GISBORNE INDUSTRIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2206, 9 October 1907, Page 1

GISBORNE INDUSTRIES.

THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY.

WHAT LOCAL SKILL AND LOCAL WORKAFEN CAN ACHIEVE.

I A representative of this journal passing along Gladstone road yesterday afternoon dropped in at the furniture factory of Mr Churl es (Taylor with a view to learning■ the I possibilities of this town in the direction of supplying its own requirements in the furniture line. The result came to tho reporter, as it would to tho majority of local residents, as a revelation in whati can be accomplished by skilled designers, competent workmen and the very complete equipment which Mr Taylor possesses. Visitors to the firm’s show room in Messrs Macky, Logan and Co’s new .premises, Peel Street, during recent weeks have been unstinted; in their admiration of the choice furniture displayed there, but few* would credit that practically the whole of it lias been manufactured) within the city of Gisborne. Naturally, the popular and reliable kauri figures very largely in the various articles, but for those whose tastes and pockets cry aloud for walnut, oak, mahogany, cedar, and other of I ■the world’s choicest woods Mr Taylor is fully prepared. He has constantly arriving ample supplies of these timbers, and, having every article constructed under 1 his own personal supervision, is able to produce duchesses, chairs, bedsteads, suites and etc. in the latest English style and with a finish that no im- I ported article oau excel. It is two and a half years now I since Air Taylor first arrived from Ssotland and opened up in the furniture lino in Gisborne, and tho results I have been so satisfactory to him that I he has found it necessary to enlarge, not only his premises but also his plant. To the Times representative I he put the position thus:—“l am sol satisfied with the prospects of Cm:;- I borne that I have made my arrange-I .menfe to cater for a very large trade. I Furniture is usually of so bulky a ■nature and so easily breakable that I ■importing .it becomes a very expen- j sive matter, and provided I put up a plant capable .of turning out the best I quality a.t ■as low a coot as possible I a successful trade is bound to result.” A look .through the factory was sufficient justification for the I proprietor’s faith. Workmen and I pliant were a;ll going at top speed endeavoring to keep pace with the sheaf of orders at present on hand I representing business from all parts I of Poverty Bay. It a Iso illustrated how thoroughly up-to-date are tho methods of manufacture.- Wherever I possible machinery is employed, and the slow, uncertain work of the arti- I san gives place to the speed and ac- I curacy of the most modern labor-sav-1 ling devices. In this respect Mr Tay-1 lor is constantly on the watch for the I best that is obtainable, and tho next I addition to' his plant due in a few I days, is what is known as a dove- I tailer. It is claimed for this machine that it will dovetail 90 drawers back and front, in an hour. Its utility may be understood when it is further I stated that a good workman would I have to work very hard to achieve I n similar result in a fortnight. I It is in such ways as this that Mr I Taylor is enabled to turn out fiurni-1 turo of the latest design, and of undoubted quality at a price n:o higher I than is paid in the chief centres of I the Dominion. Air TVylor leaves nothing to chance in regard to the condition of the wood employed. in his work. Every piece is thoroughly ■seasoned before the workmen are allowed to put a hand upon it. To the reporter he showed a bag pile of timber lying on rafters awaiting the opportunity for rise. . “This,” said he “■wns out drying in the wind and sun for over 2 years before it came inside. I can show you cedar and mahogany with the English brand on it guaranteeing that it has been kept since 1888. When you get timber of .this kind there is little fear of the ■furniture warping.’.’

The show room in Peel Street contains a fair sample of tlie work that tlie factory is turning out, ami the chief feature which strikes a visitor is the remarkable ninety of the stock there' displayed. For instance there are no less than six different styles in Chesterfields, and no less than 10 different varieties in chairs. Amongst the most noticeable designs in suites are .the Ar.gyle, the Princess unci the Cumberland. .Louis cabinets ill Chippendale mahogany and overmantels in salictoak, American ash and walnut quickly attract notice. Mr. I’D ivlor also carries heavy stocks of Italian iron bedsteads and recently received the largest importation of this lino that lias vet come to Gisborne. Just at present, in order to clear an overcrowded workshop and to facilitate tho reception, of new machinery and a necessary readjustment of tlie plant Mr •Tavlor lias decided to hold a sale of Special lines. This is to tike place dur.in.sr Show week and for that period 'it is his intention to offer the dadIstirme street, stock at exceedingly tempting prices.