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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Donaghy's Rope And Twine Company, Ltd
Donaghy's Rope And Twine Company, Ltd. , Lower Rattray Street, Dunedin. Directors, Hon. A. Lee Smith, M.L.C. (chairman), and Messrs J. L. Passmore, G. L. Sise, A. Lee Smith, junior, and H. F. Passmore. Secretary, Mr. A. Lee Smith, junior. Telephones: office, 178; factory, 1263. P.O. Box, 94. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Cable Address, “Donaghy,” Dunedin. Codes, A.B.C., A 1, and Western Union. Factories, South Dunedin, Auckland and Invercargill. The large manufacturing business now conducted by the Donaghy's Rope and Twine Company, Ltd., was founded in 1876 by the late Mr. M. Donaghy, of Geelong, who carried on the business till 1881, when he sold his interest to Mr. A. Lee Smith, and a late partner. Three years later Mr. J. L. Passmore and his brother joined the firm, and work was continued as a private concern till 1889, when it was registered as a limited company under the title of M. Donaghy and Company, Ltd. This company was the pioneer of the binder twine manufacture in New Zealand, and for many years it has been at the head of the general cordage trade of the Colony. The present company dates from 1895, when it was incorporated for the purpose of amalgamating the old Donaghy Company with the Auckland Fibre and the Southland Rope and Twine Companies. At their works in Auckland and South Dunedin the company manufacture all kinds of cordage, the Invercargill factory being devoted exclusively to the manufacture of binder twine. The works at South Dunedin and at Invercargill are built in brick, the motive power being derived from steam engines of two hundred and fifty and thirty horse power respectively. The Auckland premises are built of wood, contain a forty horse power steam engine, and, like the works in the South Island, have complete and up-to-date machinery for the manufacture of the various ropes and twines. The whole of the factories of the company are built on freehold land. Besides doing a great deal to supply local requirements, the company export a considerable quantity of their produce to the Australian colonies and the South Sea Islands. An effort is being made to establish a trade in binder twine with Great Britain, and in this some success has already been achieved.