THE TE ARO STEAM LAUNDRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1903, Page 2

THE TE ARO STEAM LAUNDRY.

GROWTH OF THE BUSINESS. AN ACCOUNT OF MR. NAISMITII'S ENTERPRISE. ONE of the f eaturen of tho development of Modern Wellington has been tho growth of the laundry industry. Mr. A. Naismith's Te Aro Steam Laundry, which is situated in IJ upper-street, is a striking cxnniplo of this particular line of development in tho Empire City. Mr. Naisinith began hia indiifctry twenty j'cars ngo in a very modest way, upon the silo of his present extensive premises. In tho beginning of his enterprise he had one small wa»her only, and a- small steam mangle. Within ten years the business luul moro than doubled its output and plant, the machinery in use being two largo washere, two steam mangles, and ono small extractor, and about sixteen handss were employed. To-day tho laundry employs from thirty to forty hands, has three steam mangles, one mammoth mangle, fivo washers, two ironer», two largo and ono small extractor, and the power is furnished from a 36-borse-power boiler. The turnout totals some 30,000 articles per week, and a two-borso delivery van is kept constantly employed. Tho busiest season of the year is between January and May, at which timo the factory goes at high pressure. The clienta of tho To Aro Steam Laundry include vessels of tho Union Steam Ship Company, tho Shaw-Savill Co., the New Zealand Shipping Co., a number of local boats, hotels, and a large number of private houses. Since October last Mr. Naismith Im.s spent £2500 in additions to his premises and improving the machinery and appliances of the laundry, and if the business continues to expand at tho rate experienced during recent years, further improvements and facilities will be required. The factory occupies a space of 100 ft x 60ft, and is a two-story building. The founder of the business has gone into wellearned retirement so far as active management is concerned, and his son (Mr. W. Naismith) and two daughters are now sharing the managerial responsibilities.

When "tho washing" arrives at the laundry it is delivered into the dirty-linen room, where expert sorters rapidly pick out tho different articles, tossing them into specially-arranged bins, of which thero aro wixtecn. As many aa half-a-dozon sorU-'rs are nt times omploycd in this department. After being sorted, the articles, oach in their separate group, go to the braas-lined, rapidly -revolving washing machine, the latest thing of its kind. This machine can wash 120 ehoeto at a timo, and thero i» absolutely no chance of articles being torn or being soiled with oil or verdigris during tho operation of cleansing. Tho firVn also makes its own soap, so as to ensure purity of material. Its internal action nnd purpose is after the system of the humblo wash-board, but there Li less friction Uian the board calls j forth. Articles are tumbled in the machino from 30 to 60 minuks; Mid the operations of rinsing, blueing, and starching are all done in the sumo machine. From hero tho clothes go to tbo extractor, another rapidly-revolving machine, which extracts tho water by air-presMire, instead of by " wringing.' Flannels undergo special treatment, in order that there may be a minimum of shrinking, a soap specially adapted for this data of washing being used. Flannel* are given the freshair treatment, which benefits them 100 per cent, more than the hot chamber, ana a very large platform carries numerous clothesline*. ■" From tho extractor tho many articles comprised in the term "household linen" go direct to tho moat conspicuous object in the laundry — thu Mammoth iron machine, which is really a leviathan mangle. This machine occupies a floor-space of 13|ft x 13ft, and it has & height of übout sft Bin It is heated by steam, a pressure of 80lb being kept up while it is at work.

Tho Mammoth has a great capacity for work, keeping three girls constantly putting in the articlra of nousehold and ships' linen, nnd two hiking out. Though much heat naturally arises from tho machine, tho room is well ventilated by fully a dozen windows, tho comfort and convonience of employees being considered by tho firm. From tho Mammoth, tho articles are- sent on to the tables set apart for folding. Hero they are made up into bundles of ten, and passed on to other girls for tying up, checking off, and dropping into shins bags or town baskete. Tho tinnl check is made as tho articles pass by Mr. Naismith's office for delivery. Upstairs, which is approached either by stairway or lift, the fin© work of the establishment is carried on. Tbo Te Aro Steam Laundry has won an enviable reputation for tho finish of its fine linen, especially that of shirts nnd collars. The reputation of the firm's work brings shirts and collars ovon from Napier and jFoxton.

Tho high polish ■which the flrm gets upon lto articles is secured by tho combination of tho very beet starch and tho uso of the verjr latest American ironing machines, which work wit-h perfect evenness. After tho washing process the shirts and collars go to tho drying-room, which is lion ted by nioaim of sl«im pipe*. After a period of from thirty to thirty-five minutea i the drying-room, tho articles nro starchx., and the »hirte nre "blocked" ready for the ironing machine*, every operation being methodical, time being a consideration when much hne to bo done. The ironing machine*, which do absolutely no injury to the ftfhirto or collars, do the work of live wc-nwii working with the flatiron, and

six collais can bo ironed at tho one time. The room is ventilated by two clec-tric-fnris, us well «s by tho windows. Besides tho machines already enumerated, thero are three small mangles which are u>>ed for small and delicate articles, such ns ailka, handkerchiefs, etc. Taken altogether, tho To Aro Steam Laundry is a well-organised, up-to-date establishment, and its proprietor, by his enterprise, is keeping up with the needs of the city in hia special industry.