Story: Clothing and footwear manufacturing

Clothing and drapery together made up the largest category of imports into New Zealand in the 19th century. Many storekeepers imported directly – including Walter Mace Clark of Levin, who opened this business in 1894, according to the sign in this 1898 photograph. The well-dressed people in front of the store are (left to right) William Clark, Walter Mace Clark, Frank Phillips, Maud Clark (Walter’s wife) and daughter Edna.