Mr. J. L. Matthews was born in Oamaru and educated in Timaru. He removed to Dunedin with his parents and entered the drapery and men's wear trade, receiving a sound training in the fundamentals of the business. About 1914, he removed to Wellington, and entered the business of Messrs. James Smith, Ltd., from where he transferred, about three years after to the business of Mr. D. S. Patrick, and in 1924 came to Petone to manage the Petone branch. In 1927, the new premises were erected and, in 1930, Mr. D. S. Patrick decided to dispose of the Petone business. It was purchased by Mr. Matthews who formed the company under which the business is at present conducted; Mr. Matthews being the managing-director. By the gift of his personality and his strict attention to the needs of the public, Mr. Matthews has built up a progressive business, and during the new era that Petone is now entering, the business will serve the ever increasing needs of the Petone public.