in 1893, after the retirement of andrew newton, john mackay headrick continued in partnership with his brother arthur. their success was such that at the end of their lease on clewett's quay street site in 1894, the company moved to a substantial new two-storeyed premises in east street, between william and derby streets. despite headrick's move out of the quay street building, an association remained between headrick and clewett, as in august 1890, headrick had married felix clewett's daughter, annie isabel clewett. following headrick's move back to east street to the company's new building (john m headrick & co building), the quay street store was occupied by the mercantile company and agency, clewett and thompson. william george thompson was a well-known agent for a number of companies. after service in the boer war, thompson returned to his business, served as president of the rockhampton chamber of commerce and, in conjunction with dw jackson, as mercantile, insurance, shipping and forwarding agents. the firm also supplied stock and station requirements, groceries, wines, spirits, beers, tobaccos, cigars, cigarettes and butchers' requisites.