LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3439, 21 May 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

THE LIGHTNING AMERICAN SUGAR BOILERS. Sugar boiling and lolly making, pursued in the ordinary manner, is a calling that has become analagous to that pursued by any other tradesman; hut conducted in the stylo adopted by the enterprising firm of Littlejohn and Co., in Willis street, it has all the attributes of novelty that serve to bring it into conspicuous notice. The opening of the establishment some eight or nine weeks ago created quite a stir among the juvenile population, and the curiosity of the youngsters soon infected the older generation. This is accounted for by the entirely fresh departure inaugurated of working up all the different classes of goods turned out in full view of passers-by; and at all hours of the day an expert tradesman may be seen engaged in the mysterious occupation of producing piles of candies, in colours as variegated as the rainbo w and in scores cf different shapes. A visit to the shop while this work is in progress affords an opportunity of becoming somewhat conversant with the general methods and practice of the firm, and viewing the transmogrification of a bag of sugar into a corresponding quantity of toffy. The first operation, that of boiling, is conducted in cappper pots, four of which are kept going over a couple of large furnaces. The attendant in charge of this preliminary business, who,, by the way, must be a person of some considerable experience, having pronounced the proper state of consistency to have been attained, immediately has the contents of the reoeptaclaa-poured on to a large steel slab with a polished surface situated in the large front window. Here a certain amount of cooling is permitted to take place j just enough to allow the convenient handling of the viscid product. Then the. worker deftly divides the mass into whatever.sections may be necessary, and, after adding certain harmless colouring matters, rapidly proceeds, with the help of one or two assistants, to the task of shaping them into the requisite designs, being finally chilled on polished marble slabs. Should perfectly snow white toffy or candy be wanted the half - cooled boiling is suspended across an iron hook and rapidly turned about by hand until it resembles a collection of satin ribbons, this effect being brought about in some mysterious manner by the action of the air. It is this operation that always attracts a crowd of spectators, the pavement in front of the shop being frequently blocked. The thing is a perfect novelty in New Zealand, us Littlejohn and Co. are the first to adopt the idea of doing everything in public.

Some idea of the operations conducted may be gauged from the'fact that over a ton of sugar is used up every week, and as there is very little loss in the process of manufacture, it menus that over three and a half hundred weight passes every day into general consumption. Two hundred and fifty different varieties of confectionery can be made from sugar, a largo proportion of which are already in stock. Cough mixtures and eucalyptus lozenges are frequently put up iu largo quantities—sometimes a ton at a time being ordered. The stock of sugar kept for general use is never allowed to go below five tons, and caramel and jujube cutters are daily in operation. Another thing that a visitor particularly notices is the large quantity of almonds, figs and dates kept in stock, the former being always blanched before being added to any of the articles of which they form part. The interior and exterior of the building are arranged in a striking manner. Inside the chief ornament is a largo golden eagle! carved in wood, and carrying the American flag in its beak. The symbol is capitally arranged, and at the present time when that particular bird of freedom is making such a noise in the world is especially appropriate. About 50 flags of all nations are hung from the walls, which, by the way, are covered with oilcloth in representation of Mosaic tiles. Brilliantly lit np at night with incandescent lights, both inside and out, the shop is far and away the most conspicuous in the thoroughfare ; and the employees, spick and span in their white attire, seem to he continually on the alert attending to the requirements of a stream of customers. The person who provides a first-class and wholesome article to the public must in these days be regarded as a benefactor of the race, and as Littlejohn and Co. undoubtedly dp go, they pan bo regarded as being thoroughly conscientious and reliable as well as up-to-date and energetic.

Messrs .Littlejohn and Co. are the sole inventors of the Irish Moss Cough and Eucalyptus Jubes put up in attractive packets and sold last year by the wholesale druggists of tbs colony, no less than 2\ tons representing 11,200 packets. MTr Littlejohn has been practigally ajl his life engaged in the sugar-boiling business,. We understand that the firm have several winter specialties in hand, which will no doubt meet with the same success as the present enterprise is receiving. They have made themselyes known to the Wellington people by their live and energetic advertisements, and hid fair to build up a business of no Email importance and value.