James Roberton

JAMES ROBERTON (Successor to Andrew Menzies), Funeral Undertaker, Cab and Carriage Hirer, Job and Post Master, 120 and 122, St. George’s Road, Glasgow.
Branch: 273, Eglinton Street, S.S. Telephone: Nos. 1217 and 146.

    Probably nowhere in this country has the equestrian business been better represented or brought to a condition of greater completeness and perfection than in the commercial capital where posting and hiring trade fulfils an important part in the City’s daily activity. The main essentials of sanitary orderliness and organisation have received the most scrupulous consideration at the hands of several notable firms, and in these and other respects it is believed that perhaps the finest arranged stables in Scotland are those situated close to Charing Cross, Glasgow, and occupied by Mr. James Roberton.

    The large business of which these stables are the centre has been in existence for many years, having been founded by the late Mr. Andrew Menzies, predecessor of Mr. Roberton, who has been connected therewith for twenty-four years, twenty-one of which he acted as Mr. Menzies’ manager. During that period Mr. Roberton has adopted every means to improve its efficiency, as well as to expand to the utmost the resources of each of its various departments, and the large premises of 120 and 122, St. George’s Road present a fine illustration of the standard of first-rate development to which a posting and hiring establishment can attain. The building is of three floors, and the interior, which is open in the centre, forms a square of 150 feet, the entire space being uninterrupted from the ground floor upwards. The system upon which the wings of the building have been constructed is that of several successive tiers resembling the galleries of a theatre, and under this well-conceived plan stabling for the horses is afforded on two floors, while the ground floor affords ample accommodation for harness rooms, cab and carriage rooms ; and the whole place presents an aspect of exceptional attractiveness, and is rendered inviting by the clean and tidy features that are everywhere observable.

    The requirements of the stud are well cared for by a staff of efficient grooms, and, every detail being under the immediate personal supervision of the principal, the work progresses on all the principles characteristic of a first-class and well-equipped menage. Between the branch establishment at Eglinton Street and the headquarters of the business communication by telephone is duly maintained, and the firm are at all times in readiness to carry out the most elaborate or urgent orders of a large hiring and posting business.

    The funeral undertakings may be said to constitute a business in themselves, the proprietor being entrusted, with the arrangements of funerals for all classes of the community, and this branch of work he carries through with due regard for the requirements of each occasion. Promptitude, which is at all times the essential element in funeral undertaking, is observed in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to patrons, and the services of a fine stud of Belgian horses add to the impressive appearance of any large funeral cortege. Mr. Roberton commands at all times a good equipment of horses, and equal attentiveness is given to every order in a way which must recommend this establishment to all who can appreciate and take advantage of the economical methods under which every one of its varied operations is regulated.

    The proprietor is well known for his liberality and ready anticipation of the exact needs of his supporters, and at the head of a business which is a standing credit to the trade it exemplifies, Mr. Roberton is favoured by the esteem and patronage of an influential clientele.

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