Andrews, J. and D. (Joseph and David Andrews) Timber Merchants, Venetian Blind Butter Box, Sash, and Door Manu facturers, Cabinetmakers, Coopers, Wellington Steam Revolving Shutter, Venetian and Wire Blind Packing-Case, and Cardboard Box Factory, 205 Upper Willis Street, Wellington. Telephone 794. Bankers, National Bank of New Zaland, Te Aro. Private residences: Mr. J. Andrews, 205 Upper Willis Street; Mr. D. Andrews, Tory Street. Both partners are natives of Bromley, arriving in the Colony per ship “Edwin Fox” in 1871. Mr. J. Andrews was Lrought up specially to the venetian blind manufacturing with Mr. S. P. Clements, whom he was with for thirteen years. The present large business was established in 1882 by Mr. E. W. Petherick, Mr. J. Andrews acting as manager in the blind department. The business at its inception was very small, and did not employ many hands. It has since rapidly developed and become a large and important industry. The original premises have long been too small for the expanding manufacturing trade. The allotment is leasenold, but an opportunity presented itself of acquiring a large section at the back, having an entrance from Abel Smith Street. As this is freehold and most suitable for the purposes of the factory and timber yards, Messrs. J. and D. Andrews have purchased the site, and find it very convenient for the extension of their buildings, which consist of two mills, besides engine house, office, cooperage, stable, two dwellings, and sundry sheds. The total floorage space afforded by the various buildings, together with the large new section, is about 45,000 square feet. The steam engine heretofore used has proved too weak, and Messrs. Andrews have had to purchase a new fourteen-horse-power vertical engine and boiler by Robertson and Co., of Wellington. In the venetian blind making department of the works Mr. Andrews has every convenience necessary to the work of rapidly and accurately making the same. All materials used in this department are imported direct by the firm, including Californian timber for the lathes, boxwood bobbins, hurdles, and wheels for adjusting the cords, as well as the tape cords, and paint needed. After the laths are cut to size they are thoroughly dried and seasoned so as to avoid all twisting and shrinking. They then pass through the lath morticing machines, of which there are two, and which are both true and speedy in their action. The paint is specially mixed and prepared by the paint mixer used for the purpose. A beautiful machine is used for painting the laths, which turns them out with the paint evenly spread on all parts. The laths are then hung up to dry, and subsequently receive two additional coatings of paint. The rails are morticed likewise by a special machine. When all the parts are ready for putting together a beautiful adjustment is used for the purpose. It consists of a movable frame, which can be raised or lowered at will on the principle of the blind. Messrs. J. and D. Andrews have turned out a vast number of blinds since 1886, when they took over the factory from their predecessor. They use the very best material for the work, and expert hands are regularly employed in the factory. The butter box department is in the near future destined to become a large industry. The dairy industry of New Zealand, which is likely to rival the frozen meat trade at no distant date, is of great importance page 763 to the Colony. It is imperative in the interests of the producers that the packages which are to contain this highly perishable product, butter, should be made of the most suitable timber. It is also necessary that they should be of uniform size so as to contain a maximum quantity each. Messrs. Andrews have arranged for a large supply of New Zealand timber for the purposes of this trade. Their latest contract is for four hundred thousand feet of timber, of which one half is ordered from the Manawatu district, and one half from the Wairarapa district. This huge order is only likely to supply the factory for five months, as the firm are using eighty thousand feet per month. For the purposes of this trade and other lines Mr. Andrews has a most complete plant, comprising two circular saw benches where the timber is cut to requisite size for the work. There is a splendid three-sided planing machine, which turns the boards out beautifully finished. Besides these machines the firm have band saws, morticing, and slot-boring machines, and shaping machines. They turn out a large number of butter boxes in an incredibly short space of time. They have already supplied a considerable number of the packages to the New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union, Limited. Messrs. J. and D. Andrews have the agency for the “Reliance” export package, which is duly patented. This package is universally acknowledged to be one of the best commercial cases in the market, combining strength and light weight, which is said never before to have been attained. All timber used in the manufacture of the “Reliance” export package, as well as the ordinary butter box, is thoroughly seasoned before being used. And as the firm have largely improved their machinery they are now enabled to produce really first-class. and cheap packing cases, which are specially adapted for the use of all dairy factories. The firm have already supplied large numbers of these packages throughout the Colony, as well as to Australia, Messrs. J. and D. Andrews have also a complete cooper's plant, whereby they manufacture large casks for tallow, and small kegs for butter, or any other purposes. The staves are cut and shaped on the premises by special machinery, and a very simple arrangement is used for fitting the whole together securely. A considerable trade is likewise done in the manufacture of sashes and doors, for which suitable machinery is available. In addition to the manufacturing trade the firm does a considerable trade in the timber line. They have a very large stock in she yards and can supply any kind that may be needed. They have three horses and drays continually engaged in carting and delivering timber, or the products of the factory. Eighteen hands are employed, the wages being £100 per month. This unique factory will well repay a visit, and the Messrs. Andrews will always be ready to explain their methods to intending customers. The above illustrations show the interior of the factory in operation and an excellent group of the employees of the firm, the partners occupying the outside seats in the front row.