Dalgety and Co was formed in Melbourne Australia in 1846 by Frederick Gonnermann Dalgety. Traded as a Merchant and wool broker company. Dalgety and Co grew in wealth and became an incorporated company trading under the name of Dalgety and Company in 1884. Operations expanded to New Zealand and by 1903 offices were established in Christchurch, Dunedin and Napier. Captain John McLean was the first manager of Dalgety and Company in Christchurch. The Dalgety offices building was erected in 1898 and was situated in the Cathedral Square and demolished in July 1970. Wool and Grain Stores were located at the south west corner of Moorhouse Ave and Colombo Street. In 1962 changed its name to Dalgety & New Zealand Loan Ltd after it merged with the New Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. Then in 1983 it merged with Crown Consolidated Ltd to become the Dalgety Crown Corporation Ltd. In 1986 it became Dalgety Crown Ltd and in 1993 was acquired by Wrightson NMA Ltd to become Wrightson Ltd.