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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Wellington Tinware Company

Wellington Tinware Company (John Alfred Plimmer, proprietor), Tinware Manufacturers, Japanners, etc., Featherston and Waring-Taylor Streets, Wellington. Telephone 101; P.O. Box 173. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Boulcott Street. The business of the Wellington Tinware Company was established in 1881, by Mr. R. W. Cameron. It was originally intended as a factory for the supply of meat tins for the Gear Company and Messrs. Nelson Bros. When Mr. Cameron died, his brother, Mr. M. P. Cameron, entered the business and was joined by the present proprietor, Mr. J. A. Plimmer. Messrs. Cameron and Plimmer continued in partnership until 1889, when Mr. Cameron withdrew from the firm, leaving his partner in sole possession. The trade of the Wellington Tinware Company extends throughout the Colony. The premises are large, convenient, and substantial, being mainly of brick, though there is a large workshop at the back, of wood and iron. The buildings are twostories, and have a floor space of about six thousand square feet, with a fine yard of three thousand square feet. The plant is well up to date, particularly in tinsmith's machinery and in special appliances for the manufacture of the steel trunks for which the Company has become so well-known. These trunks are made in large quantities, and of several sizes, each size and make having a special name. The principal brands are:—“Rotomahana,”
Mr. J. A. Plimmer.

Mr. J. A. Plimmer.

“Manapouri,” “Hauroto,” “Te Anau,” “Rotorua,” and “Waihi”; and the trade mark is a crown. These popular trunks have found their way to almost every part of the civilized world. The imported article has but little chance in the market against them, for the Tinware Company's trunks are of greater strength and even superior finish. When the quality and price are taken into consideration, it is not at all surprising that a large trade is done. In coal vases, Mr. Plimmer is also taking the lead, numbers being turned out every day. All sizes and descriptions are made, and the painting and japanning are of surprising quality. Another most important line is that of dairy utensils. Dairy companies and others requiting these goods in large or small quantities, should visit the Wellington Tinware Factory before making their purchases. The wholesale trade done is exceedingly large, as all the principal ironmongers have discovered that they can do better with Mr. Plimmer than by attempting to import their tinware. The Wellington Tinware Company may fairly be said to hold first place in their line, as being large manufacturers, they are also large importers. The imports consist of sheet tin, steel and iron, and tinsmith's tools and fittings. Mr. J. A. Plimmer, the sole proprietor, is a son of Mr. John Plimmer, who for over half a century has figured so prominently in the history of Wellington. Mr. Plimmer, sen., arrived in Wellington, with his wife and two or three of his children, per ship “Gertrude,” in 1841. Mr. J. A. Plimmer was born in Wellington, and was educated at the Church of England school. For a short time he was engaged with his father in the timber trade; and in 1864, he entered the civil service in the Customs Department. Whilst thus engaged, Mr. Plimmer had a few years experience in both Wellington and Christchurch, and finally had a year at Auckland. Resigning his appointment in the service, he returned to Canterbury and accepted the position of shipping clerk and salesman page 685 in charge of the Lyttelton business of Matheson's Agency. In 1875 Mr. Plimmer returned to his native city and entered into partnership with Mr. Edward Reeves: and for ten years Messrs. Plimmer, Reeves and Co. conducted a thriving and profitable business. Their wharf was recognised as a legal landing place, and therefore their foreshore rights were of great value. The reclamation of that part of the harbour gave rise to a special claim for compensation on the part of the owners. Messrs. Plimmer, Reeves and Co. dissolved partnership in 1885, since which time Mr. Plimmer has been engaged in the above business. Though he has studiously avoided politics, Mr. Plimmer has always been more or less engaged in the more public duties of citizenship. He was chairman of the musical committee of the Wellington Exhibition in 1885, was for several years a member of the Terrace School Committee, and is now a prominent member of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association. There has not been a leading musical society in Wellington for the past twenty years or more, of which Mr. Plimmer has not been a member, giving his assistance both as a tenor singer and as a business man in committee work and other matters of management. Mr. Plimmer is at present a member of St. Peter's choir, though for many years he was similarly connected with St. Mark's. He is a Master Mason, and a member of the Wellington Bowling Club. There are few men in the City so thoroughly respected as Mr. J. A. Plimmer.