ADVERTISEMENT.
C. A. PETERSON'S
Engineering & Blacksmiths
A
and Boiler Works,
CREEK Side, 115 & 116.
SIDE,
LL the world over there are certain great commercial or manufacturing firms whose names are as
familiar as household words, whose style and title are indissolubly linked with the rise and
progres
of a country if not with its foundation. They are monuments of the creative power of those who founded and skilfully raised them to the pinnacle of success, while hosts of competitors flounder in attempting to steer the same course. The secret of this successful seamanship (metaphorically speaking)—— and were it possible to provide a chart and compass that would show the shoals and quicksands of commerce-would indeed be an invaluable gift to the many who are entering upon their voyage on the ocean of life. But, although "of the making of books there is no end, nothing has been written to show why one commander is able to make port with colours flying and drums beating, while other shallops, which have been launched under auspices as fair, and freighted with the good wishes of hosts of friends, have been thrown upon their beam-ends!"
The public refraining from losing itself in the mazes of speculation, as to the causes of success and failure, is only cognisant of the fact that it is better served by one firm than another and bestows its patronage accordingly, until at last there is inscribed upon the mercantile annals of the time an enduring record of such a concern as C. A. Peterson's Engineering, Blacksmithing and Boiler-making Works, and be it remembered that there are few if any industries which have a greater effect upon a native than that of manufacturing, Japan is progressing very rapidly in this direction, both in respect to local manufacture (that is to say, the Japanese themselves), and also foreigners. With the former it is simply a question, in many cases, of downright pirating. With the latter it is the result of brains, capital and experience. Among the most extensive manufactures controlled by foreign capital and brain is that of Peterson & Co., Engineers, Blacksmiths, Boiler-makers and Ship Carpenters.
Established seven years ago by the present proprietor, Mr. C. A. Peterson, and was at that time a syndicate, but has since reverted to the sole proprietorship of the original founder, C. A. Peterson, who is a Swede by birth, and has had a most varied experience in the east. His connection with the cast dates as far back as 1878 since when he has been closely connected with his profession in one way and another with the most gigantic concerns of the day, among which special mention may be made of Mitsui Bros., N. Y. K. Coy, etc., etc. Since taking over the business on his own account, Mr. Peterson has ever been on the alert to improve his work and connection, and as an illustration of how successful he has been in this respect, it may be mentioned that at time of his controlling the concern himself, there were but 50 hands employed, and slowly and surely as work progressed the staff were added to and now the pay-roll has upwards of 180 to 200 names upon it. Apart from inside work, the firm have a number of large contracts outside, so to speak, engaged in building liquid fuel tanks and all accessories thereto, and in connection therewith employ from as many as 300 to 400 hands on these contracts. Throughout his career Mr. C. A. Peterson has been on the look-out for new ideas and improvements in every branch of the profession, and the result is the machinery of the firm has been added from time to time, and now the works are complete with all the latest lathes, steam hammers, etc., etc., which are the whole nucleus of a successful engineering business. Among the many large contracts which are manipulated by this firm, we herewith quote a few, rviz., all engineering work in connection with the present line of Norwegian steamers is executed by the firm, and in addition to this the German man-of-war steamers are attended to, and Messrs. Samuel Samuel's line of steamers are repaired, etc. The firm also works in connection with docks, shipbuilding yards, etc. It may be mentioned as a criterion of how great are their resources to allude to one of their contracts in connection with a German man-of-war, in which they manufactured a stop-valve of 3,800 lbs., the largest of its kind ever built in the East.
In conclusion it is pleasing to relate that a firm of this nature has had such a successful career, and by merit of its success it is entitled to inclusion in these pages, and we congratulate the proprietor in his skilful management of this one of the staple foreign industries of the East.