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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Kellow, W. A.

Kellow, W. A., Hygienic Bakery, Taranaki Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. The proprietor of this modern bakery is a native of Guernsey, Channel Islands, and arrived in Wellington in 1875 in the ship “Hourah,” sailing from London. Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Kellow had the misfortune to lose all the money he brought with him; but, nothing daunted, he started to work at anything he could get, and for some time followed various occupations, including the work of generally attending to survey parties. One of the first permanent situations he secured was with Mr. Gills, baker, of Teranaki Place. This work being congenial to his tastes, he adapted himself to it, and quickly acquired the art in which he now excels. After several years' perseverance and thrift, aided by a good life partner in Mrs. Kellow, he was enabled to purchase the business from his employer, which so increased that the premises soon became quite inadequate. In 1893 he purchased the land on which he has since erected a most perfect model bakery. The building was designed by Mr. Ross, of Dunedin, the front part being of wood and plaster. It is so well designed that on approaching it from a distance it presents the appearance of a handsome stone or brick building, worthy of a more pretentions locality. Mr. Kellow's business page 592 now embraces grocery and confectionery, the latter manufactured on the premises. The bakery itself is deserving of special mention, being constructed on most modern principles, to which are added original and effective ideas of the proprietor. A large boiler is built in the oven, and the otherwise waste heat is utilized to generate steam, by which means the baking heat can be regulated to a nicety. The oven is also fitted with Baker and Sons' patent automatic illuminators, which only require the movement of a handle to turn the gas full on and open an inspection door simultaneously, whilst on three sides and in the centre of this department are tables over flour-bins, which again are all supplied by simply pulling a handle of the flour hopper overhead, so that everything is handy and scrupulously clean. Turning to the stables, we again see modern ideas put into practice. The stalls are almost self-cleansing, whilst the manger and water-troughs constructed of iron are side by side. These are known as Staples' self-cleansing and patent water-troughs, and are all that could be desired. The premises, we may state, contains about 10,400 square feet of floorage space, and Mr. Kellow employs four hands at present, but it may be expected that when the merits of his hygienic bakery are more widely known, he will have to largely increase his present staff. The career of Mr. Kellow is a good example of perseverance, industry, and enterprise, and he deserves every success.