Hocken Digital Collections

J.K. Mooney and Company Limited : Records

Details

Reference NumberARC-0617CreatorJ.K. Mooney and Company LimitedDescriptionThe collection includes correspondence, historical notes relating to the company, biographical notes relating to George Stewart, records relating to New Zealand Sheepskin Control, records of Stewart Investments Limited, Martin Furs, Fur Dressers and Dyers, J.K. Mooney and Company (New Zealand), White and Company, Harold Banks Limited and Rosedale Processors, photographs, and other records. The correspondence was kept by George Stewart and Norman Stewart and includes both business and family letters.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyJ.K. Mooney and Company was a Dunedin-based firm of wool and fur skin processors and exporters. The company was founded in 1912 by James Kennedy Mooney and George Stewart. Mooney left the partnership in 1913 when Stewart became sole manager. In 1918 an important business relationship was established when the firm became suppliers to Isaac Schoen and Sons of New York. George Stewart also founded Mooneys (1923) to make and sell fur garments locally, and Fur Dressers and Dyers (1927) to process local and imported furs.
Following the 1929 Wall Street stockmarket crash Stewart almost became insolvent. He lost his controlling interests in Mooneys and Fur Dressers and Dyers. He refinanced J.K. Mooney and Company and successfully set about rebuilding the business. Branches were eventually set up in Auckland, Wellington, and other centres.
During World War II the company assisted the government in establishing the New Zealand Sheepskin Control. The rabbitskin trade ended following the war. The company also returned to the furrier business, establishing Martin Furs Limited.
Following the death of George Stewart in 1955 his son, Norman Stewart, became managing director. Martin Furs ceased trading in 1956. In 1959 the company acquired all shares in Fur Dressers and Dyers, which then changed its name to J.K. Mooney and Company (New Zealand) Limited. J.K. Mooney and Company Limited changed its name to Stewart Investments Limited. They incorporated Rosedale Scour as a separate entity (Rosedale Processers Limited) in 1962. Between 1964 and 1970 the company gradually closed down its country buying trade throughout New Zealand, and the early 1970s became difficult trading years.
The company took interests in A.S. Clulee Limited (carriers) and other businesses. In 1977 it was decided to close the Dunedin Branch buying operations, with the exception of possum skins. The company left the wool market, and Rosedale Processors was sold in 1978. Stewart Investments (the holding company) changed over to a finance company with shares in subsidiary companies. By 1979 the J.K. Mooney business had practically ceased. Both Mooneys Furriers and Fur Dressers and Dyers continued to operate.
(Notes from item and Dictionary of New Zealand Biography)

Photograph

Staff members standing in front of and behind a record shipment of rabbit skins

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsBusiness enterprises - Dunedin Fur tradeRabbits

Digital Collections

Hocken Digital Collections

Menu

J.K. Mooney and Company Limited : Records

Hocken Collections | Te Uare Taoka o Hākena