Clothing.

Since the time that Adam prepared the first primitive garments for himself and Eve, clothing has taken up a great deal of attention amongst their descendants.

Dunedin and the neighbourhood are not behind in these civilised requirements.

In the first place there are two woollen mills.

The Roslyn Worsted and Woollen Mills are owned by Messrs Ross and Glendining, the well known firm whose city premises are a handsome block of buildings situated in Stafford street. The Mills at Roslyn are complete in every respect, provided with all modern appliances, are lighted by electricity, and the products will compare favourably with any manufactures that are placed on the market. A great variety of goods are produced here; amongst others are tweeds, coatings, Crimean shirtings, serges, flannels, blankets, shawls, travelling rugs, hosiery, &c., &c.

Messrs Ross and Glendining have also a clothing factory, the building for which was specially erected in Stafford street, where the various materials manufactured at the mills are made up into clothing. Altogether, the firm employ several hundreds of work-people, amongst whom are a large proportion of females.

Another mill is known as the Mosgiel Woollen Factory, and is situated in the town from which it derives its name. It is owned by a company; the shareholders in which have found it a very remunerative investment. The building is both substantial and commodious. It is lighted by electricity, and everything about the premises is of the most modern and improved construction. The manufactures are well known all over the colony, page 250and are always admitted to be unexcelled in quality. They comprise almost every kind of material, of which wool forms the component part. Between three hundred and four hundred people are employed in this industry, about half of whom are females.

Besides the clothing factory mentioned previously, there are several others in Dunedin. The largest is the New Zealand Clothing factory (Messrs. Hallenstein Bros., proprietors.) The factory is a large and substantial building situated in Dowling street. The whole establishment is excellently fitted up, not only for the due execution of the work, but also for the convenience and comfort of the workpeople. A special feature in the business of this firm, is that instead of supplying the general retailers, they have retail branches of their own in nearly every town of importance in the colony, and sell direct to the public at factory prices.

The clothing factory of Messrs. Morris and Seelye is situated in the recently erected building at the corner of Princes street and Dowling street. The premises are well adapted for the purpose, and employment is provided for a number of workpeople.

There are two other clothing factories, one owned by Messrs. Innes and Macfarlane in Dowling street, and the other by Messrs. Levy, Gruthrie and Co. in Eattray street.

The goods manufactured at these factories are dispatched to all parts of the colony.

Some of the best hands among the female employees are enabled to earn higher wages than labouring men or even the majority of artisans in the British Islands.

There are also several Shirt and Hosiery Factories, which provide employment for a great nunber of the female population.

The remarks on clothing would be scarcely complete without mention being made of head-gear. The bulk of the hats are imported from Europe. There are, however, a few firms who manufacture this article, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr. Geo. Bertinshaw, George street, Messrs. A. Masters and Co., Princes street, and Mr. J. Muir, Princes street.

In order to show the great progress which has been made in manufacturing industries in Dunedin during the half century, it may be pointed out, that if it was desired, a man could be clothed page 251from head to foot in colonial made garments and also factory made at that.