LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8418, 18 January 1899, Page 4

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

MESSRS E. H. FEATON AND SON'S FACTORY.

It is always with a certain amount of satisfaction that we from time lo time call attention to the local industries in our midst. Upon this occasion wo arc led to enlarge upon the praiseworthy endeavors made by Messrs E. H. Featon and Son to establish a business, at their factory in Disraeli street, in the manufacture of household soaps and sheep dips, for the supply of the district. The firm has now been established five years ; commencing in a very modest manner with the assistance only of hand labor, they put their wares upon the public. Now, and in order to meet the increased demand upon them, the operations are mainly carried on with steam power, and on a much more extended scale. A visit to the factory will well repay anyone the trouble, because it will at once dispel the idea that no good manufactures can bo made in Gisborne. We are informed by the firm that the soap trade is steadily improving, and that enquiries from outside are constantly being made for supplies. The "Cleanser" soap is already a household word in this district, and openings have been made in Auckland, Napier, and Wellington for this speciality, where it is known to so many old Gisborne residents and so highly appreciated. The advantages claimed by the linn for their soaps are that they sud well, very little rubbing is required, and they do not affect the hands. The firm are also in a position to make soft soap, carbolic soap, and other medicated soaps. At this season of the year, the main feature in the factory is the manufacture of sheep dip. Being compelled by law to dip his sheep once yearly, the farmer naturally looks around him to fix on a good dip. The practice in the past has been mainly to patronise the imported article, hut the confidence of the farmer has at length been secured largely in favor of local-made dips because use has proved their effectiveness. The sulpho-carbolic dip manufactured by this firm has proved itselt to be one of the best and most perfect compositions that ha? been prepared for the purpose. The highest proof of its excellence is that every season orders are repeated from old buyers and new ones are constantly being ordered. Many of the ■ firm's clients have used this dip for five years, which in face of the strong competition from other sources is in itself a strong recommendation. Last season over two hundred thousand sheep were treated with this dip, and without a single exception every buyer expressed satisfactipn. The highest market prices are always obtained for wool dipped in sulpho-carbol because of its clear, bright, and strong character. A second dip is being made this season at a more economical price. The " Arsenic Fluid Dip" thus prepared is of an improved character, and contains a large percentage of free sulphur, which is a valuable insecticide, in fact, as the proprietor remarked, this dip is really a powder dip made ready for mixing and use at one-third of the price. A very successful start has been made with this dip, and a fairly large amount of support is booked and promised by farmers who rely upon this class of dip. It is computed that Over £2000 is annually sent out of this district for slieep dips. Now that a reliable and effective dip can be made by this firm at a reasomble price, it is hoped that the sheepfarmers of the district will determine for themselves the advantages of patronising the local articleiu preference to sending their money away for possibly an inferior article. The firm are also manufacturers of disinfectants, insecticides, and tree washes, all of which should find a ready market.