Daniel Mellis

Daniel Mellis, Gymnastic Apparatus Manufacturer, Joiner, and Cabinet Maker, 77, Dumbarton Road, Partick.—

    This business has been established in Partick for upwards of forty years, and has occupied the present premises during the last twenty years. These premises consist of a large timber yard with commodious workshops, with machinery, driven by steam-power. The business all along has been in the nature of general joiner work in all its departments ; but for many years now it has had a very decided speciality attached to it, which has brought it very prominently into public notice — we refer to the manufacture of gymnastic apparatus. The trade in this branch of the business has been steadily increasing year by year, owing principally to the great attention that is now being given to the teaching of gymnastics in our schools. All the newest and most approved forms of these gymnasium requisites are manufactured by Mr. Mellis, and specimens of his ingenuity and fine workmanship in this direction are scattered over the kingdom.

    In Glasgow he has equipped the following : Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow Academy, Victoria Baths, Bellahouston Academy, Bellahouston Baths, Christian Institute, 3rd L.R.V. Drill Hall, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Langside, and various others. In Edinburgh he has fitted up the following : Heriot’s Hospital (two schools), Watson’s Hospital, Warrender Baths, Drumsheugh Baths, Royal High School, Edinburgh Board Schools ; Royal Veterinary College, Mr. R. D. Graham’s Academy, Merchiston Castle, &c., &c. He has also fitted up the Board Schools of Kirkintilloch and Lenzie, and James Coats, junior, Esqr.’s private gymnasium at Paisley ; the Drill Hall, Paisley ; Royal High School, Dundee ; Riding School, Cupar Fife ; Moffat Institute, Moffat ; D.R.V. Drill Hall, Dumbarton ; Drill Hall, Ardrossan ; Laurence Anderson,Esqr.’s, establishment, Ayr ; Young Men’s Christian Association Rooms, Campbeltown ; Deaf and Dumb Institution, Yorkshire ; and the gymnasiums at Bury St. Edmunds, Peebles, &c., &c.

    It is with craftsmen such as Mr. D. Mellis that the development to a great extent of the more humane sports furnished by the gymnasium lies, and it would be very gratifying to hear of a universal public recognition being given to it. Mr. Mellis, in addition to this feature of his business, does a large amount of local work in general joinery. Long practice and perseverance on the part of Mr. Mellis has made the business what it now is — one of the best of its kind in the city, and its proprietor’s merits are well worthy of support and distinction.

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