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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Laundries

page 696

Laundries.

Empire Steam Laundry (Grant and Co., proprietors), 51 Kent Terrace, Wellington. Telephone 637. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This prominent establishment, which was founded in 1874, is said to be the oldest steam laundry in the Colony. The freehold premises comprise wood and iron buildings of one story and two stories in height, having some 7000 square feet of floorage space. In the engine-room a nine-horse-power horizontal engine with automatic adjustment is driven by a multitubular steel boiler of sixteen-horse-power. The various departments, which are admirably arranged, and fitted throughout with the electric light, include receiving and sorting, mangling, ironing, starching, and drying rooms. There are two wash-houses—having concrete floors—the one being set apart for handwork, while the other is fitted with four large washing machines, having a gross capacity equal to five hundred sheets or shirts per hour. Here also are two powerful hydro-extractors, which revolve at the rate of twelve hundred per minute, and are driven by separate steam engines, each of four-horse-power. In the mangling department there is a large ironing mangle, having steam-heated cylinders, and a powerful box mangle also driven by steam. There are three drying closets with a capacity of 150 shirts each, and a large brick drying-room, all heated by steam coils, the latter being capable of holding 1000 pieces. The ironing-room, which presents a busy scene, has a large pyramid stove which heats three dozen irons at once. As the accommodation is inadequate for the demands of the trade, large additions to the buildings and plant are contemplated. The Empire Steam Laundry, which employs a large number of hands, has a good hotel and family connection, two vans being engaged in collecting and delivering. The firm, who do the laundry work for the Huddart-Parker line of steamers, have done a great deal of work for the shipping companies, including the Shaw, Savill and Albion, and Union Steamship Companies.

Empire Steam Laundry.

Empire Steam Laundry.

Victoria Steam Laundry (Philip Wills, proprietor), Hanson Street, Wellington. Telephone 613. This business was established in 1885 by the present energetic proprietor,
Photo by Mrs. Hermann.Mr. P. Wills.

Photo by Mrs. Hermann.
Mr. P. Wills.

under whose able management it has developed into one of the chief laundry businesses of the city. The premises are constructed of wood and roofed with iron, and are fitted up with all the latest plant and the most modern appliances for a high-class laundry. On the ground floor of the establishment are situated the engine room, wash-house, drying and sorting rooms, while surrounding the building there is a large area which is available in fine weather for drying purposes. The office, ironing, folding, mangling, and packing rooms are situated on the upper floor. During the busy season as many as thirty hands are employed. The Victoria Steam Laundry is supported by most of the leading hotels, including the Empire, Royal Oak, Club, Post Office, Pier and many other hotels in the city. In shipping circles it is patronized by the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand and the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company The machinery and plant cost some hundreds of pounds—one machine alone, the steam mangle, manufactured by the Troy Laundry Machinery Company of the United States of America, having been imported for the Victoria Steam Laundry at a cost of £110. Mr. Wills' son-in-law has charge of the machinery, and Mrs. Wills takes an active part in the management by superintending the working branch of this large concern. Mr. Wills attends to the outdoor branch. The proprietor, who is a very energetic man, hails from Devon, England, where he was born in 1847. He came to New Zealand in 1874.

Other Laundries.

Gramminger, John, Laundry, 56 Tory Street.

Naismith, Alexander, Steam Laundry, 18 and 20 Hopper Street.

Tyson, William Elliott, Laundry, Constable Street.