Elizabeth Dreaver

Elizabeth Creilman Dreaver (née McHoul c. 1848 – 30 November 1934) was a pioneering milliner and draper in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Dreaver was born in Glasgow circa 1848, the daughter of Elizabeth McHoul, née Creelman [sic], and boat builder Hugh McHoul.

She worked as a domestic servant, and emigrated to Otago in 1870 aboard the Robert Henderson.

In 1885 Dreaver spent five months in Scotland for her "bad health", and on her return brought with her stock from London and Paris. She also brought a new pattern-cutting system. Dreaver was Otago's sole agent for the American Scientific System of Dresscutting, and taught the system at Otago Girls' High School. She was survived by two daughters and two sons. The business continued to be run by the family, but ceased trading in 1953.

Dreavers buildings Dreavers buildings on George Street have had multiple tenants, including a ladies' seminary, McQueen's hairdressing (1883–1903), Bon Marche children's clothing shop (opened 1898), after which in 1904 the drapery expanded to fill all three shops. Other tenants included Hans Pauli, who purchased James Dreaver's fancy goods business and ran it until 1892.

New shop fronts were built by the Fletcher Construction Company in 1925, incorporating recessed arched entrances, and decorative tiles forming "Dreavers Ltd" at the entrance, and decorative glass.

After the closure of Dreavers drapery, the buildings were occupied by the Bruce Shop (an outlet for Bruce Woollens), the Otago Sports Depot, a Queen Anne Chocolate (Ernest Adams) shop, Ace Alterations, Martins Art Furnishers, Don Kindley Real Estate, Brent Weatherall Jewellers and the $ n' Sense dollar store.