Thomson & Lewis
1889 - 1893
Mr. Alfred Maurice Lewis was born in London on 28th June 1862. He was apprenticed to the aerated water trade for seven years before sailing to Auckland on the 'Lady Jocelyn' in 1880 at the age of 17.
Mr. Lewis arrived in Wellington after spending a year in Auckland and took up a position with Strike & Fairlie, where he worked for two months at the Wellington branch. In 1882, he managed G.A. Strike & Co.'s Nelson branch for three years until it was sold to James Hamilton. He then worked in Dunedin, where he met Alexander Thomson of Thomson & Co., a well-known and respected aerated water manufacturer. After a year in Dunedin, Lewis returned to Wellington, being placed in charge of the Strike & Fairlie business, then known as the Wellington Aerated Water Company.
In 1888 Wellington Aerated Water Co. went into liquidation and Lewis bought the operation. Shortly afterward, Alexander Thomson of Dunedin offered to purchase a half share in the business; thus in 1888 Thomson & Lewis were partners in the ownership of Wellington Aerated Water Co. Ltd.
On 23rd July 1889 the factory lease was transferred to Alexander Thomson. It was probably at this time, not during the short period of joint ownership of Wellington Aerated Water Co. Ltd. that the company name changed to Thomson Lewis. The partnership continued for 15 years, then in 1903 Thomson sold his interest to Lewis who continued the business on his own but the company retained the Thomson Lewis name.
The 1897 'New Zealand Cyclopaedia' described the Wellington business as follows:
The ground occupied by the Crystal Springs Mineral Water Works is fully half an acre in extent. Suitable buildings of wood and iron, some of them being two stories in height, have been erected, about half the ground being occupied. The other portion is available for storage and yard requirements. The factory, which is a hive of industry, is replete with the most modern plant for the production of all kinds of aerated waters, cordials, and non-alcoholic beverages. A three-horse-power Otto gas-engine supplies the motive power for driving the various appliances, which consist of one large soda-water machine, generators, steam boiler, and three hand bottling machines. Messrs. Thomson Lewis and Co. are direct importers of the patent bottles used, which are so well known; they also import the various classes of chemicals necessary for the successful manufacture of their waters. They have established business relations with some of the best English and Continental firms, and are able to obtain the goods they require at the lowest cost. They keep a large staff of hands, and three vans are kept going in the City. Their golden non-alcoholic ale has been in such demand that a special plant has been put down to help in its production. As manufacturers, they stand in the front rank, their soda water being considered of the best and purest quality made in the colonies, and their goods being freely recommended by the medical profession. This firm has secured large and valuable contracts, such as the supply of the vessels of the Union Steam Shipping Company, which they now hold for the third term of three years, and the Wellington Hospital for the fifth year.
Thomson Lewis became Thomson Lewis & Co. in 1893.
Mr. Lewis arrived in Wellington after spending a year in Auckland and took up a position with Strike & Fairlie, where he worked for two months at the Wellington branch. In 1882, he managed G.A. Strike & Co.'s Nelson branch for three years until it was sold to James Hamilton. He then worked in Dunedin, where he met Alexander Thomson of Thomson & Co., a well-known and respected aerated water manufacturer. After a year in Dunedin, Lewis returned to Wellington, being placed in charge of the Strike & Fairlie business, then known as the Wellington Aerated Water Company.
In 1888 Wellington Aerated Water Co. went into liquidation and Lewis bought the operation. Shortly afterward, Alexander Thomson of Dunedin offered to purchase a half share in the business; thus in 1888 Thomson & Lewis were partners in the ownership of Wellington Aerated Water Co. Ltd. On 23rd July 1889 the factory lease was transferred to Alexander Thomson. It was probably at this time, not during the short period of joint ownership of Wellington Aerated Water Co. Ltd. that the company name changed to Thomson Lewis. The partnership continued for 15 years, then in 1903 Thomson sold his interest to Lewis who continued the business on his own but the company retained the Thomson Lewis name.
The 1897 'New Zealand Cyclopaedia' described the Wellington business as follows:The ground occupied by the Crystal Springs Mineral Water Works is fully half an acre in extent. Suitable buildings of wood and iron, some of them being two stories in height, have been erected, about half the ground being occupied. The other portion is available for storage and yard requirements. The factory, which is a hive of industry, is replete with the most modern plant for the production of all kinds of aerated waters, cordials, and non-alcoholic beverages. A three-horse-power Otto gas-engine supplies the motive power for driving the various appliances, which consist of one large soda-water machine, generators, steam boiler, and three hand bottling machines. Messrs. Thomson Lewis and Co. are direct importers of the patent bottles used, which are so well known; they also import the various classes of chemicals necessary for the successful manufacture of their waters. They have established business relations with some of the best English and Continental firms, and are able to obtain the goods they require at the lowest cost. They keep a large staff of hands, and three vans are kept going in the City. Their golden non-alcoholic ale has been in such demand that a special plant has been put down to help in its production. As manufacturers, they stand in the front rank, their soda water being considered of the best and purest quality made in the colonies, and their goods being freely recommended by the medical profession. This firm has secured large and valuable contracts, such as the supply of the vessels of the Union Steam Shipping Company, which they now hold for the third term of three years, and the Wellington Hospital for the fifth year.
Thomson Lewis became Thomson Lewis & Co. in 1893.
