The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]
Messrs Tyree and Co
Messrs Tyree and Co.
page 322doors. The lift is worked by means of a six horse-power Otto gas-engine, placed in a new building alongside the back of the warehouse. At the rear of the main building are several sheds for the storage of rubber and bulk goods, and for general purposes, including the safe custody of bicycles used by the employees of the firm. Originally the firm was not a manufacturer; but relied for supplies of goods entirely on importations, to which the management confined its undivided energies. By degrees the attention of the firm was directed to the advisability of purchasing leathers produced within the Colony, and ultimately it commenced to deal in colonial made boots and shoes, as a great deal of the boot-making machinery now in use in the Colony was imported by the firm. Unequalled opportunities offered themselves in connection with the development of the industries in the Colony, and as the inventions of the master-minds of the Old World were, from time to time, received, the quality of the goods purchased in New Zealand improved considerably. Of late years, therefore, Messrs. Tyree and Co. have established themselves as manufacturers on the American system. About half a dozen factories, which are thoroughly equipped with the latest and most up-to-date machinery, are entirely employed in producing the well-known goods for which the firm has already made a name for itself. The work carried on at each factory is confined to the production of a few varieties only, and in consequence of this arrangement, goods are turned out more quickly and of a more uniform finish than would otherwise be the case. It may be stated that in all the factories of the firm none but union hands are employed, No pains or expense has been spared in equipping these factories with the most modern labour-saving appliances, and such has been the advance in the manufacture of boots and shoes in the Colony that it is now recognised that colonial made articles will compare favourably with those produced in other countries. Many hundreds of work people find employment in the various factories which are connected with this large business. It must be satisfactory to New Zealanders to know that the prejudices against locally manufactured boots have almost entirely disappeared, and that prices are lower owing to the high import duty. The trade mark of Messrs. Alfred Tyree and Co. is the word “Bhezt.” a new way of spelling “Best,” and its meaning is obvious. Messrs. Alfred Tyree and Co.'s business extends throughout the entire Colony including the Chatham Island's. There are eight travellers constantly moving among the firm's customers, who include not only boot and shoe vendors, but saddlers and harness-makers, coachbuilders, upholsterers, and other traders. Owing to the enormous extension of the business, which has more than doubled within the present decade, a branch warehouse has been established in Queen Street, Auckland, from which, as a centre, the Auckland provincial district is worked and is under the management of Mr. J. T. Norman. The imported stock kept by the firm, which is of the value of some £30,000, is drawn from the best markets of the Old World, and complete facilities exist for purchasing the latest styles and qualities of goods in every class through the expert buyers employed at the firm's London office. A very large business is done in indenting, whereby customers have the opportunity of becoming importers, the same opportunities enjoyed by the firm in the matter of buying being thus placed at their disposal. The firm is also an exporter of leathers.