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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Mcleod Bros., Ltd

Mcleod Bros., Ltd . (W. P. Watson, managing director), Soap and Candle Manufacturers, Cumberland and Castle Streets, Dunedin. Telephone, 3. P.O. Box, 229. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. The large and important industry conducted by this well known company was established on the present site by Messrs McLeod Bros. in 1869, and the business was continued as a private firm until 1883, when it was incorporated as a limited company under the provisions of “The Companies Act, 1892.” One acre and a half of freehold land, extending from street to street, is almost wholly covered by prominent and extensive brick buildings, which are mostly of two and three stories in height. The plant is up-to-date in every respect, and capable of turning out large quantities of soap, candles, and other products. There are four large boilers, which supply steam for working a five ton still and heating the various vats, etc., and for driving four horizontal engines, and pumps, chiefly required for working four large presses used in the works. A recent valuation of the machinery and plant of this extensive factory showed the actual value to be between £11,000 and £12,000, while the value of land and buildings alone was in excess of that amount. The candles, soap, glycerine, and culinary essences produced by the company are well known and largely used throughout the Colony. Two travellers are regularly moving about New Zealand in the interests of the company, the leading wholesale merchants and retail houses being large purchasers of the various brands, which are all marketed with the two islands. The principal kind of soap made by Messrs. McLeod Bros., Ltd., which is in great demand, goes under the trade mark “Laundrine,” besides which there are commoner qualities, as well as fancy and toilet soaps. In candles there are the “Gold Medal” stearine candle, and the “Imperial” paraffin candle; the former entirely made from locally produced tallow. From fifty to sixty hands are regularly employed by the firm of Messrs McLeod Bros., Ltd., at their extensive factory. During recent years, the produce of these soap and candle works has been brought to the test of competition, both within and beyond the Colony. At the great International Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1888, Messrs. McLeod Bros., Ltd., gained a gold medal for their soaps and candles, and, at the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition of 1889–90, two first and three second awards were secured for their various manufactures.