THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 329, 11 February 1874, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY.

(From the " Daily Times")

The manufacture of clothing upon a large scale is an industry that has been carried on ■with great success for years past in Melbourne and Sydney, but here it is almost "an entirely new branch of business. It was commenced some time ago by one Dunedin firm, but was soon discontinued. We have upon several occasions referred to the New Zealand Clothing Factory started by Hallenstein Brothers and Co.; and now that the firm have taken possession of their new and extensive premises, we propose to give a more detailed account of what they have done and what they intend to do. The new manufactory is in Rattray street, opposite the Custom House, in the building formerly known as Baxter's Bond. The building, however, has undergone such extensive alterations, in order to make it thoroughly suitable to the purpose for which it is required, that inside it looks like an entirely new structure. These alterations were carried out under the direction of Mr. Ross, the architect. The building, which is of stone, now consists of three flats, each 22ft. long by 28ft. wide. Half the ground floor will be used for a show-room, while the other portion will be occupied by the offices and room for storage. The firat floor is divided into three apartments, the partitions being of glass, bo as to render the work of supervision more easy, and to afford more light. One of the rooms on this floor is used as a cutting-room ; another as a pressing-room, and the third as a receivingrooin. On the second floor is one large apartment, 29ft. by 28ft., used as a general work-room. Here also are the machine and finishing departments. There are fourteen sewing machines in use, including a binding machine and a button-hole machine, bothby Singer. These, we are informed, are the only two of the kind in the Colonies, and they are both handsome and expensive. Halleiistein Brothers and Co. commenced their present business on the premises known as the Old Provincial Hotel,- where they remained for about four weeks, and they only moved into the new manufactory about a fortnight ago. The alterations have not been completed yet, so that a short time will have to elapse before they got into full work. At the present time there are sixty hands employed, the greater number of whom are women and girb, but the firm are prepared te employ two hundred more as soon as they can get them. The managing partner, who for a number of years held the position of manager of one of the largest clothing manufactories in Melbourne, brought over his foremen and forewomen for the different departments with him, and most of them are persons who served their time under him as apprentices. One jgreat feature of the system in force at the New Zealand Clothing Factory, is the division of labour, and the only qualification necessary in those who seek employment there is ability to plain sew, for the labour is mostly unskilled. We were shown the books of the establishment in order to get an idea of what the employes could earn, and it could easily be seen that it took them a very short time to learn their business, and that when they know it they could earn good wages. Some women who could only do plain sewing were employed for a fortnight at ten shillings a week, while ( they learned to finish trousers. After this they went on to piece work, and the first week they earned fifteen, shillings tmd ninepence, the second week sixteen shillings, the ! third week twenty-one shillings and nine- - pence, the fourth week twenty-five shillings and sixpence, and' the fifth week twenty-seven-shillings, which is about the highest they will -be able to -make. There are ten apprentices at present employed, articled for either one or two years ; and when the establishment is in full work the proportion q£ apprentices will be about -forty, in a total number of .three hundred hands. Women

apprentices receive seven and sixpence a week for the first (cix( cix months, twelve shillings for the second* six months, fifteen shillings for the third, and twenty shillings for the fourth. Girls of about twelve years of age are also taken as apprentices, and they are paid for the first six months two and sixpence, for the second five shillings, and for the third seven and sixpence. When their time is up their apprentices will always be readily employed at the manufactory, as from their knowledge of the business they generally make the best piecework hands. As we staUd before, division of labour has been found to be of great advantage to the manufacture of clothing. Waistcoats — the smallest article made at the factory of which, we are writing — pass through at least eight hands, while the other articles go through from eight to a dozen hands. For instance, a woman who sews on buttons never does anything else, and so on with felling and tacking button-hole making binding, &c, This, however, only applies to hands who are employed on piece work ; the apprentices learn the business right through. The hours of labour are from half -past eight in the morning until half-past five in the evening, from one till two in the afternoon • being allowed for dinner. We must not omit to mention that the work-rooms are light, comfortable and well ventilated, while on the premises there are lavatories provided with every convenience for the work people. There is also a large copper on the premises for boiling water, so that those who like to have their dinner can make either tea or coffee. In every respect the firm appear to have made provision for the comfort of their employes, and we have no doubt they will reap their reward in being able to command the services of a superior class of hands. On Saturdays work is discontinued at two o'clock in the afternoon, and the work-people are paid as they leave the premises, the daily work having previously been entered up in a boo"k. None of them are ever kept after the regular hours, and no over time is allowed The men's and boy*a clothing manufactured on the premises is made of broad cloth, doeskins, end tweeds, from the best English, Con-" tinentd!, Australian, and New Zealand manufacturers, and at the present time the firm have about £1000 worth of ready mode clothing on the premises, all ready for sale. By the first of next month this stock .will have increased to £3000 worth, and then it is purposed to commence selling. When freight and duty are taken into consideration, it will easily.be seen that Hallenstein Bros, and Co. will be easily able to compete with the Melbourne manufacturers, and there appears to be every prospect of the New Zealand Clothing Factory being a great success.