Hobart Town Baskets

BASKET MAKING.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Tuesday 21 September 1869 

BASKET MAKING. 

Among the several local industries carried on in Hobart Town, the manufacture of baskets is by no means one of the least important. Willows or osiers, the staple article used by the basket manufacturer, were originally introduced into this colony about forty years ago, by George Hull, Esq., J. P. Tolosa, O'Brien's Bridge. 

They are now grown abundantly in beds along the streams and water courses, throughout the district, from O'Brien's Bridge to New Norfolk, and about Brown's River, and are to be met with in many other localities, where the soil ,and water supply are favorable to their growth. The willows are gathered in the winter months, and made into bundles, which are placed standing upright, with the lower ends of the osiers immersed in water, in order that they may be kept fresh and green till the spring sets in. In September and October, they commence to sprout and when this process has fairly set in they are removed as required and stripped of their bark, which is placed in a heap to rot, and is afterwards used for manure. 

The osiers when stripped are placed in the sun to dry and bleach or whiten ; when sufficiently dry they are made into bundles ready for use or sale. Large quantities thus prepared are annually forwarded to the Melbourne and other Victorian markets. The present price per ton in Hobart Town is about £15, but during the year the price varies considerably, being sometimes as low as £10, while at others £20 will be freely paid. There are two basket manufacturers in Hobart Town, namely, Mr. Samuel Bridges of 98 Elizabeth street, and the other Mr. B. Wignall, of 29 Harrington-street, both of whom employ a considerable number of hands. 

On visiting Mr. Bridges' establishment yesterday, we found about 40 boys, mostly of the "street arab " class, actively at work stripping the bark off the osiers, and many of them evinced a remarkable aptitude for the work. The dexterity of two blind boys, named Wiltshire and Johnstone, was particularly noticeable. They can both begin and finish the coarser baskets, and have commenced to practice on the finer qualities, and, in fact, Mr. Bridges considers them in every respect equal to the other youths employed by him and who have the advantage of eyesight. 

Wiltshire, who is 16 years old, was for some years an inmate of the Orphan School, but he was not taught either reading or writing or, in fact, in any way prepared for earning his bread. On entering Mr. Bridges' employment, which he did about four years ago, Mr. Bridges' son became interested in him and undertook to teach him to read. 

Through the kindness of B. Travers Solly, Esq., Assistant Colonial Secretary, suitable books with raised letters were procured, and in a few months the task undertaken by young Bridges was successfully accomplished. His pupil can now read fluently from the raised characters. There are also two blind boys employed in the same occupation at Mr. Wignall's establishment, both of whom are rapidly becoming efficient in the various branches of the trade. 

Yesterday there were about 25 boys employed in the latter establishment, in stripping the osiers. Thus during the months of September and October these two establishments give employment to, from 60 or 70 boys who would otherwise be idling about our streets. ln the work of Mr. Bridges' two men and four apprentices are employed all the year round, and in Mr. Wignall's four hands are constantly employed. 

Among the articles submitted to our inspection were clothes baskets, butchers' baskets, arm and market baskets, bushel baskets for garden work; packing baskets for exporting fruits; ladies fancy reticulesaud work baskets of all descriptions, fire screens, plate baskets, cradles, and bassinets, &c., &c., all of which, would compete favorably with those imported, being fully equal to them in appearance, and much more durable. 

ln such goods our local manufactures can advantageously compete with the foreign manufacturer, but they are not yet able to do so in respect to the fine sorts and fancy baskets used by ladies, which are so tastefully manufactured in the mother country. About £300's worth of willows are annually prepared by Mr. Bridges for use in his own establishment, and exportation. The largest growers in the colony are, Mr. P. C. Reid, of O'Brien's Bridge, and Major Reid, of New Norfolk.

BRIDGES BROTHERS' BASKET FACTORY. THE WILLOW -STRIPPING SEASON. 

Local Industries. BRIDGES BROTHERS’ BASKET FACTORY. THE WILLOW-STRIPPING SEASON.

Tasmanian News (Hobart, Tas. : 1883 - 1911) Monday 7 October 1895 p 2 Article

The willow-stripping season has com- menced, the well-known firm of Bridges Brothers know it, those whose avocations run in the willow-stripping line know it, and this morning a representative of the Tasmanian News was acquainted with the fact.

At the invitation of Mr James Bridges, the senior partner of the firm, he was enabled to see how the raw willows were converted into material to pass the eye of the practical basket maker. Mr Samuel Bridges has charge of the willow-stripping centre, which takes in a space about one acre in extent situate Burnett street.

Having bid Mr Samuel a cheery good morning and informed him of the object of paying him a visit no time was lost in taking at walk through the Domain. At the westernmost end of the area are the green willows all done up in bundles and stacked on their ends in pits made for their reception.

The centre of the yard is given up to the strippers, which consist of women, girls, and boys. In the various groups may be seen the woman of 60, the girl just budding into womanhood, and boys and girls in their teens. " How many do you employ, Mr Bridges?" asked our representative. “ 

• All told 84 ” "‘Mostly poor people, I presume?" “Yes, they are all people who are suffering from the depression of the times and the children of poor people.” 
• "I see a num­ber of elderly people amongst them." “ Yes, those are the old hands; we employ these every year. Of course, there are a number who drop out either by death, departure to other places, or inability to do work, and their places are supplied with fresh ones.” 
• “ Do you not have some trouble managing such an heterogeneous throng?" “ No, they know exactly what they have to do, and if they do not do it we discharge them. In these times they will not risk dismissal.” 

Then Mr Bridges explained the modus operandi of stripping. The willow is first placed in a cleft iron, through which it is drawn. This bruises and splits the bark. It is then passed on to the strippers who make a white wand of it in next to no time with their deft fingers.

Some of the strippers, more especially the girls, are particularly smart, and, of course,these receive an increased wage for their activity. “ Where do the willows come from, Mr Bridges? ” All parts of the country.”

“How is trade?” Well, not brisk at present, still we are hoping for better times.” How much longer will these people be employed?” “ About five weeks."

Well, you let a little sunlight into some poor homes by engaging this labor." “ Well, I suppose we do ; if times were brisker we would employ more, but business in its present state will not warrant it."

“ What about the basket making? “ Oh, you had better see Mr James, he runs that show, and he will be glad to show you over that portion of our business at any time"

“ Good morning, Mr Bridge*” “ Good morning, and thank you for the visit.”