HENRY BROWN & CO.

TIMBER MILLS AND FACTORIES

No industrial occupations in Taranaki have been so frcgnantly assi&ted by the rapid increase of dairying as those connected with timbei mills and factories, 'lhis is brought about in several ways, but mainly through increased prosperity, and population demanding new dwelling houses, the construction of purely dairying buildings, and the manufacture of butter boxes, churns, and like requisites. Already several new mills have come into existence, and energetic attacks are being made on the umbrageous ranks of the forest. In number of hands engaged alone no provincial industry except dairying itself is so .important. Of the institutions largely ocoupied in directly serving dairying one of the most widely known is that of Messrs Henry Brown &. Co.. who have relations with all parts of Taranaki, and from north to south of the colony. Messrs Brown & Co. manufacture thousands of the butter boxes which carry the product to the ( home markets, and also the churns and other accessories used in obtaining the product. Besides this .they negotiate sash and doo.- work, and most other descriptions of timber manipulation required for building and other purposes. The whole of their enterprise calls into employment, directly or indirectly, about two hundred men, tho utilisation of large factories, and expensive milling and other plants. In this occupation more than in most others the commercial men of . Taranaki have risen to their opportunities, and rendered themselves independent of outside competition. The .business of Messrs Brown & Co. was established in Taranaki about thirl,five years ago by Mr Henry Brown, one 'of our best known and most respected residents. Twentyfour years ago a mill was opened at Inglewood, and' with the expansion of dairying was kept veiv busily engaged. Nine years* ago Mr Chas. Ahier joined Mr Brown in partnership, and. subsequently Mr. Frank H. Brown becamo a member of the firm. The devflloi-menU during the past few years, as may be imagined, have been altogether out ot proportion to those in the earlier

period of the history of the business. Step by step the firm have demonstarted their ability to co^e with thi demands made upon them by general industrial growth, and their plam, is now one of the most complete in the colony. The head office is in Gill Street, New Plymouth, while at Inglewood is a splendidly equipped factory, timber yard, and sawmill, at Waitara a timber yard, at Stratford a timber yard and sawmill, and at Midhirst a sawmill. In addition they own a large extent of bush country, and consume part of the output of two other sawmills. Theninterests are so imp ortant that it «a really necessary to amplify these bald statements. For some time the principal factory has been situated at Inglewood, and every visitor to that centre is acquainted with this excellent establishment. It contains new machinery for timber working, and, with the sawmill there, is fitted up with the electric light. The most difficult work is 1 turned out and no busier scene could be desired than that supplied by the powerful mechanical appliances producing the various useful articles in so much request, and by the number of hands tending them. The three mills are equipped with the best machinery, and are served by tramways into the forest and locomotives for hauling the logs. A visit to these forest dragons is always interesting, and the mills of Messrs Brown & Cb. abundantly demonstrate the fact that New Zealanders are not behind their Australian or American contemporaries in this industry. The timber yard at Oill Street, New Plymouth, contains a big stock of timber and there, also, butter box manuiacture is being completed. It is the intention of the linn to greatly enlarge their New Plymouth operutions, a statement that should be welcomed by all well-wishers of the town. Besides intending to erect new offices a large factory is in course of construction in Morloy Street, to be connected with a railway siding, and is to be supplied with the latest timber working machinery. It is expected to be comply ed and in full $wing by Christmas. This factory will be a valuable adjunct to the industries of New Plymouth.

More particular reference should be made to the out-put of Mess.-* Brown & Co. It ;» estimated they produce annually irom 80,000 to 40,000 butter boxes. These art* made of white pine which, previous to the initiation of butter export, was comparatively valueless. Now because of its suitability for the purpose it is in great request, and in course of time is likely to become one of our most ..-xpensive timbers Machinery cuts the parts of the boxes and machinery impresses upon them the brand of the particular factory for which they al'3 turn i «i out. A new machine is being obtained for this purpose and will effect the printing by means of a roller. Dairy people are further largely served by the manufacture of factory churns, butterworkers, butter trays butter sf&des and shovels, packers, rollers, and other similar requisites In these the firm have acquired a wide reaching reputation, and orders, for their churns and butter maker.come from as far north as Auckland, and south as lnvercargill, and in t'ne occasion of our visit a ilokitiki order was being filled. Tbis opens up a big area of country, and gives Messrs Brown & Co. more than local importance. Apart from these the firm are busily occupded in manufacturing sashes and doors ajid all descriptions of joinery; and mouldings, the great activity, in the building trade throughout the province causing: a constant and enlarging" demand It has been their endeavour to meet every local want, and from New Plymouth, Stratford, Inglewood and other centres the3 r secure numerous orders. Besides builders' requisites of this description they import and supply builders ironmongery and glass, keeping a full stock for the convenience of their customers. Th\zs they fill an important function in Taranaki, and possess one of the largest private institutions in the province. _ Tho Messrs Henry and Frank H. Brown supervise the Inglewood factory antl tho bushfelling branches of the business, while Mr Ahier manages the financial department and the timber yards. Mr Henry Brown represented Taranaki in the last' Parliament, has been a member of several'local bori - ies, and has always taken a keen interest in town and provincial affairs. Messrs Brown & Co., as timber merchants, are useful to Taranaki, and with several such enterprism--firms in other branches it would no»be difficult to uphold the prestige of the district.