Fascinating Visit

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 904, 22 February 1930, Page 6

Fascinating Visit

POSSIBLY every small boy in New Zealand longs for the day when he will he allowed to wander through a chocolate factory! But, alas for our youthful fancies—the reality is far from the dream, and the typical chocolate factory of today is a hive of industry, of machinery of all kinds, of accuracy, and cleanliness, and finally of hard work.

A trip through the splendid factories in Newmarket of Browne Bros, and Geddes will convince anyone that New Zealand chocolate and confectionery makers are exceptionally capable and wide awake. The freshness, cleanliness and orderliness of the different processes is remarkable to watch. In the caramel room, for example, deft fingers, assisted by the best and latest plant that money can buy, produce caramels second to none. Next is the making 1 and wrapping plant, where human-like machines do the w'ork of many hands, and below is another room, particu-

larly important for the very high-class jubes and crystallised jellies which are produced there, have a Dominionwide reputation.

On the second floor, another important and interesting department has its home. Here is the chocolate room, where the Dominion’s chocolates are turned out by the ton. of a Quality that defiies equalling. One of the busiest sections is the corner where '.he tablet chocolate is produced. a continuous belt delivering thousands to the wrappers each day and every day. And so one can go through the factory, watching every process from the huge plant that grinds chocolate out of the raw bean, to the final packaging, and understand why Brown Bros, and Geddes products have found their way throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. Rapid progress has been made by this enterprising firm during its 30 years existence. The first place of business was in the old Parnell Hall. Later, a move was made to better premises in Stanley Street. The business is now carried on in commodious and up-to-da.te premises in Manukau Road, Newmarket. Here the goods are manufactured under ideal condi-

A TRIP TPIROUGH AN AUCKLAND CHOCOLATE FACTORY

lions by a staff of skilled workers. The factory is a model of cleanliness throughout, and its entire staff of "00 employees is uniformed. Goods are now turned out in the highest state of perfection and under the strictest supervision. which ensures that the public receives the manufactures in tip-top condition. An up-to-date motor-truck service is maintained for the delivery of goods in Auckland. The company’s wares enjoy more than a local popularity, however. In addition to being supplied to retailers in all parts of the Dominion, they are exported to Aus-

tralia as well as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Rarotonga, Tahiti and the Cook Islands and other British dependencies.

Messrs. Browne, Bros, and Geddes, Ltd., are showing by their activities that there is at least one firm in New Zealand which is worthy of the support of New Zealand consumers on account of the state of perfection reached in the manufacture of their chocolates and confectionery. They have lately installed a research laboratory equipped in the most up-to-date manner and under the control of a chemist, who has had special training in the appliance of science to the confectionery industry. All raw materials are tested in the laboratory, thus ensuring that only the finest of the world’s products are used in the manufacture of Browne Bros, and Geddes’ chocolates and confectionery. Parents can, therefore, rest assured that all sweets manufactured by this firm are absolutely pure and wholesome and can be given with the utmost confidence to their children. A considerable amount of money has

recently been spent in remod.M;. whole 'factory with and machinery, and the firm .P?® l that this is the best-equiptM>d alna fectionery factory south of IJm. Coß ' The capital invested in the com. and its management are entire!.] y and in view of this fact and portanee of this industry it j. S lto ' that the Government will provideY?* 4 adequate protection. The coma.?,®' wares are recognised as equal if superior, to the very best lines, and although some varietiecost a little more than other manufactures. their high .---‘f®* 1 must be taken into® cotStm 3 tion. The firm is actually eunolw?' a product equal to imported chocoiat and sweets at a price only sliaho in advance of the average DimeS; product. OQ The employees of the firm receive splendid consideration, persona s fort and recreation being the of the firm’s regard for them, Browne. Bros, and Geddes. Ltd , recoA nises this principle. Plaving a-’eas provided for the staff, and in Vint*? socials and dances, as well as skatinr are indulged in. The old Universi& building, which was, incidentally tbi> seat of the first Government of Zealand, was purchased some vea»* ago for this purpose. Inspection o' the firm’s premises by interested parties is welcome.

Browne Bros, and Geddes uses onlv the highest-grade raw chocolate andbv special processes, the result of y ctry

of research, it is given a delightfully smooth, velvety texture. The original flavour is preserved and the exact proportion of sweetening is added to gin it an irresistible appeal to the faatidious taste. The plain chocolate, sold in gener-ous-sized blocks at popular prices, la rich, satisfying, and has a high food value. It is also obtainable with nuts and dried fruits, making a wholesome and particularly appetising confection. The chocolate varieties sold in handy and artistic boxes contain delightful selections for presentation or theatre parties. 8.8. and G. is always adding fresh novelties in fillings to tempt the fastidious taste, many of them being the creation of the firm’s experts. In fact, Browne Bros, and Gedde* has proved beyond question that It every variety of confectionery its products can meet all competition fro® overseas, and by merit alone hold the first place in public favour. By efficient distribution the local keeps retailers supplied with fres. stocks, so that when you by 8.8. and G. chocolates you can be sure of getting them in first-class condition, a «*£ advantage over Imported lines, whici may have been lying for months in tt? shop or warehouse.