"OUR OWN."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 10

"OUR OWN."

KAIAPOI GOODS.

For more than one reason the manufacture of woollen goods ia one of tlio most important industries of the Dominion. Firstly, it utilises the staple product of the country, and, further, it meets the. demand for an article which would otherwiso have .to bo imported. Many a man has his needs met by tlie Kaiapoi Woollen Company's work and braves tho cutting winter winds in a Kaiapoi outfit, but, comfortable as he is. he rarely gives a thought, to. the fact that this is not only suiting his own oonvcnienco, but helping local industry in wearing the excellent manufactures of the Kaiapoi Company. "Kaiapoi' should bo the New Zealander's watchword, with the firm's clothes in the day time, the firm's • blankets, at night, and . their rugs when travelling.' The displays made during Industries Week givo a fair idea of the vogue,of Kaiapoi material, no fewer than twelve drapery and general, outfitting establishments showing the firm's goods. _ Some of tliem even dovoted two or tnree windows to the separate sections of manufactures. Messrs. Kirkcaldio'and Stains show three distinct sections of tho goods, produced at tho Kaiapoi works, one. section being devoted specially to „ costumes, and forming an Libit which fairly depletes tho'store'of praise words at the command of the ladies. Merc man-'cannot riso to a piano high "enough to pronounco the merit of this particular'class of material, and has to be content with the. eye,-ploasing effect and. tho encomium • "good goods." The rugs and clothing however, appeal to the immature male idea of what is/what, for man is essentially a being who regards comfort and stylo as the first thing of all. , Apart from the utility side of the question, the Kaiapoi exhibit is a pleasing and educativo one. Another pleasing eifhibit is one of blankets in the window of the D.1.C., whero the manufactures of the Kaiapoi Company are combined with those of other firms, with an effcct that, has to seen to lbe appreciated. Effective blanket displays are also made in tho, windows of Messrs George and George, and George Winder. Still another .. section of Kaiapoi work is to be seen at Mr. 0. Smith's establishment, where hosiery is. displayed, which work will challenge comparison with any imported article of the _clas3. At Messrs. Caterer and Carey's an object-lesson in the way in which tho goods are made is given.. To describe tho various branches of manufacture would bo more, than could be entered upon at present, but the oshibit shows the rough, greasy wool as it is sent to the factory, the scoured, and I the. dyed product, the spun and,woven yarn, and finally the woven and finished blanket. Tho extent to which the buyer can help local industry by patronising Kaiapoi manufactures may be ganged by the fact that tho firm was establishedsome thirty years ago, and, with the various warehouses, provides employment at present for-upwards of a thousand,people.'