W. M. Payne - Bookseller, Stationer & News Agent

George Slater & Co. of Brisbane opened a branch in Ipswich next door to the Post Office in Brisbane Street in November 1871. They were wholesale and retail booksellers & stationers but provided other services too. Less than a year later they sold the business to T. W. Hoey. 

After 14 years in the trade, T. W. Hoey sold the business to William Munton Payne (W. M. Payne) on 21 July 1886. 

W. M. Payne moved the business into new premises in 1896. This position was four doors past the Post Office, further down Brisbane Street towards Brisbane, and opposite Bell Street. It was a new building owned by Mrs R. Watson and became known as Watson's new building.There were three shops in the structure. W. M. Payne occupied the middle floor shop with Rose's Universal Emporium at ground level and Fox the chemist upstairs. Goods for sale included family Bibles, writing desks, work boxes, albums, picture books, prayer books as well as periodicals and stationery. Payne also had bicycles to sell.  Unfortunately by mid 1897 the business was in serious financial difficulties. This brought on a meeting of creditors that lead to liquidation. In July of that year the business of W. M. Payne - Bookseller, Stationer & News Agent was sold to Thomas Alexander Forbes Darker (T. A. F. Darker).