R. HUDSON AND CO., LTD., And CADBURY BROS., LTD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 16

R. HUDSON AND CO., LTD., And CADBURY BROS., LTD.

The merging of two such large and important business concerns as Cadbury Bros, Ltd., manufacturers of cocoa and chocolate, and R. Hudson and Co., Ltd., manufacturers of biscuit and chocolate, is already common knowledge, and it goes without saying that the Dunedin public are gratified in the fact that the wares of the combined firms will be mannfac.tured in this city.

For* 62 years the name of “ Hudson ” has been associated with the manufacture, first of 'biscuits, and then of chocolate and confectionery. The firm’s first factory in Dowling street was a small one, and the plant consisted mainly of a small biscuit oven, jOf labour-saving appliances there were none.

It was not long before the premises in Dowling street, were too small for the business, and the old Masonic Ball in Moray place, where the Criterion Hotel now stands, was purchased and •fitted up as a factory. Biscuit mixing and rolling-out machines were imported from * England, and the business grew. In a few years the premises again became too small, and the'-Masonic Hall was demolished, and on the site „ was erected a fine four-storey, building, the front portion of which ! was used as a boarding house and restaurant, known as the Coffee Palace,' the rear portion being used as a factory. It was in this building that the first cchocolate-making plant in the Southern Hemisphere was installed. As the business continued to grow it was necessary to find h special building for the biscuit department, and a bakehouse was started lower down in Moray place. The dominating idea of the founder of the firm was to build a' business large enough to provide ample scope for each of his six sons, and his ambition was to make each son capable of managing a department of the business. This ambition was fully realised, all of his six sons eventually becoming directors, and carrying on the business with conspicuous success. ’ t In 1900 both biscuit and chocolate departments were cramped for space, and the present site of the factory in Castle and Cumberland streets was purchased, and a three-storey brick building, 120 ft by 70ft, was erected. This building was ample for the accommodation of all departments with the exception of the flour mill, which was situated bn the corner of Cumberland street and St, Andrew street. By this time branches had been opened in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, with agencies in all the principal towns in the Dominion. In 1902 a disastrous fire broke out, and’ the new .factory was 1 completely burned. Before the fire burned out Mr Hudson, had his plans prepared, and by 9 o’clock next morning urgent orders were on the telegraph for timber for the in- ! ternal fittings of the new factory. Nothing remained of the old premises but the four (vails, but the work of cleaning up the debris was pushed ahead at such speed that within five weeks the biscuit ovens were, in .operation and “ Hudson’s ” biscuits were again on the market. It took five months to reinstate the chocolate and confectionery departments, as all the machinery had been destroyed, and a fresh plant had to be imported. There ih no doubt that the extra strain of this disaster told heavily on Mr Hudson, and he passed away in 1903, 10 mouths after the fire, A history of the firm would not be complete without paying a special tribute to the great part played by Mrs Hudson, sen., in the early history of the business. As occasion demands new buildings have been added until the factory now has a floor space of 170.000 square feet, and is fitted with the most modern machinery procurable. Every morning a steady stream of hands flows into the factory, and every evening it emerges, its members making their way ■to homes in all 1 parts of the city and suburbs. Hundreds of hands are employed. Recognising their 1 capability and honesty of service, the,firm ■ pays every attention to their comfort. > A piano and- gramophone are provided > for the female employees. A similar room r is set aside for the male workers, both > rooms being equipped with lending ; libraries.