73-Year-Old Flour Mill In Heart Of Wellington

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27874, 24 January 1956, Page 3

73-Year-Old Flour Mill In Heart Of Wellington

“The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON, January 23. Next door to the building housing the Japanese Legation in Wellington and close to one of the capital’s oldest cinemas is a large building from which the steady clatter of machinery can be heard. Trucks constantly come and go. In this building is Wellington’s only flour mill, which has operated from the heart of the city for 73 years. First site of the company was in Cuba street on what is now James Smith’s corner. Later, it moved next door to number 63. Business was carried on from Cuba street until 1926, when a small brick mill was established behind the present building. Six years later, the present building in Eva street, facing Dixon street across an empty section, was used.

The company, founded by a Cornish immigrant, Mr Sampson Rowe, and his three sons in 1883, has traded under the name of S. Rowe and Sons ever since, although the Rowe family had no financial interest in it for three years. The business has changed considerably. At first, it dealt in grain and produce for feeding horses and stock, but the development of engines cut this trade. At the time of the move from the Cuba street premises it was decided to start flour milling. In the meantime, a prosperous trade in manufacturing prepared stock foods had been built up. Three years ago, Mr Eric Rowe, a grandson of the founder, sold out to a co-operative organisation. , Mr Rowe gave up all financial interest in the mill but stayed as man1 ager for two years. He still calls in occasionally. About a year ago, the company : obtained the assets of a South Island i mill and moved the machinery to Wellington. This increased output four times.