AM" ENTERPRISING NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 108, 3 November 1926, Page 16

AM" ENTERPRISING NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY.

(Published by Arrangement.)

Duncan's Confectionery Works. Wholesale Confectionery Manufacturers, Pactory, 45a, Wilson street, Wanganui.

The gr/wt popularity ami evor-in-creasing demand there ar« for Di _- can's Thistle Brand Confectionery throughout both the North and South Islands of this Dominion induced a "Post" representative to pay a visit to the establishment recently, and it may : at; once be said that the management -was exceedingly pleased to throw every department of the factory open to the pressman's inspection. Visitors are always welcome, said Mr. Duncan, as he led the writer off through the Buildings. In course of conversation it' was ascertained that the business was founded three years ago,' and for a little time Mr. Duncan, with 'the-aid, of one, girl, did all the trade that was offering. However, as the excellent quality of the goods became known it was found necessary to increase both staff and plant, and today the factory finds employment for twelve first-class tradesmen and several expert maids. The present output exceeds, eight tons of sweets per month, >vhich is in itself convincing proof that where a business of almost any kind is established with a due regard to quality it advances by leaps and bounds. The proprietors have had upwards of 26 yeara' practical experience behind them in all branches of the trade, and with a determination worthy of this progressive business the building of a larger factory and the installing of a complete new plant is contemplated in the near future. The company's goods are noted for their distinctive flavours, and are manufactured exclusively from firstgrade materials and pure food colours,, and the factory throughout was notable for the hygienic surroundings, ,being spotlessly clean everywhere. Trip Through Factory. The writer, in company with Mr. Duncan, first of all paid a visit to the sugar-boiling department, where all classes of toffees, black balls, acid drops, etc., are in course of manufacture. Here wo see an expert sugarboiler putting a batch of mint chews on the hook, and deft hands moulding the great mass which is now snowwhite and ready to be shaped for wrapping. It was noticeable here that all benches and pans were beautifully polished. We then passed on to the Marzipan Department, where all classes of the popular Jap cream works, liquorice allsorts, are made; here an expert is seen • mixing up the lolly dough, another rolling it out in to sheets, and placing sheets of liquorice in between, the various colours making a beautiful contrast. When the process was complete the writer was informed that there would be in this lot ono whole ton of liquorice allsorts for the enjoymont of the juveniles who appreciate this popular confection. A visit to the jube department was next made. Here we see an expert filling rhoulds (which have, been made in traya of cornflour) with a batch of their' famous French jellies, the.output of which tho writer was informed was regularly not less .than two tons per month. It was interesting to note the ■ many -'-'different sets of moulds used in the process, and hundreds of trays, are here to. be-seen .*"%,, ipaded up......with., the .various sweets. Wo then passed on to the crystalising department, where we see rack upon rack^ containing innumerable tin trays fully laden with various jubes, -and covered with a glistening syrup which adds the sparkle to them. We now, visit the sifting room, where a youth is busy sifting the hundreds; of trays of goods, already set and ready for finishing. We now eiiter the. dry-ing-room, which is kept tt a temperature of 130 degrees day arid night, and large quantities of gums, jubes, etc., are also to be seen here, undergoing a process of drying, and although the inspection tip to this point i was most interesting, the intense heat of this department was too much for the writer, and was well qualified to prepare an ordinary being, for; another world, or the life of Satan's companion. -Mr. Duncan happily noted the writer's embarrassment, • arid hurriedly suggested that we pass on to the finishing-room. Here we ■ behold the varied kinds, of sweets, finished, and ready for weighing and packing. Around the various benches neatly attired girls of thepraeticalikind are going at top. Two and a half tons of lollies.are on the benches in froit of them. These were all on order;* The retailers-were calling aloud for them, and they are being dispatched without delay.' The factory' store was next Waited. This was full" to overflowing with tons of. sugar, coconut, almonds, gelatine, gum glucose, and the various other ingredients that go to make "Thistlo Brand" confectionery.' Special attention/was directed to the ■,f act, that everything employed in Duncan's factory is of the highest quality, arid firstgrade only, a,fact;that has ,been the means- of building up this sound business which, has so manifestly won the confidence of the sweet-eating public of the Dominion, as is evidenced by,flie great arid growing demand there is for Duncan's confectionery. .' The offices arid storerooms where we finally wander are the centre of great bustle. Here we see the busy storemen packxag up the various orders ready to be shipped'or railed to different parts of the Dominion, arid an excellent sample is shown of practically all the goods manufactured on the. premises. At this stage.a not top particular feeling develops in our mouths and minds, which is immediately cured by the receipt of a nice box of the various, lines, which brought a very pleasant hour to an end, and time for departure arrives. We leave with a feeling of pleasure and delight, having established in our minds every confidence in the purity and excellence of Duncan's Confectionery.' '

The Company have now established agencies in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington, Oamaru,- Dunedin, and Wanganui.