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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Tyer, Alfred

Tyer, Alfred, Tanner and Fellmonger, Ngahauranga. Telegraphic and cable address, “Tyer, Wellington.” Telephone 459. Mails by private bag. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand and Bank of New South Wales. More than thirty years ago Mr. Tyer founded the large business which is now conducted by him as above. From the commencement he determined that he would produce a good article in every line. He therefore established relations with Britain and Australia for the supply of bark and other materials required in tauning, of the very best quality procurable. The quality of the goods manufactured at the Ngahauranga tannery and fellmongery is such that there is no trouble about the sale of the leather, which “sells itself,” and it is only on rare occasions during severe depressions that it is needful to export a small quantity to London. Mr. Tyer's fellmongery is situated on nine acres of leasehold land adjoining the large works of the Wellington Meat Export Company at Ngahauranga. The works are admirably arranged for the conduct of an extensive business. On arrival the skins are soaked for twelve hours in large pits, from which they are removed to the lime or paint house, where they are allowed to remain over night. By means of a trolly and tramway the skins are conveyed to the pulling room, where the wool is taken off rapidly and easily, the skins being sent to this tannery and the wool to the scouring room. The machinery is driven by a powerful steamengine of forty-horse-power, made by Messrs. Luke and Son, the steam being generated by one of Messrs. Robertson and Co.'s boilers. The scouring machine, which is a marvel of simplicity, is used to thoroughly-cleanse the wool, which passes automatically, first through hot, and afterwards through cold water, leaving the machine after going between rullers which are said to give a pressure equal to twenty tons. The wool is then subjected to treatment in the hydroextractors, of which there are two. The drying process is accomplished as far as practicable in the open air, but when the weather is unsuitable the drying is rapidly accomplished by an ingenious arrangement whereby the heat from steampipes is forced by means of fans, making 900 revolutions per minute through the raw material. When ready for baling, a powerful screw press is used to complete the process The tannery is situated about a quarter of a mile up the Ngahauranga stream on a block of freehold land of fifty-two acres in extent. The buildings are well adapted for the purposes of the trade, and one hundred and seventy-six pits—comprising soaks, limes, bates, hangers, handlers, pits, and spenders—are constantly used in the various processes required to produce leather—which includes all classes of shoe and harness leather. The machinery, which includes the most modern plant for carrying on a large trade economically and effectively, is driven by a large horizontal steam engine and two smaller engines. Over 100 hands find regular employment at Mr. Tyer's tannery and fellmongery, and the whole production of these works is disposed of wholesale to the trade.