…
Page 6
I SAY BILL!
What’s all this comment I see in the papers – something about I-R-I-S?
Well, Jack, it’s like this – Messrs. GRIFFITHS & COFFEY have opened a new Boot Establishment in Heretaunga Street (between Banks of N.Z. and N.S.W), Hastings, where they are introducing that famous brand of Boots and Shoes, viz.,
I-R-I-S
manufactured by Bostocks of England. Now you know, with a reputation that Bostocks’ Boots have got, it’s bound to make someone feel uneasy. It’s like if you considered yourself a crack tenor singer, and, then, Signor Caruso came along to sing on the same stage. Well, you would feel small, wouldn’t you? and you would not say much about your singing afterwards. Well, that’s the whole of this trouble in a nutshell.
I-R-I-S BOOTS and SHOES have come to stay and are to be obtained at
GRIFFITHS & COFFEY’S
HERETAUNGA STREET, HASTINGS
Page 7
New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Frederick Charles Griffiths
….
2810 – Griffiths, Bella, Wall Road, Hastings, married.
2811 – Griffiths, Bessie, 607 Hastings Street, Hastings, married.
2812 – Griffiths, Charles, 607 Hastings Street, Hastings, bootmaker.
2813 – Griffiths, Elizabeth, New Road, Twyford, married.
2814 – Griffiths, Frances Marra, Warren Street, Hastings, married.
2815 – Griffiths, Frederick Charles, 301 Market Street, Hastings, electrical engineer.
2816 – Griffiths, Joseph, Warren Street, Hastings, trainer.
2817 – Griffiths, Robert, New Road, Twyford, farmer.
2818 – Griffiths, Walter, 911 Wall Rd, Hastings, shepherd.
……
Page 16
… this advertisement before (in the HB Tribune 24 February 1931):
GRIFFITH’S
THE WELL-KNOWN BOOT STORE
are carrying on business at the private residence,
607 HASTINGS STREET NORTH, HASTINGS
(Look for sign on the gate).
Large stocks of all classes of Boots and Shoes, including large stocks of Gum Boots and Working Boots, all to be sold at Ridiculously Low Prices.
Page 21
Citizen of Hastings
Charles Griffiths was involved in the Community in many areas. The Obituaries after his death in August 1953 contained some of the following quotes:-
“As a member of the Hawkes Bay Hospital Board from 1941 onwards, the late Mr Griffiths was a staunch and devoted supporter of our Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital… Unless he was away from Hastings … Mr Griffiths never missed his weekly Sunday afternoon visits to the wards… and his cheery smile and greeting for everyone.. gave comfort for all.”
‘President of the Rotary Club, prominent member of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, and the Hastings Retailers Association, a keen Bowler and Rugby fan and a staunch member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church where he held many offices, Mr Griffiths sudden death came as a shock to many.”
Page 29
St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hastings
- Elder for 36 years
- Session Clerk for the last 4 years of his life.
- Sunday School Superintendent 32 years
- Regularly attended Assembly.
- Treasurer of the British and Foreign Bible Society for many years.
- On the establishment Board of the Eversley Rest Home
- Hillsbrook Children’s Home
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