Stories from Deli

HANDELSVEREENIGING F. KEHDING.

This firm was established in October, 1880, under the style of F. Kehding, and the founder commenced business in Tandjong Poera, the seaport of Langkat, as agent for the Ocean Steamship Company (Holt Line of Liverpool) ; also as a general merchant. In April, 188 1, the agency of the Shipping Company in Deli being relinquished, the business was transferred to Labium — Deli. In the following year a branch was established in Bindjey, in Upper Langkat, which has been maintained since ; and in 1883 an agency was opened in Medan. From 1883 till 1880 the firm also had a branch office in Tandjong Poera.

With the opening of the Railway line from Medan to the coast in the year 1885, a branch office was opened at Belawan, the harbour of Deli. In 1893 the Labuan head office was transferred to Medan.

Two- years later, Mr. Gustav Kehding, a brother of the founder, joined the firm as a partner, after previous twelve years’ service as an employee, but he relinquished his connection with the business in 1900. having decided to settle in Europe. In the year 1906, the firm was formed into a company under the style of Handelsvereeniging F. Kehding. Messrs. F. Kehding and C. Siegmund being nominated directors.

Mr. Siegmund, after about ten years’ service with the old firm as assistant and as procuration-holder, was entrusted with the management of the Company’s operations in India, Mr. Kehding taking charge of the European business. From the year 1885 till 1897, the firm fulfilled the functions of the German consulate.

The business transacted has been of a very various nature from the beginning ; but estate agency and shipping have always been the main interests of this concern, the firm representing the Ocean Steamship Company, Limited, and the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company, Limited, of Liverpool ; also the Messageries Maritimes de France, of Marseilles. A large volume of fire and marine insurance also has always been a feature of this business, the firm having held for many years the agency of the Commercial Union Assurance Company, Limited, as well as of several other insurance offices. The Company is part proprietor of the Sungei Rawa Saw Mills, situated on the Sumatra coast, opposite the town of Malacca, and is dealing largely in cut wood as well as timber for building purposes; also in attaps (a roof-covering material), cement, and all kinds of iron goods of European manufacture for use in building operations in the tobacco fields and on the coffee and rubber plantations.