PART FOUR - BONNAR & ATKINSON - The ConnectionIn this part I attempt to answer the first question I set myself in
PART ONE:
[1] What was the nature of the relationship between Bonnar and Atkinson? This is the most difficult question of them all - but so important to the pre-history of the great
Scott Bonnar Company. It would appear that the two companies - one large; one small - entered into
a
business arrangement, whereby Atkinson acquired (at some point) the business conducted by Scott
Bonnar at Bloor Court.
I believe the relationship came about because of a known fact: Scott Bonnar
re-enlisted in the A.I.F. (Australian Infantry Force) in
mid-1918. The uncertainty of that action required Scott's consideration
and planning as to the running of the business he had built up since
1916.
Part of that arrangement - I speculate - involved Scott Bonnar continuing to trade under his name
(and involving him) right up to the very
end of 1919.
Spot the difference(s) in these two advertisements:-
In
1920, perhaps ownership of the business was transferred to
Atkinson. In the
early 1920 advertisement
below, note the attribution to the '
Late S. Bonnar,' an indication of the good will and reputation of
the previous owner:-
TO BE CONTINUED ...