NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 54, 1 February 1884, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY.

On January 9th, His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Miss J,eryois, Major Eccles, A t P,,C, His Worship the Mayor iW. P. Street, Esq.), and Mr J. B. Bradshaw, visited the grand -establishment of the New Zealand Clothing Factory situated in Dowling-atreet, Dunedin. They were courteously shown over the establish' ment by Mr Bendix Hallenstein, the principal of the firm, and the details of the factoiy were explained to Sir William Jervois and suite by Mr J. F. Anderson, and particulars of the wave-, house by Mr Ij. Meays, His Excellency expressed himself delighted with the admirable working of the establishment, the fine quality and variety of the goods ; — especially of the woollen . manufactures by tho Mosgiel Woollen Faotory Company — and also with the ample provisions made for the comfort and health of the employes. Mis* Jervois seemed to be partic.cdarly interested in the work of the sewing machinists. His Excellency learned the following details in connection with the founding and progress of this important local industry, and they will no doubt be read with geneial interest, In 1873 the firm started business in Dunedin with the view of supplying the trade only, but owing to great opposition on the part of importers a retail establishment was opened in the Octagon about nine years ago. That being successful, Hallenstein Bros, and company established branches in Christohurch, Tima.ru, Oamaru, WeU lington, Auokland, Napier, Ashburton, Wanganui, Tnvercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, Thames, Lytteltou, Patea, Waimate, Waipawa, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Hastings., Hokitika, Greym.ou.th,, and Heefton. The principal warehouse, offices, and factory are situated in Dowling-street, Dunedin. These have a frontage of 50ft by a depth of 220ft. The main warehouse flat has clear space of 1 6ft between floor andceiling,aucl here is stored an immense quantity of goods, including clothing of every variety, shirts, hats, hosiery, rugs, and blankets of colonial manufacture, and about 2000 pieces of woollens of New Bealand manufacture. There are two wide staircases leading from the warehouse to the factory, which is 30ft from floor to ceiling with a gallery all round it, and capable of sealing 1000 workpeople. The lighting and % cntilation of this flat were desigued on the most approved modern principles by the firm, a d perfectly carried, out by Mr D. Ross, architect. Here the centre of ihe floor is utilised with . a platform on which are erected 160 sewing machine^ in two rows, and between them there is a large trough $w

receiving the -work as it leaves the machines— thereby avoiding all risk of soiling. On the eastern side of the factory may \>e seen an imposing array of tables, where 150 coat-makers are employed ; opposite them are 70 hands \ engaged in vest-making, and immediately behind 20 employes are engaged in finishing white and coloured moleskin trousers. The other portion of this floor is occupied by counters whereon in stacked work preparatory to issue to the various handsT Ascending to the, gallery are two 'stair-case's, and on the eastern side of it 60. button-holers are employed, while no less than 100 trouser-finisheis occupy the other side. About 30 men are employed at the northern end, which is used solely for pressing the work. This portion of 1 the gallery is fitted with all the re- ; quisite modern appliances^iricluding: a furnace erected in such am sinner as- to ! reduce the chance of danger from, fire :to a minimum.' On the southern enl of the gallery about 20 cutters and trimmers are employed, "exclusive of three special' measure cutters. The remainder of the space is occupied with stacks of tweeds ready for cutting into various garments. Immediately under the gallery are two large, rooms, ono being used for the storage of trimming, while the other is set apart for the inspection of the work previous to its'being, forwarded to the warehouse. Special provision has been made for the comfort of the employc2, in the shape of a: large and well-furnished diningroom underneath the northern end of the gallery. About 600 people are engaged in this establishment, and ia connection with it and the branches tho firm now employ 1000 hands. As evidencing the marked progress ofJ the firm, it my be mentioned that when they commenced business they employed scarcely 100 people.