A BUSY FIRM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 10

A BUSY FIRM

♦ THOMAS BALLINGER AND CO., LTD. _ One of the busiest factories in Wellington, is that of Thomas Ballingcr and Co., Ltd., Dixon Street, makers of plumbers' and other appliances. A large proportion of tho stocks of plumbing liardware and gas and electrical fittings in the Ann's warehouse and showrooms in Victoria Street, are manufactured in this factory, as well as material to execute large contracts for Government and private works. These contracts include the hot-water heating system in Parliament Buildings, which, is the largest contract of this kind soAth of the Line. Another example of special work which the firm has in hand is a lighthouse ventilating cowl, made of cast bronze and sheet copper, for tho Marino Department, tho second of its kind made by this iirm. The needs of the military _ authorities also are being fully met in many lines, and every department of tl!b works in Dixon Street is working at high pressure. The visitor in the well-lighted building is almost deafened by the clamour of hammers and machinery, and sees about him the articles being mado, in all stages of progress.

An interesting placc is the cornier shop, adjoining the moulding room, whero washing coppers are shaped, and eopper cylinders corrugated and fire extinguisher cases mado—to mention a few of the articles which, pass through the machines, and. under tho dinning hammers. , ' '

Thomas Ballinger and Co., Ltd.. arc the sole makers of the Empire venti-

lating skylight, in which, by means of holes in the metal frame which holds l the glass, ventilation is obtained while the air, passing beneath tho glass, prevents the condensation which invariably takes place in unveutilated skylights. The firm are also the makers of military badges for the Government, including the distinguishing badges of tho different Reinforcements, and the initial or title badges which are worn cn the soldiers' shoulder-straps to indicate which arm of the forces they belong to. Five hundred metal horse-feed boxes, and thousands of brass button cleaners arc also among the tilings being made for thp military; the list grows overy day, and machines which were put aside to make room for more modern ones have been overhauled and put to work to copo with tho rush of work.

In tho diop which toils to fill the Wants of builders, huge and wonderful machines cut sheet galvanised iron into strips, and othors speedily convert it into down-piping, ridging, and spouting. Patent wire clip spouting brackets represent another of the firm's specialities. In fact, everything of this kiud that is ever likely to he wanted is made in this factory! In addition to the articles mentioned, the firm are manufacturing and selling agents for tho Douglas hath heater, Fischer's water heater, Blockley's ventilators, Brown's cream separator—an ingenious invention in which the croam and milk aro' separated by gravitation and without any turning of wheels or handles. Green's nesting milk can, the Empire acetylene generator, Hainsworth's electric water heater, and tho Empire ciiider sifter complete this'list. Thos. Ballinger and Co:., Ltd., ar© tho recognised-.- makers of special fire bri-

gade fittings, including hydrants, directors, couplings and nozzles. Hand pumps, anil chemical extinguishers for use in motor launches are also lines for which a steady demand has to be met. Other fire prevention appliances made in the factory are fire-resisting doors, wire gauze shutters, and metal window frames for wired glass, to comply with the Fire Underwriters' specifications and requirements. The firm are also erecting agents for the Grinnell firo oxtinguishing sprinkler, a system' widely used in Australia,. Electrical agencies—all British—held by Tlios. Ballinger and Co., Ltd., are the Eastern Lift Co.'s electric lifts, the Simplex Conduits, Ltd.'s Conduit heating appliances, the Bastian Heating Syndicate's electric heaters, and Gent and Co.'s electric clocks, telephones, etc. This electric clock is a new thing in timekeepers. Any number of clocks may be connected with the transmitter and all will keep exactly the same time. One, which is erected at Petone, is proving satisfactory, striking the quarters as well as moving the hands on four six-foot dials. All the goods shown in the firm's showrooms are British made, and Mr. •Thomas Balluiger has profited bv his extensive travels in their fitting out In Umco ho found the model for tho nurror-walled showroom for "as and electrical wall and ceiling fittings and shades while from Buffalo, U.S.A., ho took the idea of having a totally dark, black-walled- room in which to show to purchasers the effect of different shapes and colours in shades when the light" is turned on., In every branch tho firm is thoroughly up-to-date, and an inspection of tlieir showrooms iq at all times cordially invited.-