The Phoenix Aerated Water Coy.
1895 - 1906
The Phoenix Aerated Water and Cordial Factory was originally established as a small aerated water manufactory named the Eagle Aerated Water and Cordial Factory, owned by Andrew Hamilton from 1880 to 1887. Hamilton formed Strike & Hamilton in 1887 and in 1889 Walter Grey purchased the factory. This venture didn't last very long and after the cessation of Grey's company the concern was "allowed to get somewhat out of condition".
Mr. Maurice Samuel purchased the Cornell Street Phoenix Cordial Factory in January 1895 following the closure of Walter Grey's business. One publication called this business "Samuel & Co." This was probably a temporary name, pending the registration of the Phoenix branding.
Maurice Samuel was born in Sydney in 1840, the son of Mr. Kauffman Samuel, who married in Sydney and sailed to Wellington with his family in 1842. In 1851 Maurice travelled to London for an education and returned to Timaru in 1857 at the age of 16. At twenty years of age he became a storeowner there. In 1866 Maurice Samuel started a business in Hokitika as an accountant and trade assignee. In 1873 he travelled back to Wellington and entered into a partnership trading as 'Samuel Ladd & Co., general merchants'. Before too long he retired from this partnership to enter the aerated water business.
Mr. Samuel was 55 years of age when he bought the ailing Walter Grey business and embarked on an upgrading project. Within two years he had restored the company to profit.
Under Samuel's direction the old machinery was repaired wherever possible and cleaned. New machinery was purchased including a seven horsepower gas engine, a patent water purifier and gas purifier. The factory was reopened in Cornell Street and the company trademark was a phoenix; a mystical bird rising from a fire.
The New Zealand Cyclopaedia says this about the factory...
All kinds of refreshing summer and winter drinks are made at the Phoenix Factory and a good trade is done in town and country, full employment being found for eight hands. The premises are of brick and contain 6000 square feet of floorage space.
In 1901, The Phoenix Aerated Water Company was operating from St. Hill Street and by 1906 it had become a limited liability company, trading as The Phoenix Aerated Water Co. Ltd.
Mr. Maurice Samuel purchased the Cornell Street Phoenix Cordial Factory in January 1895 following the closure of Walter Grey's business. One publication called this business "Samuel & Co." This was probably a temporary name, pending the registration of the Phoenix branding.
Maurice Samuel was born in Sydney in 1840, the son of Mr. Kauffman Samuel, who married in Sydney and sailed to Wellington with his family in 1842. In 1851 Maurice travelled to London for an education and returned to Timaru in 1857 at the age of 16. At twenty years of age he became a storeowner there. In 1866 Maurice Samuel started a business in Hokitika as an accountant and trade assignee. In 1873 he travelled back to Wellington and entered into a partnership trading as 'Samuel Ladd & Co., general merchants'. Before too long he retired from this partnership to enter the aerated water business.Mr. Samuel was 55 years of age when he bought the ailing Walter Grey business and embarked on an upgrading project. Within two years he had restored the company to profit.
Under Samuel's direction the old machinery was repaired wherever possible and cleaned. New machinery was purchased including a seven horsepower gas engine, a patent water purifier and gas purifier. The factory was reopened in Cornell Street and the company trademark was a phoenix; a mystical bird rising from a fire.
The New Zealand Cyclopaedia says this about the factory...
All kinds of refreshing summer and winter drinks are made at the Phoenix Factory and a good trade is done in town and country, full employment being found for eight hands. The premises are of brick and contain 6000 square feet of floorage space.
In 1901, The Phoenix Aerated Water Company was operating from St. Hill Street and by 1906 it had become a limited liability company, trading as The Phoenix Aerated Water Co. Ltd.
