THE GROWTH OF AN INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 4

THE GROWTH OF AN INDUSTRY

From the mah-and-a-boy stage, sixteen years ago, on Thorndon-quay, to fifty men and boys to-day in Newtown, is a succinct summing up of tho growth of the cabinet-ihaking business carried on by Mr. Edward Collie, whose name now stands prominent amongst the furniture manufacturers of the Dominion. Since his removal to 16?, Riddifordstreet, Newtown, near the corner of., Constable-street, the business has grown by leaps and bounds, and even during the strike period the band and jig-saws, turning lathes, squaring machines, and dove-tailing machines were all kept busily at work. From the imported English oak some fine desks are manufactured, the grain being beautifully brought out on a highly-polished surface. It may appear a little curious to the ordinary colonial, who has been led to believe that all manufactured articles are cheaper in the Old Country, to aco quotations from thp English makers and compare them with those of an up-to-date factory like the one referred to. Mr. Collie has only recently returned from a visit to the_ Old Country, and has had good opportunities of studying the subject at. first-hand. The days^ of gold and glitter have passed, and the furniture now manufactured, is much better suited to the simple 'architecture of New Zealand homes than the more ornate furnishings which still find favour amongst the mining magnates in Park Lane, London, or the lich mill-owners of Lancashire. It is often said that the industries of Great Britain have been mainly built up by successive families of tradesmen and workers. Mr. Collie has only been sixteen years manufacturing furniture in ' New Zealand, yet some of his hands have worked foi' htm ten, twelve, and fifteen y^ars — hot a bad sign of the relations or and ent' ployee in these days of industrial unrest. English oak and New Zealand kauri are the woods principally used in all grades of furniture manufactured ; nothing is left to chance, as the wood is thoroughly seasoned in racks set apart for the pur- • pose in the timber yard, and there is a fumigating room close by for furniture that requires elaborate graining. White pine and other kind* of soft woods that harbour insect life find no place in this yard. Amongst the article* more prominently displayed in the show-room ate oak sideboards, dinner Wagons, diningroom tablfes and chairs, dining-room suites, settees, Morris and drawing-room chairs, wardrobes and bed-room suites, oak, kauri, and rimu bedsteads — some very simple in design, and others of a 1 more ornate kind. Passing the modest frontage to the show-room and factory, at 167, Riddiford-street, one would hardly expect to see such an elaborate exhibition, inside. Specialisation is the rule at the, factory, and as a pin passes through many hands in it 3 course of manufacture, so dors an everyday article of furniture, from the time it leaves the timber yard till it passes to the hands of Uie polisher at the upper part of ■ the building. Though situated in a suburb, this factory does not come within the category of that generally referred to as a suburban factory, for it is quite up-to-date in every respect. The braift that plans and ihe pye that sees everything done are .quite evident to the most ordinary observer. There is no waste, and no one comes between the user and tho manufacturer. The man or woman who wishes to furnish a house niter his or her own ideas can do so without any great trouble, for everything is plainly visible; any desired shade or pattern can be 3ecurpd, and a choice of imported or New Zealand wood obtained, if desired.— Advt.