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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Hirst and Co
Hirst and Co.
(John Holmes and Jonah Harris) Tanners, Fellmongers, Curriers, etc., Kaiwarra, Wellington. Telephone 483; P.O. Box 150. Telegraphic address, “Hirst, Kiawarra.” Trade Mark, an anchor, Bankers. Colonial Bank of New Zealand. This tannery is one of the oldest in Wellington and one of the most extensive in the Colony. Mr. Holmes was in the employ of the founders of this firm when it started, and may also be said to rank among the earliest of New Zealand colonists. He was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, and when young, embarked from London
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with his parents in the ship “Oriental,” arriving in New Zealand in 1810. Since first going to work he has devoted his whole time to gaining a knowledge of the practical part of the trade. He has later still added an all-round knowledge of business, which has enabled him, in conjunction with his partner, to build up and conduct this industry so successfully. Mr. Harris is a native of Somersetshire, England, and at an early age sailed with his parents by the ship “Clifton,” arriving in Wellington in 1840. He served his apprentice-ship to the tannery and fellmongery business with the original proprietor of the works in its early days, and continued for many years after as journeyman. In 1876 he entered into partnership with Mr. Holmes, and they jointly took over the business from Mr. Hirst, who at that time was the sole proprietor. By the continued efforts of these two energetic and thoroughly practical men this establishment has further grown in size and importance. The site is an excellent one, being nearly surrounded by lofty and picturesque hills, and may be overlooked by passengers travelling on the Manawatu railway. The land consists of about four-and-a-half acres and is divided by a permanent stream which is spanned by a bridge that connects the works. The buildings are of wood and iron and some are two and three stories high; they cover about two acres of land and contain many departments. To the left of the office and main building stands the bark shed, in which is stored several hundreds of tons of wattle bark, imported from Australia and Tasmania. Another excellent tanning material used and stored elsewhere is a kind of nut, grown in Smyrna and imported specially for the purposes of the firm. Both materials are ground on the premises by two special machines. In another shed, adjoining, the green hides are salted and packed till required in the tan pits, of which there are some 300, mostly lined with totara wood and so constructed and arranged that all the tanning liquor is conducted into one main chaunel which conveys it to a well. From thence it is pumped to the various tan pits as occasion requires, thus saving much labour and trouble. From the salt house the hides first go into the water pits to wash out he salt. They are then sorted and selected for different purposes, and placed in the lime pits, where they remain for some days. They are then cleansed of the lime and are next passed on to the beam house. From the beam house the sole leather goes to the tan pits and afterwards to the racks to dry, while the kip and harness leather has to be further prepared in the bate house before going in the tan liquor.
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The upper and harness leather then goes into the currying department, and the sole leathers, while yet soft, are brought to the striking machines, of which there' are two for sole leather and one for basils. This process takes out all buckling and wrinkles, and causes the hides and sheepskins to lie flat and even, at the same time scouring them. The heavier of the hides are then passed through two pairs of rollers, the thick parts being dealt with by a heavier, while the thinner parts are treated by a light pair. This process makes the leather very firm and solid and increases its durability. The lighter of the hides are selected for kip leather and are either split or reduced to proper thickness by the splitting machine. This is a marvellous appliance by which a hide is split in a few seconds. The six-feet knife of the machine is kept sharp by an automatic knife grinder conveniently located on the premises. The visitor may next look through the many rooms fitted with numerous racks and see leather, leather everywhere, and for all purposes, some wet, while those for the uppers and
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saddlery are covered by grease preparation. The latter go into the currying and finishing departments where the facing is put on the leather in black or tan colours of different shades. The finished article is now seen ready for market. There are sixty-five hands employed at present, and when the fellmongery department now in course of erection is completed the total number will be increased to eighty. The numerous staff employed on these large works goes a good way to form the local township. The output of this firm amounts to about 18,000 hides, 60,000 to 70,000 pelts and 3000 calf skins per annum, which are sent to all parts of the Colony. Besides his private duties, Mr. Holmes takes a lively interest in other matters, and is at present a member of the Council of the Borough of Onslow, and also of the local licensing committee. Mr. Harris's time is fully devoted to the internal working of this establishment, while Mr. Holmes (with the able assistance of Mr. Blacklock, as accountant) takes the general management. In politics these proprietors advocate protection against the imported manufactured article.