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

British And Colonial Waterproof Company

British And Colonial Waterproof Company (John Hamilton Tennant), Wholesale manufacturers, 157 and 159 Princes and Police Streets, Dunedin. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia; Private residence, Clyde Street, Roslyn. The founder and proprietor of this important industry was born in 1868, in Glasgow, Scotland, and was educated at various schools in his native town. At an early age he went to learn his trade under his father—who was works manager for Messrs. Campbell. Achnach and Co.—and afterwards worked with Messrs. James T. Goudie and Co., both well-known Glasgow firms. Subsequently Mr. Tennant worked for the last named firm as a journeyman, and while in their service was engaged through the agency of Messrs.
Mr. J. H. Tennant.

Mr. J. H. Tennant.

Sargood Son and Ewen's London house, to come out to New Zealand, to start the waterproof clothing industry for the Zealandia Waterproof Company. He arrived in New Zealand in October, 1889, and was just in time to personally make ladies' and gentlemen's garments for the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, and the display gained first award and special mention. After serving page 362 the proprietor of that company for five years, Mr. Tennant established the British and Colonial Waterproof Company in the year 1894. The leasehold premises—which are in brick—include basement and ground floors, together with a store behind. They are replete with every appliance, including five treadle sewing machines and a button hole machine; and twenty hands are engaged on the work under the personal supervision of the proprietor. About the month of July in each year Mr. Tennant makes a trip throughout the Colony, for the purpose of interviewing his customers in all parts. The trade, which is rapidly developing, is confined exclusively to wholesale buyers, and the leading retail establishments of the cities. Mr. Tennant—the expert, who introduced the industry into Dunedin—has already instructed more than one hundred girls in the performance of the various operations. He is an experienced cutter and undertakes the chief part of this work, but employs an assistant in this important department of the trade in which over twenty persons are employed. The company manufactures fishing, shooting, riding, driving, and walking garments in all styles, besides fishing waders and trousers, baptist trousers, rugs, gas bags, air cushions, air beds, hold-alls, saddle aprons, cycle tyres, and many other lines. The trade-mark is a full rigged ship within a heart bearing the words “British and Colonial Waterproof Company, Trade Mark, Guaranteed Waterproof, Dunedin.”