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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Laurie, Charles George

Laurie, Charles George, Steam Confectioner, Biscuit and Candied Peel Manufacturer, Jam and Preserve Maker, Auckland and Newmarket. Telephone 477. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Retail Branch, Queen Street. Private residence, Manukan Road, Newmarket. Mr. Laurie has one of the largest confectionery businesises in Auckland, and his name and goods are well and favourably known throughout the Colony. The business was first established in 1884 in a small building at the foot of Grey Street. Mr. Laurie soon found the premises too small for his rapidly increasing business, and in 1890 buit the works he at present occupies in Manukau Road, Of late years, several extensive alterations and additions have been made in order to meet the requirements of customers. The works are of two stories, are built of wood and iron, and are fitted throughout with all the latest improved machinery. A large portion of the second floor is used for the manufacture of fancy confectionery, such as jujubes, London mixtures, comfits, lozenges, etc. The floorage space of this department is about 2000 feet, and contains lozengo-mixing and marmalade machinery, all of the most improved type. Five hands are busy in this department alone. The rest of the second-storey is used as a drying room. On the ground-floor, are situated the biscuit bakehouse, jam making, peel and boiled lollies department, with offices, storerooms and tinsmiths' works. Mr. Laurie does a large trade in candied peel, and imports the skins and limes direct from Genoa at the rate of more than 130 barrels a year. He has only lately added peel-making to his business, and the rapid extension of the turn-over speaks, well for the quality of the article. The jam making is also carried on in this department, and the jams and preserves (which are put up in glass jars and tins) are very popular throughout the province. Only the purest and choicest fruit is used, and the supplies are drawn fresh picked from the Waikato and surrounding districts. The peel and jam factory covers a floorage space of about 700 feet, and several hands are kept busily employed. The excellent quality of the jam, marmalade and preserves made by Mr. Laurie is well known, and at present the demand for these articles is greatly in excess of the supply. The biscuit bakehouse covers a floorage space of 800 feet, and contains a continuous beat-oven with a reversible gear brake. The biscuit machinery is of the most modern type. It comprises mixing and cutting machinery, and what is known an the trade as a “rout” machine, and all are driven by steam. Seven hands are employed in the bake-house. All the tins used in the business are manufactured on the premises, and the tinsmithing is Quite an important branch. Four hands are constantly kept employed manufacturing jam and biscuit tins of all sizes. The manufacture of boiled lollies, etc., is carried on in a department on the ground floor, and thero, too, with all the latest rollers, steam revolving pans, water pouring plates, all kinds of confectionery are turned out. An idea of the extent of the growth of the business may be obtained from the fact that eight years ago Mr. Laurie had only eight hands employed, while at the present time no difficulty is found in keeping nearly thirty constantly going. The stables at the rear of the business premises accommodate three horses and vans, used daily for the delivery of goods in town and suburbs. Mr. Laurie has a traveller on the road, who calls
Mr. C. G. Laurie's Premises.

Mr. C. G. Laurie's Premises.

page 326
Mr. Laurie's Premises.

Mr. Laurie's Premises.

regularly on country customers, and the firm is noted for its promptness in executing outside orders. Of its jams, “North New Zealand” is the best quality and, Auckland Jam Company's “Victory” jams, the second grade. All the materials used in connection with the business are imported direct, and considerably over 150 tons of sugar are used every year. One of the special lines made by the firm consists of Laurie's Eucalyptus Tablets, which are a pleasant remedy for coughs and colds. The retail branch in Queen Street carries a large stock of confectionery, including English-made sweets, as well as the firm's colonial goods. Mr. Laurie was born in Auckland in 1866. He was with Messrs William Gregg and Co., of Dunedin, for some years, and left them to establish his present business, which, with a combination of energy and tact, he has worked up to its present dimensions.