SODA FOUNTAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 6

SODA FOUNTAIN.

WELL-EQUIPPED CENTRAL PARLOR.

Residents of New Plymouth and the surrounding district, as well as visitors to the town, may look forward to the heat of the approaching summer without foncern, happy in the knowledge that ample provision has been made to.quench the thirst and cool the system on the hottest day that may come. The soda fountain which was installed in Messrs May and Arrowsmitli's dining and refreshment rooms last year, and whicli met the heavy demand nuule upon it throughout the season, has been so reinforced in view of She coming summer that no demand will be too much for its equipment to meet. Moreover, Mr. F. May, under whose charge the soda fountain is, has recently spent some time with a well-known Auckland firm of purveyors of suchlike delicacies, and is thoroughly ssauainted ■ with all the latest advances in the soft drinks and ice cream business. The proprietors of this popular restaurant are therefore in a position to eater for the requirements of an unlimited clientele.

In addition to all the appointments of a well-equipped and modern restaurant, there is also attached to'the premises a beautifully cool and shaded grass plot and rose pergola, beside a running stream, where refreshments will be served in the hot v days. This spot became very popular last year, and during the period of th<? epidemic and the succeeding weeks sjrved a most useful purpose. Clients of this old-established and highly esteemed firm of confectioners may rely upon getting the purest and most wholesome goods obtainable. In the production of their confections nothing but the best materials are used, and these are worked up under the most favorable 'conditions and in accordance with the latest and most scientific principles. One strong feature in the manufacture of the goods is the fact that no imported eggs are used in any case. An arrangement has been made with the Taranaki Egg Circle, and an excellent supply of fresh eggs has been arranged for. The' winter supply is assured by "putting down" large quantities of eggs in the summer time. For this purpose \S j large vats have been installed, each capable of holding about 1100 dozen eggs, ! and these, with a number of oil drums, I etc., contain the supply of eggs. Incidentally, it may be mentioned, that one vat of eggs lasts' about three weeks, j Another interesting portion of the equipment of Messrs May and Arrowsmith's bakehouse is the new machinery by which the bread is made. This is a new invention, the work of Mr. May himself, and he has had the process patented. It has been in operation only a short time. The bread is delivered from the mixing machinery on to a machine which consists chiefly of a series of wooden rollers, which cause a number of canvas bands to rotate through several lines of shelves. The bread is thus carried, during the "proofing" stage, which occupies about ten minutes, along by means of the canvas bands, and finally delivered into the moulding machine and made ready for the oven. The most important feature of the mechanism is'not merely J;hc faet that it eliminates a large amount of labor, but that it eliminates altogether the necessity for handling the dough. This is the only bakehouse in the province, if not in the Dominion, in which bread is not handled In the making: Mr. May states he is riot aware that there is a process for making bread similar to his own in existence anywhere. Since its installation Mr. May has been able to increase his turnover of-loaves by several hundreds per week.

The whole bakehouse premises are kept in a spic and span state, and Mr. May states that, while thousands of visitors have already looked over his place, he ia always willing to show visitors over the place and allow them to see for themselves the conditions under which his goods are produced.