The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 66

Manufactories, Works, etc

Manufactories, Works, etc.

Unstimulated by the questionable aid to be derived from so-called protective duties, the manufactories and industrial works of New Zealand yet exhibit unmistakable progress; their total number in 1881 being 1,643, against 1,271 in 1878. This increase is almost entirely due to an extension in the number of industries dependent on the natural resources of the country, or incidental to a rapidly increasing population, and would seem to indicate a hardy and natural growth. Thus, since 1878 fellmongery, tanning, and currying establishments increased from 100 to 119; boiling-down and meat-preserving works, from 32 to 40; saw-mills, from 204 to 223; iron foundries, from 29 to 35; agricultural-implement factories, from 8 to 23; furniture factories, from 12 to 45; sail factories, from 1 to 13; bacon-and fish-curing factories, from 8 to 34. The increase in the number of woollen mills from 3 in 1878 to 4 in 1881 is small, but the increased quantity of goods manufactured is really much larger than the small increase in the number of establishments would appear to indicate, and from occupying an almost experimental position the woollen manufactures have grown into a sure and flourishing industry. This may be the better realized when it is stated that, while in 1878 the number of hands employed was 78, it had risen in 1881 to 417.

The number of manufactories devoted to articles of clothing increased from 7 in 1874 to 24 in 1878 and 54 in 1881.

There were 54 companies registered in 1884 under "The Companies Act, 1882." Twelve of these are noticeable as bearing upon the development of local industries, and are as follow:—
Number of Companies. Nominal Capital.
Dairy produce and bacon factories 7 £17,500
Tobacco growing and manufacturing company 1 20,000
Candle and soap manufacturing companies 2 52,000
Copper mining companies 2 65,750