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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Masefield Bros

Masefield Bros, (John Masefield and Alexander Masefield), Fish, Fruit, and Meat Preservers, Russell, Bay of Islands. Auckland agents, Seegner, Langguth and Co. Branch at Batley. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. This firm's business was established by Mr. Joseph Masefield at Helensville in 1883, but he removed the following year to Batley. In 1885 the business was taken over by Messrs. Masefield Bros., who carried on a steadily increasing trade there for four years, when they in turn removed to Russell. The freehold comprises 200 acres on which are erected the residences of the brothers, and the works which consist of six buildings occupy an acre of ground. The factory is built of wood and iron with a total floor space of 1600 square feet. It is fifted up with all the latest American machinery and all the requisites for carrying on large operations. The machine-room adjoining the factory has a five horse-power engine by Masefield, of Auckland; there are also machines, presses and dies for making tins of all shapes and sizes, such as guillotines, rolling, seaming, floating and crimping machines. All the cooking is performed by steam in a separate room, where the tins are filled, washed and thoroughly tested by a special process; they are then
Hanna, photo.Mr. J. Masefield.

Hanna, photo.Mr. J. Masefield.

page 566 sent on to the store-room, where they are lacquered, labelled, and packed ready for export. There is storage capacity for 1000 cases, but the demand for Messrs. Masefield Bros.' “Star” brand mullet is so great that the store-room never gets full. The most popular size is the one pound tins, of which a stock of over 10,000 is kept ready for filling. The firm import all the necessary materials for preparing their products for the market. The fish-house is twenty-five feet in length and well fifted up with benches and vats. Very special atten tion being given to the cleansing department, salt water is pumped into the fishhouse and the fish thoroughly washed and inspected before being sent to the smoke-house. Smoked fish forms a not inconsiderable portion of the firm's trade, their “Star” brand kippered mullet and schnapper being well known. Besides preparing fish for the market, Messrs. Masefield Bros, can beef and fruit to a large extent, but though they are in a position to preserve all the raw materials placed in their hands, the want of sufficient supply is the main difficulty. They have succeeded in working up a fine trade, not only in New Zealand, but with the South Sea Islands and the Old Country; their products have stood the test of the extremes of climate and have reached a very high standard of excellence. Messrs. John and Alexander Masefield, the proprietors, are sons of Mr. Joseph Masefield, the founder of the firm, and were born at Kaipara in the years 1866 and 1869, respectively. They there entered the business which subsequently became known as Messrs. Masefield and Sons, and in 1885 the firm having removed to Batley, the brothers took over the concern. Prior to their arrival on the East Coast of the North Island, fish canning had long been looked upon as a most unprofitable industry. Messrs. Masefield Bros., however, succeeded in dispelling that illusion for their “Star” brand is a household word throughout the North and in many other parts of New Zealand.
Hanna, photo.Mr. A. Masefield.

Hanna, photo.Mr. A. Masefield.

Masefield Bros.' “Star” Preserving Works.

Masefield Bros.' “Star” Preserving Works.

Trade Mark.

Trade Mark.