KEEP THE FLAG FLYING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 32, 8 February 1915, Page 6

KEEP THE FLAG FLYING

BRITISH GOODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE. HHHE importance of Sheffield as a Feat of manufacturing industry in England is nowhoro more strikingly or more conclushely attested than at the vast electro works of Messrs. Walker and Hall. This distinguished house has boon in oxi^ence nearly seventy years, and it holds the honoured position of being the pioneer in the great art industry with which its namo is associated — tho electro-deposition of gold and silver. One has only to reflect for a moment upon the universal use of electro-plating at the presont day to understand what a mighty trado was originated in Sheffield nearly seventy jears ago, when the business hero under notice was inaugurated by its founder, Mr. George Walker, who was soon after joined by Mr. Henry Hall, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. George Walker, the actual founder, has left behind him a name that is never likely to be forgotten in Sheffield, and few men even in Yorkshire have displayed 6uch talent, energy, and natural ability in raising themselves from a humble station in life through tenaciously working out a new invention. Certainly it falls to the lot of very few men to start 60 huge an industry as that of electroplating in Sheffield, and tho success here achieved in developing and improving the wonderful trade stands a convincing testimony to Mr. George Walker's rare capabilities. THE START. Starting as a working cutler, and at a scanty wage of 15s per week, and maintaining himself, his mother, and two children, George Walker little knew he was destined to be a leader in the great and entirely new industry of depositing gold and silyer upon metal ware by means of electricity. _ He soon showed a desire to advance himself by tho acquirement of technical knowledge, and in his eagerness to loam something beyond tho craft to which he had been brought up, ho early exhibited thoso traits of character — industry, application, and indomitable resolution to make progress — which have distinguished nearly everyone who, like himself, has proved his claim to rank among the unassuming great men of the country. After preparing his mind by reading such books as ho could obtain, feeorgo Walker sought in earnest for the acquirement of practical knowledge, and to this end petitioned to bo admitted to electrical classes then conducted by Mr. Brandon, surgeon, who lived at Baslow, Derbyshire, to a very advanced age. This request wa.s acceded to, and Walker's instruction was to be_ paid for by his personal 6ervicos in cleaning and keeping in order (he various apparatus used for the class experiments. Mr. Wright, surgeon, of AttcrclirFe, then a suburb, now a part of Sheffield, who was ultimately tho imentor of electroplating, selected George Walker to assist him in his development of the discovery, advancing his wages to 25s per week. Theso two laboured so successfully together that eventually they brought into a practical condition the great invention which was to add beauty and durability to countless articles of daily use, and to provide a means of livelihood for thousands of workpeople, OVER 2000 BEING EMPLOYED by Walker and Hall. After leaving Sheffield for a time to perfect his knowledge, George Walker returned and engaged to work for a capitalist, but disagreeing with his employer he commenced operations on his own account. Being joined by Mr. Henry Hall tho two partners entered earnestly into their work, and after many nights and days of study, thought, and labour, thoy eventually succeeded in perfecting the art of electioplating. The disappointments that George Walker endured wero such as arc inseparable from the lot of anyone who essays to develop a now idea or create a now industry. Many a time he had to persuadenianufacturcrf, to try one© more the great invention, and on. all such occasions He had to combat tho most stubborn unbelief. Many a time the capricious silver would not adhero in tho process of the polishing, but fell off in flakes, or granulated into real silver sand. Many a time the solution decomposed or deposited so roughly as to make the work far too expensive, 'but porseverantia omnia vincit, and in the end success was the crow n of unremitting labour. Before he died George Walker had the joy and satisfaction of seeing tho art of electroplating attain its present perfection, and also of sooing the linn of his prime creation achieve it 6 position as the Jargest and most celebrated of its kind in the world. Wo do not claim that Mr. George Walker was as great a man as James Watt, who discovered steam power through watching a boiling tea kettle, or as George Stephenson, but he certainly — though so modest that none have hoard him boastwas one of the great men of tho world. The present senior partner, Colonel Sir John E. Bingham, Bart., V.D., J.P., entered tho business at the age of 16, and has advanced stop by etei> through all ite grades to his present position as senior of the concern, and is now, we boliove, the oldest master elcctroplater living. With liim is now associated^ his son, Mr. Albert E. Bingham. With regard to the industrial operations of Messrs. Walker and Hall, they have developed at a rate which must have far exceeded even the most hopeful expectations of thoso interested 111 tho progress of the concern. Tho prosent senior partner joined the firm when it mustered home twenty hands —to-day the firm have in their employ, including branches and outworkers, over two thousand employees, and their hugo establishment, tho result of many and frequent enlargements, is now one of tho sights of Sheffield, particularly at night time, when its Hundreds of close-set^ windows, emitting rays of light from within, present, a very brilliant and striking scene indeed. Messrs. Walker and Hall manufacture every class, not only of electroplate, but also of solid gold and silver waro and beit table cutlery. Spoons and foiks aro a very special product of this noted house, and aro turned out in patterns and qualities to meet the most exacting requirements. Messrs. Walker awl Hall maintain a standard of merit which is quite unsurpassed. They hold very large stocks of the various goods, the exquisite design and finish of which may bo seen to advantage in the showrooms established throughout the world. Tho general quality of each article is attested by tho presence of the_ trademark of the hoiißc, a flag booring the letters "W. & H." A SURPRISE. A few months ago a distinguished party of visitors spent au hour and a-half walking up and down and around and across the great building block of Messrs. Walker and Hall's, with members of tho Imperial Industries Club. It certainly surprised thorn, for thoy had not previously atternptod_ tho couple of miles of sight-seeing which the promises supply. On the wholo they did not think thoy would have foreseen in detail works which illustrate euch a variety of labour, from genuine artistry and beautiful manual skill down to simple cleaning operations. Reviewing that memorable visit they feel they, could only throw together a few strong impressions without sorting thorn. Here are somo of tho facts which hit the now observer sharply. First, tho hiving of such a throng of workers was very impressive. Peoplo busily at work were found by tho mile. An astonishing amount of work was being don© by hand— true craftsmanship. Then, too, the firm seemed to make for iteolf whatever it wanted — in woodwork, for example, as well as tho goods which tho casefe were to carry. The processes were such an needed individual care at every stop. There was no turning a handle and leaving a machine to shell out products by the gross all alike. The thought of combining the labour of so many departments into a harmonious and paying whole was enough to make on© fool giddy. Why. on passing the internal telephone room, which links up nil ports of the promise for intercommunication, we asked, "How many **par*l«> call plnne* do*>» that- lataic opt 1 ' [..fate? 1 ! aa<l wero. informed— 42.. !Xo cco v

the beautiful articles in the showroom grow gradually into their use and beauty from the plain raw material is to watch a sow miracle. And one of the strangest feelings to us was when the finished article was on view. No man could say, "That is my making." The clever shaping was one man's pride, tho chasing another man's, and so on through a long list of processes. At the end the memberb of the club, oven the youngest, wished to sit down while they wondered. Tl-./1 nhive flr-n reco^nipes that a number of the public understand very little about the babe, or material, on which the deposit of precious metal is made. Their deposits of gold and silver on the base metal has stood the test throughout tho world for nearly 70 years. Messrs. Walker and Hall produce the highest quality of goods. They advise, when purchasing, to insist upon having articles of British origin. They warn the public that many articles are on tho market marked E.P.N.S., Al. This con\eys nothing unless bearing with it a well;known name and trade mark. This will be found when visiting Messrs. Walker and Hall's Wellington Branch, 157, Featherston-street, where will bo seen silverware, etc., that will astonish the most critical. In the past the British have materially assisted to build up tho German nation by buying their goods and » by travelling by their 6teamers. Let everyone get this motto in his head : 'British goods for British people." GOD SAVE THE KING, AND NO FOREIGN GOODS.