PROSPEROUS HAMILTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15932, 1 June 1915, Page 11

PROSPEROUS HAMILTON.

WINTER SHOW DISPLAYS.

SIGNS OF ENTERPRISE.

SOME OF THE SHOPS.

Marked progress has of recent years been I made by the township of Hamilton, the chief business centre of the Waikato. The growth of the dairying industry and the high prices ruling for butter and cheese have been the principal factors in promoting Hamilton's prosperity. This week, the Waikato Winter Show is attracting hundreds of visitors to Hamilton, and those who have known the township as it existed five or ten years ago cannot but fail to be.impressed with the progress it lias made. The prosperity ot Hamilton is reflected in its thriving industries and its euterpiistng business establishments. In the following articles the. operations of many well-known firms are described. Some of them have played an important part in the development of the district, while others established more recently show that business men have every confidence in the future prosperity of the Waikato.

ARTISTIC FURNITURE.

MESSRS. AUGUST AND SAWYER.

J The (It-sign and manufacture of artistic furniture is the specialty of Messrs. August iina sawyer, whoso warehouse is situated in Victoria Street, Hamilton, next the Bank of Australasia. The business is a growing one and the reputation of the firm is enhanced by each article of furniture which leaves the establishment. Only the best materials are used, the management recognising that it is only by this means that a solid foundation for a successful business can be laid. In the showrooms, furniture of admirable design is displayed. The quaintness and artistic finish of the suites exhibited is far above the average, and there is not that monpV onouß "sameness" one usually notices in the average display of furniture. One beautiful oak dinfngroum suite particularly attracts attention. This was designed byMr. August and made ;or a client in Auckland. The workmanship is noticeably good, and the suite would compare more than favourably with the products of the largest Dominion furniture factories. The upholstery department is well stocked with very comfortable Chesterfields and easy chairs. Furniture to suit all purposes is exhibited, but throughout there is an absence of anything approaching shoddy in the material used. A visit to the warehouse of Messrs. August and Sawyer will prove of interest if not of value to anyone interested in high-class furniture. For those furnishing the prices arc right. Only experienced salesmen are employed. This is of a decided advantage to clients, as nothing is more annoying to a customer) than a novice at tho trade. People who are furnishing want the man who can interpret their ideas and put thorn into reality. This is the service Messrs. August and Sawyer guarantee. During the week of the Waikato Winter Show an excellent opportunity is afforded country residents of visiting the warehonse.' The establishment is within a minute's walk of the show buildings. A point 'that will doubtless appeal to local residents is the fact that in sending their orders to Messrs. August and Sawyer thev are encouraging local industry. A saving in railage is effected in buying locallv and this, coupled with the fa<-t that the furniture is easily equal to that manufactured in larger centres, gives Waikato residents little excuse for going outside the district to satisfy their requirements.

WAIKATO BREWERY. "PEERLESS PALE ALE." For nearly half a, century the firm of C. L. Innes and Co., Limited, Hamilton, has been established at brewers, bottlers, and aerated water manufacturer*, the name being a guarantee of purity and excellence. Peerless Pale Ale and.lnvalid Stout meet with a strong demand throughout the province, and the erterpriso of the firm in keeping the Wailuto Brewery up to date in every respect has been rewarded by the increasing popularity of their products.

In the brewing of beer an essential factor is the securing of a good water supply. Here fortune favoured the firm, and & few years ago, by sinking a deep well, Inniis and Co. were able to secure a flow of artesian water, approximating fOOO gallons an hour. The water, which lias proved ideal for brewing purposes, is obtained without pumping, and the fact that the flow lias not diminished in any respect assures the company of a permanent supply at a minimum of cost.

The brewery is a' model one. N'ot a year lias passed without the installation of some new labour-saving device, or the adoption of new methods calculated to ensure increased efficiency. One has only to mention the Linde freezer, which enables them in the summer time to produce ah article of unsurpassed excellence and purity. Recently, the management adopted the Crown corking machine, aninvention which is highly appreciated both by the brewers and their customers. The tin clip, lined with a thin cork dine, is a great improvement over the oldfashioned cork, and is saves both time and expense. Another interesting invention is the latest bottle-washing machine. The bottles are soaked in caustic soda for 12 minutes before passing through the brushing stage and into the rinser. Steam, generated by a 24 li.p. engine, is everywhere used for sterilising purposes, and hot water is laid on throughout the brewery.

The building is well designed, and every inch of space is used to the test advantage. The malt, which is the primary ingredient of boor, is stored in an airtight cellar. An automatic elevator conveys it to the top tif the building, where it is deposited in the crushing machine. It gravitates into the mash tun. supplied with hot water from a tank, having a capacity of nearly 2000 gallons. The extract runs into the wort boiler, where hops are added, and the mixture heated by a patented steam process. After being run over a cooler, the liquid falls into the fermenting tuns— Barrels of kauri, each holding 1200 gallons. The beor next runs into smaller barrels, known as fermenting limners, and when the process is complete, finally drops into the hogsheads. Before it is bottled, however, the beer is kept in stock for six months. The aerated water department is equally interesting. Carbonic acid gas is forced into carefully filtered water, and tho bottles are. automatically filled with the soda, water and syrups at the rata of 80 dozen an hour. The men who operate the bottling machines wear wire masks and sacking over their hands to protect them from bursting bottles, The firm's business extends throughout the whole of the Waikato, the King Country, and the Rotorua and goldfields districts, and the extont of their trade is a fitting criterion of the quality of their goods. Branch businesses have been opened at To Kuiti and Taumarunui. A line in which limes and Co. do & big trade amongst private customers, in quantities of a few gallons and upwards, is in their draught beer, which, like everything else manufactured by this brewery, is of the finest quality. The firm does not display that dilatoriness which is stated by jealous Southerners to be so often the ease in tho North, but abounds with energy and promptness, and customers can always rely upon the prompt execution of their orders.

THE DRAPERY TRADE. , MESSRS. HOUSE AND BAKING, I LTD. Although Messrs. House and Daking, Ltd., have only been established in Hamilton for two and a-half years, their ' drapery business is probably one of the largest-of its kind in the province, exclud- ! ing the city emporiums. Including its branches at Taumarunui and Te Awamutu, the firm has a staff of 35, and in the main shop, situated on a fine site in Victoria Street, Hamilton, employment is given to 19 assistants. It might be mentioned, incidentally, that the firm lias done its share in contributing men for the Expeditionary Forces. Every single man who was in the employ of the firm at the outbreak of war—with the exception' of one, who failed to pass the medical examination—is at the front. An active partner in the business—Mr. C. Daking. who manages the To Awamutn branchleaves for Trcntham on June 10. Naturally, the firm is proud of its record. A feature of the business conducted by Messrs. House and Daking is the extent of their direct importation of goods from England. Six months ago the services were secured of a firm of London buyers, who at the time were also acting for several of the largest drapery firms in Australia. The buying facilities of the Hamilton firm are therefore unrivalled, although the bushiest may not be of the size of the leading drapery establishments in other centres. Another point, closely connected with that of direct importation is thai in spite of the big advances in all textile materials the firm has not found it necessary to fall into lino with many other retail establishments-prices, so far as Messrs, House and Daking are concerned, remain as they were before the war. In the coming season they will be on an equally good fooling, for the whole of their summer stock has been bought under advantageous conditions. Larger shipments than ever before ordered arc conjing forward in August, September, and October, ,811 having been secured at prices ruling before the declaration of war. As far as value is concerned, the members of the firm are confident that they will be able to treat customers quite as well as any other house in the province.

A successful innovation in the business was made six months ago when the mail-' order system was adopted. The results up to the present have been most en- ! couraging in this department, and the svrtem promises to prove successful. All postage is paid by the firm. . Advertisements inserted in the Auckland Wekkia News have brought customers from as far south as Nelson, and in such distant and remote places as Tokomari'. Bay. It is well for Waikato people to realise that it is in their interests to encourage local enterprise and industry. Money expanded locally confers mutual benefits. On the other hand, by dealing outside the district, residents retard the progress of their district. Fortunately, it is not in this instance a difficult matter for Waikato. people to be truly patriotic in supporting local industry. " A discriminating buyer must recognise that in quality and price the goods supplied by Messrs. House and Daking compare favourably with those sold by firms outside the district. Further, residents have the knowledge that in dealing with tho local firm they have an absolute guaranty that the goods are reliable. The firm has always maintained a policy of endeavouring to secure the confidence of its customers by offering goods of sterling quality at the lowest possible price. The growth of the Hamilton business points to the fact that the policy has been a sound one. Prom tho first, it has been the custom of the firm to rectify any legitimate complaint. Any article which does not give satisfactory wear for the price paid is replaced, or its value refunded. Although this offer has been advertised from the commencement of the business, it is only in very few instances that complete satisfaction hag not been given and a complaint has been made. 'It will be seen from all these points that the business of Messrs. House and Daking, Ltd., has been founded on the right lines. The special advantages to b/.' gained by direct buying, with the assistance of representatives in London, are very considerable. The profits of the warehouseman are eliminated, for the London buyer deals direct with the manufacturers. Added to this the fact that, anticipating a rise in prices, the firm laid in a large stock of Colonial woollen manufactures, which have since risen considerably in price, the advantages of patronising this establishment are apparent.

FOR THE MOTORIST.

BUSINESS OF H. H. SHAW.

In order to keep pace with a rapidlygrowing business. Mr. H. H. Shaw, engineer and motor agent, specialising in the Buick car, recently removed his stock and plant to new premises next the King's Theatre. Victoria Street, Hamilton. Having also purchased the workshop plant of the previous occupiers of these premises, this commodious and up- I to-date- garage, fitted throughout with ! modern machinery, will now make a worthy headquarters for Bdick cars, and owners, present and future, will benefit thereby. The over-popular Buick car is as usual well to the fore at the Waikato Winter Show, where Mr. Shaw has a fine display of the' latest three and fire-Beater models. The fact that during eleven years trading these cars have never had to como out under n new name, and today are selling literally' by the trainload, is eloquent j.roof that thev have lived well up to the Buick policy of : " Giving all we can for what we get, instead of getting all we can for what we give." Buick reputation so preeminently firm and fair was not won hv chance, every Buick car must and will give the maximum of that service for which it was intended and at a minimum of cost- Buick cars make a very special appeal to the buying public, in that their valve-in-head type of engine is absolutely guaranteed to give 15 per cent, more power than any other type of equal size. This of course largely accounts for the wonderful Buick records in economy and hill-climbing contests. The graceful, streamline body of this car together with the high quality of upholstery and general finish give it that touch of refinement which is so plainly the pride of every Buicl: owner. Mr. Shaw reports a wonderful run "of orders .since the New Year, having practically trebled last year's safes, and clearly proving that under increasing labour shortage time has become a more I valued asset. A reliable and economical , car is now a practical necessity to every modern farmer. MODERN MOTOR-CYCLES. THE WORKS OF VICKERY. LTD. The ne".di of the cyclist are well catered for in Hamilton by Vickery, Ltd., a well-known firm whose business premises are in Victoria Street, a stone's throw from the post'oflice. During show week a special window display is made, many of the latest models in motorcycles being exhibited. An especially handsome machine, well-suited to Hamilton country, is the 3j-h.p Overseas motor-cycle, with three-speed countershaft gearbox, decompressor. kick starter, hand-operated clutch and twogallon petrol tank. This 'machine is sold complete at £75. The two-stroke 2J-h.p. Overseas motor-cyclo is a particularly attractive machine. Its features .arc a two-speed countershaft gearbox. Druid spring forks, and sight feed lubricator. The price is £50- In a class by its own is the Excelsior 7-h.p. motor-cycie, 1915 model, sold at £90. Several 'well-built and excellently designed side-cars are another feature of the display. With ur.dersrong chassis and coach-built body they ate sold complete at £20. Cycles and cyclist*' accessories are well displayed, and form a remarkably comprehensive exhibit.

PEARSON'S SAND SOAP. PRODUCED BY SECRET PROCESS. Very few New Zealand industries can claim to have been established for 30 years, but this is the record of the sand soap works owned by the Messrs. Pearson and Co., Ltd., of Hamilton. In the "early days, when Hamilton was struggling for existence, the enterprise of, the late Mr. E. J. Pearson led to the establishment in the district of a branch of the soap manufacturing industry. He possessed tho secret formula for the making of a carbolic sand soap, unrivalled for its properties as a disinfectant and cleanser, and decided to place the soap on the market. Beginning in a small way—the first cube of "Pearson's Carbolic Sand Soap" was mixed in a saucepan venture prospered, and each year has seen a larger output of the commodity. When the soap was first put on the market it had an excellent reception. In May, 1889, Mr. W. R, Clay, city health officer, Sydney, reported on'it as follows: " Pearson's Carbolic Sand Soap answers all tho requirements which the proprietor claims for it. For cleansing and disinfecting it is excellent, and it will be found very useful in every household." An .interesting testimonial is one received from Government House, Auckland, also in 1889. " Admiral Fairfax desires me to say that he has caused your carbolic sand soap to be tried on board H.M.S. Orlando, and also in his own house, and it is reported to be found excellent for scrubbing decks, floors, etc.—S. E. Erskine, Flag Lieut., R.N." Thus was local industry encouraged in the earlier days! On the death of the inventor the industry was continued in Hamilton by a son, the late Mr. O. Pearson, and the latter's brother-in-law, Mr. H. E. Tristram. On account of the growth of the business, it was deemed advisable to form the concern into a limited liability company, and it is by this organisation that tho soap is now manufactured, many tons being annually produced.

The manufacture of sand soap has been a popular venture in the Dominion, as well as in other countries. Tho number of brands of soap launched upon tjie market at various times is as numerous as the grains of sands which are the basis of the commodity. It is one thing, however, to promote a company of this nature, and another to carry it on successfully. In this respect it is noticeable that while the public is continuallv hearing of new brands of sand soap, the number of companies manufacturing the article remains approximately the same. With every new company that is formed, an older one closes its doors. The adverse opinion of tho housewife quickly ends the commercial career of an inferior article. But Pearson's Carbolic Sand Soap has flourished in spite of many rivals. Not only has the hall-mark of public approval been placed upon the soap by an ever-increasing demand, but wherever it has been exhibited it has received the favourable attention of experts. In 1906 Pearson's Carbolic Sai.d Soap was awarded a gold modal at the Now Zealand International Exhibition, hell in Christchurch. ( Many years earlicr.it took a first award at the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition, and a similar award at the Canterbury Industrial Exhibition in 1900. A special merit possessed by Pearson's soap is that it is an admirable disinfectant. The solution of carbolic acid which it contains gives it valuable properties which ordinary sand soaps do not possess. Insect life cannot lire near it. The soap is almost white in colour, and is sold in cubes, convenient for "Use, at a prico at which no imported article can compete. Thousands of these cubes, stacked in trays, are stored in the company's works at Hamilton East, undergoing the drying process before being got ready for export, The sand soap is specially adapted for scrubbing floors, benches, and all kinds of woodwork. It has a pleasant smell, and it accomplishes its work with a minimum of effort on the part of the housewife. Scrubbing is never a pleasant tusk, but its disadvantages disappear when the soap used is the Hamilton article. As a medium for scouring brass, iron, and tinware, the sand soap is unequalled. Cleanliness in the dairying industry is essential, and recognising this fact the companies or* naturally anxious to use only the best quality of soap. Some years ago the Pearson Company was asked to submit to ono of the biggest dairying companies in New Zealand a sample of sand soap, free from any smell, ana suitable for the purpose required. The dairy i soap was manufactured, and successfully I withstood the test given it. Many tons I of this soap are now supplied to the factories.

The fact should be impressed upon the Waiksto public that they hove a duty imposed upon them to support local industry. It is not a difficult matter to give Pearson's Carbolic Sand Soap a fair trial. Nothing moro than that is asked, and if the «oap does not give greater satisfaction than any other New Zealand or imported soaps, the consumer is fairly entitled to purchase where ho will. A discriminating housewife cannot fail to recognise) however, that the soap is a superior one, admirably suited to her requirements, and performing all that the company claims for it. Most "grocers throughout the district stock it, the price being entirely reasonable, DAIRYING MACHINERY. .T. B. MacEWAN AND CO. In view of the great interest tho farming community is taking in cheese manufacture at the present time, Messrs. J. B. MacKwan and Company's exhibit at tho Waikato Winter Show is of more than ordinary importance. The company is showing the latest labour-saving machinery for tho up-to-date factory—a cheese- vat of heavy and faithful construction, " Mac- j Ewan's" patent curd and cream agitator, already well known to tin progressive cheesemaker, and the latest improvement in cheese presses. This patent roller cheese press will specially commend itself to managers of factories, as it substantially lightens the daily labour. The improvement consists of so mounting the heavy head on rollers that, whom a man's full strength was previously required, the task can be performed with one hand. One needs to see it to fully understand what a saving this meansThe firm of J. B. MacEwan ami Company also exhibits the well-known L.K.G. milking machine and Electra. engine, and the dairy farmer who proposes to instal machines would do -.veil to inspect this exhibit. The MacEwan improved patent releaser is shown for the first time here and, while the machine is automatic in action and adapts itself to any quantity of milk, it is hard to imagine a more, simple or more effective arrangement. There is also shown Baltic cream separators, a high-grade separator that has been found to be reliable in running and a good, clean skimmer. Machines are made in all sizes, from the housohold Baltic, capacity Bgal an hourspecially designee for the man who keeps ono cow only foi his household supply —to the power machine, fo: the man who makes dairy farming his business. The prices arc moderate for a high-grade article, whero quality and utility are considered rather than cheapness. The whole exhibit should be inspected carefully by all who are concerned in the dairying industry, as some indication oi what can bo done to overcome labour difficulties on the farm.

MACHINERY IMPORTERS." MESSRS. MANSON AND BARB, LTD. The well-known Palmerston North firm of Manson and Barr, Ltd., machinery importers, have now a. branch business firmly established in 'Hamilton. A fine welllighted showroom provides ample space to display the various implements and machinery in stock. This firm is the North Island agent for the well-known Blackstone oil engines, both horizontal and vertical types being kept in stock. Any size can bo supplied, from 1J to 35 b.h.p., in portable or stationary types. Implements manufactured by Messrs P. and D. Duncan are much in evidence. Ploughs of all kinds are stocked, from the little garden implement to the massive swamp plough. A new implement specially made for Waikato lands is the Dagger plough. This instrument can be fitted with patent skimmers and knives, which device.-?, although adding a little to the draught of the plough, leave the ploughed land in a condition equal to ploughing and discing by the ordinary method. A number of Duncan drill* are kept in stock. Southern farmers coming North have created a strong demand for these drills; in fact, Duncan implements are now making a good name for themselves in the Waikato.

The Wallace Universal Manure Distributor is another implement which has been introduced into New Zealand by Messrs. Manson and Bait. It is claimed that this machine cannot be clogged by sticky manure. Kales of the distributor during the past year have been exceedingly satisfactory, a good number of the machines having gone to North Auckland. They are sold, subject to any trial with any kind of manure or top-dressing. In chaff-cutters, one of Andrews and Beavan's latest models takes its place in the show room. The handy Keystone Threshing Mills are now known throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. Samples of all kinds of grain and gi{assseeds threshed by these mills are exhibited. Although this lias been a bad year for harvesting, the sales of Keystones have almost exhausted the extensive stock carried.

In Noxon implements, a very fine collection of harvesting machinery is shown, including binders, mowers, and hay rakes. The Noxon goods are manufactured by a firm that is in no way connected with trusts. The goods are sold upon their merits. The binder on view is the very latest type, light of draught, with every part matte of steel to stand hard wear. Canvases are all attached with cords, and I springs so that there is no need to waA until the crop is dry before putting the machine to work. The record in Waikato of Noxon mowers is a good one. It is quite safe to put this ordinary machine to work cutting ti-tree. Every part is strong and all spare parts are stocked at Hamilton. For their durable qualities, Noxon discs are also well-known. Nothing but the finest high carbon steel enters into their composition. A special line of small farm rollers has been recently added to the stock. The Duncan O.K. Mill is a favourite in the Waikato. At the price, it is claimed there is not a better mill obtainable. The Waikato sales, alone, kept Duncan's windmill department fully occupied for nearly four months. Pump separators are shown in the dairy division of the establishment. These, with Diabolo separators, supply a range that will deal with milk in quantities varying from 10 gallons to 1000 gallons per hour. The firm is also agent for the Ridd Milkin Machine, a fine exhibit of a working plant being in a prominent position in the front shop. A new feature of the machine is a patented spray check,, ensuring the i vacuum pipes being* at all times absolutely ! clean. In calf feeders the firm has secured the agency for Waikato and Auckland districts. This handy supply ,v long-felt want. Calf feeding by hand always having been looked upon, as one of the disagreeable things that could not be avoided. The calves receive their food through a teat, each teat being 1 provided with a cut-off lap from the supply tank. Every calf thus receives its share and when the first squad is fed, another lot is admitted. Lubricating oils of all kinds are stocked, the Blackstone cylinder oil being recommended to all users of oil engines, as the highest grade of cylinder oil obtainable. It is imported solely by the firm to supply users of Blackstone engines. O.K. washing machines, Daisy churns, butter workers, in fact, anything required on the farm or in the dairy can bo supplied on the shortest notice, Every enquiry, whether by letter or telephone, is promptly attended to by a competent staff.

ATTRACTIVE TEA ROOMS.

THE "THEATRE ROYAL.'\

Comfort, cleanliness, and attractive stir-) roundings are the. three attributes which specially appeal to those who have'visited the Theatre Royal Tea Booms, Victoria Street, Hamilton. Although the premises have been only open a week, they have attained a marked popularity, and it is recognised that they are in every respect, superior to the average provincial tea. rooms. To the travelling public tTTe establishment of tea rooms of a class which they arc accustomed to find only in the cities, is an agreeable surprise. To residents, the fact that their own town is possessed of an institution which has nothing to lose in comparison with the tea rooms of larger centres, is a source of equal gratification. The rooms, which are reached from the theatre entrance by a broad flight of stairs, of easy grade, overlook the main street. In the summer, tea, will be served on the balcony, and this innovation should further increase the popularity of tire rooms. The walls and ceiling of plaster, the artistic furnishings, and the apparent fact that no expense lias been spared in establishing the rooms, favourably impress the visitor. The chairs, of polished rimu and modern design, are a feature of the rooms. The silver and service are alike excellent, while the catering, which is done by Mr. L. W. Faville, is perfectly satisfactory. The staff is under the management of Miss L. Woodhouse, late of the Waverley Hotel, Auckland. A convenience which is not usually provided in tea rooms is an attractively furnished cloak-room, for the comfort of lady visitors. It is the intention of the management to shortly increase the scope of the rooms by providing luncheons, it being considered by the management that there is a good opening for enterprise of this character.