The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]
Meat Trade
Meat Trade.
Hannam, William (Thomas Hannam, manager), Wholesale and Retail Family Butcher, corner of Albert Street and Mackay Street, Greymouth. Head establishment, Revell Street, Hokitika. This branch business was opened by Mr. Hannam in the year 1892, and receives its supplies from Hokitika. A good trade is done in Greymouth and its suburbs.
Hildebrand, A. and Co (A. Hildebrand and Jesse Steer), Wholesale and Retail Family and Shipping Butchers, Small Goodsmen and Preservers, Boundary Street, Greymouth. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. This firm, which is reputed to be the largest butchering business on the whole of the West Coast of the Middle Island, has an exceptionally smart looking front shop, and the general cleanliness of the whole establishment is very noticeable. The glazed tiled walls, shaded in dark blue, and the heavy marble counters, imported direct from Italy, are attractive and much admired. Mr. Steer believes in having everything abreast of the times. The large American Buffalo weighing-machine is a novelty seen in but few shops in the country, and is capable of weighing with the greatest accuracy from an ounce to a ton. The firm buys only the best quality of cattle, sheep, lambs, and pigs, and pays the highest price for stock. The weekly output numbers from ten to twelve carcases, and over sixty sheep, exclusive of pigs and calves. Messrs Hildobrand and Co. are also the largest makers of small goods on the West Coast, and possess a plant for this class of work second to none in New Zealand. The curing of bacon and ham is carried on, on an extensive scale. This is a now departure, but the success that has attended the “Mawhera” brand has been phenomenal, and the firm is likely to make more extensive improvements in this department, which should be a boon to the district, as pig-raising is a very profitable investment if a ready market can always be obtained, and Messrs Hildebrand and Co. provide such a market. Another branch of the business is the preserving industry. Whitebait, beef, tongues, sausages, and other articles in season, are preserved and shipped to Australia and different parts of New Zealand. The firm also possess a cool storage and ice-making plant, and supplies ice in any quantity. Ever alive to the requirements of the public, the firm is resolved to build up a business equal to the best in New Zealand.
Mr. J. Steer.