WM. COOK AND SONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1915, Page 16

WM. COOK AND SONS.

Palmerstoa Cooperage and Box Eactory. A Jerogresshre Industrial Undertaking. Messrs. Cook and Sons are the pioneers in the cooperage trade in the Paknerston North district. The business was established in 1878 by the principal of the present firm., and like many other old reiidonti, Mt. Cook ha# seen P&lmer= Btan develop !r@m a struggling bush tewnihlg to one ©f the ebiel Klaus towns in Kftw Zealand, la the §a*ly days the eeepoags tt?4§ wa§ a veyy gf€eftfi©§B east In thsif day» there were no J?e> mgwatoM or •opm'atei's, and consequent' Jy the Mttkri had few market* for their produce, and with butter selling at from 4d to 6d per lb, and then had to be taken out in groceries and other household tcommodities, there was little demand for butter boxes and cheese crates. But time alters all things, and to-day Cook's is a very busy centre. The factory, which is situated on Main-street, half way between the town and Terrace-end, is a large concern, and in the flush of the freezing and dairying seasons employs about 50 hands, exclusive of the proprietors themselves, who take their share of the hard toil inseparable from a business of this nature. It says a good deal for the resources of this progressive concern when it is mentioned that it supplies nearly all required in the^ way of tallow casks, fruit cases, butter' boxes, cheese and butter factory and brewery vats, within a radius of upwards of forty miles ; while for some lines the firm's resources are called upon from many distant parts of New Zealand. Large vats for breweries and dairy factories were in course of construction for the South Island, and one for the Bay of Islands a few days ago, when the writer had the privilege of being shown over the .factory. Although this may be regarded as the 1 off season, a wonderful air of progressiveness and . busy life permeates the whole factory. _ A few years ago the premises were considerably enlarged to cope with the everincreasing trade, "uid almost every few months further facilities are being added to the business. The machinery installed at Cook and Sons' is of the latest procurable, and it can safely be stated that there is no similar factory in New Zealand with more up-to-date machinery, the_ total value of which, on a very low estimate, represents something over £5000. It would v indeed be impossible for anyone^ outside the trade to attempt anything in the way of an adequate description of all the machinery employed in this , business, but there is one installed a few weeks ago that cost £1000, and as there is no other in New Zealand approaching it at present a brief description may not be out of place. It, in appearance, Bomewhat resembles a printing machine, and iB known as a new Berlin high-efficiency matcher. It is not to be confounded with anything German, as the name Berlin might imply, because it ia entirely of Canadian manufacture, and is certainly a marvel of ingenuity, set on a solid bed of concrete, and doing the work of many hands in capital style under the able guidance of Mr. Albert Cook, the firm's engineer. The machine is certainly an^ acquisition to the business, and is fulfilling the firm's expectations in every way. The whole frame of the Berlin is cast in one solid piece, which, while affording the sturdiest foundation for the working parts to run on, thus considerably lessens the vibration, which enables good work to be accomplished without a flaw. The machine is a huge concern, and. it is marvellous how rapidly undressed timber of any width up to fifteen inches can be passed through it beautifully dressed on both sides, and bevelled to any pattern. It is possible to put through 250 feet per minute, and this could be increased by using extra pulleys to run at a fa6ter rate ot feed. « With such an up-to-date plant as, Messrs. Cook and Sons now have installed, it can be readily understood that the firm are in a position to cope with a large trade, and it behoves dairy factory managers and others interested in supplies of this nature to consult them, and we believe it will be admitted that for satisfactory and reliable work Messrs. Cook and Sons can not be excelled in any part of the Dominion. - The factory, as a whole, is replete with every device to facilitate operations, lessen labour, and improve the health of those employed therein. For instance, there is practically no dust or shavings flying about, as is usual in many similar concerns ; the whole of the debris is conveyed direct to the furnace, and there utilised as fuel, by means of an exhaust suction fan, and it is interesting to note that the refuse during the busier months of the year is ample to supply all power required. From power generated in the factory the firm have their private residence in Broad-street and offices in Main-streot lit with electric light. Band re-sawing and planing is carried out on an extensive scale, as is also the manufacture of cask shocks for export, and casks for freezing works are contracted for in any quantity. Quotations are given free, and work of any nature connected with the cooperage trade is carried out promptly and efficiently. Messrs. Cook and Sons draw a good deal of the timbers used at -their factory from their own mills on the Main Trunk line. A railway siding recently laid right into the factory yard enables the firm to handle supplies out and in expeditiously. The clerical work' of the business is carried out by Mr. Wallace Cook, and' it certainly is one of the chief industrial enterprises of Palmerston, and it is indeed a great pity that there are not more factories run with the same commercial enterprise as this one, especially as Palmerston is such a convenient centre. The latest addition to the factory is a huge ferro-concrete smoke stack erected by Messrs. Perrin Bros, and Needham. This is 85 feet high, and contains upwards of 85, tons of material.' It is the only ferroconcrete stack so far in actual use in these parts. During the slack season of the year, Messrs. Cook and Sons bring the logs per rail from their bush on the Main' Trunk, and saw them into boards at their factory. This provides employment permanently for their staff, and enables the firm .to get large supplies ready for their busy time of the year. It is also worth noting that the whole of the cement used in erecting this tall chimney was manufactured in the Dominion. The cement used was Golden Bay, manufactured at Tarakohe, near Nelson. Mr. E. D. Berry, engineer for the works, after very careful and thorough tests, was quite satisfied that Golden Bay cement was of such high grade as justified him in using it for this important structure. This is certainly a fine compliment to pay a Dominion-manufactured article, and the Golden Bay Cement Company are to be congratulated on the splendid quality obtained in the cement they are turning out. The Hopwood Hardware Company are the agents. E.H. CRABB. Mr. E. 11. Crabb, the well-known Seed and Graiu Merchant of Queen Street, Palmerstou North, has recently added a land agency department to his business. Mr. J. W. McConnon, travelling representative of the firm, specially attends to the land agency business, and owing to the exceptional facilities at the firm's disposal, they are able to render valuable assistance to prospective buyers in being able to give first hand information regarding propeities in their hand-: I'm 1 sale. See udverliso-

Situated on Main Street, right opposite the Railway Platform. The "Buffet" is nicely furnished and admirably conducted by Mr. J. POWELL, the proprietor. Tariff is moderate.

The recognised Commercial House of the district. Ably conducted" by Mr. WALTER H. HOSKING, a former popular resident of Palmerston North. The Criterion is centrally situated and affords excellent accommodation to visitors.

Mr E. BLAKE, a Butcher at Bulls, considerably assisted the funds of a fete held there last month by making a magnificent display of meat as shown by the above photo, which was taken at his stall on the racecourse during the couvse of the fete. The fat sheep displayed in the foreground is a sample of what can be raised in £he district : it weighed 134 lbs. The fete realised well over £1000, which bears striking testimony to the patriotism of Mr. Blake and other residents of Bulls.

Messrs. C. PEEEY AND CO.'S fim are Ceneral Storekeepers. Ironmongery obtainable here at very reasonable prices, great number of clients the firm have Messrs. Perry and Co. treat them well

le new premises at Longburn. This firm /, Drapery, and Stores of all kinds are i. This is Longburji's only store, and the in the district is convincing proof that